MLB pulls a Dua Lipa for upcoming 2020 season ‘New Rules’. Keep these in mind while watching a game at The Ravine.

NO ONE likes to have to hear about rules and regulations, blah blah BLAH! It can become such a snooze fest. Almost like holding a pointless meeting in the office. I wanted to come up with an alternative way to present the new law and order going into effect this upcoming campaign.

Enjoy! 

“One: Don’t pick up the phone, unless your pitcher can go three hitters or more, and the lead will not be blown” Or whatever Dua Lipa says. In 2020 starters and relievers HAVE to pitch to three batters, or at least make it through the inning, with the exception of an injury, or an illness that would prevent said pitcher from completing the inning. The way I see this it is like going to a comedy club, and being told it is a three drink minimum. The intent of this is to not have a certain hurler, coming in for just one batter. Look for this starting March 12th (Spring Training).

“Two: Don’t let him in, you’ll have to keep him on the injured list for 15 again” I think that’s the lyric? This is in reference to when pitchers, or “two-way players” (which i’ll get to) are on the IL (injured list) they MUST stay on the list for 15 days. If pitchers, or “two-way players” are sent to the minor leagues, they can only be called up also after 15 days. Position players are exempt from this, meaning they can return from the IL, or can also be called up from the minor leagues after 10 days. To be honest I don’t understand why the position players are not included in this, but we will have to see how this plays out.

I mentioned “two-way players” previously, and they are defined as players who can pitch, and hit which is now an official designation. This will allow these players to be on the roster without counting toward the team’s 13 pitcher pitcher limit. There are some qualifications to be eligible for this “two-way player” designation. A player must (in either a current, or a previous MLB season) have pitched 20 innings in the Majors, and started 20 games as a position player or designated hitter where they have batted three or more times. If you are tagged as a “two-way player” that must remain for the rest of the season. The one that can be eligible for this right away is our Freeway Series rival Shohei Otani. Even though he didn’t pitch last year (Tommy John surgery) in his 2018 rookie season he did both, hence he qualifies. Another player that could qualify when we visit the Cincinnati Reds, (June 9th-11th) is Michael Lorenzen. He is also an outfielder, however unlike Othani, he is a relief pitcher as opposed to being a starter. 

“Three: Don’t be his friend, this position player could be marked as bullpenned. And if they’re up or down by six or more runs, or in extra innings, you’ll keep seeing this trend.” Nailed it! Up until now there wasn’t anything in play about position players being able to pitch. 2020 is changing that. You can now only have a position player pitch under the following circumstances: 1. If the game goes into extra innings. 2. If either team is winning or losing by six or more runs (in a nine inning game) otherwise only the teams 13 designated pitchers OR “two-way players” are allowed are allowed to pitch. In the case of a doubleheader, teams are allowed to expand their 13 designated pitchers to 14, however the rules above would still apply.

The executives “must have been talking to themselves at night, driving themselves crazy, and out of their minds” over this one. Over the years so many discussions have taken place about what to do about the opening day, and the September “call ups” rosters. We now have the final say on this. All active rosters are going to increase from 25 to 26 (through Aug 31st) In September you’re allowed to carry 28 players, with a maximum of 14 pitchers. This will go down from the 40 players you were previously able to carry. Personally, I am happy for this to go into play. It keeps the core of the team deciding their own destiny. It will also speed up the game dramatically. Another thing to keep in mind is that there is no more waiver period for teams to get an extra player, so it will keep the clubs call ups very honest, creative, and carry more weight. 

Last but not least is the challenge rule. Managers now only have 20 seconds instead of 30 seconds. This also shortens the time about video replays, which in turn will help them determine whether or not they will win a challenge. I would assume having 20 seconds instead of 30 seconds will increase the overall speed of the game. This was not announced publicly, thank you to MLB.com for providing this nugget of information. 

So there you have it! 

MLB: I got new rules, I count ‘em.