Robot Umps?!

[notin]

s*** like this.

 

https://twitter.com/VanHicklestein/status/1451369108713484302

 

Was that called a strike?

 

And would it be called one by an automated system since it bounced so far in front of the plate that it was able to enter the actual automated strike zone?

[notin]

Personally, I don't care about the art of pitch framing. I find it a little distracting and annoying when catchers constantly bring their glove back to the middle of the zone after most every pitch.

 

It's a necessity that shouldn't be. That pitch framing exists shows the shortcomings of the current system, since it involves taking a pitch that is clearly not a strike per the rules and making someone think it is...

[mvp 78]

Was that called a strike?

 

And would it be called one by an automated system since it bounced so far in front of the plate that it was able to enter the actual automated strike zone?

 

No and no?

[moonslav59]

Once in a while you and I agree on something. Hitters deserve to know what's going to be called a strike just as pitchers deserve to know that when a pitch is within the strike zone it's going to be called a strike and it shouldn't be up to the discretion of the umpire. The strike zone is defined in the rules and both the pitcher and the hitter should know that the rule is being enforced.

 

Umpires haven't done themselves any favors by making themselves immune to "incentives for excellence", i.e working playoff games. IMO it's time for them to 1) step up and improve their games, and 2) reward the best umpires with post-season games. If they don't do those things they're risking being replaced by technology - and deservedly so.

 

It boggles my mind that teams actually strategize approaches based on who the home plate ump is that night, and some are okay with that.

[notin]

No and no?

 

The first no is a good thing. The second one is a situation that can be dealt with via software, but I could see being overlooked at first...

[mvp 78]

The first no is a good thing. The second one is a situation that can be dealt with via software, but I could see being overlooked at first...

 

The second can be dealt with with umpire discretion.

[Elktonnick]

It boggles my mind that teams actually strategize approaches based on who the home plate ump is that night, and some are okay with that.

 

That happens in every sport and has been going on since the first games had referees. I can remember the first time I was exposed to this. I attended a basketball clinic when I was very young run by Frank Ramsey of the Boston Celtics. He explained how to draw fouls and how to keep one eye on where the referee was standing.

 

BTW you might want to do a little more research on how the robo ump is actually functioning. Instead of using a three dimension strike zone using the volume of the entire plate, the current system uses a two dimensional box based on the front line of the plate. So for example an Ephos pitch which enters the dimension of the plate above the strike zone and crosses the plate exiting below the strike zone is not called a strike although technically it is. Players who are playing games using the system claim it misses many curve balls and cutters. It appears that the system will probably adversely pitchers with especially sharp breaking pitches. For the record while the commissioner is a strong advocate of the robo ump Joe Torre among others is not.

[moonslav59]

The second can be dealt with with umpire discretion.

 

Yes, and it would be very rare for a bouncing ball to reach the K zone.

[Bellhorn04]

Personally, I don't care about the art of pitch framing. I find it a little distracting and annoying when catchers constantly bring their glove back to the middle of the zone after most every pitch.

 

Same.

[moonslav59]

That happens in every sport and has been going on since the first games had referees. I can remember the first time I was exposed to this. I attended a basketball clinic when I was very young run by Frank Ramsey of the Boston Celtics. He explained how to draw fouls and how to keep one eye on where the referee was standing.

 

BTW you might want to do a little more research on how the robo ump is actually functioning. Instead of using a three dimension strike zone using the volume of the entire plate, the current system uses a two dimensional box based on the front line of the plate. So for example an Ephos pitch which enters the dimension of the plate above the strike zone and crosses the plate exiting below the strike zone is not called a strike although technically it is. Players who are playing games using the system claim it misses many curve balls and cutters. It appears that the system will probably adversely pitchers with especially sharp breaking pitches. For the record while the commissioner is a strong advocate of the robo ump Joe Torre among others is not.

 

It happening in other sports does not mean jack. How is what Frank told you a supporting argument? Is it something you felt should be part of the game? Improves the game from the player of fan's perspective?

 

To be honest, I'd like a "full volume" strike zone system, I'll take anything that establishes a consistent strike zone, where pitchers and batters know what will be called a strike and what won't be. and making it as close to what is generally considered a strike now and what is not. If a 2-D system is all they can come up with, I'll still take that a million times over what we have now- an human who is blinded from much of the plate by the catcher in front of him and can't even see the full 3-D volume of the strike zone.

 

What we are asking of the home plate is nothing short of absurd

 

Saying, "It adds a human element" does not cut it for me. To know we can fix it and deciding not to is nothing short of insanity, IMO.

[moonslav59]

Same.

 

Don't you just love when a cornerback masters an uncallable pass interference?

 

Man, that is great football!

 

Too bad basketball players can't master uncallable personal fouls. That would really strengthen the game.

[Bellhorn04]

From what I've read, 3 nights out of 4 during the season, Diaz is a good umpire. On the bases, he is rated pretty high. Very seldom are his calls overturned there. But he rates very poorly behind the plate.

 

Yes, that's what I read too.

 

So why not have him only do base calls? Seems simple enough.

 

Having him do balls and strikes every 4th game is like having J. D. Martinez catch every 4th game. It would be incredibly stupid. Why do we let the umpiring be handled in an incredibly stupid way?

[notin]

That happens in every sport and has been going on since the first games had referees. I can remember the first time I was exposed to this. I attended a basketball clinic when I was very young run by Frank Ramsey of the Boston Celtics. He explained how to draw fouls and how to keep one eye on where the referee was standing.

