The future of baseball

[Slasher9]

What do you do when it rains, or when players lie about their height to trick the robots?

 

Just Say No.

 

the rain issue will be solved by switching to the new system that is already created (the tennis system). if a player lies about his height it takes all of 2 or 3 ab's for the system to correct to the batters correct height and batting stance.

[Bellhorn04]

are you also upset at the lost art of bunting?

 

Oh man, that was a good one, Slash.

[notin]

are you also upset at the lost art of bunting?

 

Bunting was not taken away due to some sort method of rule enforcement. It's just some have realized the strategic disadvantage. Now if some new study ever comes out to counter that claim, bunting will return...

[Bellhorn04]

Bunting was not taken away due to some sort method of rule enforcement. It's just some have realized the strategic disadvantage. Now if some new study ever comes out to counter that claim, bunting will return...

 

Bunting does still occur, though. And some say it should be used more, against the shift etc. And when bad bunt attempts are made, the 'lost art' thing comes up.

 

I think Slash's point was valid.

[Kimmi]

are you also upset at the lost art of bunting?

 

Most definitely.

 

No, I don't think that the sac bunt should be used more, but there are often times when a hitter should be able to bunt. It's a shame that so many of them cannot.

[Kimmi]

the rain issue will be solved by switching to the new system that is already created (the tennis system). if a player lies about his height it takes all of 2 or 3 ab's for the system to correct to the batters correct height and batting stance.

 

Fair enough.

[Kimmi]

Oh man, that was a good one, Slash.

 

No, it really wasn't. Don't encourage the man.

[Kimmi]

Bunting does still occur, though. And some say it should be used more, against the shift etc. And when bad bunt attempts are made, the 'lost art' thing comes up.

 

I think Slash's point was valid.

 

The comparison that he was trying to make between analytics reducing bunting, thereby causing the lost art of bunting, and robot umps causing the lost art of framing is not a valid comparison.

 

I do agree with your first thought that bunting still has its place in the game and I do agree that it's a lost art.

[Bellhorn04]

No, it really wasn't. Don't encourage the man.

 

Sorry. I didn't really think it was fair, I just thought it was funny.

[Bellhorn04]

Some of the really good pitch framing is cheating, when you get down to it. Catchers pull in balls to make them look like strikes. It's as old as the game, I get that. But I don't think the game would suffer without it.

[Bellhorn04]

Here's a question for you, Kimmi.

 

Hypothetical situation: the Red Sox are in a playoff game. It's the 9th inning and they're at bat, losing by a run. Bases loaded, 2 outs, 3 and 2 count. The pitcher throws a fastball, trying to paint the outside counter, but he misses by a couple of inches. However his catcher, who is a superb pitch-framer, pulls it back in just enough for the ump to be fooled and call it a strike. Instead of a tie game, it's game over.

 

What's your reaction to the play? Do you applaud the great framing job or are you angry at the ump for missing the call?

[notin]

Here's a question for you, Kimmi.

 

Hypothetical situation: the Red Sox are in a playoff game. It's the 9th inning and they're at bat, losing by a run. Bases loaded, 2 outs, 3 and 2 count. The pitcher throws a fastball, trying to paint the outside counter, but he misses by a couple of inches. However his catcher, who is a superb pitch-framer, pulls it back in just enough for the ump to be fooled and call it a strike. Instead of a tie game, it's game over.

 

What's your reaction to the play? Do you applaud the great framing job or are you angry at the ump for missing the call?

 

Are they playing the Yankees?

[Bellhorn04]

Are they playing the Yankees?

 

No. The answer would be too obvious if that was the case.

[Kimmi]

Here's a question for you, Kimmi.

 

Hypothetical situation: the Red Sox are in a playoff game. It's the 9th inning and they're at bat, losing by a run. Bases loaded, 2 outs, 3 and 2 count. The pitcher throws a fastball, trying to paint the outside counter, but he misses by a couple of inches. However his catcher, who is a superb pitch-framer, pulls it back in just enough for the ump to be fooled and call it a strike. Instead of a tie game, it's game over.

 

What's your reaction to the play? Do you applaud the great framing job or are you angry at the ump for missing the call?

 

I would definitely be angry at the ump. Pitch framing would be the last thing on my mind. The same would hold true if the Sox won the playoff game under the same conditions. I would be thanking the ump, not applauding the great pitch framing.

[Bellhorn04]

I would definitely be angry at the ump. Pitch framing would be the last thing on my mind. The same would hold true if the Sox won the playoff game under the same conditions. I would be thanking the ump, not applauding the great pitch framing.

 

But you've said pitch framing is an art.

[Kimmi]

But you've said pitch framing is an art.

 

Sure, but that's not what I'm reacting to at the moment of a blown call.

[notin]

But you've said pitch framing is an art.

 

It is, and it’s done to fool the umpire. But it’s still on the umpire to get it right...

