Tag Archives: Automated ball-strike system

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Atlantic League Ends Some Experimental Rules

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Over the last few years, the Atlantic League has been a testing ground for Major League Baseball and some of their experimental rules.

It appears as though some of those are ending, while others are here to stay.

ATLANTIC LEAGUE RESTORES 60’6” PITCHING RUBBER DISTANCE

Successful Automated Ball – Strike Technology Migrates to Affiliated Minor League

(January 13, 2022, New York, N.Y.) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) announced today that it will return the distance of the pitching rubber to its conventional 60’6” and will resume having home plate umpires call balls and strikes for the 2022 ALPB Championship Season.  

The Atlantic League has used the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system since the second half of its 2019 season and throughout the 2021 campaign as part of its innovative Test Rules and Equipment Partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB). Following the ALPB experiment and assessment, ABS is moving to an MLB affiliated league.  

Atlantic League pitching rubber distances were moved back one foot to 61’6” for the second half of the 2021 season as part of the MLB test rules partnership. The test proved inconclusive, so both parties agreed to restore the pitching rubber distance to its traditional length of 60’6” for the upcoming ALPB season.  

“As we enter 2022, we reaffirm to players and fans that ball-strike calls, and the distance of the pitching rubber, will return to accepted norms,” said Atlantic League President Rick White. “We retain several past MLB test features, such as 17” bases, extra innings tiebreaker and anti-shift rules, among others. The test rules and equipment are transitional by definition: Some elements remain, others are tweaked, and still others are abandoned. That’s why MLB and the ALPB conduct the tests.” 

The Atlantic League and MLB will announce 2022 test rules later this spring. “We are honored to pioneer the future of the game with Major League Baseball,” said White. “We’re proud that many tests today will find their way to the big leagues in the future. We will continue to closely corroborate on tests with MLB.” The experimental playing rule and equipment changes are part of a multi-year agreement between MLB and ALPB. 

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) 

With teams throughout the Mid-Atlantic, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 1,000 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 44 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 24-year history. For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com. 

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Atlantic League All-Star Game To Feature Electronic Balls and Strikes

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Earlier this year, Indy Ball Island reported that the Atlantic League, in partnership with the MLB, would introduce various experimental rules throughout the season.

The league planned to gradually implement electronic balls and strikes through the use of radar tracking technology. It seems that time has come.

Today, the Atlantic League announced the use of electronic balls and strikes for their upcoming All-Star game.

Official Atlantic League Press Release

Automated Ball-Strike System to begin assisting umpires July 10 at PeoplesBank Park in York, Pa.

MLB-Rules-Graphic-ALPB.jpg

(York, Pa., July 3, 2019) – The 2019 Atlantic League All-Stars will make baseball history when they step into the batter’s box next Wednesday for pitches called with the assistance of an automated ball-strike system (ABS). One of the most anticipated rules initiatives resulting from the new partnership between Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), ABS will leverage modern technology to provide a consistent strike zone to pitchers and hitters. The home plate umpire will continue to perform all of his normal duties but will be assisted in ball-strike calling by ABS.

Atlantic League President Rick White said that after several months of testing, both parties are confident that the technology and umpires are ready to begin use of the system.

“The working relationship between MLB, ABS vendor TrackMan, the umpires, and our teams has been terrific,” said White. “After carefully installing, testing, and tweaking the system to make the transmission of the information to the umpire quick and reliable, we feel ABS is ready for prime time.”

Featuring players from each of the eight ALPB teams, the Atlantic League All-Star game returns to York for the first time since 2011. The York Revolution, winners of three league titles, joined the league in 2007 and play in PeoplesBank Park in downtown York. First pitch is slated for 7:30 p.m.

The day of the All-Star Game will start with a wide variety of family-friendly activities in the Judgement Free Fun Zone presented by Planet Fitness on the Brooks Robinson Plaza, followed by the pre-game home run derby. Legendary Baltimore Orioles Brooks Robinson and Andy Etchebarren (a former Revolution manager) will serve as honorary co-captains, all-time Revolution great Corey Thurman will help Revolution radio broadcaster Darrell Henry “call” the home run derby from the field, and the fan-favorite ZOOperstars! will make their only appearance at PeoplesBank Park this year during the game. At the game’s conclusion the Star-Blazing Spectacular presented by AAA Southern Pennsylvania – the largest fireworks display in ballpark history – will launch from center field.

Tickets for the game are available at www.AllStarGameYork.com.

About the York Revolution

The York Revolution Professional Baseball Club is a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. The Revolution were Atlantic League Champions in 2010, 2011, and 2017. The 2019 season is the team’s 13th. Located at 5 Brooks Robinson Way, PeoplesBank Park hosts all 70 home games, in addition to myriad events through the entire calendar year. For tickets or more information, please call 717-801-HITS (4487) or visit the Revolution online at www.YorkRevolution.com.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history. For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.