Maybe that’s why MLB seems to be finally serious about trimming the ever-expending game times. Earlier this week, the league announced six proposed rule changes to speed up the games pace. The experimental regulations will be tested out during the Arizona Fall League. Here are the six proposal, via a MLB press release:

1. Batter’s Box Rule: “The batter shall keep at least one foot in the batter’s box throughout his at-bat, unless one of a series of established exceptions occurs, in which case the batter may leave the batter’s box but not the dirt area surrounding home plate.”

2. No-Pitch Intentional Walks: “In the event a team decides to intentionally walk a batter, no pitches shall be thrown. Instead, the manager shall signal to the home plate umpire with four fingers, and the batter should proceed to first base to become a runner.”

3. 20-Second Rule: (To be used only at AFL games played at Salt River Fields) “A modified version of Rule 8.04, which discourages unnecessary delays by the pitcher, shall apply. Rule 8.04 requires the pitcher to deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball with the bases unoccupied. The penalty prescribed by Rule 8.04 for a pitcher’s violation of the Rule is that the umpire shall call ‘Ball.’

“In the AFL games at Salt River, a clock will be displayed in both dugouts, behind home plate, and in the outfield. The clock will be operated by an independent operator, who is not a member of the umpire crew. A pitcher shall be allowed 20 seconds to throw each pitch…. The clock will stop only when the pitcher begins his motion to deliver the ball (and not ‘when the pitcher releases the ball’ as prescribed in Rule 8.04). Beginning the motion of coming to the set position shall be sufficient to stop the clock. If the pitcher maintains possession of the ball without beginning his pitching motion for more than 20 seconds, the Umpire shall call ‘Ball.’”

4. 2:05 Inning Break Clock: “There shall be a maximum 2:05 break between innings. Hitters must enter the batter’s box by the 1:45 mark. When batters violate this rule, the Umpire may call an automatic strike. When batters are set by the appropriate time and pitchers fail to throw a pitch before the conclusion of the 2:05 period, the Umpire shall call a ball.”

5. 2:30 Pitching Change Break Clock: “There shall be a maximum 2:30 break for pitching changes, including pitching changes that occur during an inning break. The first pitch must be thrown before the conclusion of the 2:30 period or the umpire shall call a ball. The clock shall start when the new pitcher enters the playing field (i.e., crosses the warning track, or foul line).”

6. Three “Time Out” Limit: “Each team shall be permitted only three ‘Time Out’ conferences per game (including extra innings). Such conferences shall include player conferences with the pitcher (including the catcher), manager or coach conferences with the pitcher, and coach conferences with a batter. Conferences during pitching changes, and time outs called as a result of an injury or other emergency, shall not be counted towards this limit. A manager, coach or player will not be permitted to call a fourth time out in violation of this Rule. In such cases, the game will continue uninterrupted, and offenders may be subject to discipline.”

As you can see, the most radical change is the elimination of the intentional walk. It will also be the most controversial, as once in a blue moon a pitcher doesn’t through one of the initial balls wide enough and the hitter takes a swing at it.

Some would argue you should keep intentional walk they way it is just for that comedy. What do you think?

The infield rule played a big role in the 2012 National League wild card game. In the eighth inning of the winner-take-all game between the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals Atlanta shortstop Andrelton Simmons came to bat with runners on first and second and hit a high, shallow pop up between Cardinals’ shortstop Pete Kozma and left fielder Matt Holliday. Kozma attempted to field it as he backpedaled but dropped the ball. It look as if the Braves would have the bases loaded with one out.

But wait. Left field umpire Som Holbrooke had called the infield fly rule, meaning Simmons was automatically out.

Outraged Braves fans began throwing debris on the field to protest the call, causing an eighteen minute delay. The Cardinals would end up winning the game 6-3 and advancing to the next round.

There is no doubt Holbrooke erred by waiting too long to call the ball an infield fly — it had just about hit the ground when he raised his hand up. Furthermore, there is a good argument to be made that Kozma needed more than ordinary effort to field the ball, and an infield fly shouldn’t have been called at all.

