2023 World Baseball Classic rules: Pitcher use limitations, run rule, extra innings, relegation

While the World Baseball Classic is not run by MLB, and therefore is not party to their rule changes, the big leagues certainly make up one of the most important contributors to the success of the international competition.

So it comes as no surprise that the rules enforced by the WBC are largely in line with what is going on in MLB. And while that may not be a problem in other years, 2023 presents something of a unique case. Several high-profile, and fundamental, rule changes are coming into effect this season in the Show, and that leaves everyone wondering how that could effect a competition in which the players have not had time to get used to the new changes.

No pitch clock or shift restriction

Well, good news. The new pitch clock and shift restrictions will not be in effect for the tournament.

St Louis Cardinals and Team USA first baseman Paul Goldschmidt says that he is in agreement with the decision. “There’s going to be an adjustment and learning curve to those, so for the actual quality of baseball in the WBC, it’s probably better that they didn’t spring that on us in important games. If something happened in an elimination game that we weren’t prepared for, that could have a negative effect. We’re going to need a learning curve with those and we won’t get it for a few weeks, but we’ll work on it in spring training and other times.”

Other MLB-style rules in play will be the designated hitter, the three-batter minimum, and video review, although there will not be a limit on mound visits.

In a blow to fans, although not as much for players, the controversial extra-innings rule known in the media as the “Ghost runner” is going to be enforced in the WBC, meaning that each inning after the ninth will start with the player who was made the last out being put in the game as a base runner on second.

Other notable WBC rules

The competition will have pitch limits used, which will see a pitcher allowed no more than 65 pitches during a first-round game, 80 in a quarterfinal and 95 in the championship round. A limit may be exceeded only in order to finish a plate appearance. On top of this, no pitcher will be allowed to pitch more than two consecutive days, requiring at least one day off after throwing 30 or more pitches and two days off after throwing 50 or more pitches.

There will be a mercy rule in place for the WBC, allowing the umpire to call a halt to proceedings if a team is ahead by 15 or more runs after the fifth, or 10 or more runs after the seventh.

Relegation is such a foreign concept to American sports fans, where the franchise model is the centerpiece of every domestic league. However, internationally, it is a well-trodden path in most other sports, particularly soccer and rugby. As such, it is part of the WBC’s structure for future years.

It is simple enough, the top 16 ranked teams at the end of the tournament will automatically be invited to the next competition. The last placed team in each pool will be relegated to the Qualifier Round and have to re-qualify. This is not a bad idea and, if anything, should be expanded to include the bottom eight teams.

All in all, this year’s WBC is shaping up to be a real game-changer. The excitement for international baseball is palpable and both fans and players alike are excited about seeing their country represented. St Louis Cardinals and Team USA third baseman Nolan Arenado agrees, saying, “I feel like the hype is a little bit higher this time around than it was in 2017. There’s more guys that want to do it. I know it’s not the World Cup, but just watching the World Cup and how awesome that was just to represent your country, I don’t know if it will get quite there, but get it close at least.”