MLB experiments with robot umpires

[rwsaunders]

This is not an article from The Onion...

MLB to Experiment with Robot Umpires, More Rule Changes in Atlantic League | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights

[Saab2000]

Tennis does it. Why not! Not sure about all the changes but some are OK for experimentation.

BTW, indy league baseball is the best. The most fun I’ve had at a ball game in years was at a St. Paul Saints game a couple years back.

It’s not minor league players wanting to work their way up. It’s great ball players who are out of MLB or never went pro but are great players. Plus, the small atmosphere of the park is way more intimate.

[GrantM]

I think lots of things are wrong with MLB, but robots with lasers calling balls and strikes is not a solution to any of them.
It seems to me that rule changes, like moving the pitching mound, will turn out to be object lessons in unintended consequences.



-g

[j44ke]

I think lots of things are wrong with MLB, but robots with lasers calling balls and strikes is not one of them.
It seems to me that rule changes, like moving the pitching mound, will turn out to be object lessons in unintended consequences.



-g

Who is going to throw Bruce Bochy out of the game now? Or Clint Hurdle. Those are the only real chaw chewing dirt kicking managers left in the majors, aren't they?

[GrantM]

Who is going to throw Bruce Bochy out of the game now? Or Clint Hurdle. Those are the only real chaw chewing dirt kicking managers left in the majors, aren't they?

Managers are being replaced by spreadsheets, just having some difficulty getting the hats to fit properly.

-g

[bigbill]

As a youth baseball umpire, the biggest hassle is the strike zone. According to the rule book (MLB on down), the strike zone is knees to armpits and any part of the ball over the plate including the black. In youth baseball, the whole zone has to be called or it's a walk fest. But to call a chest high strike in the majors or even high school will make coaches and fans lose their minds. I would welcome the robotic strike zone, one less thing for the umpire and all he/she would have to do was keep track of the count and call plays at home. You could even go single umpire in youth baseball and just put one behind the pitcher to call the bases.

[j44ke]

Tennis does it. Why not! Not sure about all the changes but some are OK for experimentation.

BTW, indy league baseball is the best. The most fun I’ve had at a ball game in years was at a St. Paul Saints game a couple years back.

It’s not minor league players wanting to work their way up. It’s great ball players who are out of MLB or never went pro but are great players. Plus, the small atmosphere of the park is way more intimate.

That sounds like the Mets.

[Saab2000]

That sounds like the Mets.

Empty park ≠ small park