The Automated Strike Zone System will be introduced by Major League Baseball. The so-called robot umpires can call balls and strikes, relay the information to a plate umpire, or use a replay review system to challenge calls. The strike zone system works.
The comments come in the wake of fan outrage over umpire's missed calls in recent games. It's enough. Give me umps already.
In the minor league Atlantic Triple-A league, MLB has been experimenting with the use of automated umpires. TrackMan is known for its golf speed measurement devices. "Pitch gets thrown, TrackMan tracks and identifies the pitch's location, phone tells umpire whether it's a ball or strike, umpire physically makes the call behind the plate."
Umpires have to call balls and strikes with 100 MPH pitches and hard-breaking curveballs outside the zone in order to do their job. Fans, pundits, and the league all think that machines should take the job and leave the plate to judge plays. The Atlantic league games were shortened by nine minutes due to mechanical systems.
If the union gives the league a season's notice, the league can change rules without the union's consent. The new competition committee won't have its first meeting until 2023, and that's why the system won't be introduced next year. The committee is very likely to approve the changes once it does meet.
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