The days are longer, the birds are chirping, and for sports fans, that means one thing: baseball is back.
This hour, we’re talking about the 2023 Major League Baseball season, and the rule changes now in place: a pitch clock, bigger bases and a ban on infield shifts. We'll talk about teams and players to watch, and if the new rules are a home run, or have fans and players crying foul.
Our guests are:
- Bob Kinzel, Vermont Public's senior political correspondent
- Mitch Wertlieb, host of Morning Edition on Vermont Public
- Brian Gallagher, president and general manager of Montpelier's NECBL team the Vermont Mountaineers
New rules like the pitch clock are already impacting players. Last month, Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers became the first player in MLB history to strike out on an automatic strike call from a pitch clock violation.
Rafael Devers is the first player in MLB history to be called out on a clock violation pic.twitter.com/uCqKIDj9HS
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 30, 2023
Batters have to be in the box and ready to hit with at least eight seconds remaining on the clock or get called for a strike. Pitchers must begin the motion of a pitch before the clock hits zero, or a ball will be issued on the count.
In February, a pitch clock violation ended a preseason game between the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox. It was the bottom of the 9th, full count, with bases loaded when Braves shortstop Cal Conley wasn’t in the batter box in time. The umpire called a strike and the game ended in a 6–6 tie.
Pitch clock is making an impact already - both on the field and by creating classic @MikeMonaco_ calls for us all to enjoy. #RedSox | #SpringTraining pic.twitter.com/GQX9MZaOVF
— NESN (@NESN) February 25, 2023
Broadcast live on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
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