Experimental Rules Coming to MiLB in 2022
Major League Baseball announced a variety of experimental playing rules that have been approved by the Competition Committee and the Playing Rules Committee for use during the 2022 Minor League season. Consistent with the preferences of fans, these rules are designed to improve the pace of play, create more action
Major League Baseball announced a variety of experimental playing rules that have been approved by the Competition Committee and the Playing Rules Committee for use during the 2022 Minor League season.
Consistent with the preferences of fans, these rules are designed to improve the pace of play, create more action on the field, and reduce player injuries. Many experimental rules were first tested on a limited basis in 2021. The use of the most promising rules has been expanded to additional levels of play, providing more players and fans with exposure to the rules and allowing the Competition Committee to better evaluate the impact of each on game play.
Below is a summary of the experimental rules that will be tested during the 2022 Minor League season:
PITCH TIMER: On-field timers will be used at all full-season affiliates to enforce regulations designed to create a crisp pace of play, with batters required to be ready to hit and pitchers required to deliver the pitch within allotted periods of time. With runners on base, pitchers will have additional allotted time for each pitch but will risk automatic baserunner advancement if a third pick-off attempt or step-off within the same plate appearance is made without recording an out. These rules were used in tandem in the Low-A West and in the Arizona Fall League in 2021 and led to a significant improvement in pace of play and a reduction in average game time of more than 20 minutes.
LARGER BASES: The size of first, second and third base will be increased from 15 inches square to 18 inches square at all full-season affiliates to reduce player injuries. Bigger bases were used in 2021 at the Triple-A level and in the Arizona Fall League, and were associated with a decrease in the severity of base-related injuries. In addition, the reduction in distance between bases led to a modest increase in the rate of successful stolen base attempts.
DEFENSIVE POSITIONING: In Double-A, High-A and Low-A, the defensive team must have a minimum of four players on the infield, with at least two infielders completely on either side of second base. These restrictions on defensive positioning are intended to allow infielders to better showcase their athleticism, to increase batting average on balls in play, and to restore a more traditional set of aesthetics and outcomes on batted balls.
AUTOMATED BALL-STRIKE ("ABS"): In select games in Triple-A and in the Low-A Southeast, ABS technology will be used to call balls and strikes. ABS was used in the Atlantic League in 2019, and in select games in the Low-A Southeast and Arizona Fall League in 2021.
- TRIPLE-A: In Triple-A West, umpires will call balls and strikes through May 15th, and the ABS system will be utilized in all games beginning May 17th. In Triple-A East, ABS will be used throughout the season in all games played in Charlotte. In both leagues, the ABS strike zone will approximate the strike zone called by high-level umpires.
- LOW-A: In the Low-A Southeast, MLB will test a “Challenge” system in select games, in which umpires call balls and strikes, and the pitcher, catcher, and batter have an ability to appeal the umpire’s call to the ABS system. In Challenge Games, each team will receive three appeals. Successful appeals will be retained.
Michael Hill, MLB’s Senior Vice President for On-Field Operations, said: “Given the positive results of recent years, we are continuing to prioritize the kinds of experimental rules that many baseball fans routinely discuss and want to learn more about. The testing throughout the Minors will provide us with more valuable feedback and data that can be taken into consideration.”
Raúl Ibañez, MLB’s Senior Vice President for On-Field Operations, said: “Many people in our game are just like our fans in that they want to see more athleticism and action. This next round of experiments will aim to emphasize the tremendous physical talent of our players and create an environment that lends itself to an accelerated pace of play.”
Theo Epstein, Consultant to MLB, said: “This year’s set of experimental rules was informed -- and we believe improved -- by the feedback of players, staff, umpires and fans, as well as by analysis of the impacts of last year’s tests. We are excited to roll out the improved rule experiments to a bigger population of Minor League players in an effort to ensure that any potential new regulations fulfill their objectives of creating more action, athleticism and a better style of play.”
MLB also continues its partnership agreement with the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (“ALPB”), which was announced in 2019. This partnership agreement allows MLB to test experimental playing rules each season. Any new experimental playing rules for the 2022 season will be announced in the coming days.
