MLB testing outfield positioning rules in minors as quest for more offense continues
SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Minnesota Twins prospect Kyle DeBarge walks a few steps to a worn-out patch of grass while playing center field during a recent Arizona Fall League game at Salt River Fields, glancing up at a small video board that lets him know if he's in the right spot. A few steps to his left, right, front, or back and a big red "X" appears on the video board above home plate. That's not good. If he stays on that little island of dirt in a sea of grass, a big ‘O’ appears and the video board is green. Much better. Welcome to Major League Baseball's newest experiment in its long-running quest to juice the game's sluggish offense: Restricting the positioning of outfielders on every at-bat. The idea is that making outfielders play straight up — instead of adjusting for individual hitters' tendencies — will lead to more doubles and triples. “The hardest part is cutting off doubles in the…