 

BTW you might want to do a little more research on how the robo ump is actually functioning. Instead of using a three dimension strike zone using the volume of the entire plate, the current system uses a two dimensional box based on the front line of the plate. So for example an Ephos pitch which enters the dimension of the plate above the strike zone and crosses the plate exiting below the strike zone is not called a strike although technically it is. Players who are playing games using the system claim it misses many curve balls and cutters. It appears that the system will probably adversely pitchers with especially sharp breaking pitches. For the record while the commissioner is a strong advocate of the robo ump Joe Torre among others is not.

 

Not true

 

https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/37347/robo-strike-zone-not-simple-think/

[Elktonnick]

Not true

 

https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/37347/robo-strike-zone-not-simple-think/

 

The article you cite was written in 2018. The following is more recent:

 

"In 2019, the robo-ump followed the rulebook strike zone to the letter. Players complained: it was too high, too narrow, and things got weird around the edges. M.L.B. adjusted the parameters in 2021. A three-dimensional zone was jettisoned for a two-dimensional one.

 

New Yorker August 23, 3021"

[Elktonnick]

It happening in other sports does not mean jack. How is what Frank told you a supporting argument? Is it something you felt should be part of the game? Improves the game from the player of fan's perspective?

 

To be honest, I'd like a "full volume" strike zone system, I'll take anything that establishes a consistent strike zone, where pitchers and batters know what will be called a strike and what won't be. and making it as close to what is generally considered a strike now and what is not. If a 2-D system is all they can come up with, I'll still take that a million times over what we have now- an human who is blinded from much of the plate by the catcher in front of him and can't even see the full 3-D volume of the strike zone.

 

What we are asking of the home plate is nothing short of absurd

 

Saying, "It adds a human element" does not cut it for me. To know we can fix it and deciding not to is nothing short of insanity, IMO.

 

No one really cares about what you think just like no one cares about what I think other than my wife and grandchildren. The point is that if pitchers believe robo ump will adversely affect their ability to throw breaking balls then the union may object and the commissioner may come to his senses.

[moonslav59]

No one really cares about what you think just like no one cares about what I think other than my wife and grandchildren. The point is that if pitchers believe robo ump will adversely affect their ability to throw breaking balls then the union may object and the commissioner may come to his senses.

 

His senses will tell him to dump the clown umps.

 

Breaking balls in the strike zone will be called strikes. No system will be adopted that misses that.

 

Tell that to your grandkids and see what they say.

[Elktonnick]

His senses will tell him to dump the clown umps.

 

Breaking balls in the strike zone will be called strikes. No system will be adopted that misses that.

 

Tell that to your grandkids and see what they say.

Like I said no one cares what you have to say but you will continue to post your thousands of meaningless posts for every one anyone else posts..

[Bellhorn04]

Robo Umps has transformed into Rock-em Sock-em Robots.

[moonslav59]

Like I said no one cares what you have to say but you will continue to post your thousands of meaningless posts for every one anyone else posts..

 

Your posts are so informative.

 

It must be nice being you.

[Elktonnick]

Your posts are so informative.

 

It must be nice being you.

 

It is.

[moonslav59]

It is.

 

Too bad you don’t care about anything I say.

[Elktonnick]

 

Too bad you don’t care about anything I say.

 

Why

[notin]

The article you cite was written in 2018. The following is more recent:

 

"In 2019, the robo-ump followed the rulebook strike zone to the letter. Players complained: it was too high, too narrow, and things got weird around the edges. M.L.B. adjusted the parameters in 2021. A three-dimensional zone was jettisoned for a two-dimensional one.

 

New Yorker August 23, 3021"

 

Apparently the article you’re citing will be written 1,000 years from now…

[Elktonnick]

Apparently the article you’re citing will be written 1,000 years from now…

 

Typo but the fact is I wasn't wrong. The robo ump MLB is using is two dimensional. It remains to be seen whether it can satisfy all MLB stakeholders. I suspect this will be a significant issue in the CBA.

[moonslav59]

Why

 

Ask your grand kids. They can probably figure it out for you.

[Elktonnick]

Ask your grand kids. They can probably figure it out for you.

 

Nope. My grandkids don't give a damn what you post either.

[moonslav59]

Nope. My grandkids don't give a damn what you post either.

 

Clearly no clue.

 

Obviously you care enough to keep reading and responding.

[YastrzemskI]

 

Clearly no clue.

 

Obviously you care enough to keep reading and responding.

 

Not worth the aggravation dude.. unless it’s with a Bronx fan. 😂

[moonslav59]

Not worth the aggravation dude.. unless it’s with a Bronx fan. 😂

 

I’m not aggravated. I’m amused.

[notin]

Typo but the fact is I wasn't wrong. The robo ump MLB is using is two dimensional. It remains to be seen whether it can satisfy all MLB stakeholders. I suspect this will be a significant issue in the CBA.

 

Getting it to work in a satisfactory manner is part of the implementation. I don't think they're going to rush it out there is it isn't right, or at least close.

 

So now you have gone from nonsensical slippery slopes to the other safe-haven of people trying to argue the losing side - the notion that "it isn't perfect, so it shouldn't happen". Will it work better than the existing system? After all, it would be pretty stupid to not implement an improvement solely it up because it was not going to work for the 2 or 3 eephus pitches that get thrown every year...