Following the conclusion of the 2021 season, Major League Baseball will likely do away with seven-inning doubleheaders and the automatic runner at second base in extra innings, commissioner Rob Manfred announced Tuesday afternoon.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Tuesday night’s All-Star Game in Denver, Manfred maintained that he does not expect either rule to be “a part of our future moving forward,” acknowledging that they are “much less likely to be a part of our permanent landscape.”
MLB initially implemented the pair of new rules ahead of the 2020 season to shorten games amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Manfred reasoned that by limiting the amount of time spent at the ballpark, the measures would potentially reduce COVID-19 exposure and outbreaks.
MLB maintained each rule for the 2021 season, and while vaccinations have fostered a better health situation, Manfred affirmed that changes will not be made until after season’s end.