5 rules changes I’d love to see integrated into Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball integrated a variety of rule changes for the 2023 season, and for the most part, the new rules were embraced by both fans and players, making for a better game and more entertaining product.

Part of MLB's responsibility to the game of baseball is navigating the line between maintaining and upholding the spirit and tradition of the game, while also adapting to the times, advancement of technology, and new ideas that are thrown their way. All of the major professional sports leagues in America have evolved over time, and baseball must continue to do so in order to attract the next generation of fans.

I love attending St. Louis Cardinals games, and while the pitch clock, a limit on the number of pick-offs, and bigger bases were all welcomed additions. there is still more that MLB can do to enhance the game both on and off the field. Issues with umpires seem to be on the rise every single year, and the technology is now here to help bridge that gap. There are things that front offices and ownership groups are doing (or not doing) that need to change to help fans of teams in all market sizes have a chance at a competitive ballclub. And frankly, there's still some elements of the game that could be tweaked from a rules perspective to create a more engaging and entertaining product.

Here are five rule changes I would be interested in seeing Major League Baseball implement in the coming years.

Challenging ball-strike calls with the ABS system

This is a rule change that seems to be a matter of "if" and not "when" for Major League Baseball, and I am very interested to see it integrated into the game in the coming years.

MLB has already been experimenting with the use of it at events like the Futures Game and different levels of Minor League Baseball, and the system allows for teams to "challenge" balls and strike calls throughout the game while not fully transitioning over to robot umpires. The umpires still call balls and strikes, but depending on the set of rules they can on, a team or players are granted a certain amount of challenges in a game. If they choose to challenge, the umpire is quickly alerted by the ABS system if the call is correct or not, and then the play continues. If the player/team was successful in their challenge, they retain that one, and if not, they lose that challenge for the rest of the game.

Some versions give each batter/pitcher a certain amount of challenges per game and allow them to dictate the use of them. The method that it seems like we are headed towards is teams have three challenges per game but can continue to challenge if they keep winning their challenges.

I think we have all grown frustrated at the state of umpiring at times in today's game, and this system feels like the best way to keep the spirit of the game while also not allowing an umpire's mistakes to define a game. The way it is being implemented should keep the game moving at a fast pace, so it should not cause any stoppages beyond the two or three seconds it takes to relay the information.

Giving teams three challenges should also help with the flow of the game as well. They'll need to be strategic about when they use them, but it also gives them a little bit of room for error as well. There are occasional games where an umpire continuously makes bad calls at the plate, so having three challenges available (and regaining your challenge if you're correct) could actually help improve an umpire's zone if it's off that night.

Designated-hitter hook rule

Starting pitchers are throwing fewer and fewer innings as the years go on, which is turning the game into multiple short-spurt outings from starters and relievers who go max effort for one to four innings and then hand the ball to the next guy. I think most baseball fans miss starters going deeper into ballgames, and honestly, it's better that way for both the pace of the game and the entertainment side.

Sure, we all love to see starters who can strikeout the world, and no one here just wants to see guys pitch to contact all day, but there is something to be said about the art of starting and finding a way to maximize results while also giving your team a ton of innings. It's what makes the great ones so special, so how can we get back to that in today's game?

One rule that has been experimented with already in the MiLB is the idea of a designated-hitter hook rule. Basically, a team is able to have a designated hitter in their lineup as long as their starting pitcher meets the requirements needed, or else they lose the DH spot for the rest of the game. Some versions of this rule only require the starting pitcher to get through the fifth inning to maintain the DH, and other versions allow the team to keep their DH until the starter is removed, whether that's the second inning or the eighth inning.

Not only does this rule encourage teams to have their starters go deeper into games, it also adds an element of strategy to the game. If their starter is facing a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning, the manager will have to weigh the risk of losing their DH to bring in a reliever or see if their starter can get themselves out of the jam. Starters will be encouraged to go deeper into games, knowing that it helps their lineup out tremendously.

If the DH is removed, it also brings back some elements of the game that fans miss, like double-switching or allowing a pitcher to hit or bunch vs. pitch hitting for them. This could bring some strategy back to the late innings of games that I know I miss, adding to the entertainment value late in ball games.

An opportunity for the defense to score a run if the bases are loaded

I wanted to throw in one fun, wacky rule idea to this list, and credit to my dad for floating this idea around for years now. I think would add a really fun wrinkle to an already stressful situation for teams in the middle of games.

For this rule, any time the bases become loaded with no outs, the defense is now also in a position to score. How you might ask? Well, if the bases are loaded and there are no outs, the defense is able to score a run if they do not allow the opposing team to drive in a run. Think about how much pressure that would add to the team at the plate, knowing that not only would they miss out on adding some runs, but they'd actually gift the opposing team a run if they did not score.

When you think about it, this actually could create better at-bats from teams with the bases loaded as well. Until they put at least one run on the board, the hitter is going to need to do everything they can to put the ball in play and try and get a run home, rather than just swinging for the fences and potentially coming up with nothing.

Out of all the rules changes, this is the most "out there" idea of them all, and one I'm least married to, but it feels like a really interesting way to add some intensity to a big moment in games and to reward teams for getting out of a difficult situation. It is such a relief for a team when they are able to hold the opposing team to zero runs when the bases are loaded, and now they'll have another reason to celebrate as well.

Also, it would incentivize teams to move away from the "bend but don't break" mentality that the bases loaded can sometimes bring, getting the pitcher on the mound to be more aggressive with their pitches to allow no runs, rather than being "okay" with a run-scoring.

New regulations surrounding deferred money in contracts

In light of the Shohei Ohtani deal, I think it's time Major League Baseball takes a harder look at these deferral rules and does not allow a team like the Dodgers to sign a player like Ohtani to a record contract but not have to pay him like that when it comes to payroll purposes.

In general, I am of the opinion that more teams just need to start getting creative like the Dodgers and spend more than they do, rather than just complaining about the Dodgers running things better than them. At the same time, teams like the Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees are uniquely positioned to bend the rules to their will like this, and I'm not sure mid-market teams can truly compete with that if they want to.

Sure, they can try for short spurts, but just look at a team like the Padres, who are now having to cut back on costs after spending like one of those big market teams for a few years. There needs to be balance when it comes to stuff like this, and signing Ohtani while freeing up money to go get other superstars is creating more distance between the Dodgers and smaller market teams.

While Ohtani was a very unique case that I do not think we will see again for a long time, upcoming free agents like Juan Soto, Roki Sasaki, or other names who will get paid an insane amount of money could look to replicate parts of this Ohtani deal to increase their payday, and it will get harder and harder for teams who are not in those large markets to compete in bidding wars if the big market teams can avoid luxury tax bills with these contract shenanigans.

These are just some of the rules I'd like to see implemented or entertained by Major League Baseball in the coming years. Let us know your rule ideas on Twitter or Facebook!