MLB’s Bigger Bases Could Lead To More Steals, Fewer Injuries

— PEORIA, Ariz. MLB Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres immediately noticed a difference, like a violin virtuoso using a new music stand.

The bases are not only larger, but they also feel different.

“It’s different,” Machado, a two-time Gold Glove winner, said. “They appear to be better. I just had to keep playing and stepping on it to get a feel. But it’s unmistakably different.”

Major League Baseball’s (MLB) decision to increase the size of the bases from 15 to 18 inches squares is part of a flurry of changes aimed at bringing more action and athleticism back into the game and making it more appealing to a younger generation of potential fans.

When baseball’s 11-person competition committee approved the new rules in September, the four players on the panel voted in favor of larger bases but opposed using a pitch clock and limits on defensive shifts MLB.

The new bases, which “look like a pizza box,” joked Red Sox manager Alex Cora, reduced the distance between the bases by 4 1/2 inches. The distance between third and home and home and first was reduced by three inches.

MLB Says It may not appear much, but the impact could be significant.

Rather than waiting for a three-run homer, major league teams could take a more aggressive approach on the basepaths. With new restrictions on what MLB refers to as disengagements — pickoff attempts or steps off the rubber — it’s more important than ever for pitchers to be quick to the plate and strong-armed catchers to stay alert with runners on.

“The run game, preventing the run game, is something that we’ve talked about, and we’ll continue to talk about MLB,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

According to Sportradar, major league teams finished with 2,486 steals in 3,297 attempts last year, up from 2,214 steals and 2,926 attempts in 2021 but significantly lower than 3,229 steals in 4,365 attempts a decade ago in 2012.

In minor league testing, two Triple-A leagues used the larger bases for half of the 2021 season. One saw a 2.2% increase in successful steals, while the other saw a 0.7% increase.

The last time the major leagues surpassed 3,000 steals, and 4,000 attempts was in 2012 when Mike Trout led the majors with 49 stolen bases.

“I’ve been thrown out by less than (4 1/2) inches… so maybe that starts factoring into results,” said Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner, who stole 20 bases in 22 attempts last year, a career-high.

The last time the major leagues surpassed 3,000 steals

Of course, it also gives the major league’s best defensive first basemen a better chance of keeping runners off base entirely.

“I believe it could be beneficial. “It’ll give me an extra inch or so of reach on a throw that wants to pull me off the base,” Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker, who won his first Gold Glove MLB last year, said.

Aside from increased basepath activity, Major League Baseball hopes that the change will help reduce injuries. From 2021 to 2022, there was a 13% decrease in what the league calls “injury events near the bases” while testing the bigger bases in the minors.

First basemen have more room to avoid being stepped on or to pull their arm away in time to avoid a batter hustling up the line. It should also help to avoid collisions all over the diamond.

“When you walk on the field, you don’t notice it, but as you get closer to the bag, you notice it,” said four-time Gold Glove winner Cubs first baseman Eric Hosmer. “It also appears to be a little flatter. Not only are they bigger and longer, but they are also flatter.

“But yeah, it’s going to prevent some injuries, so it’s well worth it if you can even knock that number down one or two guys.

SOURCE – (AP)