MLB to Test Three Possible Rule Changes in Independent League

Baseball looks a little different this season thanks to some substantial rule changes adopted by MLB. And after the warm reception of the pitch timer, shift ban and larger bases, it appears the league isn’t quite done yet with experimentation.

The independent Atlantic League will once again serve as a testing ground for MLB, with three new major rules for this season. It’s unclear how quickly MLB would consider adopting them, or what the criteria is for implementation, but here’s a rundown of what could be on the horizon.

1. Designated pinch-runner. This one is just what it sounds like: Each team will have one player that can enter the game at any point as a baserunner. The player who is substituted out—as well as the pinch-runner—will be allowed to re-enter the game. This would be a pretty radical shift, as MLB has never allowed players to re-enter a game after being substituted out.
2. “Double hook” designated hitter. This is something that’s been in place in the Atlantic League since 2021, but would be groundbreaking in MLB. Under this rule, teams would only be able to use a DH if their starting pitcher makes it through five innings. If the starter is pulled before the end of the fifth, the team must either hit with the replacement pitcher in the DH’s spot, or use a pinch-hitter. Basically, the team would revert to the old National League rules, pre-universal DH.
3. Single disengagement limit. This is a slight adjustment to one of the new rules adopted by MLB this year, in which pitchers are limited to disengaging from the rubber just twice per plate appearance. The Atlantic League will lower that to one, cutting down on the number of pick-off attempts and further increasing the pace of play.

The new rules have already made a significant impact on the 2023 season: average game times are down, stolen base attempts (and success rates) are up and defenses no longer shove three infielders to one side of the diamond. Time will tell whether MLB will bring these new changes to the game any time soon.