MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred vows rule changes will 'restore baseball to when it was the most popular'

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The baseball world is two days away from the official beginning of a new era.

Pitch clocks, larger bases, and a banning of certain shifts will be brought into the regular season after experimentation in both the minor leagues and spring training.

The new rules are aimed to quicken the pace of play and have more action on the base paths, as walks, strikeouts and home runs have increased significantly over the years.

Fans didn't like it, and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred took notice.

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Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred speaks during a news conference in Arlington, Texas, Dec. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

When asked on "Good Morning America" why the changes came about, Manfred replied, "The short answer is the fans."

"Our research showed that the game had evolved and changed in a way that fans didn't like, and we decided it was time to intervene, to make sure we put the best form of baseball on the field," he said.

Of course, old-school baseball purists hate it all – even though baseball was never made to last over three hours like the game has over the last several years.

"Attention span of fans, we know, is limited, but the game, historically, was played in a window, two-and-a-half (hours) to 2:45, and in a lot of ways, we think we're restoring baseball to when it was the most popular," he said regarding baseball purist brushback.

Baseball has always been played without a clock, but now pitchers will have 15 seconds to deliver a pitch with the bases empty, and 20 seconds when there are men on base (batters have eight seconds to be alert for delivery).

But Manfred