Robot umpires and larger bases are just some of the major changes the MLB will be testing out.
This season Major League Baseball announced that it will be experimenting with several rule changes in the minor leagues to see if they’re actually worth being made as permanent changes. These changes include an automated strike zone, restrictions on certain defensive positions, and larger bases.
“A variety of experimental playing rules, which have been approved by the Competition Committee and the Playing Rules Committee, will be tested at various levels of the Minor Leagues during the upcoming 2021 season. The changes being tested are designed to increase action on the basepaths, create more balls in play, improve the pace and length of games, and reduce player injuries,” the league tweeted this week.
The league’s new automatic ball-strike system (ABS) is projected to be used at some Low-A Southeast League games. This marks the closest a robotic umpire has come to the major leagues, and depending on how the season goes we could begin seeing them a lot more. ABS technology has already been used in the independent Atlantic and Arizona Fall Leagues. Players had mixed reviews, and complained that the TrackMan system, which is responsible for tracking the ball, would “grade breaking pitches down in the zone.”
“We are listening to our fans, this effort is an important step towards bringing to life rules changes aimed at creating more action and improving the pace of play.”
Infielders at Double-A will now have to keep both of their feet in the infield at the start of every play, according to Michael Hill, MLB senior vice president of on-field operations. A defensive team must have “at least four players within the outer boundary of the infield dirt, there won’t be a ban on shifting three or more defenders to either side of second base, although the league may experiment with such a rule pending results of the initial experiment.”
Triple-A teams are getting larger bases by expanding their first, second, and third bases from 15 by 15 inches to 18 by 18. MLB has said that it hopes this will “reduce player injuries and collisions, the shortened distance between bases should have a modest impact increasing stolen bases and infield hits.”
Pitchers at lower levels will be restricted in the way they can hold baserunners and all High-A level pitchers will have to fully dismount from the rubber prior to throwing to a base on a penalty. Left-handed pitchers have already criticized this move because it eliminated the most effective style of pickoff moves that they use to throw a base under a penalty.
“The game on the field is constantly evolving, and MLB must be thoughtful and intentional about progressing toward the very best version of baseball”
Low-A league pitchers will also be limited to two step offs or pickoff attempts per plate appearance while at least one runner is on a base. MLB has claimed that this rule is the most likely to change. “The Low-A West league will also adopt on-field timers previously used at other levels with additional regulations to reduce game length and improve pace of play.”
The Covid-19 pandemic completely eliminated the 2020 minor league season and is projected to delay the 2021 season as well. The minor leagues were contracted from 160 teams down to 120 for this offseason, this came as the result of the “expiration of the Professional Baseball Agreement governing the relationship between MLB and National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, which operated the minors. MLB has since assumed full control of the enterprise,” said former Red Sox and Cubs executive and current MLB consultant Theo Epstein.
“MLB needs to find a version of the game that is true to its essence and has enough consistent action and athleticism on display to entertain fans of all ages. These rules experiments will provide valuable insight into various ways to create a playing environment that encourages the most entertaining version of the game. What we learn in the Minor Leagues this year will be essential in helping all parties chart the right path forward for baseball.”
The MLB will continue their partnership with the Atlantic League and will likely be adding additional rules throughout the offseason as well.
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
