MLB Rule Changes

According to Liz Roscher of @YahooSports

In 2017, a no-pitch intentional walk was added as well.

According to Liz Roscher of @YahooSports

A rule was added so that the manager only has 30 seconds to decide if he wants to challenge.

The MLB continues to evolve. They will continue to tinker with rules here and there. Some will stay, some will leave. But what we know for sure is that they will always impact how the game is played! #MLBRules

Some other rules tested in the minors and in spring training are a new pitch clock, and new extra inning rules!

MLB likes to test new rules in the minor leagues and during spring training as well. Here, they decide to test out a no-shift rule.

Back to the article from @JeffPassan which refereed to the player trading deadline, some rule changes in 2020 could be a roster expansion to 26 players as well as a three-batter minimum that pitchers must face.

The game continues to evolve though, rule changes and additions happen every year.

Instant replay, player trading deadline, performance enhancing drug suspensions, and the collision rules were some of the biggest changes and additions to the way the game has been played. There are many more smaller rules that have impacted the game though!

Mets' Jenrry Mejia received a permanent suspension from MLB after his third PED violation ble.ac/1PS8jJb

Along with the increased urine samples, they also increased their suspension length. First time offence rose from a 50 game suspension to an 80 game suspension. Second offence is a 162 game suspension and a loss of pay, and a third offence is a lifetime ban.

According to Bob Nightengale, a writer for @usatodaysports, They raised their urine samples from 1,400 a year to 3,200 samples a year.

In 2014, the MLB strengthened their performance enhancing drug policy as well.

An example of the Buster Posey rule enforced

“You never want to hurt another player," Chase Utley told @DAonCBS. "I went in hard. I went in to break up the double play. I didn’t go in to break his leg. Seeing him being helped off the field, it’s not a good feeling." cbssportsradio.radio.com/articles/chase…

FUN FACT: recent rules for collisions at home plate fall under the Buster Posey rule, and collisions at second base fall under the Chase Utley rule. These names come from the players who were associated with collisions that happened at the bases in which resulted in injury.

According to the MLB rule book, the following is available to be reviews: Home-run calls, fair/foul ball calls, tag outs, catches, base-running outs, home plate collisions, tag-ups, the placement of runners, and inference of double plays.

Major League Baseball is not always 100 percent on their replays however, and fans let them know it.