A Few Rules Changes For 2007 ...

For the first time in since 1996, Major League Baseball has implemented some fairly substantial rule changes. Some of the changes, which go into effect for the 2007 season, appear to be made to try and speed up the game. Chuck Hixson, publisher of the Philly Baseball News on the Scout.com network, takes a look at the changes, some of which are subtle and others that will likely affect the game.

The Playing Rules Committee has adopted a number of rule changes for the upcoming season. Some of the changes are simple clarifications while others are more substantial. Here is a rundown of the major rule changes:

Old Rule: In the past, when a game that was tied in the bottom of the fifth inning or later was called because of weather, the stats counted, but the entire game was replayed.

New Rule: Now, the game will be suspended and picked up from the point of the suspension the next time that the two teams play in the same ballpark. If there are no remaining games in that park, it will be picked up from the same point in the visiting ballpark the next time the two teams play there. And if it's the last regularly scheduled game between the two teams, it will be canceled. If the game impacts a post-season berth, it will be replayed from the beginning.

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Old Rule: There was a 20-second time limit for a pitcher to throw a pitch when there were no runners on base. Failure to do so resulted in a ball being called.

New Rule: With no runners on base, the pitcher must throw a pitch within 12 seconds of the time that he has the ball and the batter is in the batter's box and "alert" to the pitcher. Failure to do so results in a ball being called.

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Old Rule: When pitching out of the stretch position with no runners on base, a pitcher had to bring his hands to a complete stop.

New Rule: The pitcher no longer has to bring his hands to a complete stop when pitching out of the stretch position with no runners on base. He must stop his hands if there are any runners on base, a continuation of the old rule.

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Old Rule: A pitcher could not wear a multi-colored glove.

New Rule: A pitcher can wear a multi-colored glove provided the umpire does not deem it distracting.

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Old Rule: Players could run into the dugout to catch a foul ball.

New Rule: Players may not enter the dugout to catch a fly ball. They may reach into the dugout, but must have both feet outside the dugout.

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Old Rule: If any player intentionally scuffed or defaced the baseball, a ball was called and the player was warned.

New Rule: Rule 3.02 now states that should a player intentionally scuff or deface a ball, applying "soil, rosin, paraffin, licorice, sandpaper, emery paper or other foreign substance" to the baseball, the umpire shall demand the ball and eject the offending player, who shall be suspended automatically for 10 games."

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Old Rule: On a dropped third strike, the batter could run to first base even after he had neglected to do so and already reached his dugout or defensive position.

New Rule: A batter will not be allowed to run to first base if he leaves the dirt circle around home plate, unless he does so in an attempt to reach first base. Also, a player may go outside of the three-foot lane in foul territory for "the sole purpose of touching first base."

And, more importantly, an automatic strike will be assessed each time a batter violates the rule requiring they keep one foot in the batter's box throughout his at-bat, except for certain conditions -- during which he is still not allowed to leave the dirt area surrounding the plate.

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Old Rule: A player hitting a game-ending home run would not be allowed to score if a runner on base abandoned the basepaths thinking the game was over.

New Rule: The player hitting the home run will be allowed to circle the bases and score if a runner on base abandons the basepaths thinking the game was over as long as there were less than two outs when the home run was hit. If there were two outs, the runner will be called out and the inning will end without the hitter being allowed to score.

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In addition, the committee adopted changes to official scoring, including a new definition of "ordinary effort" when determining hits and errors. They also added casebook comments to guide official scorers, set up an appeals process to appeal official scorer's decisions and reorganized certain scoring rules. Those changes will not directly impact how the game is played and will only impact official scorer's decisions on plays and help guide them in making decisions.

As an example, the guideline for deciding whether to credit a batter with a sacrifice bunt have changed from him being possibly retired on a "perfect play" to "ordinary effort" by the defense.

And in applying "defensive indifference" on stolen-base attempts, scorers must now base that call on all game circumstances, not merely whether or not someone covered the base or the catcher got off a throw.

Sandy Alderson, the chief executive officer of the San Diego Padres who doubles as chairman of the rules committee, naturally supports the changes.

"A number of issues about the playing rules, some more technical in nature than others, had accumulated among umpires, clubs, players and Major League Baseball for some time," Alderson said. "The Playing Rules Committee hopes that these amendments will serve to clarify these issues and, by doing so, benefit all who play and umpire the game at all levels."