But while the execution of the infield fly role during the 2012 Wild Card was clearly flawed, the logic behind the somewhat mysterious regulation is very solid. Here the infield rule, as defined by the official rules on MLB.com.

“An infield fly is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.

When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an Infield Fly, the umpire shall immediately declare “Infield Fly” for the benefit of the runners.”

The infield fly rule is essential because if it didn’t exist infielders would deliberately drop pop ups when there are less than two outs and runners on first and second or when there are less than two outs and the bases are loaded. They would do this because the baserunners would be forced to stay close to the base until the infielder (deliberately) dropped the ball and then the infielder would be able to pick the ball up and start a double play.

Occasionally you will see a legal variation of this strategy when there is a fast runner on first and slow runner hits a pop up. The infielder will sometimes let the pop up fall and then throw the ball to second, forcing out the faster runner and replacing him at first with a slow footed player.

This play is rare because most teams don’t want to risk the infielder kicking or losing control of the dropped fly ball (thus recording no outs) just to replace a fast runner with a slower one. However the calculus would be different if instead of just one out the fielder could completely kill a rally with a double play.

That is why baseball needs an infield fly rule. Just don’t trying tell that to Atlanta Braves fans.

The official baseball rule book is well over a hundred pages long. And that doesn’t even get into the numerous unwritten rules that govern the game. Some of these shadow regulation that have been passed down the baseball generations are rules of etiquette, and others are rules of strategy. We have a rundown of all the important unwritten rules of baseball below.

Never mention a no-hitter in progress
This superstition may be baseball’s most famous unwritten rule because it also applies to broadcasters and even fans.

Never bunt to break up a no-hitter
While talking about a no-hitter will get you dirty looks, bunting during one will get you fastball under the chin.

Never steal bases when you are way ahead
That’s just rubbing it in. However the definition of “way ahead” has changed since this rule developed, in the deadball era. While back then it would be improper to steal when ahead by more than a couple, these days you wouldn’t be in trouble until you’re up by at least five.

Never steal bases when greatly behind
Since there isn’t much difference between being on first and second (or second and third) when your team is down big, running in that situation makes you an unserious stat-padder.

Don’t swing 3-0 when you’re team is way ahead
Again, rubbing it in.

Don’t work the count if you are way up or way down
Everybody just wants to go home.

Don’t steal third with two outs
There’s no etiquette behind this one. Instead, it’s because there are far fewer advantages to being on third, rather than second, with two outs as there are with no or one out. And by stealing with two outs you risk taking the bat out of the hitter’s hand and ending the inning,. However there are some still some advantages — particularly as team’s get more aggressive with outfield alignments — so you see this happen more and more.

Don’t make the last out at third
See above

Never step on the pitcher’s mound
This one famously caused a kerfuffle between Alex Rodriguez and Dallas Braden and afterward A-rod claimed he didn’t know it was an unwritten rule.

Don’t admire a home run
A sliding scale here. What would count as not admiring a home run in 2013 would have probably caused a bench clearing brawl in 1950.

Never get in the batter’s box while the pitcher is warming up
Yes, pitchers are delicate flowers.

No excessive celebrating after a strikeout
Hitters can be delicate flowers, too.

Don’t sacrifice in front of your best hitter
Because if you clear first base the other team is likely going to take the bat out of his hands by walking him.

If you’re bunting for a sacrifice, don’t try for a base hit
Because they are different skills.

Never steal the catcher’s signs
Although if you can get away with it…

Never hit-and-run with an 0-2 count
Actually, some would argue since hitters make their worst contact down 0-2 this is the best time to hit and run. The counter would be you don’t want to force a hitter into swinging when he has two strikes on him.

Take a strike when your team is behind
Because the first step to a comeback is just getting on base.

If a pitcher hits a teammate deliberately, hit one of theirs
This eye-for-an-eye code is more costly now that there are warnings and automatic ejections.

When throwing at hitter, never aim for the head
The brain is very important to most people

Play for the win on the road, a tie at home
The home team always has the advantage during a tie game because they get the last at-bat, and when the home team is playing for one it also means they have at least one more out than the visitors.

