The good ball belt has "shrunk"? The U.S. media broke the official low-key change rules

According to a report by the authoritative American media "The Athletic" on May 2, Major League Baseball's good ball belt has quietly shrunk this season, although the official has not publicly announced the relevant changes, but it has had a wide impact on game strategy and player evaluation.

MLB good ball band shrunk? Key rules adjust exposure

According to reports, MLB re-signed a collective bargaining agreement with the referee union last offseason, during which a key adjustment was made: in order to strengthen the evaluation criteria for the referee's decision, the original tolerance range for corner kick error was modified. In the past, when the referee judged the left and right edge balls, as long as the landing point and the good ball were within 2 inches (about 5 centimeters), they would not be classified as bad balls. However, the new protocol significantly reduces this tolerance to just 1/3 inch (less than 1 centimeter).

This rule change has led to a significant decrease in the percentage of balls awarded by the official judges, essentially reducing the overall good ball belt, which in turn affects the pitcher's pitching strategy, the catcher's framing, the player's scoring criteria, and even the team's overall setup and tactical arrangement.

The U.S. media broke the news that the rules were changed, and what the official will do has attracted attention

It is understood that many players, coaches and senior management of the club are aware of this change. Some pitchers are forced to adjust their ball selection, and the defensive value of the catcher may be rewritten as a result. As the analysis of technical data deepens, this silent revolution is changing the nature of the game.

While MLB hasn't officially stated anything about it, The Athletic's revelation has undoubtedly garnered a lot of attention. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see if there will be further amendments to the rules or public statements within the league.