Overview
- Starting May 5, the Pacific Coast League will allow hitters, pitchers, or catchers to challenge checked-swing calls using bat-tracking, with a swing defined as exceeding a 45-degree bat angle.
- Umpires in the Triple-A International League will apply the same 45-degree threshold by sight without challenges to serve as a control group.
- MLB says last year’s lower-level trials modestly reduced strikeouts, informing the decision to scale the test to Triple-A.
- The International League will also shift second base fully into the infield for the season’s second half, shortening the distance to adjacent bases by about 9 inches to encourage baserunning.
- Additional minor-league tests include tighter pitch-clock and timeout limits, PitchCom issues counting as mound visits at Triple-A with an automatic ball if visits are exhausted, and a starter re-entry rule confined to rookie leagues under strict conditions.