Atlantic League should add robot referees and mound changes as a result of new MLB deal

The independent Atlantic League has long been an innovator and has long been happy to lead the way for the Major League Baseball.

Now, both parties have formalized what was already happening informally, while the league and Major League Baseball announced a three-year deal that will allow the MLB to use the independent league as a bench. Try for changes in rules and equipment.

And these rule changes will be significant. Although no member of the Atlantic League wants to confirm the changes, it is expected that adjustments to the rules will involve moving the mound and using Trackman to call bullets and bullets. strikes, two rule changes that have been suggested for a long time but important enough to require a lot. in-game tests

And these changes are almost impossible to apply first at the affiliated baseball or the Arizona Fall Development League, because the 30 teams would probably hesitate to let their hopes lose on a mound of less than 60 feet. , 6 inches from the house plate. But the Atlantic League, which is full of veteran pitchers, many of whom have MLB experience, will give the MLB the opportunity to try a pretty big shift with high caliber players.

Under the decision, as of this season, the Atlantic League will adopt new rules at the MLB's request, and will then advise on the pros and cons of the new rules. The MLB will also be the official statistician of the Atlantic League and will install Trackman radar devices in the eight stadiums of the Atlantic League so that the 30 teams of the MLB can receive detailed data on every throw and ball put into play at any time. . Game of the Atlantic league.

"We have benefited from this working agreement over the past four years, which largely covered the transfer of players. Informally, when we started this discussion, we started a dialogue. We told them we would do things that we believe are the best interests of professional baseball. If it's helpful, great, "said Atlantic League President Rick White. "We have sort of had this happy crossing of our intentions and their initiatives where it is now formalized."

It's hard to downplay what meaningful day is for the Atlantic League. This is the first time from memory, and probably never, that there is a joint press release from Major League Baseball and an independent league. Since the Frontier League and the Northern League made their debut in 1993, independent leagues have long been considered by many in affiliate baseball as the rascals of professional baseball.

The gap was large enough for the national association to rebel in 1999, in part to allow minor league baseball clubs to be more independent of the distinction between affiliated minor league teams and independent league teams.

Now, MLB has partnered with an independent league, using it to test rule changes and tighten ties to allow MLB clubs to spot and register League players. atlantic more easily.

"It's a wonderful collaboration and opportunity. Seeing our logo side by side with the Major League Baseball is a big step forward for the Atlantic League. . . This is a great day for the Atlantic League. We thank Major League Baseball, "said Frank Boulton, founder of the Atlantic League.

The Trackman facilities will be similar to those of most affiliated minor league parks. This will not be the complete configuration of the MLB where every player on the field is followed at all times. Atlantic League officials believe that the new configuration (and statistics provided by the MLB) will help more Atlantic League players to sign with MLB teams.

"Now, every game we play will be forwarded to each of the 30 clubs in the MLB. A number of scouts have suggested in recent years that if we could have a trackman, it would make a difference in the exposure of the players, "White said. "Due to the nature of our players, hardly ever one of our games is discovered. But the challenge for these scouts was that they struggled to interpret their personal point of view in relation to the advanced analysis available to each player affiliated with the Double-A / Triple-A level. It goes beyond that. "

White would not specify rules or equipment changes yet, but he announced that several rule changes would be announced before the start of the season. Another pair of changes could be announced for the second half of the season. The MLB has agreed to give the league 45 days notice before any change of rules occurs before a season and 30 days for any changes during the second half of the season. The Atlantic League is open to give its opinion and / or suggestions before the adoption of a rule.

Previously, the MLB used the Arizona Fall League as a benchmark for rule changes, but it's nearly impossible for the MLB to test a mound change with young pitchers hopes. The use of field tracking to call balloons and strikes also explains why MLB will have to invest in Trackman facilities for the eight teams of the Atlantic League.

These rule adjustments will be significant changes, but when it comes to trying to adopt rule changes, the Atlantic league has gotten ahead. The league first adopted new rules to accelerate its matches in 2013, when it began to ensure that the time between games was limited to 125 seconds or less and that referees are called to trigger a high shot.

Before the next season, the league added a rhythm committee to discuss and propose rule changes to speed up games. For the 2014 season, the league reduced the number of warm-up laps from eight to eight, with eliminated pitchers needing a throw for the intentional marches and limiting each team to three time-outs for Defensive meetings by match. He also pointed out that the referees must diligently apply the rule which prevents the batters from getting out of the box of the batters.

Now, MLB has partnered with an independent league, using it to test rule changes and tighten ties to allow MLB clubs to spot and register League players. atlantic more easily.