Do the new rules suck? (Pitch clock, bigger bases, pick-offs, shift bans, softball runner)

As the 2023 season starts meeting its close, we have to admit it; the game has changed. They are shorter and typically have more action. But why is this? There are a number of reasons. Why don't we start off with how the game is shorter.

MLB started using the pitch clock. It had been talked about for some time, and now it is here. Pitchers (and batters) now have a time limit. Pitchers have limited time to throw the ball to the plate, and batters have limited time to be ready in the box. They have 15 seconds with no runners on, 20 with runners on, and 30 between batters, If a pitcher has a pitch clock violation, it is called an automatic ball, whereas if a batter has a violation, it is an automatic strike. There have been plenty of ejections and frustration about taking more than 15 seconds to get into the box. People strike out batters and walk them by taking too long to go to the plate. Is this a joke? It is plain absurd to do this, and is obviously being used to speed up the game.

They also made a new pick-off rule which started this season. The pitcher can disengage from the rubber twice during a plate appearance. They are allowed to disengage a third time, but they need to pick somebody off successfully or this is called a balk. This is one of the most ridiculous rules I have ever heard. 

The zombie runner is a rule that's been around longer than the pick-off rule, but is equally stupid. In every 'extra inning' a runner starts at second base. You can't call it extra innings when every inning starts with a runner in scoring position, because it doesn't run like a regular inning. At least this atrocious rule isn't being used in the postseason; yet. If it were, I might throw up my internal organs and die.

MLB also made the game more action-packed, which at the same time made the game interesting but also really, really bland, because things just aren't as special anymore.

To start, they banned the shift. The shift was pretty iffy at times, but managers should be able to position their players however they want, no matter how ridiculous it may be. Now, the infielders cannot pass second base on their side of the field nor play on the outfield grass. BOO!

Also, the bases were made bigger to convince more players to steal. On the bright side, Ty France finally stole a base this season. But, nonetheless, the bases are enormous. I went to a AA game and when they let people run the bases, I went down on the field to get a look at them. I could probably sleep on that thing. I wasn't sure if that was a base or a pillow. This makes more steals, which, I guess makes the game more interesting, but they're not as special anymore, you know? 

Well then, these are my opinions on the new rules and changes. And though I don't like them, everybody is entitled to their own opinions. But, I would like to say, prices are rising, which means ticket prices are going up, and the game was made shorter. This was so that way people who didn't really care about baseball could go to the games and they wouldn't be 3+ hours long. And our 'illustrious' commisioner, Rob Manfred, said that these rules were made to make the game better. Are you kidding me? I don't know about you, but I wouldn't believe that for a yoctosecond. Or a Klondike bar, either.