[MLB rule changes for 2024](https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-2024-rule-changes-runners-lane-to-first-base)
* Widening of runner’s lane to 1B
* Reduction of the pitch clock from 20 seconds to 18 seconds with runners on base
* If a new pitcher steps onto the warning track with less than 2 minutes remaining on the inning break clock, the clock will reset to 2 minutes, rather than 2:15
* Each team’s mound visit allotment will be reduced from five to four, though an extra mound visit will still be awarded for the ninth inning if the defensive team has zero remaining visits at the end of the eighth
* Umpires will permit defensive players to signal for a mound visit without actually visiting the mound
* The pitch clock operator, known as the Field Timing Coordinator, will now restart the clock after a dead ball (such as a foul ball) when the pitcher has the ball and play is ready to resume
* A pitcher sent to warm up for an inning must face at least one batter (in addition to any requirements under the three-batter minimum rule)
6 comments
I feel like the 18 second rule is just… pointless. If it works are we going to see 17 seconds next year?
I mean… come on.
The 5MV rule to 4MV + 1MV in the 9th seems dumb too. If its a close game in the 9th, a MV will likely be used anyways. This feels like its affecting games that were within a run or two but get away in the 8th or 9th inning. But.. who is using that extra MV in the 9th when you’re up/down 6+ runs?
I love the pace of gameplay changes for TV viewing, but how low are we trying to go here?
What’s the purpose of widening the lane to first? I’m guessing a safety issue to help reduce injuries?
Wait, you can’t even warm a guy up and sit him back down anymore?
Don’t like the mound visit change, just because it seems like an unnecessary complication.
Whytf do these feel like patch notes
> Umpires will permit defensive players to signal for a mound visit without actually visiting the mound
Is this to stop catchers from sprinting to the mound for the sake of avoiding a pitch clock violation? If so, that’s a little sad, not sure if I’m in the minority on this but I thought it was a clever strategy and not particularly time consuming relative to the other things affected by the clock.