A number of changes to the rules go into effect this year. MLB will try to eliminate tie games. In the past, if a game was tied after the fifth inning and conditions made it impossible to finish, it was ruled a tie. The stats counted, but the game was made up so that a team had 162 decisions. This was actually pretty common before lights were installed in ballparks. Often, you see players in 155 games during a season in which 154 games were scheduled. Now:

Before this year, when an official game was called due to weather and the score was tied, the statistics counted and a new game was replayed from the start. Under the change, when a game is tied in the bottom of the fifth inning or later and is called because of weather, it will be suspended and resumed before the next scheduled game between the teams at the same ballpark.

If no more games remain between the teams at the same ballpark, it will be resumed when the teams meet at the visitor's ballpark. If it is the final scheduled meeting between the teams, it will be replayed from the start if it is needed to determine a postseason berth.

I liked the tie rule, as it was a quirky vestiage of yester-year. But this change does make a lot of sense. I know Jayson Stark would like to see all rain shortened games suspended and resumed. This is a step in that direction.

Another rule change involves fielders scuffing balls:

A major league position player who scuffs or defaces a baseball would be ejected and receive an automatic 10-game suspension under changes approved Friday by the sport's playing rules committee.

Previously, the penalty was to call the pitch a ball and warn the player. For pitchers, umpires have the discretion to issue only a warning if they determine the pitcher's actions weren't intended to alter the characteristics of a pitch.

And on dropped third strikes, a batter can't wander off, then head for first base. If his first move isn't toward the bag, he's out. Here's one to speed up the game:

With no runners on, a pitcher will be required to pitch within 12 seconds, the timing starting when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the batter is in the batter's box, alert to the pitcher.

I believe it was 20 before this, although that rule was never strictly enforced. I'll be curious to see if this one is.

The official press release from MLB is here. The scoring change summary is here. Those who write software that allows fans to score games should pay attention to the change to the save rule and how catcher's interference effects earned runs.