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Subject: Stealing First Base
Posted by: GoatLocker
- [1615517] Sat, Jul 20, 2019, 15:35
Thought I would throw this out there and see what everybody thinks about this experiment.
Major League Baseball may have just invented a new way for players to get on base.
The big leagues currently have a three-year deal with the Atlantic League – of which the Somerset Patriots are a member – to try out new rules on a small scale. Basically, the independent minor league is being used as a guinea pig.
Yes, you read that right. Steal first base.
Once the Atlantic League’s second half begins, players will be permitted to dash for first base on any pitch – in any count – that isn’t caught cleanly by the catcher, according to the Washington Post.
So, a wild pitch to the backstop could – and probably will – soon be punished by allowing a runner on base.
Of course, testing this rule out in the Atlantic League does not mean that MLB will adopt it. And even if the big leagues decide to bring it on board, it probably won’t happen all that soon.
Stealing first base is only one of the rules that the Atlantic League will implement later this week. The league is also installing “robot umpires” to call balls and strikes starting with its all-star game on Wednesday.
The robot ump has been a hotly debated topic in baseball circles for years now. The Atlantic League’s system, which was workshopped by MLB, will involve “human umpires wearing a Bluetooth-connected earpiece, connected to an iPhone, connected to a software program in the press box,” per the Washington Post. The human umpire also has the ability to overrule the software’s decision.
The Atlantic League has also been experimenting with banning defensive shifts, prohibiting mound visits and a three-batter minimum for new pitchers.
So, should be an interesting discussion.
GL
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| 1 | Bean
ID: 304422310
Sun, Jul 21, 2019, 09:07
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What's next, Trump gonna start printing $3 bills?
YOU CANT STEAL FIRST BASE!!!
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| 2 | C1-NRB
ID: 15662210
Mon, Jul 22, 2019, 11:07
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The biggest question/issue I have with this is, How do you measure the intent of the batter?
If I'm in the left hand batter's box and step out towards 1B on a passed ball and get "thrown out" attempting to steal 1B, can I argue that I was simply stepping out of the box "aggressively" and not actually making an attempt to steal?
Will there be a literal "line" down the first base line like the running lane that, once crossed, defines an attempted "steal"?
Can I bluff a steal, hoping to draw a throw from the catcher that may or may not (you never know) wind up in right field, particularly if there are runners on 2B and/or 3B?
And that's just what I can come up with off the top of my head.
(Also- in my mind, reaching first on a non-caught third strike has always been "stealing first.")
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