MLB widening runner’s lane to first, shortening pitch clock
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball is widening the runner’s lane approaching first base to include a portion of fair territory, changing a more than century-old rule that caused World Series controversy over interference calls.
MLB also is shortening the pitch clock with runners on base by two seconds to 18 and further reducing mound visits in an effort to speed games.
Another change adopted Thursday by the sport’s 11man competition committee requires a pitcher who warms up on the mound before a half inning to face at least one batter.
The changes were approved by the committee over objections from all five players who voted.
“Following last season’s profound changes to the fundamental rules of the game, immediate additional changes are unnecessary and offer no meaningful benefits to fans, players or the competition on the field,” the union said in a statement. “This season should be used to gather additional data and fully examine the health, safety, and injury impacts of reduced recovery time.”
The new runner’s lane overrides a rule that has existed since the National League mandated in 1882 that runners must be within the 3-foot box on the foul side of the base line during the final 45 feet between home and first. Violators were subject to being called out for interfering with fielders taking a throw. The rule was designed to prevent collisions; foul lines intersected the middle of bases until the bags were moved entirely into fair territory in 1887.
“If you’re sitting at home or you’re even us in the game, it just doesn’t make sense,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of the old rule.
The change widens the lane to include 18-to-24 inches of fair territory until the edge of the grass, though MLB said it will allow a grace period for compliance because of the need to modify artificial turf surfaces.
The old rule has long sparked frustration because right-handed hitters necessarily begin their sprint to first base in fair territory, and the first base bag is fully in fair ground, too.
Umpires’ interpretations of the rule have sparked disputes.
The New York Mets’ J.C. Martin was in fair territory when he was hit on the left wrist by pitcher Pete Richert’s throw following his sacrifice bunt in the 10th inning of World Series Game 4 in 1969. That allowed Rod Gaspar to score the winning run from second against Baltimore as plate umpire Shag Crawford and first base umpire Lou DiMuro failed to call interference.
“Since then I’ve always watched over the years everybody running down the lane,” Richert said Thursday. “I’d say that 30 percent to 40 percent of them run inside and it’s never called, and changing it now is not going to make any difference in those calls. It’ll just justify the no-call. Every once in a while I’ll be watching a game and I’ll see it and I’ll go, ‘There they go. They missed another one.’ ”
The decision went the other way in the seventh inning of World Series Game 6 in 2019, when Washington’s Trea Turner was called out for interference by plate umpire Sam Holbrook when he was hit on the back of the right leg by Houston reliever Brad Peacock’s throw, a decision upheld in a video review.
“It’s just going to make things easier for the ballplayers and the umpires,” Holbrook said of the change. “Players can run straight to the bag, especially the right-handed hitters. It’s been talked about for a while. I think they’re trying to do the right thing.”