Atlantic League Debuts New Rules, E-Zone

[Lindsay]

After a half-season's delay, the Atlantic League and MLB announced the debut of an automated ball-strike system (ABS) at Wednesday's All-Star Game in York. TrackMan powers the computer zone technology, as it does in Major League Baseball's pitch tracking efforts; umpires will hear ABS prompts after...

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[grayhawk]

Wow, they really jumped the shark with these rule changes.  Though, as an umpire, the rule about a batter being able to "steal" first is kind of cool.  Catchers will now have to have the mentality to block every pitch in the dirt which should mean less of them are let through to hit us.

The "rolling of the wrists" rule for check swings must have been advocated by the broadcaster's union.  They've been telling audiences for years that "he didn't break his wrists" so it must not be an attempt.  Now they will be right about it for once.

All in all, these rules fly in the face of the "games are too long" argument, since most of these rule changes will actually lengthen games.

[dumbdumb]

Hopefully they do not allow the jab step going to third by a right hand pitcher to step out of the pitching hole that has been dug by the pitchers themselves. Hopefully it is "back" off the rubber.

This should take away that tremendous "analytics" advantage the pitchers have over the runners trying to steal currently, in addition to all the spinning on the non pivot foot rather than stepping or the 90 oops  45 degree step to first by left handers.

Would be nice to see the steals and running game come back rather than a Super Slow Pitch Softball League game with a baseball being used, with just doubles in the gap and home runs, and a walk as the most profitable way to acquire first base. Seems like without the juicing era, guys were home run hitters back when the game had both a combination of small ball play and home run play. Mantle, Mays, McCovey, Clemente, Aaron, Killebrew providing doubles and home runs, and others both after their time and before their time, and with Rose, Brock, Henderson, Carew, and others providing smaller ball of singles and doubles and triples and steal attempts at second third and home. Hell of a lot of better batting averages to.

Quicker games cuts down on the time for everyone to enjoy several stops at the concession stand. Moneyball and MoneyConcessions with a slow pace of play, go hand in hand. Just watch them cry after a 1:45 to 2:15 game with a packed house due to a promotion or give away or an appearance by a Mascot.

[dumbdumb]

latest usa today article on track man

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2019/08/19/baseball-robo-umpires-atlantic-league-mlb-trackman/2038459001/