Three rules MLB should keep for 2021 and one it should ditch

Before the coronavirus struck, the most controversial new rule on the MLB books was the three-batter minimum for incoming relief pitchers. However, once it became clear that an ordinary 162-game season simply wasn’t possible, baseball had to think outside the box and add some radical new rules in order to squeeze in a 2020 campaign.

Join us as we dive into these new rules to determine which three MLB should retain (or tweak slightly), and which one they should eliminate altogether.

Universal DH

Commissioner Rob Manfred – in his contradictory quest to add offense while shortening the length of games – finally found an excuse to add the DH rule to the National League, which had gone without (save for visits to American League parks) since 1876.

Players love the DH rule because it extends careers, and MLB owners know this. As a result, it looks the DH rule will be used as a bargaining chip in 2021 CBA negotiations.

The DH makes a minimal impact over a long season, but baseball has "crossed the Rubicon" on this issue. Purists (this author included) may as well accept it.

Verdict: Keep

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Three-batter minimum

The days of pitching changes by batter are over, it would appear. The three-batter minimum didn’t seem to bother the bullpen-happy Tampa Bay Rays, who were two wins away from their first World Series title.

As for the length of nine-inning games, the rule seemed to have its desired effect – games went from all-time high of three hours and 10 minutes in 2019 to three hours and six minutes in 2020.

Verdict: Keep

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Extra-innings runner on second

MLB decided to call up an extra-innings rule they’ve been using the minors for several years when they started putting runners on second for each team beginning in the 10th inning of regular season contests (or eighth inning in the case of seven-inning doubleheaders).

While the rule did not create an extra-innings bunt-off like many originally thought, it still violates the spirit of the game and did not catch on and become accepted quite like the above two rules did.

It could be argued this statute was a necessary evil in a truncated season, but this gimmick needs to go in 2021.

Verdict: Ditch

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Seven-inning doubleheaders

Much like the runner on second rule, seven-inning doubleheaders were designed to help squeeze in as many games as possible over 66 days. It felt like the Miami Marlins played nearly as many seven-inning games as they did nine-inning games in 2020 thanks to a COVID-19 outbreak in their clubhouse.

We’re not saying MLB should keep this rule intact going forward, but it could be amended and used in rare cases. At the end of September, with teams that are both already eliminated from the playoffs, the seven-inning doubleheader rule could be put into play in order to move things along.

If MLB really wants to end games early and prevent excess wear-and-tear on pitching arms, they should consider a 10-run mercy rule after seven innings instead.

Verdict: Keep, but amend