IronBirds Inch Past Cyclones In Pitcher's Duel, 2-1
• BOX SCORE ABERDEEN, Md. (April 16, 2025) — Cyclones pitching retired the final 16 batters they faced in order, with 10 of the 16 outs coming courtesy of strikeouts. However, Brooklyn’s three-game win streak was snapped in a 2-1 loss to the Aberdeen IronBirds on Wednesday night at Ripken
Suero Slams Cyclones Past IronBirds, 8-7
- BOX SCORE ABERDEEN, Md. (April 15, 2025) — C Chris Suero continued his torrid start to the season, clobbering a two-run home run in the second and adding another two-run shot in the third, as the Brooklyn Cyclones captured their third-straight victory, 8-7, over the Aberdeen IronBirds on Tuesday
Cyclones Come Out Swinging to Take Series Finale on Sunday Afternoon
- BOX SCORE
- PLAY-BY-PLAY BROOKLYN, NY (April 13, 2025) – The Cyclones closed out their first home stand of the season with an 8-1 victory over the Hudson Valley Renegades on Sunday afternoon. With the win the Cyclones improved to 6-3 on the season. SS Kevin Villavicencio went 3-for-3,
Special Offer: Suite Tickets for Just $42 for April and May Games
Brooklyn, NY (April 12, 2025) -- For a limited time, the Cyclones are offering a special $42 per person price point for Luxury Suites for games in April and May. This is a 50% off rate, making our premium suite offerings even more AMAZIN'. Here's everything you need to know:
Cyclones and Renegades Split a Doubleheader on Saturday Afternoon
- BOX SCORE #1 / BOX SCORE #2
- PLAY-BY-PLAY #1 / PLAY-BY-PLAY #2 BROOKLYN, NY (April 12, 2025) – The Cyclones took on the Hudson Valley Renegades and Mother Nature on Saturday afternoon, splitting a doubleheader at a soggy Maimonides Park. The Renegades took Game One by the score
Friday Night's Game Postponed Due to Rain, Doubleheader on Saturday
BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- (April 11, 2025) -- Friday night's game between the Brooklyn Cyclones and Hudson Valley Renegades has been postponed due to expected rain and fog in the Coney Island area. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Saturday, April 12th starting at 1:00 PM.
No Fees on April Games From Friday at 10 AM - Monday at 10 AM
- To Purchase Tickets -- CLICK HERE It's a Fee Free Weekend on Cyclones tickets for all remaining APRIL GAMES starting Friday, April 11th at 10 AM and running until Monday, April 14th at 10 AM. So you'll save a little money now and have A LOT of fun later.
Brooklyn Bested By Hudson Valley, 8-3
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Brooklyn Cyclones were topped by the Hudson Valley Renegades on Thursday night at Maimonides Park, 8-3. The contest was aired on SNY, the flagship TV home of the New York Mets. Despite the loss, RHP Noah Hall impressed in his second start of
Baro Homers as Cyclones Handed First Loss of Season; Fall to Renegades, 7-2
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Brooklyn Cyclones were handed their first loss of the 2025 season, falling to the Hudson Valley Renegades, 7-2. Despite the loss, LHP Jonathan Santucci was sharp in his professional debut. The 2024 2nd rounder tossed four innings of two run ball on six
Serrano III Slugs Second Homer of Season; Cyclones Down Renegades, 7-3, to Start Season 4-0
BOX SCORE PLAY-BY-PLAY BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Brooklyn Cyclones hopped out to a 4-0 start for the first time since at least 2005, thanks to an 8-4 win over the Hudson Valley Renegades on a chilly Tuesday night on Coney Island. All nine Cyclones reached base safely in the victory.
