NEW YORK—Major League Baseball’s new rules designed to speed pace of play and encourage more action seem to be working through the first 1 1/2 weeks of the season.
Batting average is up 16 points, stolen bases have spiked 30 percent and the average game time is down 31 minutes, on track to be the sport’s lowest since 1984.
Limits on infield shifts, a pitch clock, and larger bases were all implemented on opening day after testing in the minors and a dress rehearsal of sorts during this year’s big league spring training.
“I think they’re good for the game,” Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona said. “The goal was to not have them get in the way of how we play. That doesn’t guarantee you’re going to win or lose or play well or bad, but just not get in the way….