The pandemic season in MLB brought some changes to gameplay.
The league wanted games to be shorter and not extend to the 12th, 13th, or even the 15th inning so they implemented a controversial rule.
According to the rule, during each half-inning of an extra inning, there was an automatic runner on second base.
That runner was the player in the batting order position immediately before the lead-off batter for the inning.
Any runs scored by the “ghost” runner would be unearned, and this change did not not apply to postseason games.
The league announced that it will be back for the 2023 campaign and beyond.
“Breaking: MLB’s Joint Competition Committee has voted unanimously to make the extra inning rule permanent for all regular season games moving forward. (2023 and beyond). A runner will be placed at second base at the start of every extra inning,” MLB insider Jesse Rogers tweeted.
Breaking: MLB’s Joint Competition Committee has voted unanimously to make the extra inning rule permanent for all regular season games moving forward. (2023 and beyond). A runner will be placed at second base at the start of every extra inning. Story coming at espn
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) February 13, 2023
The rule has been controversial ever since its inception.
Some fans deem it as unfair and not in concordance with the nature of the game.
Others, however, have shown their support because they don’t like long, extra-inning games.
The “ghost” runner certainly increases the chances of scoring and gives both teams a fighting chance.
However, it feels odd to put a runner on second when he hasn’t earned that right.
Let’s see how the league manages the potential backlash of its decision.
For now, however, teams will have to prepare for the rule because it will be used in the upcoming season regardless of how people feel.
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