Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced a variety of experimental playing rules that have been approved by its Competition and the Playing Rules Committees for use during the 2022 Minor League Baseball (MiLB) season.
WBSC International regulations inspired the first experimental rule. On-field timers will be used at all full-season affiliates to enforce regulations designed to create a crisp pace of play, with batters required to be ready to hit and pitchers required to deliver the pitch within allotted periods of time.
The first, second and third base size will be increased from 15 inches (38.1 centimetres) square to 18 inches (45.72 centimetres) square at all full-season affiliates to reduce player injuries.
In select games in Triple-A and the Low-A Southeast, the Automated Ball-Strike Technology (ABS) will be used to call balls and strikes. It will approximate the strike zone called by high-level umpires. MLB will also test a Challenge System in select games in Low-A Southeast. The pitcher, catcher and batter will have the ability to appeal the umpire's call to the ABS system.
In Double-A, High-A and Low-A, the defensive team must have a minimum of four players on the infield, with at least two infielders entirely on either side of second base.
"Many experimental rules were first tested on a limited basis in 2021," stated MLB through a press release. "These rules are designed to improve the pace of play, create more action on the field and reduce player injuries."
MLB also continues its partnership agreement with the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), which was announced in 2019. This partnership agreement allows MLB to test experimental playing rules each season. Any new experimental playing rules for the 2022 season will be announced in the coming days.
