There’s a major rule change in minor league baseball this year
A runner will start each extra inning on second base at all levels.
Minor league baseball games that go extra innings will have a different look this season – a runner will start the inning on second base at all levels.
The goal is to reduce the number of pitchers used in extra innings, as well address some of the issues that crop up as a result of an extra innings games, like the shortage of players in the games that follow, position players forced to pitch, and the shuffling of pitchers within the organization due to pitching shortages caused by extra innings games.
Lots of strong feelings about new Minor League extra innings rule with runner on 2B. However, worth noting considerations are very different from big lgs. Minor lg pitchers have strict pitch limits. position players often end up pitching in extras. But….
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) March 14, 2018
“We believe these changes to extra innings will enhance the fans’ enjoyment of the game and will become something that the fans will look forward to on nights where the game is tied late in the contest,’’ said Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner.
“Player safety has been an area of growing concern for our partners at the Major League Baseball level, and the impact that lengthy extra innings games has on pitchers, position players, and an entire organization was something that needed to be addressed.’’
From the press release issued by Minor League Baseball:
“The runner at second base will be the player in the batting order position previous to the leadoff batter of the inning (or a substitute for that player). By way of example, if the number five hitter in the batting order is due to lead off the 10th inning, the number four player in the batting order (or a pinch-runner for such player) shall begin the inning on second base. Any runner or batter removed from the game for a substitute shall be ineligible to return to the game, as is the case in all circumstances under the Official Baseball Rules.’’
Stupid for so many reasons. If they want to shorten extra-inning games and/or worry about the stress on arms in the Minors, just declare them ties after the 10th or 11th inning. Don’t do gimmicky BS stuff that isn’t baseball. What percentage of games go past 11 innings anyway? https://t.co/YXOTh7dA5m
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) March 14, 2018
Also new for this season, there will be a limit on mound visits. In Triple-A and Double-A levels, there will be a 15-second pitch clock when there are no runners on base.
Mound visits by coaches and position players will be limited to six at Triple-A and eight for Double-A. Single-A clubs will be allowed 10 visits per team and there will not be a limit on mound visits for Short Season and Rookie-level clubs.
The first two weeks of the season will serve as a grace period, with players receiving warnings for violations. Beginning April 20, rules will be enforced.
