First and third base coaches are now mandated to stay within their respective coaching boxes until the pitch is thrown. This decision comes after MLB owners voted at their quarterly meeting on Thursday to enforce the rule, informed by reports from ESPN. The rule aims to reduce instances of pitch-tipping, where base coaches may position themselves to gain insight into the pitcher’s signals.

The Blue Jays and Dodgers previously had their coaches instructed to remain in their boxes prior to last year’s Game 7 of the World Series, according to ESPN.

Previously, the Blue Jays and Yankees exchanged disagreements over incidents involving coaches stepping outside their designated areas. This issue has been exacerbated as teams have increasingly attempted to identify pitchers’ tendencies, with base coaches sometimes looking directly at the pitcher’s glove for grip details.

This isn’t a newly created rule; MLB is simply enhancing the enforcement of an existing regulation that has been traditionally overlooked. Rule 5.03(c) specifies:

Base coaches must remain within the coach’s box unless signaling for a play where they may briefly step out.

Coaches who disregard this rule will face a warning for the first infraction and expulsion for a subsequent violation, with possible additional penalties from the commissioner. Once the pitch is delivered, base coaches may freely move to provide signals to players. This is particularly pertinent when the third base coach needs to relay a stop sign or direct a runner to home plate.

While it isn’t prohibited to look for tipping behaviors when observing a pitcher, such actions are considered part of on-field strategy. If the pitching mechanics are not concealed adequately, that’s for the pitchers to address. Electronic sign-stealing has largely diminished with the implementation of the PitchCom system, compelling teams to search for alternative competitive advantages.