(AUDACY) Minor league baseball returns Tuesday for the first time since 2019, but the game will look a bit different at each level.
MLB has instituted experimental rule changes at each level for this season, which include bigger bases in Triple-A, a limit on shifts in Double-A, an automated strike zone in low-A ball and moving the pitching rubber back a foot in the Atlantic League. The rules are aimed at creating more action within the game, but some of them still have fans scratching their heads and wondering if baseball is tinkering too much with the product.
Former Cubs and Red Sox executive Theo Epstein, who's now an MLB consultant, has been tasked with overseeing these changes and recently explained to Jesse Rogers of ESPN the rationale behind each rule.
“We have to do it in a way that isn’t too far removed from the essence of baseball,” Epstein said. “No one is looking to reinvent the wheel here. This is the greatest game in the world, and we want to reserve the essence of baseball. A lot of this is restoring the game to the way it’s historically been played.”
But how, exactly, does something like expanding the size of bases from 15-inch squares to 18-inch squares accomplish that? Well, that makes the distance between bases a tad shorter. That could increase bunt and stolen-base attempts.
“Just putting the ball in play will make you more likely to reach base,” Epstein said. “Infields would have to play in. More balls would get through. The value of a single rises dramatically. The trip around the bases is easier. Now there’ll be a huge premium on just getting on base and athletes who can run.”
Epstein’s explanations on the rest of the rules are as follows.
On regulating the shift (second half of the season): “There are some issues to going to two on each side. There’s enforcement and player safety. You might have fielders moving with the pitch or the swing. Umpires would have to be focused on the action. A little more work to do.”
On automated balls and strikes: “You’re seeing the ABS (automated balls and strikes) being used in the low minors this year because with that comes the potential to change the strike zone to one that is optimal for contact. Different strike zones lead to different styles of play.”
On moving the mound back (second half): “The extra foot gives the hitter an extra 1/100th of a second of reaction time, which is the equivalent of a mile-and-a-half of velocity. The presumption is that it will allow hitters to make more contact against premium velocity.”
While these changes aren't necessarily imminent at the MLB level, Epstein noted they will at least give the league the data to dissect and analyze to understand the impact of the rule changes.
“We also want to understand how they interrelate to one another and make sure we’re avoiding unintended consequences,” he said.
Whether the changes reach MLB in a year or five years, this much is for certain — change is coming sometime and fans should be ready for it.
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