Updates and Opinions on MLB Sports Training

The season is here! MLB Spring Training officially began on February 24th this year. The teams have reported to their training camps in Arizona and Florida and are excited to begin! Spring training started earlier this year because of the World Baseball Classic, which is a tournament between different countries that happens every four years. The tournament will be from March 8th to 21st. MLB will end the month with opening day on March 30th.
There have been many changes to the game this season with high hopes to bring more fans out to the fun. Those changes include making the bases bigger, defensive shift bans, and a pitch timer. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd base sizes have increased from 15 to 18 inches wide. This makes the space between the bases less than 90 feet. This is to improve the safety of the players by giving them more room to touch the bags when it becomes difficult on close plays. The defensive shift bans do not entirely ban shifts. MLB now requires two infielders on each side of second base, and all the infielders have to have their feet in the dirt when the pitcher steps on the rubber. The last change is the pitch clock, which aims to reduce the game’s time, making it more interesting to viewers. Pitchers will get 15 seconds between each pitch and 20 seconds when runners are on base. The batters only get one time-out in their at-bat and must be in the box with at least 8 seconds left on the clock. This change will also be difficult for the batters, not just the pitchers.
The predicted power rankings for this new season have been big talk, especially with the significant trades made. The Astros are still predicted number 1, even after losing their best pitcher, Justin Verlander, to the Mets. The Mets are predicted 2nd with the assumption that Carlos Correa, who just became a free agent, will sign with them. But, then, the Braves are ranked 3rd because even after trading a valuable player Dansby Swanson to the Cubs, their lineup is very strong.
Abigail Winders (10) is a big Braves fan and said, “I think the rules are good if they keep the game moving and interesting.” She says, “I think it will be good for the bases to be bigger if it prevents injury.” She was also very interested in Dansby Swanson being traded to the Cubs. Gregory Persaud (11) is also a Braves fan and says he “doesn’t really care if the bases are bigger, as long as the game stays the same.” It is important to many people that baseball doesn’t change too much with these new rules.
Parker Hartzell (10) is a Braves fan very excited for the season. He said he was interested in Bogarts being traded to the Padres and how that will work out. Regarding the base size change, he said, “I think that’s a good idea.” Further, Austin Treadwell (10) thinks the Red Sox will do the best this season and is interested in watching the World Baseball Classic.
This season will be very different from the others, especially with the exciting addition of the World Baseball Classic, but everyone is excited to watch and root for their teams!