Report: New MLB Rules Approved for Shift, Baserunning

MLB approved two rule changes that will take effect this season, creating a harsher penalty for a team that violates the shift rule and allowing replay officials to determine if a runner “abandoned” a base, according to a report Thursday by The Athletic.

The shift rule bars teams from positioning more than two infielders on either side of second base before the pitch is thrown. If an infielder breaks the rule and is the first to touch a ball put in play, then the batter will be given first base and any runners will advance one base. Previously, the penalty was a ball. (The rule was broken twice last season.)

The offense also has the option to decline the penalty and take the result of the play.

The second change gives replay officials the authority to determine if a runner going past second or third base abandoned the base. Previously, this was not reviewable by replay.

An example, per The Athletic, can take place with first and third and two outs. An infield ground ball is hit and the runner on first runs through second base in an effort to beat the force and his momentum carries him toward the outfield. Say he is called out on the field, but replay review finds the runner is safe. In the past, the replay review would end there. Now, the replay review can look at whether the runner “abandoned” the base as well.

So, in this example, a replay review can determine whether a runner was safe on the force and out for abandonment. Whether the run scores from third will depend on whether that runner crossed home before the abandoning happened.

The new rules were approved Tuesday by an 11-person competition committee, The Athletic reported.

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