Season begins with new rules, all eyes on Ohtani
Baseball has transformed in the 145 days since Dusty Baker and the Houston Astros’ sealed up the franchise’s second title in six seasons.
As New York Mets owner Steve Cohen dominated an offseason that saw billions spent, the sport braced for a new world that includes pitch clocks, bigger bases, limits on defensive shifts and pickoff throws, and an overarching attempt to reverse decades of lengthening games and the Analytics Era domination of the Three True Outcomes — strikeouts, walks and home runs.
“Late-inning relievers more than anyone will have to figure some things out and make some adjustments,” Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “Left-handed hitters, it’s going to help them, period.”
Last year’s average game time was 3 hours, 4 minutes after the introduction of the Pitchcom electronic device to signal pitches, down from a record 3:10 in 2021. MLB’S average was 2:46 in 2005 and 2:33 in 1981. A pitch clcck of 15 seconds with no runners and 20 seconds with runners is designed to cut game times considerably.
Higher pitch velocity and increased shifts led to the major league batting average dropping to .243, its lowest since 1968. The only seasons with lower averages were the record bottom of .237 in 1968 along with 1967 and the deal-ball era seasons of 1884, 1888 and 1908.
Over the objections of players, the sport’s 11-man competition committee adopted a rule that two infielders are required to be on either side of second and all infielders to be within the outer boundary of the infield when the pitcher is on the rubber. Bases were increased from 15-inch squares to 18x18, which shorten the distance by 4
1/2 inches and may lead to increased stolen bases.
No player will be watched more closely this season than Shohei Ohtani, a twoway megastar in the final year under contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He and three-time MVP teammate Mike Trout have never played in a postseason game together. Ohtani has made it clear he wants to win. A taste of October might be needed to convince the Japanese sensation to remain with the franchise.
Other storylines to watch include Aaron Judge’s ascent to Yankee captaincy — the first since Derek Jeter — after his 62-homer season; Fernando Tatis Jr., set to return from a drug suspension April 20, teaming with Manny Machado to try leading the Padres to their first World Series title; and whether Carlos Correa remain healthy with Minnesota after San Francisco and the Mets backed out of deals with the All-star shortstop.
Bruce Bochy (Rangers), Matt Quatraro (Royals), Pedro Grifol (White Sox) and Skip Schumaker (Marlins) are the four new managers among the 30 teams, while interim tags were removed for Rob Thomson (Phillies), Phil Nevin (Angels) and John Schneider (Blue Jays).