According to multiple people with direct knowledge of the situation, the Atlantic League is set to implement four new rules for the second half of the 2019 season.



Per a directive from the league office that was issued in late June, the following four rules will now be in use after the All-Star Break.



– Pitchers will now be required to step off of the rubber when attempting a pick-off.



– One foul bunt with two strikes is permitted before a strikeout is called.



– Batters are allowed to “steal” first base on any pitch not caught in flight…in short, the “dropped third strike” rule extends to the entire at-bat.



– The check swing rule becomes more “batter friendly.”



Word of these changes started becoming the talk of Atlantic League clubhouses as early as Wednesday — well before any sort of formal announcement was expected — and general managers and some coaches were expected to be on a conference call on Thursday to discuss them.



Other rules that were implemented at the start of the season, including the automated balls and strikes system that is set to debut at the All-Star Game, will remain intact going forward. No mound visits, a three-batter minimum for relievers, base-size increase and time between innings being reduced to 1:45 will also remain in place.



Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com