MLB New Intentional Walk Protocol

THIS JUST IN: The MLB has officially approved a dugout signal for an intentional walk, according to ESPN’s Howard Bryant.  This rule will be in effect for the entire 2017 season.

The new rule states that when a team wishes to intentionally walk a batter, the pitcher will no longer need to throw 4 pitches for balls in order to award the batter first base.  From now on, a team’s manager may just signal to the umpire from the dugout that they would like to intentionally walk a hitter, and this hitter will just be awarded first base automatically.

There are many reasons as to why a team may want to intentionally walk a batter.  The main reason is in order to avoid pitching to a good hitter.  If Albert Pujols comes up in a big spot in the 9^th inning, and has already gone 3 for 4 with 2 home runs during the day, and Kole Calhoun (who is batting behind Pujols in the order) has gone 0 for 4 on the day, you can sure as hell bet that the opposing team is going to want to intentionally walk Pujols and take their chances with Calhoun.  Another reason why a team may choose to intentionally walk a batter would be to create a “force out.”  For example, if there are runners on second and third with only one out, a team may choose to intentionally walk the bases loaded, therefore creating a force at any base and opening up the opportunity for a ground ball double play.

This new rule is another attempt by the MLB to shorten the time span of each game.  According to Sports Illustrated, “Last season, 932 intentional walks were issued in 2,427 games. It is estimated that this change could save 14.3 seconds per game.”

I think it is absolutely ridiculous that the MLB is instituting this new rule.  Instituting a rule that will shorten the game by 14 seconds is completely unnecessary, and could potentially even effect the outcome of some games.  On multiple occasions, there have been mishaps that have occurred during intentional walks.  Pitchers have gotten nervous and thrown wild pitches, allowing runners to advance a base or even score, and on occasion some pitchers have not thrown the ball far enough out of the strike zone, giving hitters an easy opportunity to take a huge hack at a batting practice speed pitch.  These events can change the course of any baseball game.  If pitchers are not required to actually throw the ball to intentionally walk a batter, Major League Baseball is completely abolishing the potential mishaps that have affected the game for decades.