There are some changes coming back to a major league ballpark close to you as opening day is just a few weeks away. On the field the universal designated hitter for both the American and National League is no more, the National League will go back to pitchers hitting. I do have to say I wasn’t sure I how would like the DH in the National League during the 2020 season, but I ended up enjoying it. A lot of me enjoying the DH was in due part watching Braves OF/DH Marcell Ozuna have a great year in the DH role mostly. The role that the DH was going to take had a lot to do with the Braves signing Ozuna late. Ozuna is a power hitter that is average fielder in left field. His power outweighs his fielding ability, which is why the Braves signed him back to the four year deal. Ozuna in the DH role was the perfect place for him and the Braves lineup as well.
The biggest change this year, in which I think will be the biggest influence in the game is fans being allowed in the ballparks. No more cardboard cutouts. With states opening back up and protocols set in place, and just understanding this virus today that we didn’t understand last year, is a big reason fans are being allowed in the ballparks. Watching spring training games and seeing fans at the games has made the games more pleasurable, as much as an exhibition game can be. Each ballpark is going to allow 25% capacity. The Braves Truist Park has capacity of 44,000 seats, which results in 11,000 fans allowed to watch Braves home games at the ballpark. My hope is as the season goes along, that number will grow.
Before the pandemic, doubleheaders were always nine inning each. Last year they were reduced to seven inning each to preserve pitchers’ arms and the strengths of all players with the shortened 60-game season. This year the the seven inning double headers remain. I really don’t have an opinion on this because it’s baseball and it’s only two innings shorter.
This years pitchers are still required to face at least three hitters before being able to come out of game, unless due to injury. This I don’t have an issue with either, this speeds up games.
Finally, the rule was changed last year for extra inning play. When a game goes to extra inning, both teams start off with an automatic runner at 2nd base when batting to help speed up a game to where the offense has a better chance of scoring. This year with the season back to 162 games, I was hoping this rule would be dead. Nope…the league decided to keep the runner at 2nd base. It’s ok, it’s still baseball.
These are some of the new rules or remaining rules for this upcoming regular season that begins April 1.
Header photo courtesy of AJC
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