There are several rule changes that will be tried out in the Minor leagues this year, for implementation in Major league baseball in the next year or so - If Successful = although I don' t know they are going to measure success...
Let's look at these....
First one is sorta a two part change,,,,
1st Part - a Requirement that you have FOUR fielders in the the Infield, that is there are 4 players that have BOTH feet in the DIRT of the Infield or what ever the Infield / Out field line/barrier is... so no more playing the second basemen or short stop as a Short Fielder that plays mostly in the outfield - and yes , you see this more against Left handed hitters. You can position them all on one side of 2nd base - but thay all have to be in the Infield.
2nd part - IF the 1st part is successful in increasing the number of hits / Batting average of Left hand hitters,,,, the 2nd part will be to require that there are 2 fielders on each side of 2nd base,,, thus eliminating the SHIFT. NO more throwing out the Batter from a short to Short right filed.
Next change is to increase the Size of the Bases.... from 15 inches to 18 inches. In the hope of again - increasing the infield single and the Stolen base. I have always thought that 90 feet between bases was a magical distance. Think about it... as runners have gotten faster, hit are harder so they get to the Fielder faster, Players arms got stronger over the years,,, that 90 feet is still a bang bang play,... the Throw from the catcher to 2nd base on a steal still needs to be strong and accurate - shorten that distance by say 6 inches, and everyone (damn near) is safe at 1st ..... increase it by 6 inches - everyone is OUT ! So we will see if that 2 inches makes a difference on infield ground balls and/or Steals.
Speaking of Stealing ,...... The Pitcher will now have to Step off the Pitching rubber - they are calling it disengaging from the pitching rubber to throw to a base,,, no more Andy Pettitte slide step (Balk Move) when a lefty throws over to 1st,.... Kinda eliminates the Pick-off .... AND AND - the pitcher is only allowed TWO attempts every at bat - "two step-offs or pickoff attempts per plate appearance".... WOW if they make a 3rd attempt and are not successful - it's a balk and the Runners move up ..... Which - hey in practicality - once the pitchers throws over twice - that pretty much gives the Runner at 1st - 2nd Base,,, and forget it , if there are other base runners.... and if this adds to successful Steal ............... The consideration is to reduce it to ONE throw over...
In low level minors - implementing the Automatic Strike Zones, where the Technology calls the Balls and Strikes,,, you have seen the Box that they are able to put up on the screen to show if the pitch really was a ball or strike, and the majors have used that to grade the plate umpires on accuracy over the past few years,,, Now I guess you still have plate umpire as they have to call a Strike if the batter swings at a ball outside the Strike Zone, and foul tips , Catcher interference, things like that ... but I suppose that ump has an ear piece that tells them ball or strike,,, and they call/signal it.....
Lastly - The other changes are a HARD timers on the teams to enforce time between pitches, inning breaks and pitching changes.
Now - if that last one seems counter to the others - you are correct,,,, in one way you are making changes that will increase the amount of Base Runners and make it easier for the runner to steal 2nd base,, they-by decreasing the possibility of a Double play... and then you want the Teams to Hurry up and change pitchers quicker, and pitch faster,,,, to decrease the Time of the Game !! HUH ???
They would not need these changes to speed up the game... IF the Umpires called the Strike zone in the Rule book !
Definition. The official strike zone is the area over home plate from the midpoint between a batter's shoulders and the top of the uniform pants -- when the batter is in his stance and prepared to swing at a pitched ball -- and a point just below the kneecap. -
However - you seldom if ever see that "high Strike" called a Strike,,, most players bitch if the Ball is a bit above their waist called a strike,,,, and also squak if its a bit under the Knee called a strike. ....
I also think the Batter MUST MUST MUST keep a foot in the Batters box between Pitches,,, No wandering around,,, no fixing your batting gloves sixteen times between EVERY Pitch - See Nomar Garciapara !
And - have another Ump at each game that reviews plays in real time. If the Ump got it wrong FIX it immediately - don't make us wait minutes for the Call - and If you gotta play that clip in slow mo - 20 times to see of the Players hang nail hit the base before the tag - them leave it be ! That is NOT what Replay was for anyway !
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