Robot Umps?!

[Kimmi]

We'll never know if baseball with robo-umps is better or worse than baseball without it, if they don't try it.

 

It's coming, and we will adjust to it. Just like we adjusted to instant replay. That doesn't mean that we have to like it.

 

Is it going to make baseball better? For me, I'm thinking that's a hard NO.

[Kimmi]

I can understand fans not liking replay delays, but this should be seamless und unnoticeable.

 

It's not a matter of it being seamless and unnoticeable. It's a matter of baseball being officiated by technology rather than by people.

[YastrzemskI]

Put the invisible earpiece in the homeplate umps ear, and the calls can be made just as now, with no delays- no replays- no fuss.

 

Consistent and correct calls are the goals of every ump, every manager, every batter, every pitcher and should be wanted by every fan, too.

 

I'm not sure why they should care if the call is always right, just because the call is whispered into the umps ear.

 

I can get on board with that. I watched the Braves game last night and despite numerous calls in LA’s favor, the Braves pitchers we’re outstanding but it doesn’t always turn out that way.

[Kimmi]

It’s a very big concern for MLB and they have numerous protocols in place to evaluate the umpires. The problem is and always will be the inability of a human being to determine if a baseball traveling 90-100 mph touches any part of an invisible box of varying size. It’s just something that is not only remarkably difficult and, as pitchers continue to throw harder, will never get any easier and no amount of evaluation and training will change this.

 

I have zero issues with ball/strike calls being electronic, and this includes the inevitable bugs that will be in the system upon implementation. MLB has made numerous far more tangible rule changes throughout its history that have had a bigger impact on game play than determining the accuracy of the officiating. Instant replay was implemented for the same reason, and while flawed, has yet to destroy the game, or even make it less watchable…

 

As long as there are humans umpiring, there will be mistakes. I have no problem with that. They won't be perfect at calling balls and strikes (and FTR, the automated balls and strikes call system isn't perfect either), but some umpires are better than others. For one, they could start by letting the umpires with the best track records officiate the postseason. That wasn't the case this year and usually isn't the case.

 

They could bring back those old huge chest protectors, as MVP mentioned before. That would give the umpires a better angle to call balls and strikes.

[Kimmi]

If they haven't done anything about upgrading the umps by now, they never will.

 

That's a big part of why the robo umps are the only solution.

 

Not having done anything about upgrading umps sounds like an MLB problem with an easy enough solution that doesn't require robo umps.

[Bellhorn04]

Not having done anything about upgrading umps sounds like an MLB problem with an easy enough solution that doesn't require robo umps.

 

But it's not easy, because the umps have a certain amount of power and they obviously fight hard against the upgrades we're talking about. Can't wait forever.

[Kimmi]

But it's not easy, because the umps have a certain amount of power and they obviously fight hard against the upgrades we're talking about. Can't wait forever.

 

Again, that's a problem with MLB and with the umpires having too much power. If they have so much power, I'm surprised that they are 'allowing' themselves to be 'replaced' by technology. To me, it sounds more like someone just doesn't want to deal with holding umpires to a certain level of accountability.

[Bellhorn04]

What we could have is something for everyone-robo umps with the potential for human error!

 

As we've discussed, the strike zone would have to be adjusted for each hitter by their height.

 

Therefore, someone would have to be in charge of making sure the right zone was being used on every at-bat. And they might screw up.

 

Jose Altuve might have a high strike called on him by the robo ump, and protest. Maybe they applied Aaron Judge's zone to him by mistake.

 

The home plate ump would be the guy who has to oversee and troubleshoot all that!

[Bellhorn04]

Again, that's a problem with MLB and with the umpires having too much power. If they have so much power, I'm surprised that they are 'allowing' themselves to be 'replaced' by technology. To me, it sounds more like someone just doesn't want to deal with holding umpires to a certain level of accountability.

 

And what makes you think there's any chance that'll ever change?

[Maxbialystock]

It's not a matter of it being seamless and unnoticeable. It's a matter of baseball being officiated by technology rather than by people.

 

Exactly.

 

This clamoring for robo-umps is a classic example of perceived deprivation. Once that rectangle, created in what manner and by whom we have absolutely no idea, but we can be sure it isn't nearly as perfect as it seems to be, showed up on our screens, there came a cry to make the game conform to the rectangle.

 

Umpires are part of the game as they should be and as they are in every other sport, even golf, where players sometimes call fouls on themselves.

[Maxbialystock]

Again, that's a problem with MLB and with the umpires having too much power. If they have so much power, I'm surprised that they are 'allowing' themselves to be 'replaced' by technology. To me, it sounds more like someone just doesn't want to deal with holding umpires to a certain level of accountability.

 

FWIW, I'm in favor of umpire accountability, including review of game tapes, height and weight standards, annual physicals, eye tests, you name it.

[Maxbialystock]

And what makes you think there's any chance that'll ever change?

 

The younger ones will and have.

[Bellhorn04]

The younger ones will and have.

 

They didn't stop Laz Diaz from umping in the ALCS. Not seeing any real evidence of change.

[moonslav59]

Just enact robo umps for balls and strikes, and let's move on.

 

This is a no-brainer.