If runners are in scoring position and first base is open walk the number eight hitter to get to the pitcher
This is a logical rule, not an etiquette one. Nevertheless, if you break it the number eight hitter is going to be mighty insulted. (It also doesn’t apply if the pitcher is going to be pinch hit.)

Don’t rub the mark after a hit by pitch
The best revenge is living well. Or at least pretending that 95 MPH fastball to the forearm didn’t hurt.

Don’t show up your fielders
A pitcher’s body language is very important when a fielder flubs a play.

Pitchers stay in the dugout until at least the end of the inning they get pulled
If not, it makes them appear above the team and petulant.

Always run onto the field if there is a fight
You can’t have a bench clearing brawl if some prima donna decides to stay on the bench.

Always run out ground balls and pop ups
You don’t want to be the lazy bum “making X millions of dollars a year.”

Relievers throw fastballs to other relief pitchers
Relief pitchers rarely ever bat. And, if they do, they can expect some sympathy and only straight stuff from their bullpen brethren.

Don’t play the infield in with a runner on third base early in games
If you break this one you are either saying your offense is anemic, or  it’s the ultimate homage to the opposing pitcher. (Or, most likely, a little of both.)

Never walk the tying or go-ahead run.
Because you can’t score from the dugout.

Little League Baseball is notorious for only sharing its rule book with those who have paid an online subscription of twenty dollars or have sent ten dollars to have the rule book sent to their address. The Little League Baseball rules can not be purchased anywhere but directly from Little League Baseball.

This makes Little League one of the few major sports organization in the world which doesn’t offer their rule book free to the public. According to Little League officials this is because they don’t want to incur the potential liability of other youth baseball leagues copying their rulebook.

Nevertheless, the basic rules of Little League Baseball are well known. Below, we’ve listed some Little League Baseball Rules that differ from Major League Baseball rules.

Safety
*No player besides the batter in the batter’s box is allowed to have a bat in his hand. Not only does this include a batter in the on deck circle but also players in the dugout.

*Players cannot wear jewelry of any kind.

*All players must wear protective cups.

*Catchers must wear all protective gear including dangle throat protector while warming up pitcher.

Baserunning
*The base runner must try to avoid contact with the fielder if possible.

*Players can not slide head first while advancing to a base. (Doesn’t apply to fourteen and older leagues, or if a player is trying to return to a base.)

*On close plays, players must either slide or try to avoid the tag.

*Runner cannot advance until the pitch “reaches the batter.” (No straight steals)

*Runner cannot be tagged for overrunning first base on the fair side if he returns immediately to the base and had made no real attempt for second base

*If a runner leaves early on a bunt no run can score on the play.

General
*Games cannot be started or continued without nine players and at least one coach in the dugout.

*Any substitute player has to play a minimum of one at bat and six consecutive outs.

*Rained out games are regulation if the home team is leading after 3.5 innings or if either team is leading after four

*Umpire is the sole judge of weather.

Coaches
*Base coaches must by players in uniform with a helmet on

*No more than three coaches (or adults) in the dugout at any time

*Coaches are not allowed to warm up pitchers between innings.

*If a coach is ejected he must leave the game site and is suspended for the next game.

Bats
*Bats can be no more than 33 inches in length and 2 ¼ inches in diameter.

*Composite bats are banned unless specifically approved at Littleleague.org.

*Non wood bats have a BPF rating of 1.15 or lower that is permanently affixed to the bat.

Pitchers
*A catcher who has played four innings cannot pitch on that calendar day

*A pitcher who has thrown forty-one or more pitches can not play catcher on that calendar day.

*Pitchers may not wear long white sleeves under their jersey, use a white or cream glove and may not wear sweet bands of any color on the arm or the wrist.

*Pitchers have either an eight pitch or one minute limit to warm up, whichever comes first.

*Quick pitching is illegal.

* Age 11-12 pitchers can throw no more than 85 pitches a day; Age nine-to-ten are limited to 75 and age eight fifty pitches. (However the pitcher can finish the at-bat he reaches the maximum in as long as it is finished in that inning.)