It's time to automate the strike zone

[Ray D]

I hate the idea of a challenge system- if you have something that can give an instant consistent ruling

First, I don't think the current technology is even anywhere close to that.   But more important, I think that even we had it, fans wouldn't believe it was accurate (even if it was) and we'd end up with just as much controversy, maybe even more, because people don't trust technology.

[Baseball is Life]

First, I don't think the current technology is even anywhere close to that.   But more important, I think that even we had it, fans wouldn't believe it was accurate (even if it was) and we'd end up with just as much controversy, maybe even more, because people don't trust technology.

People don't trust technology? I don't think so.

People nowadays blindly follow their talking phone when driving because they have no idea where they're going. You know, the GPS thing.

[Baseball is Life]

It isn't a matter of making a case because I don't expect nor even hope to convince people.

 I hate the current challenge system. I've hated it since 1986 when it was instituted in football.   My shortstop makes a great play and throws the opposing runner out on a very close play (and maybe the runner could have been called safe -  but he wasn't); I want to enjoy the moment, not wonder if the call will stick - that ruins it for me.  And it disrupts the flow of the game. 

I can't begin to imagine  how much the game will change if they have any sort of ball/strike challenge system.  The cliche' that "nothing is more important than getting it right" is bullcrap to me.  Nothing is more important than enjoying the game, for me. If that means an occasional mistake, even against my team, I can live with that.

I completely support the idea of doing whatever we can to make the umpiring better.  I don't know what that is but there are people in baseball smart enough to figure that out.

But would you support an automated strike system that doesn't change the flow of the game at all? The ump would get an instant buzz in his ear when there's a strike. No challenges need.

For me, I can't enjoy the game when the umpiring is incompetent. The outcome becomes so random.

[Minty Fresh]

I hate the idea of a challenge system- if you have something that can give an instant consistent ruling (I hate the idea that a rookie gets a different zone than an all star), just use it full time instead of setting up some unwieldy system just to make umpires feel better

Exactly.  If the point of replay is to get all the calls right, the challenge system is just plain counterproductive.

[BeltwayBaseball]

You said you would support the challenge system. Why would you vote no?

The thread title is "automate the strike zone" which I don't support. I wouldn't mind a less radical approach though, a conservative ball/strike challenge system that the managers would use sparingly, only for the worst calls, and would take seconds to confirm/overturn.

[blue911]

Tase the freakers when they miss a call.

[Mathguy]

I can't enjoy the game taking out the human element of the umpires.

To take your automation idea further, why have pitchers ?  Why not perfect pitching machines and do away with the need for Tommy John surgery ?

But would you support an automated strike system that doesn't change the flow of the game at all? The ump would get an instant buzz in his ear when there's a strike. No challenges need.

For me, I can't enjoy the game when the umpiring is incompetent. The outcome becomes so random.

[tomterp]

The one they use on MASN had it as a strike. Which I suppose points to the fact that they would have to settle on which technology they use.  Not the same as tennis where they can focus where a ball is hitting a hard surface.

I wonder how they adjust for the 3 dimensions of the strike zone, not to mention the variable sizes of hitters?

[Baseball is Life]

I can't enjoy the game taking out the human element of the umpires.

To take your automation idea further, why have pitchers ?  Why not perfect pitching machines and do away with the need for Tommy John surgery ?

I agree, the human element is what the competitors bring to the game. You obviously wouldn't mess with that. As for the umps, well, they are a little way too human for me.

[Baseball is Life]

The thread title is "automate the strike zone" which I don't support. I wouldn't mind a less radical approach though, a conservative ball/strike challenge system that the managers would use sparingly, only for the worst calls, and would take seconds to confirm/overturn.

I get you, but in my mind automating the strike zone could possibly include a challenge system that's based on an automated system. Instead of using it on every call, they would just use it on the disputed calls.

[Baseball is Life]

Tase the freakers when they miss a call.

That would be the best job in America from day one.

[Mathguy]

Some umps might like pain. 

Tase the freakers when they miss a call.

[spidernat]

I can't enjoy the game taking out the human element of the umpires.

To take your automation idea further, why have pitchers ?  Why not perfect pitching machines and do away with the need for Tommy John surgery ?

  what a genius.

[Mathguy]

Agree

The thread title is "automate the strike zone" which I don't support. I wouldn't mind a less radical approach though, a conservative ball/strike challenge system that the managers would use sparingly, only for the worst calls, and would take seconds to confirm/overturn.

[HalfSmokes]

I can't enjoy the game taking out the human element of the umpires.

To take your automation idea further, why have pitchers ?  Why not perfect pitching machines and do away with the need for Tommy John surgery ?

Human element = players, managers, front office, atmosphere... I want the umpires as close to automatons as possible

[Natsinpwc]

I wonder how they adjust for the 3 dimensions of the strike zone, not to mention the variable sizes of hitters?

I have wondered about that; guys stride differently also.

[GburgNatsFan]

I have wondered about that; guys stride differently also.

Can't imagine that they take stride into account.

[HalfSmokes]

I wonder how they adjust for the 3 dimensions of the strike zone, not to mention the variable sizes of hitters?

The size of the plate is constant, so that's two dimmensions

[HalfSmokes]

Can't imagine that they take stride into account.

Can't imagine they go by the letter on height (if they did, someone needs to put a midget as the 25th man- baseball would have a much tougher time banning them now than with Gaedel)

[Mathguy]

Ok BIL - you won me over - that called 2nd strike on Espinosa was PATHETIC

I get you, but in my mind automating the strike zone could possibly include a challenge system that's based on an automated system. Instead of using it on every call, they would just use it on the disputed calls.

[Baseball is Life]

Ok BIL - you won me over - that called 2nd strike on Espinosa was PATHETIC

You watch this game long enough and I don't know how you can tolerate the bad umpiring anymore!

It's gonna happen within 10 years max, maybe sooner.

[MorseTheHorse]

Strike zone seemed bad tonight.  J Zim gave up a walk in the third tonight on what was clearly strike 3 which led to the first HR being a 2 run HR. 

[Baseball is Life]

Strike zone seemed bad tonight.  J Zim gave up a walk in the third tonight on what was clearly strike 3 which led to the first HR being a 2 run HR. 

It's Every Frikkin Night.

[BeltwayBaseball]

I get you, but in my mind automating the strike zone could possibly include a challenge system that's based on an automated system. Instead of using it on every call, they would just use it on the disputed calls.

That I could live with, I would just hope managers wouldn't call upon it for every single close pitch, just the really bad ones, that's why you'd have to limit the number of challenges.

[HattoriHanzo]

I can't wait for roboumps to take over someday.   When the first few innings of the game is spent figuring out the strike zone the human aspect is just a novelty when technology can make the game an even playing field from the first pitch to the last.