TAMPA, Fla. – Major League Baseball is changing a rule in the independent Atlantic League. It required teams to forfeit their designated batter when they removed a starter from the game.
The Atlantic League’s first test of the double-hook designated hitter came last season. Teams lost their DH after removing their starter. MLB and the Atlantic League announced on Tuesday that this season, if the starter completes five innings, teams may keep their DH for rest of the game.
Other rules, such as the Automated Ball-Strike System and the Automated Ball-Strike System that were tested in Atlantic League have made it up the baseball pipeline to affiliated minors. It is possible they could one day make it to the majors. A new labor agreement with players included the addition of the DH to the National League.
Atlantic League will also reinstate a tried and true rule that allows batters to attempt to advance to the first base, even if the pitch is not caught by the catcher. If the base is empty, batters can still try to reach first. They’ll receive a hit if they do. MLB hopes that the rule will improve pitcher control by disincentivizing wild pitches and missed balls.