Quote:
Originally Posted by turtle4499
Its likely changed some point during 1997-1999 around the time of the passage of the Curtis Flood act in congress. The league was apparently forced by congress in exchange for leaving intact minor league exemption to from antitrust to renegotiate the terms of minor league rules. This also occurs during expansion.
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After some digging, the age split in Rule eligibility started in 1990 as a result of the CBA.
In 1969, a player became Rule 5 draft eligible at the third draft meeting following his first season. By 1986 this had been changed to the fourth meeting after his first season.
The 1990 CBA changed eligibility so that a player aged 18 or less on the June 5 preceding his signing became draftable at the fourth meeting following his first season, while a player aged 19 or older became eligible at the third meeting after his first season. The 2007 CBA expanded the lengths to fifth and fourth meeting, respectively, but these were measured from the date of signing rather than his first season. I'm not sure when the switch from first season to date of signing was made.
Another change of note in 1990 was that outright assignment waivers were made irrevocable. Previously they could be withdrawn if the player was claimed.