New Pickoff Rule Expected to Be Implemented in Minor Leagues for 2020 Season
By Scott Rogust
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has drawn the ire of many a baseball purist for his priorities for changing the game, with his main goal being speeding up the pace of play. And it now sounds like a new change will be coming to the big leagues soon.
After success in the independent Atlantic League, additional levels of the minor leagues will implement a new pickoff rule in 2020 that requires the pitcher -- left-handers, specifically -- to step off the rubber before they can throw to a base.
It's unclear what levels the rule will affect in 2020, but at least some parts of the minors will play with a new pickoff rule.
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) February 27, 2020
It was tested last year in the Atlantic League, which saw a rise in stolen bases + drop in double plays. https://t.co/R9oGs0Wj5t
Baseball diehards aren't going to like this one.
The rule was put into effect after the Atlantic League's 2019 All-Star break, and has seen a significant increase in stolen bases and a decrease in double plays. All told, stolen base attempts rose from 1.03 to 1.69 per game, and double plays dropped from 0.82 to 0.63 per game.
Pickoff rule reportedly coming to minors will change how left-handers make moves to 1B https://t.co/tlUR9nfTwF
— CBS Sports MLB (@CBSSportsMLB) February 27, 2020
Major League Baseball has long-used the Atlantic League as an experimental space with regards to the potential ratification of new rules. Look no further than robot umpires, which were used last season.
This pickoff change is an idea that Manfred believes will bring new excitement to a game whose popularity has steadily decreased over the years. But, as is the case with any one of his decisions, it will be met with notable backlash from fans.