MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, Boston
ESPN’s Kevin Negandhi is hosting a discussion of baseball’s rule changes here. The changes feature installation of a pitcher/hitter clock, banning infield shifts, limiting pitcher throws to first base, and increasing the size of bases. The changes are necessary to decrease the slow demise of what was once arguably America's pastime.
Baseball analytics pioneer Bill James told the audience “It’s past time” for these changes” and that “they should have been done 40 years ago.” “Yes,” he added, “it’s too many changes all at once but let’s just get on with it.” Former player Raul Ibanez offered that, “The players are adapting (to the changes) very quickly.” I’d add that many younger players, managers, and umpires have already adapted to some of these rules, which have been part of minor-league baseball for a few years now.
While it’s not a meaningful comparative data point, current spring training games are down 24 minutes from the first week of spring training last year with slightly improved offensive numbers.
What’s next? Automated strike zones, about which I’m not so crazy.
Image courtesy of SlidePlayer.