Atlantic League to experience with 'stealing' first base
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) — The independent Atlantic League will experiment with allowing batters to "steal" first base.
After debuting a "robot" plate umpire in its All-Star Game, the league on Wednesday announced four more changes for the second half of its season. Most notably, a batter may run to first and try to beat the throw after any pitch not caught in flight. The batter would be out if he is beaten by the throw or is tagged before touching first.
In addition, a pitcher will be required to step off the rubber for pickoff attempts, a batter will be allowed one foul, two-strike bunt before a strikeout is called and plate umpires will define check swings more favorably for a batter.
The league has been experimenting all season with 18-inch bases, which shorten the distance between home and first by 3 inches.
-
2024 MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers surge, Yankees tumble, Braves stay No. 1
2024 MLB City Connect uniforms: Rays unveil alternate look
Shohei Ohtani, Anthony Rizzo and an M's ace top Ben Verlander's MLB Team of the Week
-
MLB to address Nike uniform issues after players' complaints, per memo
Crew chief says Aaron Judge should have been called for interference on slide during Yankees' rally
Yankees' Gerrit Cole unlikely to return from IL before June
-
20 Best pitchers in MLB 2024: Ranking the top 20 starters
Minnesota Twins' new home-run sausage is fueling their seven-game winning streak
2024 World Series odds: Dodgers, Braves favored; Mariners heating up
-
2024 MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers surge, Yankees tumble, Braves stay No. 1
2024 MLB City Connect uniforms: Rays unveil alternate look
Shohei Ohtani, Anthony Rizzo and an M's ace top Ben Verlander's MLB Team of the Week
-
MLB to address Nike uniform issues after players' complaints, per memo
Crew chief says Aaron Judge should have been called for interference on slide during Yankees' rally
Yankees' Gerrit Cole unlikely to return from IL before June
-
20 Best pitchers in MLB 2024: Ranking the top 20 starters
Minnesota Twins' new home-run sausage is fueling their seven-game winning streak
2024 World Series odds: Dodgers, Braves favored; Mariners heating up