Back in 2022, when there was a [shiver] MLB lockout, there was talk that surprised so many baseball fans as the owners and players hammered out new rules: There were going to be bigger bases, going from 15 inches to 18.
Why? Well, for one thing it could increase the number of stolen bases, which also creates more action on the field, something that will help baseball become more exciting than what it’s evolved into. Plus, it could be safer for players who get injured (you can see an explanation of that below).
On Tuesday, we saw photos of the old bases next to the new ones, and although you’d think it wouldn’t be that much of a difference … it was!
The size difference in the two bases going into play pic.twitter.com/2VJI1Iv90Z
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 14, 2023
MLB will implement larger bases for the first time this season
They are 18×18 inches, three inches larger than the old 15×15-inch base
(photo via @JesseRogersESPN) pic.twitter.com/mnKIkbAlA3
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) February 14, 2023
The new MLB bases are quite large… pic.twitter.com/Om9mI9E2kz
— PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) February 14, 2023
Pretty large! Here’s the explanation about why it helps with player safety:
Bases: How bigger bases will improve player safety ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/64N047KXip
— MLB (@MLB) September 9, 2022