MLB looking at future of robot ump

[LadyStanley]

Report: MLB taking first steps to see whether robot umps are the future
The Atlantic League will serve as a test ground for new and experimental rule changes for baseball.



Officials might lose some jobs, but should be very objective calls.

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[AdmiralsFan24]

Should be done asap.

 

[varsaku]

With the amount of money MLB has and the technology available, this should have been done a while ago.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

nope, 100% garbage and ruins the sport.

The human element is a part of sports, period. Especially in baseball. Everyone knows how each ump likes to call the game and its part of the strategy.

Even then, umpires do a very good job calling balls and strikes. There's maybe 1-2 calls a game that have a legitimate gripe. That is no where near enough to actually change any outcomes.

 

[varsaku]

nope, 100% garbage and ruins the sport.

The human element is a part of sports, period. Especially in baseball. Everyone knows how each ump likes to call the game and its part of the strategy.

Even then, umpires do a very good job calling balls and strikes. There's maybe 1-2 calls a game that have a legitimate gripe. That is no where near enough to actually change any outcomes.

You want the game decided by the players and not the umpires. For something that is pretty straightforward, there shouldnt be much wiggle room for umpires to call on.

 

[awfulwaffle]

nope, 100% garbage and ruins the sport.

The human element is a part of sports, period. Especially in baseball. Everyone knows how each ump likes to call the game and its part of the strategy.

Even then, umpires do a very good job calling balls and strikes. There's maybe 1-2 calls a game that have a legitimate gripe. That is no where near enough to actually change any outcomes.

Yep, this is what we want.

 

[LeHab]

Officials might lose some jobs, but should be very objective calls.

Home plate officials do more than simply call pitchs. Their jobs will be safe but may change a bit.

Not sure about mound distance change. Pitchers will get their pitchforks out over this for sure.

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

While I can see how people like the human element, massive errors in judgement shouldn't be allowed to change games. Looking at you, Angel Hernandez and Jerry Meals. Instant replay can only do so much. Let the players and coaching staff on each team determine the score, no one else should have a say in the matter.

 

[Roadrage]

nope, 100% garbage and ruins the sport.

The human element is a part of sports, period. Especially in baseball. Everyone knows how each ump likes to call the game and its part of the strategy.

Even then, umpires do a very good job calling balls and strikes. There's maybe 1-2 calls a game that have a legitimate gripe. That is no where near enough to actually change any outcomes.

No need to worry about that with an impartial umpire. Strike zone will be uniform and not subjective. Batters will always gripe no matter what but the strike zone would be the same today as it was yesterday and tomorrow. No more reputation calls.

 

[golfortennis]

nope, 100% garbage and ruins the sport.

The human element is a part of sports, period. Especially in baseball. Everyone knows how each ump likes to call the game and its part of the strategy.

Even then, umpires do a very good job calling balls and strikes. There's maybe 1-2 calls a game that have a legitimate gripe. That is no where near enough to actually change any outcomes.

No, they are very good at safe/out calls. balls and strikes they are remarkably poor compared to how well they can call a play at a base.

Bring on electronic balls and strikes.

 

[gstommylee]

I doubt the umpire union would ever agree to that. If MLB wants to take out the human eliminate of the officials then count me no longer a fan of MLB at all.

 

[Burke the Legend]

Sounds good. Really sick of clown umps like Angel Hernandez calling these bias games based on feels.

In the future I would like to see linesmen and NHL refs making the calls from outside the surface of play. Would open up some ice by getting extra bodies off of it. Keep 1 ref on the surface for faceoffs and general presence. Then put a bunch of refs and linesmen in observatory positions to make calls. Have a couple of big goon refs on the side ready to jump on to break up scrums and fights on the whistle.

 

[cheswick]

They should make the players robots too so they don't make mistakes.

 

[MNNumbers]

Baseball: I'm in favor of a robot calling balls and strikes. You still need a plate umpire for check swings and for tag plays and other plays of various sorts. So, there would be no loss of jobs.

Hockey: Linesmen should be off ice for calling offside and icing. Much better perspective. As was stated, the equivalent of a robot in hockey would be automated goal/no goal calls. The technology is more difficult in hockey because of the "whole puck across the line" idea.

 

[tony d]

Given today's technology no surprise to read this. If it improves the game then I'm a fan.

 

[LeHab]

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/robot-umpires-atlantic-league-1.5207948

And it has begun...

 

[LadyStanley]

‘You can’t get mad at TrackMan’: A day under the...

Paywall. Athletic take. Quotes from umpire, pitcher, catcher, hitter, promoter, fan (ex-player).

Couple of hiccups, but worked for the most part.