Major League Baseball is becoming the shrinking game.
First, a runner starts on second when games reach extra innings.
And, Thursday it was determined doubleheaders in this pandemic-riddled season will be played for seven innings. Each. Game.
Jeff Passan of ESPN broke the news.
Will be fascinating to see if teams can squeeze in seven innings in less than three hours. Twice, no less.
Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have agreed to stage seven-inning doubleheaders starting Aug. 1, sources familiar with the situation tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2020
The extra-innings runner-on-second rule still will apply in doubleheader games, meaning teams in the eighth inning will automatically start with a runner on second base, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2020
MLBPA executive director Tony Clark called deputy commissioner Dan Halem during the first doubleheader of the season Tuesday and said players might want to consider shortened twin bills this year. The union surveyed its members as it considered proposing either two seven-inning games for a doubleheader, or nine innings for the opener and seven for the nightcap. A source confirmed to ESPN that MLB was checking opinions among owners and general managers.