Major League Baseball (MLB) is planning to introduce a series of experimental rule changes in the minor leagues in 2026. The changes range from moving second base to adjustments to checked-swing rules and crackdowns on batter timeouts and PitchCom. A memo detailing the proposals was sent by MLB to all 30 clubs.
These potential changes will be spread out, and applied differently, among different leagues and levels of the minors. While MLB has used the minor leagues as a testing ground for ideas for nearly a decade, there is no guarantee that any of these changes will make their way to the major leagues.
Moving Second Base: A Geometrical Adjustment
One of the more notable experiments involves relocating second base in the International League. The plan is to move the second-base bag to its “rightful spot”. Currently, second base is not located in the corner of the imaginary diamond. It’s halfway inside and halfway outside that imaginary diamond.
The new location will position it closer to home plate, but more significantly, it will be approximately nine inches closer to both first and third base. This adjustment also means it will be 13 1/2 inches closer than it was before previous rule changes increased the size of the bases.
The dimensions are as follows:
- Original distance: 88 feet, 1 1/2 inches
- Distance with larger bases: 87 feet, 9 inches
- New distance: 87 feet
Experimental, Not Inevitable
The 2026 changes are viewed as experimental, not inevitable. Player development departments across baseball are already working to educate players and staff on what they’re about to encounter.
Many of the new 2026 rules are certain to raise eyebrows, not to mention the blood pressure of minor-league managers and executives. But unlike the pitch clock and ball-strike challenge system, which also began as minor-league experiments, there is no guarantee you will ever see any of these changes at a major-league ballpark near you.
MLB has used the minor leagues as a test lab for all sorts of ideas for nearly a decade. Some changes are sport-changing, while others were quickly abandoned.
For nearly a decade now, MLB has used the minor leagues as a test lab for all sorts of ideas — some sport-changing, some that were quickly abandoned.