Atlantic League to debut robot umpires and allow players to steal first base

The Atlantic League, an independent baseball league, is rolling out a new revolutionary rule and will debut robot umpires to start the second half of the season. On Wednesday, during the league's All-Star Game in York, Pennsylvania, robots will call balls and strikes for the first time in a professional game, according to The Washington Post. The league will also allow batters to steal first base -- yes, steal first -- on a pitch not caught cleanly, similar to a dropped third strike. Except, the runner can attempt to reach first during any count. Using robots will still include a human element, however.