MLB and the MLBPA have gone back and forth on rule changes intended to speed up pace of play. Last month, the MLBPA executive director said there wouldn’t be enough time to actually put changes in place, and said the game right now is “pretty sexy the way it is despite its challenges.” If that’s your outlook, the game just got a little less sexy.

Today Major League Baseball officially announced some new rules, headlined by the no-pitch intentional walk – which will need to be signaled to the home plate umpire by the manager. Other changes include:

  • A 30-second limit for a manager to decide whether to challenge a play and invoke replay review.
  • When a manager has exhausted his challenges for the game, Crew Chiefs may now invoke replay review for non-home run calls beginning in the eighth inning instead of the seventh inning.
  • A conditional two-minute guideline for Replay Officials to render a decision on a replay review, allowing various exceptions.
  • A prohibition on the use of any markers on the field that could create a tangible reference system for fielders.

Additionally, the balk rule has been clarified to include when a pitcher takes a second step toward homeplate “with either foot or otherwise reset[s] his pivot foot in his delivery of the pitch,” and the first and third base coaches must position themselves inside the painted coach’s box until a ball is put in play (which I always thought was the rule anyway).

Commissioner Rob Manfred has hinted that some other rules could be put in place in the future with or without the approval of the MLBPA, like a pitch clock, modified strike zone, or limited number of mound visits. This year, the only major difference is the intentional walk. This was a rare occurrence, but say farewell: