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There were notable changes in 2023

> Nearly a quarter of the way into the 2023 regular season, the rule changes MLB implemented this year are continuing to have their intended effects -- namely, a quicker pace resulting in a significant reduction in overall time of games, more hits and more steal attempts.

https://www.mlb.com/news/effect-of-new-rules-early-2023

Yes. In the past MLB lowered the pitcher’s mound and widened the strike zone to benefit hitters, and there’s been talk in recent years of doing it again, or moving back the mound. The league also recently instituted the pitch clock, which helped hitters a little.

A wider strike zone benefits pitchers, not hitters.

You’re right of course, that was a brain fart on my part.

The actual change was lowering the height of the strike zone (to help hitters.)

Banana Ball does a lot of rules experimentation toward the aim of making baseball more fun for the fans.

Yes, Joe Sheehan (among others) has been beating the drum for a while.