Major League Baseball is teaming with the independent Atlantic League to test rule changes once again.

In the second half of Atlantic League play this summer, starting Aug. 3, the pitching rubber will be moved back 1 foot -- to 61 feet, 6 inches -- giving hitters more time to react to pitches.

The Atlantic League will also implement a "double-hook" rule, in which a team will lose its designated hitter when it removes its starting pitcher. That rule will be in effect the entire season, which starts May 27.