Major League Baseball has formalized a wave of changes to rules and procedural protocols that have been widely reported and speculated in recent months as the league and the players union worked to replay. The league also formally announced a return to training camp on July 3, now officially known as “Summer Camp,” and confirmed that plans for July 23 or 24 begin the regular season.
Among the changes that have now been implemented for at least the 2020 season, according to the league press release:
Rules in the field
- National League games will include the use of the designated hitter for the first time in history
- An extra innings rule will begin each extra inning with a runner at second base.
- The batter (or a batter’s substitute) leading an inning shall continue to be the batter who would lead the inning in the absence of this extra inning rule.
- The runner placed at second base at the beginning of each half inning shall be the player (or a substitute for that player) in the batting order immediately preceding the starting batter of that half inning. As an example, if the number five hitter in the batting order must start the tenth inning, the number four batter in the batting order (or a pinch runner for that player) will start the inning at second base. However, if the player in the batting order immediately preceding the starting batter of that half inning is the pitcher, the runner placed at second base at the beginning of that half inning may be the player preceding the pitcher in the batting order. . Any runner or batter removed from play by a substitute will not be eligible to return to play, as is the case in all circumstances under the OBR.
- For purposes of calculating earned runs, the runner starting an inning at second base in accordance with this rule shall be considered a runner who has reached second base due to a fielding error, but no error shall be charged to the opposing team or to any player
- As previously announced, the new minimum three-hitter rule will require the starting pitcher or any relief pitcher to pitch a minimum of three hitters, including the post-batter hitter (or any substitute hitter), until such hitters are eliminated or they reach the base, or until the offensive team is eliminated, unless the substitute pitcher suffers an injury or illness.
- Despite the opposite in OBR 4.03 (c) or MLR 2 (b) (2), any player may appear as a pitcher at any time during play (that is to say, there are no additional entry requirements or a six-race rule, as once planned for 2020.) However, all players eligible to participate in the game, regardless of their position, must be listed on that game’s lineup card.
- Prohibitions against Unsportsmanlike conduct will be strictly enforced to avoid unnecessary physical contact and to support physical distance between people on the field of play. In this regard, players and managers should maintain physical distance from all opposing officials and players on the field of play whenever possible. Players or managers who leave their positions to argue with referees, approach six feet from an opposing referee or player or manager for the purpose of arguing, or engage in altercations on the field are subject to immediate expulsion and discipline, including fines and suspensions.
Health and safety procedures
- Each club must submit a written COVID-19 action plan for approval by MLB.
- Spitting (including, but not limited to, saliva, sunflower seeds, or peanut or peel shells) is prohibited at any time on Club premises (including in the field). Chewing gum is allowed.
- Pitchers can carry a small damp cloth in their back pocket to use instead of licking their fingers.
- Clubs must provide Expansion of the canoe and the bullpen in their stadiums.
- Players, umpires, and other personnel on the field should practice physical distancing to the extent possible within the limitations of competition and the fundamentals of baseball. Examples of ways physical distancing can be incorporated without disrupting game basics include:
- When the ball is out of play, fielders are encouraged to retreat several steps from the base runner.
- If the batter is in the batter’s box and the catcher needs to stop to transmit signals to infielders, the catcher can step onto the grass towards the mound to give the cues before assuming his position behind the plate.
- First and Third Base Coaches must remain in or behind the Coach’s Box and must not approach a base runner, fielder or referee on the field.
- Players on opposing teams must not socialize, fraternize, or be within six feet of each other before the game, during warm-ups, between innings, or after the game.
- There will be no exchange of lineup cards prior to the game. Instead, each Club will enter their lineup card into a mobile app provided by MLB.
Planning
- Clubs can schedule up to three exhibition games before the end of summer camp. Clubs may consider scheduling games against their opening opponent in the days leading up to opening day. There is no limit to the number of in-band games allowed.
- A regional calendar will include each club playing 40 divisional games and 20 interleague games against the corresponding geographic division.
Revised procedures for transactions
- All player transactions that had been suspended resumed last Friday.
- Yesterday, each club submitted a roster of up to 60 players who will be eligible to participate in Major League games during the 2020 championship season (“Club Player Group”).
- The list rules include:
- By 12:00 pm ET on the first date of the 2020 revised regular season, each club must submit to MLB an active opening day roster with a maximum of 30 players and a minimum of 25.
- The active limit of the list will be reduced from 30 to 28 in the 15th day of the regular season.
- The active maximum limit of the list will be reduced from 28 to 26 in 29th championship season day for the remainder of the championship season and postseason. There will be no extended lists in September.
- Limitations on the number of pitchers on the Active List otherwise required by MLR 2 (b) (2) will not apply.
- In the event of a double game occurring while the active roster limit is 26, both clubs may use an additional player.
- A club may transport up to three additional Taxi Squad players from its club player pool on all road trips with the Major League team. If the Club elects to bring three additional players, at least one must be a player whose designated position prior to the season is a catcher. Taxi Squad players can train with the Major League Club, but cannot wear a uniform and be in the house during games. At the conclusion of each road trip, players in the taxi squad will return to the alternate training site.
- August 31S t It will be the commercial term 2020 and September 15th It will be the eligibility deadline for the 2020 postseason.
- The locations of the Standard Injury List will be for 10 days or 45 days, and the latter will replace 60. A List of COVID-19 Related Injuries will allow locations that does not require a confirmed positive test for COVID-19. A player may be placed in COVID-19 related IL based on a positive test for COVID-19, confirmed exposure to COVID-19, or if a player exhibits symptoms that require self-isolation for further evaluation.
