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MLB, Atlantic League postpone testing of some major rule changes

The Washington Post / Getty

Major League Baseball and the independent Atlantic League have delayed the testing and implementation of multiple significant rule changes, the two associations announced Wednesday.

The most notable change previously announced by both leagues - moving the pitcher's mound back 24 inches in the second half of the Atlantic League's 2019 season - has been put off until the second half of 2020.

In addition, the use of TrackMan radar to help umpires call balls and strikes will be gradually introduced to the Atlantic League over the course of this season, rather than on Opening Day.

"Our partnership with Major League Baseball calls for ongoing mutual consultation. As we conduct discussions and work together, certain adjustments will need to be made on an ongoing basis in order to serve the partnership's priority of providing the best possible data to Major League Baseball in the highly competitive Atlantic League environment," Atlantic League president Rick White said in a statement. "This is, and will remain, a thoughtful relationship intended to best serve the future of the game of baseball."

The MLB-Atlantic League partnership, first announced in March, is intended to serve as a testing ground for possible future rule changes at the sport's highest level. Commissioner Rob Manfred has made it a point to improve pace of play during his tenure.

Other rule changes that are planned to be tested in the Atlantic League include mound visits only to change pitchers or if there's an injury, a three-batter minimum for pitchers, and the banning of infield shifts.

MLB has discussed implementing the three-batter minimum as soon as next season.

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