A huge vote took place on Friday for the MLB regarding a number of significant rules for the 2023 MLB season that could have a huge effect on the sport of baseball for years to come.
The rules up for vote were a potential pitch clock that we have seen in the minor leagues for years now, and the potential ban of shift defense, which has been a staple in the MLB for decades.
MLB insider Jeff Passan reported on Friday that the Major League Baseball competition committee has officially voted to implement a pitch clock and ban defensive shifts along with bigger bases, which will take place in 2023.
This vote did not come without controversy, as the players voted against both the pitch clock and shift restrictions while agreeing unanimously on bigger bases.
These changes have certainly gotten the attention of the MLB world, with a ton of people having mixed reactions to the changes beginning next year.
Some are very happy about the changes and believe that banning the shift and implementing a pitch clock should make for a much more enjoyable product of baseball.
However, some are extremely disappointed to see the shift being banned, with many believing that it takes some of the defensive strategies out of the game.
Taking away a major competitive aspect of the game is absolutely crazy to me. But the pitch clock is good. https://t.co/TzkamwNwWK
— Ben Baer (@BenBaer89) September 9, 2022
Pretty wild to see a sport ban a defensive strategy (against player wishes) because it is too successful. https://t.co/3CnLnhxSss
— Yaya Dubin (@JADubin5) September 9, 2022
Whether the changes are good or bad for the sport is unclear. But it will certainly make for an interesting year next season with a completely different-looking game.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.