[Bellhorn04]

It is, and it’s done to fool the umpire. But it’s still on the umpire to get it right...

 

I get all that. My take is that the fact that catchers can fool the umps so often doesn't necessarily mean the umps are incompetent. It means calling balls and strikes with consistent accuracy, at the major league level, with the naked eye, is actually a little above human capability.

Edited September 4, 2019 by Bellhorn04

[Bellhorn04]

The recent flurry of lucrative signings would appear to suggest that baseball is more flush with cash than ever, and that owners are not trying to suppress salaries.

 

Does this mean all the rumblings of labor unrest and possible work stoppage we were hearing will be quieted?

[Slasher9]

good point. money makes everyone happy.

i think the next real battle will be MLB vs the umpires as robot umps are....inevitable.

[notin]

good point. money makes everyone happy.

i think the next real battle will be MLB vs the umpires as robot umps are....inevitable.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]778[/ATTACH]

 

Until the robot umps become terminator umps and turn on us all, killing thousands, enslaving others, and having their way with the women.

 

When that happens, will you still be complaining about umpires?

[Slasher9]

Until the robot umps become terminator umps and turn on us all, killing thousands, enslaving others, and having their way with the women.

 

When that happens, will you still be complaining about umpires?

 

hahaha. yes, but for different reasons?

AI / Skynet is coming for us.......

[notin]

hahaha. yes, but for different reasons?

AI / Skynet is coming for us.......

 

 

The thoughts of a machine with the mechanical strength and sheer, unstoppable determination of the Terminator and the judgment of Angel Hernandez is the stuff nightmares are made from...

[mvp 78]

Until the robot umps become terminator umps and turn on us all, killing thousands, enslaving others, and having their way with the women.

 

When that happens, will you still be complaining about umpires?

 

Still sounds better than seeing Angel Hernandez again.

[bertha]

Loving this thread, I think this is a very interesting discussion

[notin]

Still sounds better than seeing Angel Hernandez again.

 

 

That’s fair...

[mvp 78]

Happy Robot Ump day everyone!

 

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-umpires-agree-to-electronic-strike-zone-testing-and-development-for-robot-umps-in-new-union-deal/

 

The electronic strike zone, also commonly refereed to as "robot umpires," could make its way to Major League Baseball at some point during the next five seasons. The Major League Baseball Umpires Association agreed to cooperate with Major League Baseball in the development and testing of the electronic strike zone, Associated Press' Ben Walker and Ronald Blum report.

The agreement is part of a new five-year labor contract, according to the Associated Press. If MLB commissioner Rob Manfred decides to test out the automated ball-strike system at the major league level, then the major league umpires will cooperate. The specific details of the deal have not been announced.

The electronic strike zone was tested in the independent Atlantic League (as part of MLB's partnership with the league) and in the Arizona Fall League last season.

Last month, Manfred said the automated strike zone will be used in some minor league ballparks during the 2020 season as MiLB works to improve the technology. Here's the short version of how the technology works: The home plate umpire will wear an ear piece during the game, and they will hear a "ball" or "strike" call on each pitch. The pitch is identified using a Doppler radar system, called TrackMan. The umpire will hear and relay the call. For an in-depth look at the technology, including thoughts from players and personnel, you can read more about the initial experiment with the Atlantic League here.

[moonslav59]

I'm all for robo umps.

 

I'm all for paying minor league players and ML scrubs much more and possibly mega stars less.

 

I'm hopeful the next contract does that.

[Bellhorn04]

Happy Robot Ump day everyone!

 

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-umpires-agree-to-electronic-strike-zone-testing-and-development-for-robot-umps-in-new-union-deal/

 

The electronic strike zone, also commonly refereed to as "robot umpires," could make its way to Major League Baseball at some point during the next five seasons. The Major League Baseball Umpires Association agreed to cooperate with Major League Baseball in the development and testing of the electronic strike zone, Associated Press' Ben Walker and Ronald Blum report.

The agreement is part of a new five-year labor contract, according to the Associated Press. If MLB commissioner Rob Manfred decides to test out the automated ball-strike system at the major league level, then the major league umpires will cooperate. The specific details of the deal have not been announced.

The electronic strike zone was tested in the independent Atlantic League (as part of MLB's partnership with the league) and in the Arizona Fall League last season.

Last month, Manfred said the automated strike zone will be used in some minor league ballparks during the 2020 season as MiLB works to improve the technology. Here's the short version of how the technology works: The home plate umpire will wear an ear piece during the game, and they will hear a "ball" or "strike" call on each pitch. The pitch is identified using a Doppler radar system, called TrackMan. The umpire will hear and relay the call. For an in-depth look at the technology, including thoughts from players and personnel, you can read more about the initial experiment with the Atlantic League here.

 

If the umps are cooperating, it's pretty much a done deal now.

[mvp 78]

@JimBowdenGM

There is a growing belief amongst NL GM’s that the DH will be instituted for NL as early as 2021. FWIW.