- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
Major League Baseball is testing restricted outfield shifts during Arizona Fall League games at Salt River Fields, using technology comparable to MLB parks. Outfielders check the videoboard for positioning feedback, with an "X" marking incorrect placement and an "O" indicating acceptable alignment.
The experiment aims to boost sluggish offense by requiring outfielders to play straighter and shallower than usual. Minnesota Twins prospect Kyle DeBarge is among those participating. He said cutting off doubles in the gap has been the most difficult adjustment. The change has produced more fly balls to track back on and nearly eliminated bloop singles.
In a recent game, Scottsdale defeated Salt River 15-8, a contest that featured five triples and set an AFL record. Salt River manager Ted Tom encouraged players to just keep going.
League-wide batting averages have barely moved from .243 in 2022 to .244 in 2026, while runs per game rose modestly from 4.28 to 4.48 and hits per game from 8.16 to 8.20. Game times have dropped roughly 25 minutes since the pitch clock introduction. MLB declined official comment, and any rule change remains years away.
Source: ESPN - Mon Oct 26, 11:33 AM ET
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).