What are the 3 New Rules in MLB? Everything you need to know ahead of 2023 Opening Day

There are 3 new rules in the MLB this season. For the first time in a good while, baseball has altered the rules. They spent years in the minor leagues and other places testing all of these rules before implementing them.

They've spent the spring getting MLB players and teams adjusted to them, since this is how life in the big leagues is now. Here are the 3 new rules in MLB for 2023 and beyond.

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3 New rules in MLB, explained

3) Bigger bases

One of the new rules is that the bases are bigger. The bases in previous seasons were 15 square inches, but now they will be 18 square inches. Baserunners have had to adjust to that, as have defenders. The idea is to spark more stolen base attempts, which has happened in Spring Training so far.

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2) No shift

MLB teams can move their defenses around. They aren't rigidly stuck in one position for the entire pitch sequence. They can shift to the left or the right, but there are limitations. Two infielders must be on the left side of the infield and two must be on the right. Second base is the line of demarcation for that.

Teams have found workarounds, though. The Boston Red Sox moved their left fielder into shallow right field for Joey Gallo, but that's technically legal.

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1) Pitch clock

What are the 3 New Rules in MLB? A pitch clock is new

The pitch clock is perhaps the biggest of the new rules in MLB. It has sped up the pace of play significantly. It has dramatically changed the game. Now, pitchers have 20 seconds in between pitches if a runner is on and 15 if the bases are empty.

If they don't meet that, a ball is applied to the count. If the batter isn't set in the box by eight seconds, they receive a strike to the count.