Minors experimenting with robo umps, larger bases

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball will experiment with several rule 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 basepaths, 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 Double-a 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.

Triple-a 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 baes and infield hits.

New York Yankees first baseman Luke Voit said called the experiment “stupid.”

“The game’s been played with 90 feet bases forever, so I don’t think they need to change that,” the 2020 home run champion said Friday.

He also thinks defense shifts are smart.

“In my opinion, you got to adapt in this game, and if you don’t adapt, you find your way out of it,” he said. “If you got to hit the ball to the opposite field or try to find to do something different with your approach, then change it. I think a lot of guys get content, and they find their way out of the game . ... It’s worked for a lot of teams, an awful lot of teams that usually wouldn’t be around in the playoffs every year.”

Pitchers at the lower levels will also be restricted in their ability to hold baserunners. At all High-a levels, pitchers will have to fully disengage from the rubber prior to throwing to a base under penalty of a balk.

The rule will eliminate the most effective style of pickoff move used by left-handed pitchers — perhaps most effectively by Steve Carlton and Andy Pettitte.

In all Low-a leagues, pitchers will be limited to two step offs or pickoff attempts per plate appearance with at least one runner on base. Pitchers may attempt a third pickoff in the same plate appearance, but if the runner returns safely to his base, the pitcher will be charged with a balk. MLB says it will consider limiting pitchers to one step off or pickoff per plate appearance, pending the results of the initial experiment.

“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.”