5 Things to Know Before the 2023 MLB Opening Day

The 2023 MLB regular season is almost upon us! It wouldn’t surprise me if some of you are less enthusiastic than others or are just completely indifferent about it, especially since general viewership has decreased over the past three decades with fan attendance sharply decreasing whether it be due to weather, costs, personal income relative to cost-of-living, ballpark accessibility, COVID, or the real time and emotional commitment it takes to sit through a game. Commissioner Rob Manfred has been well aware of this issue & obviously wants to grow professional baseball to continue to make more money. So, the joint Competition Committee, which was created according to the recently negotiated MLB-MLBPA Collective Bargaining Agreement & is comprised of six MLB representatives, four players, & one umpire, approved three rule changes this past October to make the game more attractive to fans by increasing the game’s pace of play and the action on the field. These rules are technically in place now during Spring Training, but these rule changes along with a couple other operational adjustments will be on full display come the regular season.

Jaime, MLBJaime MiettinenMarch 7, 2023professional sports, MLB, Rule changes, Opening DayComment

Your Opening Day Emergency Guide to Baseball's New Pace-of-Game Rules

Back in February, new MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and the MLBPA wasted no time and announced a new set of pace-of-play rules to chop a few minutes from the game's dragging duration without substantially altering the game itself. These rules should get the game moving along more quickly after television breaks and between innings so that cutting a few seconds here and there can end games sooner, so long as the new rules are enforced consistently. The MLB says these rules will be enforced through a "warning and fine system, with discipline resulting for flagrant violators." Here is your quick overview of what rule modifications to look for just in time for Opening Day's first pitch.

Jaime, MLBJaime MiettinenApril 6, 2015MLB, Opening Day, Pace of GameComment