How Sweep it is! Cyclones Complete Three-Game Sweep with 4-0 Win
- BOX SCORE
- PLAY-BY-PLAY BROOKLYN, NY (April 6, 2025) – The Brooklyn Cyclones completed a series sweep of the Wilmington Blue Rocks with a 4-0 win on Sunday afternoon. The 'Clones outscored the Rocks 27-5 in the three-game set and improved to 3-0 for the first time since the
Reim Time: Reimer's 5-RBI Outburst Leads Cyclones Offensive Outburst
- BOX SCORE
- PLAY-BY-PLAY BROOKLYN, N.Y. - On a chilly Saturday afternoon in Brooklyn, the Cyclones scored a whopping 15 runs on 20 hits, in a 15-1 takedown of the Blue Rocks. All nine Cyclones in the starting lineup recorded at least one hit, with eight of the nine
Win No. 1? In the Books! Hall Heaves Five Strong Innings, Suero Sends One off the Video Board in 8-4 Cyclones Win on Opening Day
- BOX SCORE
- PLAY-BY-PLAY BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Brooklyn Cyclones set the tone for the 2025 season with timely hitting and an outstanding start from RHP Noah Hall to take down the Wilmington Blue Rocks, 8-4, on Opening Night. With the win, the Cyclones improved their all-time record in
Seven Top 30 Prospects Highlight Cyclones' 2025 Preliminary Roster
PDF ROSTER CONEY ISLAND, BROOKLYN, N.Y. (April 1, 2025) — in collaboration with the New York Mets, the Brooklyn Cyclones have announced their preliminary roster for the 2025 South Atlantic League campaign. The initial 33-man squad features 19 pitchers, three catchers, seven infielders, and four outfielders, including seven of the
It's a Fee Free Weekend from March 28 - March 30
- To Purchase Tickets -- CLICK HERE It's a Fee Free Weekend on Cyclones tickets starting Friday, March 28th and 10 AM and running until Monday, March 31st at 10 AM. That means that for all single-game tickets purchased for the 2025 Brooklyn Cyclones season we will be waiving all
Giveaways, Ticket Packages, and Affordable Fun On Tap For 2025 at Maimonides Park
CONEY ISLAND, BROOKLYN, N.Y. (April 3, 2025) — Catching the next generation of New York Mets stars isn’t the only highlight of the upcoming 2025 season for the Brooklyn Cyclones at Maimonides Park. Throughout the campaign, Cyclones’ fans can enjoy a summer full of tremendous giveaways, affordable ticket packages, and
$3.14 Tickets Available for Pi Day, March 14th
- To Purchase Pi Day Tickets for Friday, April 4th -- CLICK HERE
- To Purchase Pi Day Tickets for Saturday, April 5th -- CLICK HERE
- To Purchase Pi Day Tickets for Sunday, April 6th -- CLICK HERE Friday is March 14th...other wise known as 3/14...also known as Pi
12 Former Cyclones To Represent Mets In 2025 Spring Breakout
CONEY ISLAND, BROOKLYN, N.Y. (March 6, 2025) — On Thursday, the New York Mets announced their roster for the second annual Spring Breakout game scheduled against the Washington Nationals at CATCI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Sunday, March 16, at 5:05 p.m. ET. The
Gilbert Gómez Returns as Manager to Head Cyclones’ 2025 Coaching Staff
CONEY ISLAND, BROOKLYN, N.Y. (February 5, 2025) — The Brooklyn Cyclones, in collaboration with the New York Mets, unveiled their 2025 coaching staff on Wednesday. Gilbert Gómez will return for his second season as Cyclones manager when the season kicks off on Friday, April 4, at Maimonides Park. Gómez enters
Coach Kevin Chronicles: Get Ready for Little League Season
Kevin Mahoney (Coach Kevin) is the General Manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones and a member of the Board of Directors for Oceanside Little League with nearly two decades worth of youth baseball coaching experience. He will be sharing his expertise in the Coach Kevin Chronicles over the coming weeks as
Surf Squad Auditions Set for Saturday, February 8th
- To Sign Up for Auditions -- CLICK HERE We are looking for fun-loving, energetic, personable and enthusiastic people to be a part of our on-field entertainment crew. You will be the first face people see when they enter the ballpark and the last face they see on the way
New Videoboard Coming to Maimonides Park for 2025 Season
The Brooklyn Cyclones and Diamond Baseball Holdings have announced that Maimonides Park will have a brand-new, state-of-the-art videoboard installed for the 2025 season. The existing board was updated prior to the start of the 2011 season and featured 480 square feet of video board space. The new board, which will
Six Former Cyclones Selected in the 2024 Rule V Draft
DALLAS, TX (December 11, 2001) – On the final day of Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings, the Mets lost nine players as part of the Rule V Draft, including six former Cyclones. RHP Mike Vasil, LHP Nathan Lavender, RHP Nolan Clenney, RHP Jawilme Ramirez, INF Junior Tilien and C Drake
Syracuse Mets & Brooklyn Cyclones Enter Next Chapter Under New Ownership, Diamond Baseball Holdings
NEW YORK, NY (December 10, 2024) – Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), an organization that owns and operates select minor league clubs affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB), today announced it has entered into an agreement with affiliates of Cohen Private Ventures to purchase the Syracuse Mets and Brooklyn Cyclones. The
Join us for Breakfast with Santa - Sunday, December 22nd
- To Purchase Tickets -- CLICK HERE You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I'm telling you why...Santa Claus is coming to town! Join us on Sunday, December 22nd for Breakfast with Santa at Maimonides Park starting at 10 AM. Tickets are $20 per person (all