MLB announces rule changes for 2017 season

Photozek07/iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Major League Baseball announced a series of rule changes that will go into effect this season in an effort to improve the pace of play on Thursday.

 

Many of the changes had been discussed in recent weeks, but the annoncement confirms which will be implemented immediately. The most discussed rule change is a new no-pitch intentional walk, allowing managers to signal their decision to the home plate umpire and avoiding a series of wide pitches.

The league will also require managers to decide whether they want to challenge a call made on the field with thirty seconds in order to invoke an instant replay. Umpire-initiated reviews will now be allowed on non-home run calls in the eighth inning and beyond — one inning later than previously allowed.

MLB will, however, attempt to speed up those replay reviews. Under the new rules, officials would have a conditional two-minute guideline to make a decision. There will, however, be some exceptions.

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