MLB commissioner teases wild “golden at-bat” rule. How would it work for KC Royals?
Major League Baseball is apparently considering — or at least talking about — a dramatic rule change to increase fan interest.
On a recent podcast, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred shed light on a potential league-wide rule change. Manfred discussed the possibility of the “golden at-bat” that drew buzz at the 2024 Owners Meetings.
“(It’s) putting your best player out there out of order at a particular point in the game,” Manfred said on The Varsity Podcast with John Ourand. “That rule and things like that are in the conversation-only stage right now.”
The buzz has generated a notable response.
Several pundits have weighed in on the discussion. The “golden at-bat” would allow teams to strategically alter a baseball game in a key moment. For example, the Royals could insert superstar Bobby Witt Jr. in a bases-loaded situation in the ninth inning.
It wouldn’t matter if Witt had already batted in the inning or wasn’t due up at the time. Other variations could possibly grant Witt the opportunity to hit regardless of if he was on base.
Every team would have that golden opportunity. It’s a novel idea but one that would alter how baseball is currently played.
There are some concepts of the rule. The Savannah Bananas, which is a independent baseball team, allow the best player to hit when the game is on the line. The golden batter is allowed to hit in consecutive at-bats if the team so chooses.
The Bananas play “Banana Ball” and have exhibitions across the country.
However, MLB pitcher Jameson Taillon voiced his displeasure with a potential big-league rule change. He called the golden at-bat nonsense on X (formerly Twitter). Taillon also lobbied for a rule to help pitchers such as a “golden defender.”
Hall of Fame third baseman Chipper Jones was also miffed at the idea. He tweeted a confused response to it.
Manfred noted that the golden at-bat is just an exploratory idea. He recognized a few constraints that come with any potential rule change.
“The player side of it is really difficult for the union,” Manfred said. “Obviously, you want consensus, and we need agreement, or would like agreement, with the union. The reason it’s so hard for them is that if you think about it, almost every change, the pitchers line up one way, and the hitters line up another, and they represent them both.
“It’s very hard for the union to figure out where it ought to be on these rule changes, and it makes the process more difficult.”
Major League Baseball works with the players’ union to decide how potential rule changes go into effect. The league is currently focused on the automated ball-strike (ABS) system in the minors.
The ABS system has been tested at the Triple-A level. Manfred said there are a few more details to iron out before it’s adopted in the big leagues. There will be a test of the ABS challenge system in spring training.
“I’m thinking the following year (2026) we will be at a decision point, go or no go,” Manfred said.
Additionally, Major League Baseball has experimented with a check-swing challenge in the Arizona Fall League. Other changes included adding a pitch clock, bigger bases and “ghost” runner in extra innings in recent years.
Each potential rule change is geared towards growing the sport. It remains to be seen whether the golden at-bat will evolve into a tangible rule.
For now, the conversation has become a new talking point for the game.
