MLB changing the official strike zone as early as next season due to how umps have been calling the lower part of the zone.
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Originally Posted by ESPN
The committee agreed on a motion to effectively raise the lower part of the strike zone to the top of the hitter's knees, sources said. The current rules stipulate that the zone begins at "the hollow beneath the kneecap," but the change is a reaction to a trend by umpires to call strikes on an increasing number of pitches below the knees.
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Also a new rule on intentional walks could happen as early as next season and one meant to save pitches and cut back game time a little bit.
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Originally Posted by ESPN
The change in the intentional-walk rule would end the traditional practice of requiring the pitcher to lob four balls outside the strike zone. Instead, a team could signify it wants to issue an intentional walk, and the hitter would be immediately sent to first base, sources said.
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