The early 20th century is retroactively known as the "Dead Ball Era" in baseball, and it was not until Babe Ruth's emergence at the end of the 1910s and the beginning of the 1920s that baseball would be known as the "Live Ball Era." With the increase in home runs, the rules of baseball adapted to the evolution of a different style of play.
Dimensions
As more power hitters came into the league in the 1920s, Major League Baseball enacted a rule that all outfield fences must be a minimum of 250 feet from home plate in 1925. This rule stuck until 1959, when the minimum fence distance was moved back again to 325 feet in right and left field and 400 feet to straightaway center. The rule change applied to new stadiums that were built, and some ballparks, such as the old Yankee Stadium, where both right and left field fell short of the minimum 325 feet.
Ball
In the 1920s, baseballs began to be made by machine, resulting in cores that were more tightly wound. The balls were considered more "lively," hence the reference to the "Dead Ball" and "Live Ball" eras. The baseballs were also to be replaced after being scuffed, which also increased offensive production. Pitchers no longer had the advantage of throwing a softer ball and could not manipulate the ball with scuff marks or with spit -- the spitball was disallowed in 1920 -- which made the ball easier to hit and allowed the ball to travel further when it was hit.
Statistical Changes
Two major statistics that are important in today's game have been adopted since the 1920s. In 1931, the sacrifice fly rule was adopted, which allowed a runner to advance from third base to home only after the ball had been caught, earning the batter a run batted in but without charging the batter an at bat. Prior to 1931, the batter would be charged with an at bat even if runners successfully tagged up and did not earn an RBI if a runner successfully crossed the plate. The save was also developed, but not until 1969, which credited a relief pitcher with preserving a victory for his team.
Designated Hitter
The designated hitter was adopted by the American League in 1973 and has been used ever since in that league. The DH replaces the pitcher in the batting order, and some teams have a player regularly fill the DH role while other teams use the slot to give players a day off from fielding. The National League only uses the DH during interleague play, including the World Series, when the NL team is playing in an American League park.
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