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Leagues and Governing Bodies

MLB To Test Six New Rules Changes In Atlantic League This Season

A prohibition against defensive shifts is among the rules being tested in the Atlantic League this seasonGETTY IMAGES

MLB partnered with the Atlantic League last month on a three-year deal to test rules and equipment, and the independent minor league will "begin the season in April with six new regulations," according to Jacob Bogage of the WASHINGTON POST. These include larger 18-by-18-inch bases, a "prohibition against mound visits, a three-batter minimum for pitchers, a prohibition against defensive shifts, a shorter period between half innings and pitching changes, and a radar-enabled strike zone." MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has "aggressively approached rules changes to speed up pace of play, increase action and fit games into three-hour broadcast windows." These new rules initiatives are "geared toward those aims and to help hitters regain equal footing with pitchers, who have come to dominate the sport in recent years." The deal with the Atlantic League is "meant to provide MLB more data on which rules changes are worth pursuing" (WASHINGTON POST, 3/10). ESPN.com's Jeff Passan wrote baseball's "potential future will be showcased" in the Atlantic League this year, as its partnership with MLB "offers the ability to try more radical rules" (ESPN.com, 3/8). In Denver, Patrick Saunders wrote he has "questions and concerns," including a "strong objection to outlawing the shift." Saunders: "The idea of banning basic strategy from the game just doesn't sit well with me" (DENVERPOST.com, 3/9).

EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY? ESPN's Buster Olney said he thinks robot umpires are "inevitable and the players want it, no question about it." Olney: "The technology, we see it on 'Sunday Night Baseball' and other broadcasts, it's pretty dang close." He added it will get "strong support" from the MLBPA. Olney: "There would be push back, but keep in mind, it's not like they would start eliminating umpire jobs" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 3/11).

PLAYERS RESPOND: Pirates P and MLBPA player rep Jameson Taillon said he has "actually been pretty pleased with MLB and the union sitting down right now, because they don't have to sit down on anything until the next CBA. ... which does show goodwill." He said of the proposed rule changes, "We need to be willing to change with the times if something makes sense." But he added the league "can't just go back and completely change baseball" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 3/11). In Chicago, Gordon Wittenmyer notes some of MLB's "radical proposals for changes in the basics of the game are being derided openly" by players and managers. Cubs P Cole Hamels sarcastically said, "That's Manfred. He's changing the game. He can do whatever he needs to do" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 3/11).

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