Union head Tony Clark has opined that it would have been better if the MLB rule changes in 2023 had player opinions incorporated. Major League Baseball is making many changes that would affect how the players play the game. But the Union head says the rule changes would have gone smoother assuming players were actively involved.
MLB rule changes in 2023 first involved a change in the first pitch clock. It also installed larger bases and limited defensive shifts and pickoff attempts. It has been one of the biggest rule changes in Major League Baseball since the 1969 season.
From the Tony Clark MLB outburst, he says that player inputs when the rules were being constructed would have brought many positive changes. Before the United States played Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals, Tony Clark said, "My hope despite the fact that nearly all of the things that we have seen that would otherwise be characterized as challenges could have been avoided with the input that the players offered when these rules were being constructed."
In his argument, Tony Clark says that the significant reason players' opinions should matter whenever a rule is being changed is for the long-term benefits. Players play the game, and these rules affect them. So, involving them while making the rules seems logical. "My hope is that moving forward that the league continues to take the input of players to heart, such that each of the adjustments that we’ve seen that have been implemented this year are of benefit in the long run," Clark said.
The New Major League Baseball Changes
Many new rules have been passed by Major League Baseball, bringing down the timing of many activities in the game. One of the major sectors where the rules received massive tweaks was the average time of spring training games. It was reduced to 2 hours, 36 minutes from 3:00 last year. This was not the only thing changed by Major League Baseball. The runs per game also rose to 10.7 from 10.6 and the batting average to .260 from .259. It should also be noted that the stolen bases have increased to 1.8 per game from 1.1.
Clark, while speaking about the new rules, said that everyone would witness the effects of the rules when games start. With many players disagreeing with the rules, it can only seem logical that Tony Clark might be right about his claim. "I appreciate everyone focusing on spring training game times that have been shortened by `X' number of minutes. I appreciate everyone’s focus on it. But when the lights come on and these count for the managers, the organizations, and the players, we’ll see how all of these moving pieces come together," the Union Head said.
Clark also noted he wasn't surprised about the strict changes that apply to the United States." Each federation and each country against the backdrop of when their season starts and how that federation works have their applicable guidelines for participation for their players. Ours may be a little different than some others," Clark noted.