“It’s a Problem”- Insider Condemns MLB for Keeping Major Rule Change Secret Despite Dropping Unpopular Opinion

Something felt off in MLB. Pitchers around the league were missing spots they used to own—borderline calls that once tipped in their favor were now consistently ruled balls. Catchers exchanged confused glances. Pitching coaches checked the data. Was it just tighter umpiring, or had the strike zone somehow changed?

As it turns out, it had—but Major League Baseball never said a word. Without any fanfare, the league quietly implemented a significant change: shrinking the buffer zone around the strike zone. It’s the invisible area where pitchers used to live in a kind of gray space, subject to umpire interpretation. Now? That margin for error has been virtually erased. The idea is to improve accuracy and fairness, but the lack of transparency has left many, especially pitchers, feeling blindsided.

“The mere fact that so many people who should have known say they didn’t know—that’s a problem,” said Ken Rosenthal on Fox Sports. “It undermines what should be a good thing.”

MLB's decision to shrink the buffer zone on all sides of the strike zone is great for the game, but why was the league so secretive about it?@Ken_Rosenthal: "The mere fact that so many people who should have known, say they didn't know, that's a problem." pic.twitter.com/YS3Ot7yPSo

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) May 2, 2025

Here’s the kicker: MLB boasts that this change has led to the most accurate ball-strike calls in the Statcast era. And from a fan’s perspective, that sounds like a win. Hitters are thrilled—more consistent zones mean fewer blown calls. The sport is, in theory, cleaner and fairer. But when even veteran insiders like Rosenthal are saying they were kept in the dark, it raises eyebrows.

Why not just own it? When the league tested the Automated Ball-Strike system in spring training, they did it openly—explaining the tech, laying out the purpose, giving everyone time to adjust. They could’ve done the same here. Instead, they rolled out a sweeping rule shift in silence, letting confusion fester in bullpens and broadcast booths.

This isn’t just a communications misstep—it’s a trust issue. MLB is trying to evolve, appeal to younger audiences, and modernize the game. But sneaking in major changes without discussion? That breeds skepticism.

“Everybody’s zone has shrunk,” MLB catchers speak out

As we discussed earlier, the MLB’s adjustment to the strike zone is not sitting well with pitchers and catchers alike, as the league quietly shrunk the “buffer zone” between the edge of the strike zone and what umpires can call a ball or a strike. As a result, many borderline pitches voiced their frustration, again pointing out the lack of communication from the league.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb called them out, saying, “If the zone is smaller, we should be informed.” His sentiments echo a growing sense of confusion among players who feel like they were blindsided by the change. For catchers, this shift has been especially jarring. Travis d’Arnaud, a veteran catcher for the Atlanta Braves, described the impact: “Everybody’s zone has shrunk. Every umpire across the league is calling it tighter now.”

Matt Strahm, a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, also weighed in, admitting he was unaware that the buffer zone had been reduced after the spring training tests. “I thought everything was going to be normal,” Strahm said, revealing just how under-prepared many players were for this change.

In the end, for catchers who rely on consistency from the zone to game-plan and strategize, being left in the dark doesn’t just feel disrespectful, it feels like sabotage. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know below.

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