There are a few changes set to take place this MLB season, specifically for the All-Star game beginning with the one being held this year in Anaheim.  The four changes for the MLB All-Star Game are listed below.

To begin, there will be more players.  The rosters for the All-Star Game will be enhanced to 34 players from 33 players.  These 34 players will consist of 13 pitchers and 21 position players.  Only 20 position players were listed on the roster last year and not even all of them were able to play.

No matter whether the game is played in a National League ballpark or an American League ballpark, the designated hitter rule will be intact.  Pitchers hardly ever find themselves up at bat in All-Star games anyway.  The starting designated hitter will be chosen by the National League manager for National League and fan balloting will remain the selection of the starting designated hitter for American League.

A starting pitcher will not be eligible to pitch in the All-Star Game if he pitched the Sunday prior to the All-Star Game.  The pitcher will simply be substituted on the game roster.  How will teams use this new rule?  Will they use it to their advantage to ensure a particular pitcher will throw or to keep a certain pitcher out?  Regardless, the starting pitcher will still be able to attend all All-Star celebrations including being identified as an All-Star.

Last but not least, to go with the already set in place rule for injured catchers, there will not be a positional player that can be designated as being qualified to play in the All-Star Game in the place of an injured player.  This player will be determined by each All-Star manager.

Sure, you probably were expecting some other changes, but at least they are making changes and making some progress, right?  If these changes go over well, maybe we’ll see a few more changes come this time next year for the All-Star Game in 2011. 

What are your thoughts on the current changes made?

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