MLB keeps pace of play emphasis in 2024 rules changes

The pace of play in Major League Baseball in 2024 may be tighter, while the path to first base will be wider.

MLB announced several modifications to the league’s rules that will take effect next year, including a shorter pitch clock with runners on base, fewer mound visits allowed and a more spacious lane for hitters running to first.

The rules were passed by the Competition Committee — which is comprised of six owners, four players and one umpire — and were voted against by representatives from the Players Association.

Tony Clark, the MLBPA executive director, said in a statement Thursday that the “immediate additional changes are unnecessary and offer no meaningful benefits to fans, Players, or the competition on the field.”

The league has been trying to further cut down the time of games after the debut of the pitch clock was met with near universal praise and shortened games from an average of 3:03 in 2022 to 2:39 in 2023.

Yet, game times for nine-inning games increased by an average of seven minutes from April to September as players adapted, and further pace-of-play tweaks are designed to combat the game lengthening further.

The most important rule changes, which will begin in spring training and continue through the postseason:

• Shorter clock: With runners on base, the pitch clock will shrink from 20 seconds to 18 seconds.
• Fewer mound visits: Teams will be able to visit pitchers on the mound four times rather than five. An extra mound visit will be allowed, though, in the ninth inning if the defensive team has used up its allotment. Clubs averaged 2.3 mound visits per game last season.

• Slightly less drawn-out deception: A pitcher who is sent to the mound to warm up for an inning must face at least one batter. No longer can a team pull that pitcher once the batter is announced, which occurred 24 times last season, according to the league. Such instances added about three minutes of dead time apiece.
• Runner’s lane: The path from home plate to first base will be extended to include the dirt area between the foul line and the infield grass. Previously, batters had to run between the foul line and 3-foot line to avoid being called out for interference. Now, the distance between the foul line and the infield grass will be between 18 and 24 inches in all parks.

Less-noticeable rule changes include:

• If a new pitcher who is entering a game steps onto the warning track with less than 2 minutes on the game-break clock, the clock will reset to 2 minutes rather than 2:15, as was the case in 2023.

• After a dead ball (i.e, foul ball), the pitch clock will start when the pitcher has the ball and play is ready to resume. Previously, the clock would not start until the pitcher was ready and on the mound.

According to MLB, the committee has tabled separate proposals on blocking bases and pitching deliveries until further this offseason.