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Possible new MLB rules being tried out in the minors . . . New York Times report . . .
The league cannot impose new rules in the majors without consent from the players’ union, but the revamped minor leagues (now under M.L.B.’s control) offer a laboratory for experimentation. This season, each level will feature a new rule designed to encourage action and limit dead time:
In Class AAA, the size of first, second and third base will increase to 18 inches square, from 15.
In Class AA, at least four defensive players must be positioned on the infield, each with both feet completely in front of the outer boundary of the infield dirt. In the second half, M.L.B. may require two infielders to be positioned entirely on each side of second base.
In high-Class A, pitchers must step off the rubber before attempting a pickoff throw, and in both low-Class A leagues, pitchers will be limited to two step-offs, with a third resulting in an out or a balk.
In the low-Class A Southeast League, umpires will use an automated ball-strike system (A.B.S.) to call pitches.
In the low-Class A Southwest League, on-field timers will enforce the time between pitches, innings and during pitching changes.
The men behind the changes are Morgan Sword, M.L.B.’s executive vice president for baseball operations; the former All-Star outfielder Raul Ibanez; and the former general managers Michael Hill and Theo Epstein. Ibanez and Hill are senior vice presidents for M.L.B., and Epstein is a consultant.
The league cannot impose new rules in the majors without consent from the players’ union, but the revamped minor leagues (now under M.L.B.’s control) offer a laboratory for experimentation. This season, each level will feature a new rule designed to encourage action and limit dead time:
In Class AAA, the size of first, second and third base will increase to 18 inches square, from 15.
In Class AA, at least four defensive players must be positioned on the infield, each with both feet completely in front of the outer boundary of the infield dirt. In the second half, M.L.B. may require two infielders to be positioned entirely on each side of second base.
In high-Class A, pitchers must step off the rubber before attempting a pickoff throw, and in both low-Class A leagues, pitchers will be limited to two step-offs, with a third resulting in an out or a balk.
In the low-Class A Southeast League, umpires will use an automated ball-strike system (A.B.S.) to call pitches.
In the low-Class A Southwest League, on-field timers will enforce the time between pitches, innings and during pitching changes.
The men behind the changes are Morgan Sword, M.L.B.’s executive vice president for baseball operations; the former All-Star outfielder Raul Ibanez; and the former general managers Michael Hill and Theo Epstein. Ibanez and Hill are senior vice presidents for M.L.B., and Epstein is a consultant.
But this rose is an extra. - A. Conan Doyle
