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Major League Baseball is hoping to avoid extremely long games in its abbreviated 60-game season, and that is why a new rule is being temporarily implemented for games that go into extra innings.
Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that MLB will adopt the minor league rule of beginning the 10th inning and beyond with a runner on second base, making it easier for teams to score runs. With a shortened spring training and only 60 games, the goal is to avoid having too many extra frames.
Also this year the MLB plan is to use the Minor League rule with the runner on second to expedite extra-inning games ending, since the spring will be short, the schedule will be tight and there’s a desire to avoid 15-inning games and longer.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 23, 2020
In addition, MLB will also be temporarily allowing a universal designated hitter. The DH will be removed from National League play again in 2021.
Word is owners are indeed ready to allow the universal DH this season for preserving player health but not in 2021. That assumes the sides sign off on all health/safety protocols.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 23, 2020
MLB and the MLB Players Association had previously been looking into some other extra innings changes for 2020, but it’s unclear if any of those will be implemented. Even if not, having a runner on second base is a good idea that should help move games along. Fans could end up liking it so much that the league makes it a permanent change.
Baseball has needed changes for years, especially ones that will shorten the length of games. A 60-game season will be an opportune time for MLB to experiment with fixing some things.
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