Manfred doesn't anticipate MLB adopting new extra-innings rule
Commissioner Rob Manfred doesn't believe the experimental extra-innings rule that debuted at the World Baseball Classic will ever finds its way to the majors.
"I don't see us having an extra innings truncated rule in the near future," Manfred said told MLB Network on Wednesday prior to the WBC final.
The experimental change was developed in order to prevent games from playing well after the allotted nine innings. It starts in the 11th inning with runners on first and second base, with the two baserunners coming from the two previous outs in the batting order from the 10th inning.
Fans and players got their first look at the rule in Round 1 with Japan scoring two runs in the 11th inning to beat the Netherlands 8-6. Three games in total advanced to the 11th inning, with the new rule creating enough offense that a winning team was decided before advancing to the 12th.
| ROAD | HOME | SCORE AFTER 10th | FINAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominican | Colombia | 3-3 | 7-3 |
| Japan | Netherlands | 6-6 | 8-6 |
| Netherlands | Puerto Rico | 3-3 | 3-4 |
During a tournament where pitch-count limits are used, having the extra-innings rule makes sense, but the rule drew criticism when the tournament advanced to the semifinals. Puerto Rico knocked off the Netherlands 4-3 in the 11th, in what many believed cheapened the experience of what had been an entertaining game.
Manfred said he's happy to have watched how the rule played out during real games, despite not being a supporter.
"That's why you experiment with things in the minors, and World Baseball Classic," Manfred said.