MLB Testing New Rules in Atlantic League

[bravesfanforlife88]

They do this all the time before doing further testing in the minors. But there are some interesting changes being tested this season.

1.) Pitchers will only be allowed 1 dis-engagement per at bat. Doesn't matter if they attempt a pick off throw or step off the mound to go reset the catchers signals.

2.) New DH rule - all teams will start the game with a DH, but if a teams starting pitcher goes less than 5 IP, that team would lose the DH and the pitcher would have to bat in the DH spot.

3.) Designated pinch runner - each team would be allowed to have a player not in the starting lineup serve as a designated pinch runner. the team would be able to use that runner to replace any runner on base during the game. both the pinch runner and the player they replaced would be able to come back later in the game.

 

[bravesfanMatt]

Jesus ****ing christ.
put carnival targets in the outfield and if a batter hits it automatic homerun..
Allow the pitcher to throw the ball at a base stealer and if he hits his helmet off, the runner is out.
A batter can run to 3rd or 1st when hitting the ball. runners currently on base would have to run in the same direction. So a guy on first and Acuna grounds to second base, he can run to 3rd and the guy on first can come home.

See I can work for MLB now.

 

[chop2chip]

I hate #1. You’re basically telling the runners to get into the sprint position. Stolen bases are less fun when they don’t feel earned.

#2 seems unnecessary. Obviously Baseball hates the bullpen games taking over in the playoffs. But I’m not interested in watching a bunch of relief pitchers bat.

#3 - I won’t support any rule that benefits the Vogelbachs. If you want to roster a fatty, then he’s going to have to run the bases.

 

[McCann'sCans]

Interesting- I didn't have nearly as negative of a reaction as y'all.

The one disengagement seems a little silly and like a desperate attempt to bring back base stealing even further. The losing the DH rule seems unecessary as well, but doesn't bother me that much. I saw the last rule less as a rule put in place to benefit the Vogelbachs and more as a rule put in place to benefit the Terrance Gores.

I imagine- if implemented- these would have a less noticeable impact than the changes implemented this year, which IMO have been great.

 

[zbhargrove]

Meanwhile, I can’t imagine anyone supporting any of these. These are stupid pointless ideas. This will not make the game better at all. You really don’t think one pitcher disengagement won’t have a major impact? Free stolen bases for all. So dumb

 

[CyYoung31]

 

[GovClintonTyree]

Meanwhile, I can’t imagine anyone supporting any of these. These are stupid pointless ideas. This will not make the game better at all. You really don’t think one pitcher disengagement will have a major impact? Free stolen bases for all. So dumb

Dumb ****.

 

[Hulavol]

The players union would never in a million years agree to number two. You are just trying to get a pitcher hurt at that point, and devalue the relief core.
Whoever came up with that idea is beyond - I can’t believe it even got enough traction to be tried out like this. Unless I’m missing something, it’s more likely that a bat is gonna fly out of my ass than that rule gaining steam…

 

[drewdat]

#1) Hate it. Why not just make all non-HR hits/walks with any bases open triples? Turning stolen bases into welfare bases SMH
#2) I guess they're trying to get rid of the opener? But who cares if teams use an opener? Otherwise it's just punishing teams who are already losing in the early innings due to ineffective pitching.
#3) I wonder if the designated runner is going to attempt a stolen base? The suspense is killing me.

 

[CrimsonCowboy]

I can deal with the pitch clock and I like the bigger bases and no more radical shifts. But let’s stop here. I’m not fond of any of those experiments. Manfred is like a kid who experiments putting brown sugar and chocolate milk in his cereal.

 

[striker42]

The test DH rule makes zero sense and would just encourage injuries. Something like banning the shift is more about competitive balance and quality of gameplay. Forcing a starter to go 5 is just a stubborn attempt to cling to the way things used to be.

 

[Russ2dollas]

I like the new rules in place now. Except for the ghost runner. I get resistance to change.

I like the new rules we have now because I saw the point. Faster game time, faster game pace, more athleticism needed and shown, more exciting, more scoring.

I do not understand what these rules are trying to fix. Rule one is for more pace, the pace now is fine, everyone seems to love it.
Rule 2 is a punishment for ****ting starting. I don't get it. Do you want the guy to just get shelled? He didn't want to suck. People want offense, but you get better overall audience if the game is good. Only the fans of that winning team will want to watch 10-0. If the target is openers and bullpen games, why? To make starting pitchers more money? It's not a pace of play issue or quality issue. Maybe the scoring goes up some, but this is not how I'd do it.

Pinch runner seems like a gimmick to me. I get fast guys. We've had on on our post season roster. But I want them to be a baseball player. This rule seems like you'll get a sprinter on each team. I enjoy watching fat men run around the bases.
They are already encouraging more steals with the bigger bags and throw over rules. The minors are not going to see the sprinter problem because they don't have any money. MLB non-stars should hate this because one roster spot is going to go to a non-baseball player.