Back in February, it was announced that the independent Atlantic League had reached an agreement with Major League Baseball to become the testing ground for potential rules changes. That has kicked off in earnest with new technology being used at the All-Star Game and some major rules modifications for the second half of the Atlantic League season.
This is coming, folks. That’s the nature of technology; if it’s available it will be used. // Robot umpire works Atlantic League All-Star Game – The Washington Post https://t.co/WhXz73GPtb
— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) July 11, 2019
For the first time ever, we saw a “robotic” umpire calling balls and strikes at the Atlantic League All-Star Game. Much like the person in the driver’s seat of a self-driving car, umpire Brian deBrauwere was simply there to make sure nothing went wrong, as he relayed balls and strikes through a system called TrackMan.
There were a few minor delays in signalling balls and strikes, but there were no abject disasters and the system largely worked as it was designed. No timetable has been given regarding when we might see this feature in other leagues.
Atlantic League announce 4 new rules:
Pitcher required to step off the rubber in order to attempt a pickoff.
1 foul bunt is permitted with 2 strikes before strikeout is called.
Check swing rule made more batter friendly.
Batters may steal 1st on any pitch not caught by catcher.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 11, 2019
Additional rules that will kick in for the second half of the season were announced earlier on Thursday. Three of the changes are relatively minor, but the ability to ‘steal first’ could have a profound impact on the way the game is played.
Catchers who struggle to block balls are going to be heavily effected by this new rule. Knuckleball pitchers and pitchers that don’t have a lot of control will be impacted too, as batters can run to first any time the catcher is unable to grab a pitch in flight.
We have already seen the impact of other changes in the Atlantic League that were made prior to the start of the season. The shift has been banned in the league, allowing pull hitters to turn on the ball without fear of an extra infielder in the way, and pitchers have to face a minimum of three batters before coming off the mound.
H/T ESPN
