Blue Jays manager Schneider thinks rule changes will be 'good for the game, good for the fans'

Blue Jays pitcher Thomas Hatch had a first-hand look at some of baseball's rule changes when he was in the minor leagues last season.

By far the biggest difference for the right-hander was pace of play.

"Our games would start at 7 p.m. and we'd be out by 9:30 just about every night," he said Wednesday. "Three-hour games would seem like an eternity. It took a little bit to get used to that but it was a good thing."

Several rules implemented at lower levels in recent years will be used in the big leagues this season. Shift restrictions will be in place, pitch clocks will be used, bases will be larger and there will be pickoff attempt limits.

Major League Baseball is hoping for a quicker, safer, more exciting product by making what it calls the most significant rule alterations in decades.

MLB executives were on site at TD Ballpark on Wednesday afternoon to deliver a slideshow to media members and provide on-field demonstrations. The pitch timer is considered to be the biggest change.

Batters and pitchers will have to get ready quicker. If they're not on time, they could be charged with an automatic ball or strike.

In addition, infielders can no longer load up on one side of the diamond or move into the shallow outfield. At least two infielders must be completely on either side of second base or risk the penalty of an automatic ball.

"I love it," said Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette. "I think that there were shifts for a good reason obviously with numbers and knowing a little bit more about players' tendencies and stuff like that.

"But I don't really know if the game was meant to be played that way."

The new bases will be 18 inches (45.7 centimetres) on each side, up three inches (7.6 cm) from before. Injury prevention by