 

(No offense to those with half brains who are against the idea.)

[Bellhorn04]

As far as waiting for the umpiring upgrades to come from MLB, for assignments to be made based on merit?

 

Too late. Time's up.

[notin]

Exactly.

 

This clamoring for robo-umps is a classic example of perceived deprivation. Once that rectangle, created in what manner and by whom we have absolutely no idea, but we can be sure it isn't nearly as perfect as it seems to be, showed up on our screens, there came a cry to make the game conform to the rectangle.

 

Umpires are part of the game as they should be and as they are in every other sport, even golf, where players sometimes call fouls on themselves.

 

All of these points have been refuted multiple times…

[notin]

As far as waiting for the umpiring upgrades to come from MLB, for assignments to be made based on merit?

 

Too late. Time's up.

 

They’ve been doing that for decades. And here we are…

[illinoisredsox]

Here's an interesting (long) article about the effects of robo-umps in the Low A Southeast League, where they used them this past season.

 

It also looks at other rules changes that have been implemented this and in past minor league seasons at all levels, including pitch clocks, moving the mound back, larger bases, and limits on pickoff attempts.

 

https://www.theringer.com/mlb/2021/10/21/22736400/experimental-rules-atlantic-league-robo-umps

[Bellhorn04]

They’ve been doing that for decades. And here we are…

 

But why did we get Laz in the ALCS? He got that on merit?

[Bellhorn04]

Here's an interesting (long) article about the effects of robo-umps in the Low A Southeast League, where they used them this past season.

 

It also looks at other rules changes that have been implemented this and in past minor league seasons at all levels, including pitch clocks, moving the mound back, larger bases, and limits on pickoff attempts.

 

https://www.theringer.com/mlb/2021/10/21/22736400/experimental-rules-atlantic-league-robo-umps

 

To me this is encouraging, and obviously there are some things that have to be worked out.

[notin]

But why did we get Laz in the ALCS? He got that on merit?

 

Apparently. As bad as he was, that doesn’t mean there was anyone better…

[Bellhorn04]

Apparently. As bad as he was, that doesn’t mean there was anyone better…

 

I'd like to see a little more info on this. Not saying you have to dig it up. But it would be interesting to know.

[illinoisredsox]

But why did we get Laz in the ALCS? He got that on merit?

 

I’m pretty sure there’s a seniority portion as well. A rookie ump could grade out as the best in the business but I doubt he gets a postseason assignment.

 

Now how Diaz got seniority is another question.

[Nick]

Just enact robo umps for balls and strikes, and let's move on.

 

This is a no-brainer.

 

(No offense to those with half brains who are against the idea.)

 

I agree 100%.......

 

It's impossible for home plate umpire to be consistent on over 300 pitches per game or whatever that number is.....it's f***ING IMPOSSIBLE.

 

We live in technological society. What idiot here thinks we have to adjust the strike zone for every hitter before each game? Unless you have guys that's still getting taller during baseball season, the strike zone can be set once a year, first before the season and then reviewed at year end.

 

What the hitters are craving for is consistency. They will get it with robo ump behind the plate.

[dgalehouse]

Hunter Renfroe at bat. Dan Iassonga umping. Renfroe swings and misses at a pitch that may have been a bit outside. Renfroe turns to the ump, " Was that going to be a strike?" Iassonga: " I don't think so. Ask Tobor " (The Fenway robot) . Renfroe takes the next pitch , in the same spot. Called strike three. Renfroe : " That was off the plate too." Iassonga: " Don't look at me . Talk to Tobor." Renfroe curses. Iassonga: " You're out of here."

[Bellhorn04]

Hunter Renfroe at bat. Dan Iassonga umping. Renfroe swings and misses at a pitch that may have been a bit outside. Renfroe turns to the ump, " Was that going to be a strike?" Iassonga: " I don't think so. Ask Tobor " (The Fenway robot) . Renfroe takes the next pitch , in the same spot. Called strike three. Renfroe : " That was off the plate too." Iassonga: " Don't look at me . Talk to Tobor." Renfroe curses. Iassonga: " You're out of here."

 

Amusing, but nonsensical.

[Bellhorn04]

I’m pretty sure there’s a seniority portion as well. A rookie ump could grade out as the best in the business but I doubt he gets a postseason assignment.

 

Now how Diaz got seniority is another question.

 

Everything I'm reading seems to confirm that Diaz is one of the very worst at calling balls and strikes.

 

So I'm not really sure what notin means by assignments being determined on merit.

 

It's simply ridiculous that one of the worst is screwing up the calls in an LCS game.

 

It shows that whatever system they have is broken.

[moonslav59]

So, we all now agree on robo umps!

[notin]

So, we all now agree on robo umps!

 

Except a slight minority who think it’s paving the way for robot players…

[notin]

Everything I'm reading seems to confirm that Diaz is one of the very worst at calling balls and strikes.

 

So I'm not really sure what notin means by assignments being determined on merit.

 

It's simply ridiculous that one of the worst is screwing up the calls in an LCS game.

 

It shows that whatever system they have is broken.

 

Here is an older article on the subject.

 

https://grantland.com/the-triangle/postseason-umpires-mlb-accurate-joe-west/