MLB Experiments With Idea of New Extra Inning Rule

Originally Published March 1, 2017

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On February 8th, 2016, the Major League Baseball (MLB) headquarters announced their consideration for a new rule, which would place a man on second base to start extra-innings following the regular nine-inning game. This rule is to be tested during the Gulf Coast League and Arizona League seasons this year, and depending upon its success, could possibly be implemented at the start of the 2018 MLB baseball season.

 

Joe Torre, MLB chief baseball officer, is one of the few who favors the possible rule change, explaining “as much as it’s nice to talk about being at an 18-inning game, it takes time.” Of the 2,430 games played last year, 189 games went into extra-innings, causing the prolonged duration of regular season games. On the opposite end is Ken Knudson, a contributor to Forbes. In an article, which thoroughly examines the probability of actually shortening the games, Knudson writes, “[his] knee-jerk reaction to this is one of horror.” Continuing through his evaluation, it is made clear that “the problem is that both teams are more likely to score, effectively canceling out the advantage.”

 

The probability that the rule change would give the batting team a 28.9% higher scoring advantage is a major concern amongst baseball fans. Many are also concerned that trying to limit the time of the game will take away from the baseball tradition of having no time limit on games. Many traditionalists enjoy the slow-paced game and see it as America’s favorite pastime; because of this, there are hardly ever changes to the major league rules. However, many of today’s fans have lost interest in the antiquated fashion of the lengthy game.

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Boston's Fenway Park has seen its fair share of extra-inning baseball in the 105 years of its existence.

 

The duration of games has not just become a problem amongst spectators, but amongst athletes as well. During the regular game play, many MLB pitchers are relieved due to overuse of their arms, requiring a relief pitcher --- typically of lesser ability --- to take their place. These relief pitchers have yet to build up the endurance of pitching several innings, and the extension of a game into extra-innings often times lead to severe injuries that could affect their future gameplay. According to Bill Baer, a writer for NBC Sports, the reduction of game time will help to “preserve many young, developing arms and potentially avoid otherwise unnecessary injuries.”

Despite the excitement of the potential rule change, the probability of it actually being introduced in the major leagues is not likely to happen within the 2017 regular season. For now, fans will just have to continue to enjoy the traditional, slow paced game that has been virtually untouched for the past 148 years.