Major League Baseball to Test More Drastic Rule Changes in Atlantic League in 2023

Major League Baseball, fresh off implementing sweeping rule changes for the 2023 season, is testing more potential changes in the independent Atlantic League. The Atlantic League and minor league baseball have become a test-case for rules baseball wants to try out. This years Atlantic League season begins on April 28th and will feature a "single disengagement rule," a "double-hook rule" and "a designated pinch-runner rule."

Major League Baseball, fresh off implementing sweeping rule changes for the 2023 season, may not be done.

MLB will use the independent Atlantic League as a testing ground for more potential changes when the league opens up its season on April 28th.

Lindsey Adler of the Wall Street Journal has the latest on what will be tested:

She tweeted out a screenshot of the rule changes:

"Beginning with 2023 Opening Day on Friday, April 28th, the ALPB will feature a new Designated Pinch Runner Rule, a pitcher limit of a single disengagement per at bat, and the return of the Double-Hook DH rule. Below is a summary of the experimental rules that will be tested to start the 2023 ALPB season: 

• New to the Atlantic League this season will be the use of a Designated Pinch Runner. Each club will list a player who is not otherwise in the starting lineup as a designated pinch runner. That player may then be substituted at any point into the game as a baserunner. The player who is substituted for, as well as the pinch runner, may then return to the game without penalty.

• Unlike the new MLB rule which allows a pitcher to disengage from the pitching rubber twice during an at-bat, the Atlantic League test will permit only a single disengagement per at-bat in 2023.

• The ALPB will continue the use of the “Double-Hook” DH rule, which allows clubs to use the designated hitter throughout the game provided that the club’s starting pitcher has completed at least five innings. If the starter fails to make it through the fifth, the club then loses the DH for the remainder of the game."

MLB is testing new rules in the Atlantic League again. Here's what they'll be trying: pic.twitter.com/zeUOlLfHmi

— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) April 18, 2023

My initial thoughts on this:

1) A pinch-runner rule is fine. It's not really necessary, it feels Little League-ish, but I could probably get on board with it if I had too.

2) Not necessary. We've already seen stolen bases explode in the early going of this season. The two-disengagement rule is working and is creating the offensive boon and action boon it's intended to. We don't need to go even further.

3) Also not necessary. In fact, this rule would be harmful to baseball. I understand the spirit of the rule is to keep pitchers out there longer and stop the parade of relievers, but what happens if a starting pitcher gets hurt? Is a team really going to be penalized one of it's best bats just because its starter got hurt? And what about if a starter gets shelled in the early going? Is a team that's already down big going to lose one of its best bats as it tries to mount a comeback?

That doesn't seem fair and seems counter-productive to baseball, and that's a rule that should stay in the Atlantic League. Or, should just go away entirely.

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