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Is the shift allowed at the 2024 College World Series? Exploring defensive strategy banned by MLB

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3 weeks ago

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The “Shift.”

One of the more polarizing, and highly debated, parts of the game of baseball. Whether one likes it or not, it is defensive strategy used by managers that merges “old school” with “new school” baseball analytics — which led to its popularity in MLB in the last decade.

It also, at times, is a career killer, particularly for left handed hitters, as it erases hits from happening, a leading component to why Major League Baseball banned it going into the 2023 season. Despite this, it has remained to have a significant presence in college baseball.

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And so, with the College World Series starting Friday in Omaha, Nebraska, curiosity has risen on whether the final eight teams fighting for a national championship title are able to use the shift in games. Here’s what you need to know on the shift with the CWS well underway:

MLB shift ban

To some displeasure — by both fans and players — the MLB’s Joint Competition Committee approved to ban the shift within the infield prior to the 2023 MLB season. Under the shift ban, two infielders must be on either side of the diamond and must have at least one foot in the infield, which eliminated a team putting its second baseman in the outfield as an extra outfielder when facing a left handed hitter. Additionally, the second baseman and shortstop are restricted from playing on the other side of second base, i.e. meaning a second baseman and shortstop are to play straight up with the infield.

According to the press release by MLB, the intention behind banning the shift was to increase batting average on balls put into play while also providing infielders with an opportunity to show their skillset and “restore more traditional outcomes on batted balls.”

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As noted by USA TODAY Sports’ Steve Gardner, teams used an “overshift” — more than two infielders on one side of the diamond — 33.6% of the time in 2022, while putting the shift on against left-handed hitters at an egregious 55.0% of the time, most of which consisted of having their second baseman play deep into the hole in right field.

“We’ve tried to address the concerns expressed in a thoughtful way, respectful — always — of the history and traditions of the game, and of player concerns,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in 2023. “Our guiding star in thinking about changes to the game has always been our fans. ‘What do our fans want to see on the field?’ We’ve conducted thorough and ongoing research with our fans, and certain things are really clear. Number 1, fans want games with better pace. Two, fans want more action, more balls in play. And three, fans want to see more of the athleticism of our great players.

“The rule changes we’re announcing today have been thoroughly tested and refined for years in the Minor Leagues. Each of these rules have been tested in approximately 8,000 Minor League games dating back to last season, which is the equivalent of 3 1/2 complete Major League seasons.”

Here are the full parameters within the shift ban according to the MLB:

  • The four infielders must be within the outer boundary of the infield when the pitcher is on the rubber.
  • Infielders may not switch sides. In other words, a team cannot reposition its best defender on the side of the infield the batter is more likely to hit the ball.
  • If the infielders are not aligned properly at the time of the pitch, the offense can choose an automatic ball or the result of the play.
  • This rule does not preclude a team from positioning an outfielder in the infield or in the shallow outfield grass in certain situations. But it does prohibit four-outfielder alignments.

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Are shifts allowed in the College World Series?

Yes. While Major League Baseball banned the shift, the NCAA has allowed team to continue using the strategy of a defensive shift.

The NCAA, particularly its Power Five conferences like the SEC and ACC, have implemented some rules changes — between batters clock, mound visit clock, pitching change clock, 10-run rule in conference games (SEC), etc. over — the last two years, but none of the changes have been on banning the shift in college baseball.

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