Atlantic League Is Again Partnering With MLB & Experimental Rules
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is once again partnering with Major League Baseball to experiment with potential rule changes.
This one would represent an enormous change for Major League Baseball.
Since 1893, the distance from the pitchers mound to home plate has been 60 feet and 6 inches. Prior to this, the pitcher’s were 5 feet closer to home plate.
During the first season after the change (1892 versus 1893) batting averages rose from .245 to .280
The change gave hitters more time to see the pitch before having to react. It was a big advantage for hitters.
Two years ago, during an on-air interview that we did with Frank Boulton (Founder of The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball), he discussed that they were going to move the pitchers mound back by two feet; but, the change ultimately did not happen.
The Atlantic League will also implement another rule change this season. It’s called a “Double Hook DH” rule.
This means that when a team takes out their starting pitcher, they will also lose their Designated Hitter. Either the pitcher will have to hit, or, the team will have to use a pinch hitter each time the batter is up.
This experimental rule change is designed to keep starting pitchers in the game longer.
The rule change to move the pitcher’s mound back by one foot is to create more hitter contact and reduce the number of strikeouts.
Major League Baseball strikeout rates have increased for 15 consecutive years.
Should the Atlantic League experiment find its way to Major League Baseball, this would be the biggest pitching change since 1968, when MLB lowered the pitchers mound from 15 inches high to 10 inches high. This was a huge advantage for the hitters.
Many refer to this as “The Bob Gibson” Rule. Gibson’s towering presence on the pitchers mound was menacing to hitters.
I wanted to share this with you ASAP. I’m now reaching out to Frank Boulton for his comments about these experimental rule changes ... and to see if he will be our guest this Friday, April 16, 2021 at 9:05 a.m. on “Hurley in the Morning” on WPG Talk Radio 95.5
In addition to being the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Founder, he is the owner of the Long Island Ducks, the most successful team in league history.
Boulton was also the owner of The Atlantic City Surf professional baseball team.
NOTE: Proud to say that I filed this report 10 minutes before Yankees announcer Michael Kay shared this news during today’s game versus The Toronto Blue Jays.
SOURCE: Frank Boulton
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