Batters can advance bases if umpires interfere

Major League Baseball (MLB) is getting ready for the 2025 season as spring training begins in Florida and Arizona. This year, some of the league's more obscure rules are grabbing attention. One unique rule allows batters to advance to first base if the ball hits either the umpire's or catcher's mask. This rule, which is not new, has rarely been used in professional play. It highlights how detailed MLB regulations can be. Alongside this rule, the league has introduced two minor changes for the upcoming season. The first change involves defensive shifts. Teams can now have only two infielders on either side of second base before a pitch. They must also be standing on the infield, not creeping into the outfield. Previously, if teams violated this, the batting team would get a ball. Now, they will receive a free base instead. The second change deals with runners who pass by a base other than first during a force play. For instance, if a runner heading to second base beats the throw but overruns the bag, umpires can now call that runner out for abandoning the base. This means the runner can face an automatic out even if they did reach the base first. The 2025 season officially kicks off in America soon after the Dodgers' season-opening series against the Cubs in Tokyo, set for March 27.