Has anyone heard if the new, larger bases have affected the game at all?

[NoRethugFriends]

3. It was expected that the larger bases would increase stealing. nd yes, steals are definitely up

I think, along with the throw to first limit, they have, but not much. But steal plays are often very close, so it does help
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FIRST TO SECOND AND SECOND TO THIRD

Old 15-inch bases: 88 feet, 1.5 inches

New 18-inch bases: 87 feet, 9 inches

Difference: 4.5 inches
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so a decrease of about 0.425%


Stolen base rate:

Stolen bases are at their highest per-game rate since 1992, when five players stole 50 or more bases. At this rate we will see 1,087 more stolen bases this year than last year, an increase of 44%.

The stolen base success rate has jumped from 75% to 83%. That should encourage teams to run even more and tailor their roster more to fit this new game.

Dig deeper into that rate, and you will find that relief pitchers, who often don’t defend the running game as well as starters, are much more vulnerable to steals. Check out these splits:

MLB Stolen Base Success Rate, 2023

vs. Starters 79%

vs. Relievers8 8%

Innings 1–6 81%

Innings 7+ 86%