Several changes are coming for MLB in 2023.
These changes were agreed upon as part of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, which was signed two weeks ago.
The changes include the implementation of a pitch clock, larger bases, and banning the shift.
These are some big changes coming for baseball and the outlook of the game will be completely different once these changes go into effect when the 2023 season begins.
The minor leagues are already experimenting with these new rules, and on Twitter, a photo was posted by “Talkin’ Baseball” which shows the new larger bases next to the old bases.
And the size difference is quite notable.
The new bases that will be in the minor leagues this year and MLB next season
(via @PSLToFlushing) pic.twitter.com/SxqXI9jeBD
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 22, 2022
Why Bigger Bases?
These larger bases are already quite big, but they make the current bases being used in the major leagues and those formerly used in the minor leagues look very small in comparison.
Larger bases could change things significantly in 2023.
Given the size difference, one might assume that this could affect how big of a lead a runner could take off of first base.
These bases are longer and wider.
The size difference is really quite notable here.
But MLB believes that if the bases are bigger going forward, the less likely it is that there will be injuries on the basepaths.
And they could be onto something, as if the bases are bigger, runners may have slightly more room to slide around defenders, which could eliminate collisions on the basepaths.
Fewer injuries would certainly change things in baseball, and that is their rationale behind wanting to make the bases bigger.
We’ll see how it goes in the minor leagues this year and if it changes anything before the new rule goes into effect at the big-league level.
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