MLB and the Players Union announced new rules to make sliding safer. They have...

MLB and the Players Union announced new rules to make sliding safer. They have also made neighborhood play calls reviewable by instant replay (which we knew was coming), and have added more new rules to quicken the pace of the game. The new pace rules started last season have successfully reduced 9 inning games by just over 6 minutes, dropping the average length from 3:02 in 2014 to 2:56 in 2015.

On sliding, specifically under new Rule 6.01(j), “Interference, Obstruction, and Catcher Collisions,” slides on potential double plays require runners to make a bona fide attempt to reach and remain on the base. Runners may still initiate contact with the fielder as a consequence of an otherwise permissible slide. A runner is specifically prohibited from changing his pathway to the base or utilizing a “roll block” for the purpose of initiating contact with the fielder. Violations of this rule will be reviewable by instant replay.

Slides, particularly into second base, have been a major topic of discussion since last season. The Pirates lost Jung Ho Kang for the season with a knee injury when Cubs outfielder Chris Coghlan clearly went out of the baseline in an attempt to break up a double play. The issue came to the forefront even stronger in the postseason when Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada suffered a fractured right fibula following a takeout slide by Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley in the NLDS.

The pace of game program will expand this season to include 30-second timed visits to the mound by managers and pitching coaches. Also, break timers will now mirror the time allotted to broadcasters between innings: 2:05 for local games and 2:25 for national games. This change aims to allow players to more closely match the resumption of play with the return of broadcasters from commercial breaks.

What are your thoughts on these new rules? I can post the exact rules if you like, I just tried to sum them up for you.