Atlantic League player becomes first professional to steal first few days after introduction of new rule

Strange things usually happen in minor league baseball games and independent leagues. Whether it is a zany promotion bring the fans to the stadium, or a strange team name changeyou can almost always count on something extraordinary in a match.

On Saturday, that turned out to be once again true. During the South Carolina Blue Crabs game against the Lancaster Barnstormers in the Independent Atlantic League, championship player Tony Thomas became the first player in the history of professional baseball to steal the first goal. Thomas was able to do it thanks to a recent experimental game rule change as an announced MLB deal and the Atlantic League.

According to the ALPA / MLB press release, the rule states that the batters may "steal" the first goal on any pitch that is not caught in flight and that the batter may be kicked out. he tries to run. Thomas managed to reach the first goal without throwing after a 0-1 throw went to the net.

For the first time in the history of baseball, a player stole the first goal thanks to the changes made to the rule of partnership between the Atlantic League and the MLB! @ESPNAssignDesk pic.twitter.com/yj4FkcZg6O

– Blue Crab SoMD (@BlueCrabs) July 14, 2019

In case you need a reminder about how this is possible in winter, MLB and ALPB have agreed on a partnership. As part of the three-year agreement, the MLB can use the ALPB to experiment with new rules and standards.