South Bend Cubs prepare for new minor league rules

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – The South Bend Cubs are gearing up for another season slated to begin Friday night.

But the season will bring big changes.

There are a few rule changes this time around for Minor League Baseball – and fans should be aware of them before heading to Four Winds Field.

First, things on the pitch will be slightly different as the base sizes will increase by three inches (18 inches from 15 inches). It’s a decision that could create more interesting opportunities for stolen bases.

Another new addition for the upcoming season is a pitch clock, giving pitchers a 17-second time limit to deliver the ball to home plate in an effort to reduce total playing time.

Overall, the hope is to make the game more enjoyable for fans. And the team doesn’t seem to care about adjustments either.

“I mean, I think it’s more for guys that are super slow,” says pitcher Chris Clarke. “I’m not that slow. But we kind of need a pitch clock in baseball. So I think that will help. Not only for the players, but also for the fans who are going to enjoy it a little more. »

“They were setting up the new bases today,” said shortstop Ed Howard. “It will be a little different. But honestly I think if you have bigger bases it will get you a little closer. So I think about stealing bases and things like that. It will be a little different, but go ahead and play.

“It will probably take a few games to get flattened because we had the same rules in the fall league when I got through, and it took about a few games to get flattened out,” manager Lance Rymel said. “But that’s the great thing: I have that experience. I know what to do. I know what to look for and I can tell these guys, so it won’t take that long.

The South Bend Cubs will face the Quad Cities River Bandits at Four Winds Field on Friday at 7:05 p.m.

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