MLB “Ghost Runner” Rule Remains in 2023, Limits on Position Players Pitching

MLB “Ghost Runner” Rule Remains in 2023, Limits on Position Players Pitching

Major League Baseball’s Joint Competition Committee has voted on two separate rule changes for the 2023 MLB season. One of these rules pertains to a “ghost runner” starting extra innings on second base, the other limits position players from pitching.

According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, MLB finalized these rules on Monday.

“Ghost Runner” Rule

“In all regular-season extra-inning games, a runner will be placed on second base to begin the 10th inning, and in every subsequent extra inning after that, until a winner is determined, according to a source familiar with the situation,” Rogers said in an article addressing the rule changes.

This particular rule is not a new change for MLB, but rather something that the league is deciding to keep. The “ghost runner” rule was instated in 2020 along with other pandemic based moves. MLB decided to keep it around for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, and now is keeping it indefinitely.

This rule is kind of good for everyone, right? Pitchers have less mileage on their arms at the end of games, we see far less endless, 20-inning marathons and MLB is happy because pace of play is increased and average time of game decreases.

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Position Players Pitching

As for position players pitching, MLB has tried thier hardest to put an end to this.

If you don’t know, MLB position players pitching has been a topic of discussion for the past few seasons. In blowouts, the losing team uses position players to pitch so they can save their important pitchers for close games. It’s basically a punt for the next game.

Previously, the game had to be separated by six runs in order for a position player to pitch. Now, the trailing team has to be trailing by eight runs in order to use a position player as a pitcher. The leading team, however, can only use position players to pitch if they are leading by 10 or more runs in the ninth inning.

Even then, why would you ever want a position player to pitch if you’re winning? It literally just decreases your chance of winning. It’s not like you can just run out the clock either. People in the sport of baseball need to learn to live in the moment, and not think all about the next game.

This is a stupid addition to the rule, but I suppose it can happen — especially if we see another game like Toronto’s 28-5 shellacking of Boston last July.

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MLB has made some lofty changes for the 2023 season before these moves, including wider and larger bases, a pitch clock and the end of the shift.

MLB is desperately trying to improve pace of play, something that is widely pointed at in league circles as to why baseball is declining in popularity.

I would think fans and players are probably okay with the new additions to the 2023 rulebook. Hopefully MLB doesn’t try too hard to change the game to attract new audiences in the future.

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