Dodgers News: Former NL MVP Addresses Rule Changes Coming to MLB

Freddie Freeman isn’t worried about the pitch clock the MLB is implementing this season

The 2023 MLB season will be quite different compared to other years. The MLB will implement three new rules they proposed to the Joint Competition Committee. Those rules are bigger basses, defensive shift limits, and the pitch timer. 

These rule changes are in an effort to speed the game up and draw more fans to the ballpark. 

While many baseball purists and old-timers are not fans of the rule changes, Dodger first base All-Star Freddie Freeman doesn't mind the change and feels it won't affect him in any way. 

"I get in pretty quickly so I don't have to really worry about the pitch clock or anything like that. But there's guys that, I'm excited that the pitch clock is coming in. There's a few guys that take a long time. There's a few guys. I'm not gonna name names that take a long time getting in, but I, I do understand, I mean, we're baseball purists, but I love the game of baseball. I don't care if it takes four hours or whatever. Right. I just love the game. But I do understand there's not a lot of action sometimes and you know, we want a, a lot of fans to come and watch. It's an entertainment product. Yes. And I get it. So maybe a little bit quicker will help, but I, I don't care if the game takes four hours"

The pitch timer that will come to effect this season will be a 30-second timer between batters, and between pitches, there will be a 15-second timer with bases empty and a 20-second timer with runners on base. Any pitcher that exceeds the time limit will result in an automatic ball, and a batter who exceeds the time will be charged with an automatic strike. 

Freeman was also asked about the bigger bases and said he's looking forward to stealing some more bags in 2023. 

"I'm more excited about the bigger bases. Gives me an extra chance to steal a base... I'm excited. Life is adjustments, so is the game of baseball and so what we'll adjust and everything will be okay as we get going."

I'm glad the MLB is shifting and being more progressive instead of hanging on to "old ways." 

I'm looking forward to the changes, and I believe they will greatly benefit the game and its fans.