Why Does Baseball Want Bigger Bases?

The official Major League Baseball rulebook states that the bases must be anchored securely to the ground.

The Problem with Smaller Bases

Smaller baseball bases may seem like a good idea because they would make the game more exciting. The players would have to run faster and there would be more stolen bases and home runs. However, there are a few problems with this idea.

Injuries

The debate about base sizes has cropped up every few years, with proponents arguing that the smaller bases lead to more injuries. The most common injuries are slides into second base, which can often result in a player jamming his or her fingers or getting spiked by the cleats of the opposing player. In response, some colleges have moved to larger bases in an effort to reduce the number of injuries.

Fielding Errors

One of the big problems with smaller bases is that it leads to more fielding errors. This is especially true with infielders, who have a harder time getting to ground balls with smaller bases. In addition,base-runners have an easier time eluding defenders when the bases are small. As a result, teams are more likely to score when there are smaller bases.

The Benefits of Bigger Bases

Baseball is a game full of tradition and history. For years, the dimensions of a baseball diamond have been set in stone. However, some people are now advocating for a change to the size of the bases. They believe that by making the bases larger, the game will be more exciting and more offense will be generated. Let’s take a look at the benefits of bigger bases in baseball.

More Runs

The most common argument for bigger bases is that it would lead to more runs being scored. It seems intuitive that a runner would be able to make it around the bases more quickly if they were bigger, leading to more scoring opportunities.

But how much of a difference would it actually make? Baseball research website FiveThirtyEight did the math, and they found that if bases were increased by just 18 inches, an additional 3.2 runs would be scored per game on average.

While that may not sound like a lot, it would be a significant increase in offense in an era where scoring is already on the rise. And as we’ve seen with other changes to the game designed to increase offense, even a small increase can have a big impact on how the game is played.

Better Fielding

The space between bases will be increased by two feet, from 90 to 92 feet. In theory, this should lead to improved defense. It will now be harder for a runner to leg out a hit, and fielders will have more time to get to the ball and make a play. This is especially true in the outfield, where the extra space should give fielders more time to track down fly balls.

Why the Change?

In the game of baseball, the bases are where the players stand while they are batting or waiting to run the bases. They are also used to determine how far a player can run when they hit the ball. The bases are placed in a diamond shape, with first base being at the bottom left, second base being at the bottom right, third base being at the top left, and home plate being at the top right. The dimensions of the bases have been standardized since 1868, but there has been a recent push to change the size of the bases.

Economics

In 1868, the bases were set at 90 feet apart, in part because that was as far as the pitcher could conveniently throw the ball. As pitching techniques improved and pitchers became more adept at throwing long distances, thethought arose to move the bases back so that they would be an equal distance from home plate. In 1893, the bases were moved back to 90 feet, where they have remained ever since.

The primary reason for this change was economic. By moving the bases back, teams could increase ticket prices and generate more revenue. Furthermore, by increasing the distance between bases, teams could increase advertising opportunities by placing ads on the outfield fence.

The Fan Experience

In order to enhance the fan experience, Major League Baseball is considering changing the size of the bases. The proposed change would make the bases 18 inches square, as opposed to the current 15-inch size.

Some have speculated that the proposed change is intended to make the game faster paced and more exciting. While that may be a factor, it is not the primary reason for the potential change. The primary reason is that larger bases would provide more opportunities for base runners to score.

Currently, base runners often have to slide into home plate in order to avoid being tagged out. However, this can be dangerous, as there is a risk of injury when sliding into home plate. If the bases were larger, base runners would not have to slide as often, which would reduce the risk of injury.

In addition, larger bases would also give base runners more time to react to plays at home plate. This would provide a more enjoyable experience for fans, as they would be able to see more action taking place on the field.

The proposal is still in its early stages, and no decisions have been made regarding whether or not it will be implemented. However, it is clear that MLB is considering ways to improve the fan experience by making changes to the game itself.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Baseball?

The MLB has proposed increasing the size of bases from 15 inches to 18 inches. This proposal was made in order to make the game more exciting. Some people think that this will make the game more exciting while others think that it will make the game easier. Let’s take a look at both sides of the argument.

More Home Runs

The 2020 Major League Baseball (MLB) season is underway, and with it comes changes to the game that have been designed to increase excitement and, hopefully, generate more offense. One of those changes is the size of the bases, which have been increased from their traditional 15-inch width to 18 inches.

The thinking behind the change is that by increasing the size of the bases, there will be more opportunities for runners to score from second base on a single, or from first base on a double. In turn, this should lead to more runs being scored overall, and more close games.

Of course, we won’t know for sure if this change will have the desired effect until the season is over. But if it does lead to more offense, it could be just what baseball needs to keep fans interested in a sport that has seen its popularity decline in recent years.

More Injuries

While it is true that baseball has seen a decrease in the number of pitcher-related injuries over the past few years, there is still a big concern that more injuries will occur if the bases are made bigger. In fact, one study found that increasing the size of first and second base could lead to an increase in hamstring and calf strains for infielders. In addition, pitchers would likely see an increase in shoulder injuries due to the additional stress placed on their bodies when throwing to bases that are further away.