The abbreviated 2020 season afforded Major League Baseball an opportunity to test out different rules. Chief among them was a change to extra innings that automatically placed a runner on second base.
The new rule was intended to shorten the length of extra innings and get players off the field as soon as possible amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The change was initially frowned upon and received sharp criticism across the league.
Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was among the players not fond of runners beginning on second base in extra innings. As the season progressed, however, more teams began to warm up to the new extra-innings rule.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred noted as such during a recent virtual panel and revealed it could return for the 2021 season, via Dave Sheinin of The Washington Post:
However, he said the adoption of a universal designated hitter in both leagues has “softened” opposition to the DH in the NL, and he said the new extra-inning rule — with each half-inning beginning with a runner on second — has been greeted with a better-than-expected reception and “has a chance now” to stick. He was less optimistic about retaining seven-inning doubleheaders beyond 2020. “One of the few good things about [the pandemic] is it has provided an opportunity to try some different things in the game on a one-year basis that I think has been a positive overall,” he said.
The Dodgers particularly benefitted from the new extra-innings rule this past season, going 5-1 in such games. Mookie Betts was among the players that changed their tune on the format.
“It’s whatever. The games seem like they go a little quicker,” he said of the extra-innings rule. “It’s not 15-inning games and we’re not all just trying to hit home runs.
“I think it definitely brings different aspects of the game back into the game, like the bunt and moving runners, guys trying to put the ball in play in different areas and whatnot. It’s definitely a pretty cool experience, for sure.”
General belief universal DH will return for 2021 season
Another rule change introduced during the 2020 season that has a chance to stick around is the universal designated hitter.
The universal DH eliminated the need for pitchers to bat in National League games and created more jobs around the sport. While the rule change proved to be a useful addition this past season, teams have been operating as if it won’t return next year.
However, after the latest round of talks between MLB and the players’ association, clubs now expect the universal DH to stay put going forward.
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