MLB Return Brings New Rules and Expectations

 Over the years baseball, considered “America’s sport” has been decreasing in viewers. Major League Baseball has decided to strike out that problem by adding new rules to make the game go faster. Will Shaw ’23 said that although baseball is a major American sport, it may be losing interest: “Compared to other major sports, I feel they’ve done a poor job marketing their superstar players, and with players like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and Mookie Betts, I see no reason for baseball not to resonate with younger generations.” 

Various rules were implemented to limit time between pitches. The pitcher only has fifteen seconds between pitches to get on the mound. Shifts, or the alignment of fielders based on the batter’s expected hit trajectory are going to be limited due to drastic shifts in the past. To prevent base path crashes between fielders and runners, the sizes of first, second, and third base have been increased by three inches (15 to 18 inches). By decreasing the length from base to base, the stolen base percentage will almost certainly increase. 

Major League Baseball fans have conflicting thoughts on these new rules. History teacher and Orioles fan Thomas Peters says he likes the new rules: “Even good drama can only hold your attention for so long.  What’s the longest a movie goes? A show on the Hopkins stage?  Three-hour games were too long, even for aficionados.” Ben Card ’23 agrees the new rules will speed up the game, but is upset at how they will “[affect] strategy, like limits on pickoffs.” In addition, Will Shaw argues the new rules “[remove] a key part of the game: a lack of a clock. If I were a MLB pitcher, it would frustrate me to be stripped of the rituals and routines relied on for entire careers.” 

With the incorporation of the rules, after spring training, the Houston Astros are favored to win, followed by the New York Yankees, and the New York Mets. Despite being a Sox fan, Card thinks the Yankees have a much better chance of going to the World Series, and does not, “think the Yankees or any other team can beat the Marlins this year.” Luke O’Connell ’23 agrees with Card, “ I love [the Marlins’] flashy play style that appears to have a lot of promising potential this year.” Mason Sulzbach ’24 thinks that the Red Sox have a shot, “given their spring training win. With the addition of Justin Turner as well as Japanese stud Masataka Yoshida, the Red Sox are on a revenge tour this season.” 

According to several Hopkins fans, there are a couple teams who could make a strong comeback in the 2023 season. Most notably, the Miami Marlins — in 2022, despite their status as an “underdog,” they finished their season with 69 triumphs and 93 losses, placing 4th in the Division Series. According to Oddsshark.com, the Marlins have +12500 odds of victory. When asked about the 2023 Marlin’s season, Card stated “I don’t think the Yankees or any other team can beat the Marlins this year, though. The Marlins second baseman Jazz Chisholm is competing with Shohei Ohtani for the baseball player position right now.” Hopkins Baseball Captain Brandon Chung ’23 echoed Card’s statement, saying “I’d have to say the Marlins seem to have a lot of good talent.” Shaw agreed with Chung and Card, referring to the Miami Marlins as a “dark horse.” So far, the Marlins have 7 wins and 7 losses in the regular season, with an additional 3 wins, 4 losses, and 3 ties throughout spring training. 

Alongside the Marlins, the San Diego Padres are rumored to be a threat to the 2022 Houston Astros and 2021 Atlanta Braves champions. The Padres concluded their 2022 season with an outstanding record of 89-73, placing 2nd in the Division Series but failing to make the World Series. According to Oddsshark.com, the Padres have a +950 probability of securing a spot in the World Series. Shaw stated that “in terms of WS contenders, I think this may be the San Diego Padres’ year; they’re star studded and got even stronger by signing my former favorite player, Xander Bogaerts, away from the Red Sox.” As the 2023 season proceeds, the Padres have a current record of 7 wins and 8 losses in the regular season, alongside 6 further wins, 3 losses, and a single tie. 

Although some may argue that baseball is rather slow and dull, there are many Hopkins fans who can testify to the entertainment and excitement baseball provides. Teddy Witt ’24 says “I’ve been a Yankees fan my whole life, and, of course, the Yankees will win this year’s baseball season. For the most part, baseball is one of the most relaxing sports to watch - but then at the end of a close game it can also have the most tension and excitement.” O’Connell  echoes Witt’s statement about the tranquility that comes with watching baseball, saying “What I enjoy most about watching baseball is the laid-back vibe that comes along with kicking your feet up and enjoying nine innings of America’s pastime. There’s simply nothing like it.” Modern Language teacher Sarah du Plessis said, “My father and I love to watch games together and went to two of the seven World Series games which the Nationals won in 2019! My personal quote would be, ‘Baseball is full of surprises...it’s slow, it’s fast...and everything can change on a dime at any moment.’ A quote I like from Babe Ruth is ‘Never allow the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.’ — much like life, right?”