MLB shift rule changes: The details of the shift being banned, explained

Among the rule changes in MLB for the 2023 season is a key switch that will open up more room for batters to get hits: A ban on the defensive shift that’s been utilized a ton in recent years.

It used to be that you could move defenders around anywhere you wanted to on the field, and teams would load up the right side against a lefty who mainly pulled the ball. Even a line drive that would have been a hit found its way into a glove for an out.

Now? Let’s break down the shift ban and the specific rules about what defenders can and can’t do:

1.  You MUST have at least four players in the infield, with two on each side of second base. Infielders aren’t allowed to switch sides, and you need to be in the infield when the pitcher steps on to the rubber.
2. Violations result in an automatic ball or whatever happened in the play that went down at the time of said violation (e.g. a base hit).
3.  There is a bit of a loophole. You can’t have four outfielders — remember, you have to be IN the infield if you’re an infielder. But you can move an outfielder to one side as long as he’s on the grass. We saw that in spring training when Joey Gallo stepped to the plate.

They literally pulled the left fielder against Joey Gallo so they could loophole-shift against him pic.twitter.com/XS63zXAkVM

— The Game Day MLB (@TheGameDayMLB) March 3, 2023

That’s it!