The 3 batter minimum rule is being implemented this year and will have a pretty big effect on the way we are used to seeing games. The official rule states:
“The Office of the Commissioner will implement an amended Official Baseball Rule 5.10(g) requiring that starting pitchers and relief pitchers must pitch to either a minimum of three batters or the end of a half-inning (with exceptions for incapacitating injury or illness).”
Courtesy of MLBPlayers.com
What this means is that pitchers are required to pitch to at least 3 batters during the game or pitch until the end of the half inning.
So if a pitcher faces the first three batters of the half inning and fails to get 3 outs, a pitching change is permitted. The new pitcher has to face another three batters that inning or finish the inning, whichever occurs first. If the new pitcher only faces one batter but ends the inning, he is not required to face another two batters in the following inning. If a starting pitcher starts an inning late in the game, he can be taken out at any time because he has previously faced three batters in his appearance.
Why is this Rule Being Implemented?
In recent years, the number of pitchers per game has increased from around 2 pitchers per game in 1950, to 4 or more per game now, resulting in more pitching changes per game.
Pitching changes are considered “dead time” (time in which there is no action or play), which may extend the game time and create a less exciting atmosphere. A big topic in baseball right now is improving pace of play and reducing dead game time. We’ve seen reductions in dead time from other rule changes like changing the intentional walk and limiting the number of mound visits. The goal of reducing dead time is to make the game quicker and more exciting for fans.
My Thoughts
Before I offer my opinion, let me just say that I’m not a fan of rule changes that affect strategy, as strategy is my favorite part of baseball. One strategic decision can change the game’s outcome completely. I am, however, in favor of reducing dead game time, but believe rules involving fundamental baseball strategy should not be touched.
I’ve actually written about this rule before (before I heard the finalized rule): https://scoutgirlreport.com/limiting-relief-pitchers/
But now that I’ve heard the official updated rule, I wanted to add on and update this post.
Strategy Implications
This rule changes the strategy of pitching changes completely. I think it put a lot more pressure on managers when they had to make the big decision of whether to keep a pitcher in the game during big spots. If they put in a pitcher this year and he isn’t doing that well, what happens next is out of the manager’s control.
Basically, if a pitcher appears to be struggling or may not be the best matchup for the next batter, the manager has to leave him in until he faces his 3 batter minimum or ends the inning. If a pitcher is really struggling and blows the lead, it is not really the manager’s fault because he didn’t have the choice of taking him out.
“The strategy isn’t lost, it’s just different”. Yes, now managers have to make decisions knowing that the pitcher will have to face multiple batters, so match-ups against multiple batters will be considered and compared. But tell me how frustrating it would be to watch your favorite team and see the following scenario play out:
- Relief pitcher starts an inning.
- Batter 1: Walks, it’s clear the pitcher is not at his best and is struggling to find the zone
- Batter 2: Hits a single to right, again the pitcher is lacking control and was forced to throw in the zone to avoid another walk
- Batter 3: Hits a 3 run home run
I understand that this exact scenario is not common, and majority of the time the pitcher will be able to get at least one out even after putting someone on base. However, while this is not how this new rule will play out all the time, it is definitely going to change the outcome of certain games. The scenario I described above is not that exaggerated. Every pitcher has bad games, and bad games can be disastrous when a team is trying to hold a close lead or the game is particularly important for the team’s standing.
Pinch Hitting
Managers not only have to plan to put their pitchers in based on the next 3 batters they will face. They will also have to consider potential pitch hitters that the batter may face. This implication will probably be more relevant in the NL since they tend to use more pinch hitters than the AL.
The Lefty Specialist
As stated on MLB.com “The 2020 change will likely cause a decline in the number of specialists — such as the “LOOGY” (lefty one-out guy) — who are primarily brought in for certain matchups.”
The lefty specialist is used to throw to left handed batters, and right handed batters who struggle with lefty pitching. The specialist may not be used as frequently anymore because if he starts an inning or comes in with less than 2 outs, he is required to pitch to more than one batter. This might give a competitive advantage to players who struggle against lefty pitchers (if they don’t have to face them as frequently).
Player Safety
If a pitcher starts an inning, and is throwing out of control (nobody throws perfectly all the time), that puts the pitcher and the batter in danger of injury. While the rule has an exception for injuries or illness, there needs to be an injury that occurs before the pitcher can be removed. I just don’t see a point in forcing someone to stay in who clearly is lacking control.
Game Time and Pace of Play
The time it takes for a pitching change is:
- For Local broadcasts: 2 minutes 5 seconds
- For National Broadcasts: 2 minutes 25 seconds
- For Tie Breaker and Postseason Broadcasts: 2 minutes 55 seconds
Would game time really be reduced that much if you have less pitching changes? And do fans really care that much if there is a pitching change and the game is extended a couple of minutes? Probably not, but that’s not the point of the rule. The point of the rule is to remove all the dead time in which nothing is happening. Waiting the 2 minutes for play to resume is included in the dead time MLB wants to eliminate.
If pitchers aren’t doing well, wouldn’t that further extend the game time and defeat the purpose of the rule?
Absolutely, especially if the pitcher is walking everyone. But MLB’s goal is to reduce dead time and to improve the pace of play. So even if a pitcher is struggling and gets no outs, extending the game time, there would be more action in the game, making it “more exciting” game and have a better pace of play.
Personally, I find it more exciting when there is pressure on the manager to switch the pitcher. Waiting for a new pitcher to warm up can build suspense. It also introduces the possibility for other strategic moves from the opposing team, such as pinch hitting.
Concluding Thoughts
I think this new rule will definitely be a big adjustment for managers and pitchers. Just like before, I’m sure we will see a number of different strategic ways to handle the new rule.
Even though I’m not sure if will have a super significant outcome on each game’s result, let’s just say I won’t be very happy if I watch my team blow a lead because the manager couldn’t make a pitching change. Regardless, I guess we’ll see how it turns out and look at its impact after the season.
What do you think of the new rule and how it will impact the game?
Hate the rule.