MLB sets new rules for minor leagues

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball will experiment with several rules changes in the minor leagues this season, including an automated strike zone, restrictions on defensive positioning and larger bases.

The league said in a statement Thursday the “changes being tested are designed to increase action on the base paths, create more balls in play, improve the pace and length of games, and reduce player injuries.”

The league’s automatic ballstrike system will be used at some Low-A Southeast League games, the closest that computer umpires have come to the majors. ABS has already been used in the independent Atlantic League and the Arizona Fall League. It got mixed reviews from players, with complaints about how the TrackMan system grades breaking pitches down in the zone.

Infielders at Class AA will have to keep both feet in the infield at the start of every play. While a defensive team must have at least four players within the outer boundary of the infield dirt, there won’t be a ban on shifting three or more defenders to either side of second base, although the league may experiment with such a rule pending results of the initial experiment.

Class AAA is getting larger bases, expanding first, second and third from 15-by-15 inches to 18-by-18. MLB said it hopes to reduce player injuries and collisions, and also that the shortened distance between bases should “have a modest impact” increasing stolen bases and infield hits.

“We are listening to our fans,” said Michael Hill, MLB senior vice president of on-field operations. “This effort is an important step towards bringing to life rules changes aimed at creating more action and improving the pace of play.”