It's opening day for Major League Baseball and with the new season comes new and revamped rules aimed at accelerating game-play and boosting fan interest in the game.
Of the changes, the switch-up in pitching time is perhaps the most significant. The pitch clock has been shortened to 15 seconds when bases are empty and 20 seconds when runners are on in order to speed up the game.
Fans and analysts alike have expressed concern that the change could increase the number of injuries in pitchers around the league.
Other notable changes include a defensive set-up that requires two outfielders to be on either side of second-base and expanding the size of bases.
Fans will have plenty of opportunity to watch the new rules in effect on opening day as there are 15 games slated today.
Opening Day Games
(All times ET)
Braves at Nationals, 1:05 pm
Giants at Yankees, 1:05 pm
Orioles at Red Sox, 2:10 pm
Brewers at Cubs, 2:20 pm
Tigers at Rays, 3:10 pm
Phillies at Rangers, 4:05 pm
Blue Jays at Cardinals, 4:10 pm
Mets at Marlins, 4:10 pm
Pirates at Reds, 4:10 pm
Twins at Royals, 4:10 pm
White Sox at Astros, 7:08 pm
Rockies at Padres, 9:40 pm
Angels at Athletics, 10:07 pm
Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 10:10 pm
Guardians at Mariners, 10:10 pm
—----------------
The changes to the game are pretty significant for this upcoming season and it will be interesting to see what ramifications they have.
NASCAR and IndyCar have postponed their weekend schedules at Atlanta Motor Speedway and St. Petersburg, Florida, due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Boston Marathon has been postponed for five months due to the coronavirus pandemic. The race is sacrificing its customary Patriots Day start in the hopes of preserving the uninterrupted 124-year tradition of the world's most prestigious long-distance run.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Friday, March 13, 2020.
Kate Delaney, author and host of NBC Sports Radio sus
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee discussed how athletes can only focus on what they have control over in terms of the Tokyo games, and that women in sports need to keep pressing for change.
Heather Hardy, pro boxer, has a petition urging the World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Council to remove the word 'female' from boxing championship belts.
Rapper Offset talked to Cheddar about providing opportunities and building community through his partnership with esport organization FaZe Clan.
Authorities are investigating whether deputies shared graphic photos of the helicopter crash scene where Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, and seven others were killed, according to a newspaper report.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Tuesday, February 25, 2020.
The wrongful death lawsuit filed by Vanessa Bryant in Los Angeles says the pilot was careless and negligent by flying in cloudy conditions Jan. 26 and should have aborted the flight.
Load More