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According to MLB, \"shift restrictions increased batting average and decreased strikeouts in Minors while giving players more opportunity to show off their athleticism.\"

\"The attention span of fans we know is limited,\" Manfred explained. \"The game historically was played in a window -- 2 1/2 [hours] to 2:45 -- and in a lot of ways we're restoring baseball to when it was the most popular.\"

A third major rule change sees the size of the bases getting bigger, from 15 square inches to 18. The larger bags at first, second and third base are expected to have a positive impact on player safety as well as reduce the distance of the base path. It will be 3 inches shorter from home base to first and third to home, while the path from first to second and second to third was reduced by 4.5 inches.

\"PHOTO:
Eakin Howard/Getty Images, FILE
PHOTO: FILE - Hunter Haas #2 of the Texas A&M Aggies tags Christian Moore #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers out at second base in the fourth inning at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, March 24, 2023 in Knoxville, Tenn.
>

This slightly shorter base paths could also lead to more stolen bases.

\"Nothing stays in exactly the same form,\" Manfred told critics of the changes. \"And the fact of the matter is the game had evolved naturally and has changed dramatically and it got to the point where it was important to intervene and make sure that we were putting the best product on the field.\"

Overall, he said MLB wants to maintain \"the atmosphere in our ballparks\" and said that their \"live product is a family-friendly product ... our clubs price in a way that encourages families to come to the ballpark.\"

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