The first rulebook for Major League Baseball was printed in 1877. It has undergone many changes during the years. As players and coaches develop new strategies that create an advantage against the opponent, new rules are often written to prevent the strategy. There are several baseball rules that have been implemented in recent years to stay up-to-date with the evolution of the game.
Helmets
In 1971, Major League Baseball required every player to wear protective helmets while batting and running the bases. Before the rule, players had the option of wearing hats or helmets without ear flaps. The rule made it a requirement to wear a helmet with at least a single ear-flap while at bat and running the bases.
Pine Tar
In 1983, George Brett of the Kansas City Royals was involved with the famous pine tar incident. After hitting a home run that put the Royals in the lead late in the game, the umpire found that Brett's bat violated the pine tar rule. The rule read that pine tar could not extend past 18 inches from the knob end of the bat handle. The home run was reversed and Brett was called out. The game was later finished under protest and the Royals won. As a result of the incident, updates to the rule were made that reads if a bat is found to violate the rule, the bat must be removed from the game. Before the rule change, the player could be called out and ejected from the game.
Instant Replay
One of the most recent updates to Major League rules came in 2008 when instant replay began. Instant replay could only be used for "boundary" calls involving home runs. The "boundary" calls could include any close call such as whether the ball went over the fence, fair or foul and fan interference. A team or manager can challenge the call and have the umpire review footage of the play and make the call. Once a decision is made, the ruling stands and cannot be argued. In order to overturn the original call, there must clear and convincing evidence. There will be an automatic ejection for a manager or player who argues the instant replay decision.
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