Report: MLB proposes changes to union about strike zone, walks

Intentional walks and the current strike zone in Major League Baseball could be things of the past.

After the competition committee and playing-rules committee agreed to proposed changes regarding intentional walks and raising the strike zone, MLB has made formal proposals to the player's union about implementing the changes for this season, ESPN's Jayson Stark reports.

Despite what Stark's sources told him in June, the Major League Baseball Players Association would need to approve the changes in order for them to take place. The union is currently feeling out players to get their thoughts on the matter, according to Stark's sources, who tell him a decision from the union will need to come "sooner rather than later" with spring training taking place in two-and-a-half weeks.

MLB's proposed changes would raise the lower part of the strike zone to the top of the hitter's knees, according to Stark, raising it by an estimated two inches. The current strike zone is defined as the "hollow beneath the kneecap."

If approved, the proposed changes would also see the end of pitchers tossing four balls out of the strike zone to intentionally allow an opposing player to move to first base. Instead, a team could signal their intention to walk someone in order to give them a free pass.

Both proposals are part of MLB's intention to speed up play, something commissioner Rob Manfred has been trying to resolve.