MLB is experimenting with more weird rule changes in the Atlantic League and fans weren't thrilled

While we have witnessed the most dramatic rule changes in recent memory across Major League Baseball this season, more changes could be on the way in the near future.

On Tuesday, MLB announced three more experimental rules for the Atlantic League — which is basically MLB’s testing lab — and they are interesting to say the least. While the rules won’t fundamentally change every play in the same way the pitch clock has this season, the rules would drastically alter how managers approach the games.

For this season in the Atlantic League, teams will have a designated pinch-runner who can be substituted in without penalty throughout games. Pitchers will be limited to a single disengagement as opposed to the two limit in MLB right now. There will also be a “double-hook” designated hitter, which would eliminate a team’s right to use a DH if the starting pitcher doesn’t go five innings. That would mean a potential return of pitchers hitting for themselves.

MLB is testing new rules in the Atlantic League again. Here's what they'll be trying: pic.twitter.com/zeUOlLfHmi

— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) April 18, 2023

Where 2023’s rule changes had a clear objective in mind — speeding up the games — these rules seem awfully unnecessary and could actually further complicate the game for casual fans. As cool as it would be to see teams sign world-class sprinters (or Terrance Gore) for pinch-running duties, that goes against the core of baseball’s limited substitutions. And if MLB really wants to preserve bullpen arms with a double-hook rule, then just have a 10-run rule instead like what we saw in the World Baseball Classic.

Of course, these rules are just experimental, and if they’re failures in the Atlantic League, they won’t advance. But the momentum behind these rules had some fans concerned. There was understandably a mixed reaction to the news.