MLB Testing Rule Changes In MiLB, Seeks ‘To Increase Action, Improve Pace’
Friday, March 12, 2021 at 02:46AM NYSJ Sports-Entertainment Business News Service
March 11, 2021: MLB said it plans to experiment with a variety of rule changes in MiLB this season with an eye to potentially test them in the Majors at a later date.
MLB has recently changed some long-standing rules — driven by necessity due to challenges raised by the COVID-19 pandemic — including seven-inning double-headers and each offense getting a runner on second to start every extra inning.
MLB said the experimental rules were approved by the Competition Committee and the Playing Rules Committee.
“MLB will closely monitor and analyze the impact of each rule change throughout the 2021 season and report to clubs on their effects for further analysis,” according to MLB.
“Consistent with the preferences of our fans, the rule changes being tested are designed to increase action on the base paths, create more balls in play, improve the pace and length of games and reduce player injuries.”
Among the changes to be tested:
• Larger bases (Triple-A level): To reduce player injuries and collisions, the site of first, second and third base will be increase from 15 inches square to 18 inches square. The Competition Committee also expects the shorter distances between bases created by increased size to have a modest impact on the success rate of stolen base attempts and the frequency with which a batter-runner reaches base on ground balls and bunt attempts.
• Automatic ball-strike system (Low-A Southwest): Expanding testing on the ABS system in the Atlantic and Arizona Fall Leagues to assist home plate umpires calling balls and strikes to help determine the optimal strike zone for the system.
• Pitch clock (Low-A West): On-field timers — one in the outfield, two behind home plate between the dugouts — will be implemented to enforce time limits between delivery of pitches, inning breaks and pitching changes. This will expand upon systems currently used in Triple-A and Double-A.
• Defensive Positioning (Double-A): The defensive team must have a minimum of four players on the infield, each of whom must have both feet completely in front of the outer boundary of the infield dirt.
Depending on the preliminary results of this experimental rule change, MLB may require two infielders to be positioned entirely on each side of second base in the second half of the Double-A season. These restrictions on defensive positioning are intended to increase the batting average on balls in play.
• Pickoff Limitation (Low-A): Pitchers will be limited to a total of two “step offs” or “pickoffs” per plate appearance while there is at least one runner on base. A pitcher may attempt a third step off or pickoff in the same plate appearance; however, if the runner safely returns to the occupied base, the result is a balk.
Depending on the preliminary results of this experimental rule change, MLB will consider reducing the limitation to a single “step off” or “pickoff” per plate appearance with at least one runner on base.
“The game on the field is constantly evolving and MLB must be thoughtful and intentional about progressing toward the very best version of baseball,” Theo Epstein, MLB consultant, said via the league.
“A version that is true to its essence and has enough consistent action and athleticism on display to entertain fans of all ages.”
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