MLB announced on Friday that three major rule changes will be implemented for the 2023 season: larger bases, the implementation of a pitch clock, and restrictions on defensive shifting.
There are two key elements to the banning of the shift, as reported in The Athletic on Thursday when the changes leaked out:
• When the pitcher releases the ball, a minimum of four players (besides the pitcher and catcher) must have both feet completely in front of the outer boundary of the dirt, and two fielders have to be entirely on either side of second base.