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How much bigger are the new bases?

Author

James Craig

Published Jan 21, 2026

The first, second and third base bases will now be 18", an increase of three inches from the standard size 15" base used throughout minor league and Major League in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

How much bigger are the new MLB bases?

Amid all of the talk about the universal DH and the extra-innings runner, MLB and the MLBPA also agreed to larger bases for the upcoming season. The surface area will be going up to 18 inches square from 15 inches, giving players about 99 more inches of surface area to work with.

How much bigger are the bases going to be?

In the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the MLB Players Association and the owners agreed to increase the size of first, second, and third bases from 15 inches square to 18 inches beginning in the 2023 season. The size of home plate will remain the same.

Why is baseball making bases bigger?

Conceptually, the increase in the size of the bases will ideally lead to an increase in stolen base success rates, an increase in infield hits and a decrease in the number of collisions and injuries around the bag.

How big are the bases in baseball?

All bases are the same size and all are shaped in a square, with each side being 15 inches long and 3 to 5 inches thick. Each base is made of a canvas-like material that is stuffed with a soft material. The official rules of Major League Baseball state that the bases must be secured to the ground.

18 related questions found

Why do the owners want bigger bases?

It's a logical argument: the bigger the base, the more space runners will have to slide around defenders. Therefore, the league is hoping there will be less collisions between runners and defenders. MLB also hopes the bigger bases will lead to an increase in stolen bases.

How wide is first base?

The base must be rectangular, with two sides not less than 14 inches and not more than 15 inches, and the other two sides not less than 29 inches and not more than 30 inches.

Does the designated hitter have to hit for the pitcher?

(3) It is not mandatory that a Club designate a hitter for the pitcher, but failure to do so prior to the game precludes the use of a Designated Hitter for that Club for that game. (4) Pinch-hitters for a Designated Hitter may be used. Any substitute hitter for a Designated Hitter becomes the Designated Hitter.

Is MLB using new baseballs?

Last year MLB said the "2022 season will be played with only balls manufactured after the production change," meaning the deadened ball we were supposed to get in 2021.

Does MLB have a pitch clock?

Pitch clocks have been used in the minor leagues for several years. Starting in June 2021, baseball experimented with a 15-second clock in the low-Class A West League with nobody on base and 17 seconds with runners on.

Did MLB ban the shift?

A ban on infield shifts. Beginning in 2023, teams no longer will be allowed to have more than two infielders on one side of second base. Opening the field puts a premium on athleticism and incentivizes hitters to put the ball in play. A maximum depth for outfielders.

How wide is home plate?

Home plate is a 17-inch square of whitened rubber with two of the corners removed so that one edge is 17 inches long, two adjacent sides are 8 1/2 inches each and the remaining two sides are 12 inches each and set at an angle to make a point.

What's the distance between bases in Major League Baseball?

Base paths/distance - The infield shall be a 90-foot square. When location of home base is determined, with a steel tape measure of 127 feet, 3 3/8 inches in desired direction to establish second base. The distance between first base and third base is 127 feet, 3 3/8 inches.

Are the balls juiced in baseball?

A record 6,776 home runs were hit during the 2019 season. MLB admitted the 2019 batch of balls were made differently, but said the ball was not intentionally juiced. Prior to the start of the 2021 season, MLB announced it would deaden the ball in an attempt to cut down on extreme home-run rates.

How much does an MLB baseball weigh?

The ball has a cork-and-rubber core, around which yarn is tightly wrapped; the cover consists of two snugly fitted pieces of white leather sewn together. The circumference is 9 to 9.25 inches (23 to 23.5 cm) and the weight between 5 and 5.25 ounces (142 and…

Can a DH switch positions?

Unlike other positions, the DH is "locked" into the batting order. No multiple substitution may be made to alter the batting rotation of the DH. In other words, a double switch involving the DH and a position player is not legal.

Will pitchers bat in 2022?

The agreement implemented after the MLB lockout had a few notable rule changes to be put into play for 2022, including the long-sought-after universal designated hitter. National League pitchers will no longer hit moving forward, which is going to change roster construction.

Can the DH be the pitcher?

A new rule will allow a pitcher who bats for himself to stay in a game as the designated hitter when he is finished pitching. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month.

How far does a catcher throw to 2nd base?

The catchers time starts when he catches the ball and stops when the infielder standing on second catches the ball. An average catcher throw to 2nd base is 2.0 seconds.

Why is there 2 first bases?

Serving Albuquerque since 1958. New to Mile High Little League for 2017 is the use of the "Double First Base." The use of this base is a safety measure intended to prevent collisions between the batter-runner and the first baseman.

How far is it from home to first base?

From home base, measure 90 feet toward first base; from second base, measure 90 feet toward first base; the intersection of these lines establishes first base. From home base, measure 90 feet toward third base; from second base, measure 90 feet toward third base; the intersection of these lines establishes third base.

What is the MLB lockout 2022 about?

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred implemented the lockout as a means of creating leverage during negotiations with the players' union. The move completely froze the offseason, meaning any unsigned players were forbidden from signing major-league contracts with teams.

Did the MLB come to an agreement?

Ratification: The MLBPA voted to ratify the agreement by a 26- 12 vote after their executive committee voted 8- 0 against it. MLB owners voted 30- 0 in favor, making it official.