The future of baseball

[Kimmi]

Why would humans making blunder after blunder ever be good for the game?

 

No, it has nothing to do with analytics but everything to do with veracity.

 

 

IMO, never having an incorrect call in baseball would take away from the game, in more ways than one. It's frustrating at times, but part of the enjoyment is the reaction to the umpires' incorrect calls, be it from the fans, the dugout, the pitcher, or the batter.

[Kimmi]

Baseball is a sport . A game . Human judgement and human error is a part of it . Robot umps is an attempt to get the ball and strike counts 100% correct . Okay , but that does not make the game more appealing. Part of the fun for fans is complaining about the umps . Trying to automate the sport , while admirable, does not make it more fun , exciting or interesting. As usual, Manfred and his flunkies are barking up the wrong tree.

 

Well said. On this, we 100% agree.

[dgalehouse]

Now , Manfred has another gimmick they are trying out in the minors . A batter can " steal first base " if the ball gets past the catcher . Stupid.

[Kimmi]

Now , Manfred has another gimmick they are trying out in the minors . A batter can " steal first base " if the ball gets past the catcher . Stupid.

 

No. Just no.

[Bellhorn04]

Now , Manfred has another gimmick they are trying out in the minors . A batter can " steal first base " if the ball gets past the catcher . Stupid.

 

That really is rinky-dink.

[Jasonbay44]

How would this stealing 1B thing work?

[Kimmi]

How would this stealing 1B thing work?

 

I'm guessing it would be just like being able to advance to 1B on strike 3 when the ball gets past the catcher, only a batter can do it on any count?

[dgalehouse]

I'm guessing it would be just like being able to advance to 1B on strike 3 when the ball gets past the catcher, only a batter can do it on any count?

 

The way I understand it is that any time the ball gets past the catcher , the batter can take off for first base . Just like it is now with strike three . Actually , I don't even like the present rule . To me , when you strike out, you should be out .

[Bellhorn04]

Actually , I don't even like the present rule . To me , when you strike out, you should be out .

 

It's no different than popping up and having the fielder drop the ball. A defensive mistake allows the player to reach base.

[notin]

It's no different than popping up and having the fielder drop the ball. A defensive mistake allows the player to reach base.

 

Except that this one is stupid.

 

A defensive mistake on a batted ball in play is one thing. But to give that same importance to each pitch?

[notin]

It's no different than popping up and having the fielder drop the ball. A defensive mistake allows the player to reach base.

 

Although if this rule happens, KC is going to feel pretty stupid for DFAing Billy Hamilton. His one weakness was his inability to steal first base...

[Kimmi]

The way I understand it is that any time the ball gets past the catcher , the batter can take off for first base . Just like it is now with strike three . Actually , I don't even like the present rule . To me , when you strike out, you should be out .

 

The new rule that they're thinking about is just silly. I tend to agree with you on the current rule too.

[dgalehouse]

Frank ( Sweet Music ) Viola , former MLB pitcher , now a pitching coach in the Atlantic League was ejected from a game the other day for arguing the ball and strike calls of the robot ump . It's crazy out there , folks .

[Bellhorn04]

The Manfred Missile is out of control.

 

2 rookies each hit 3 homers yesterday.

 

One of them has 7 homers in his first 10 career games.

 

Nice job, Rob.

[Slasher9]

i watched professional Cornhole on ESPN2 last night instead of Phils vs Giants on ESPN.

i literally preferred watching drunk dudes lob pouches at a hole 27' away then a professional baseball game....Sad!

MBGA

[Thunder]

i watched professional Cornhole on ESPN2 last night instead of Phils vs Giants on ESPN.

i literally preferred watching drunk dudes lob pouches at a hole 27' away then a professional baseball game....Sad!

MBGA

 

It's football season. You gotta watch cornhole! I know it gets me in the mood, even though I've never played it at a tailgate

[notin]

It's football season. You gotta watch cornhole! I know it gets me in the mood, even though I've never played it at a tailgate

 

I live in the Midwest where cornhole aka bags is a religion. But no one EVER watches it on TV. Ever. That takes a special brand of despondency...

[Slasher9]

I live in the Midwest where cornhole aka bags is a religion. But no one EVER watches it on TV. Ever. That takes a special brand of despondency...

 

i now know what "air mail" and "4 bagger" mean. i might be hooked.....

[Slasher9]

must read for any baseball fan:

https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/08/07/baseball-mud-rawlings?utm_source=pocket-newtab

[Slasher9]

latest article on Robot Umps in Atlantic League:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2019/08/19/baseball-robo-umpires-atlantic-league-mlb-trackman/2038459001/

[Kimmi]

must read for any baseball fan:

https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/08/07/baseball-mud-rawlings?utm_source=pocket-newtab

 

This was an interesting read. I never knew the mud that they used on baseballs was so specialized. Good stuff.

[Kimmi]

latest article on Robot Umps in Atlantic League:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2019/08/19/baseball-robo-umpires-atlantic-league-mlb-trackman/2038459001/

 

Perhaps that greatest loss resulting from robot umps would be with the art of catching, receiving the ball. That would be a shame, IMO.

[Bellhorn04]

Perhaps that greatest loss resulting from robot umps would be with the catcher's art of deception, fooling the ump, turning balls into strikes. That would be a shame, imo.

 

Fixed that for you.

[Kimmi]

Fixed that for you.

 

LOL But isn't that what pitch framing is all about?

 

That's a catching skill that would be lost with robot umps.

[Bellhorn04]

LOL But isn't that what pitch framing is all about?

 

That's a catching skill that would be lost with robot umps.

 

It is a skill, no question. But the fact that the catcher can steal strikes by how he frames the pitch is not really a good argument against robot umps-IMHO

[notin]

It is a skill, no question. But the fact that the catcher can steal strikes by how he frames the pitch is not really a good argument against robot umps-IMHO

 

OK, but what do you do when the robot umps turn on you? What do you do if you're cornered by the cyborg version of Angel Hernandez, an automaton with mechanical brute strength, no depth perception, extremely poor decision making abilities, and no concept of fault, conscience or cause-effect relationships but is hellbent on destruction and creating sadness and frustration?

[Kimmi]

It is a skill, no question. But the fact that the catcher can steal strikes by how he frames the pitch is not really a good argument against robot umps-IMHO

 

Personally, I think it's a great argument. I love that some catchers can steal more strikes for his pitchers than other catchers can. To me, it would be a shame for that art to be lost.

[Kimmi]

OK, but what do you do when the robot umps turn on you? What do you do if you're cornered by the cyborg version of Angel Hernandez, an automaton with mechanical brute strength, no depth perception, extremely poor decision making abilities, and no concept of fault, conscience or cause-effect relationships but is hellbent on destruction and creating sadness and frustration?

 

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

 

Just Say No.

[Bellhorn04]

Personally, I think it's a great argument. I love that some catchers can steal more strikes for his pitchers than other catchers can. To me, it would be a shame for that art to be lost.

 

To me the fact that catchers can steal strikes just confirms that even the best umps can't really judge balls and strikes very well.

[Slasher9]

Personally, I think it's a great argument. I love that some catchers can steal more strikes for his pitchers than other catchers can. To me, it would be a shame for that art to be lost.

 

are you also upset at the lost art of bunting?