Did MLB Change A Rule Solely To Deal With Shohei Ohtani?

When some players are transcendent enough, the rules of the game converge to let them play. And so seems to be the case with 2-way performer Shohei Ohtani. Having already turned in a stellar season for the LA Angels in 2021, the player seems to be changing the game with his play. So much so that in the latest rule changes as a part of the 2022 season, one rule change even has been allotted as the Shohei Ohtani Rule.

Shohei Ohtani enjoyed one of the most landmark seasons seen by a player in 2021. With the player seeing possibly the first 2-way season since Babe Ruth when he turned out for the Boston Red Sox in 1918, the season was a surefire hit.

However, with the pitcher showing such diversity in skillset, it presented a problem to the lineup. With the universal DH coming to the league in 2022 that problem seems to be on the mend.

The Shohei Ohtani rule

The newest set of regulations, set to be ratified by the owners next week will bring in a new flurry of changes. Amongst them, the Shohei Ohtani rule.

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Reportedly, a rule change will allow a pitcher who is in the starting lineup as a hitter to remain in the game after being pulled from the mound. The pitcher, however, will have to be the DH for this rule to apply. MLB implemented the universal DH as part of the latest CBA and perhaps the biggest beneficiary from the rule has been chosen as its moniker.

Other potential rule changes are to follow as well. These include the expansion of rosters from 26 to 28 in April, a welcome move for the league. The rule changes also allow for doubleheaders to have 9 innings games as opposed to 7 innings as was during the pandemic.

The new CBA also puts in place certain key regulations. These allow MLB to unilaterally implement any rule with 45 days notice as opposed to the original 1-year period. Potentially, this leaves the door ajar for changes like a pitch clock, larger bases, and even banning of shifts.

The changes also include a crucial change to extra innings; wherein a batting team will start the innings with a runner on second base. This could well allow games to finish faster, and reportedly it has been done to improve the times that games sometimes tend to stretch out.

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But what do you think? Are you looking forward to the rule changes? Which rule are you most looking forward to?