Robot Umps Are Not The Answer

[LittleJimmies]

Originally Posted by Danderlion

I don't understand this comment...

If a breaking ball catches the edge of the strike zone, it is a strike and should be called a strike. Doesn't matter that some hitters may be surprised that a pitch is called a strike when it is a strike.

Pitchers have always tried their best to paint the corners / edges of the zone. This is nothing new. We will just get a higher level of accuracy on the calls. I don't get what the joke is.

But now pitchers will be trying harder to get better at throwing pitches that are strikes, but also difficult for batters to recognize and hit. That's not nice.

Edit. I hope you realize that.

[DontToewsMeBro]

Part of baseball is the arguing with the ump.

We already have instant replay.

What has to be done is to get these egotisical melodramatic children who are MLB umpires to cool it. No one is there to see you act like a meglomaniac behind the plate.

In every sport the best official is the one you don't notice.

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by LittleJimmies

But now pitchers will be trying harder to get better at throwing pitches that are strikes, but also difficult for batters to recognize and hit. That's not nice.

Edit. I hope you realize that.

What?!?

Pitchers are supposed to be getting better at throwing strikes on the edges of the zone. How is that new or bad? They'll just be reward correctly for it with an automated strikezone and hitters will need to adjust to swinging at those pitches.....that are and always have been strikes.

It's crazy to think people are actually arguing that pitches that are strikes shouldn't be called strikes because pitchers will try to throw those hard to hit pitches more.

[SupermanBrandon]

If the ball touches the zone, its a strike. It should be called a strike every single time. I don't care about intent or feelings or Im just having a bad day or that's now where the catcher was set up. A strike is a strike. The END!

[ThoseBackPages]

Originally Posted by SupermanBrandon

If the ball touches the zone, its a strike. It should be called a strike every single time. I don't care about intent or feelings or Im just having a bad day or that's now where the catcher was set up. A strike is a strike. The END!

and that is exactly how ABS works

[cholodolo]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

I hope you realize that having a 100% accurate strike zone is problematic. There are plenty of breaking balls that barely hit the edges of the strike zone that hitters would be surprised to be called strikes. Teams are going to try to game the system by training pitchers to do this -- it's going to become a joke.

New to baseball?

That's the whole point.

Throw borderline pitches that hitters have a low probability of getting solid contact.

Pitchers won't be upset if they miss a little outside -- it was intended to miss and induce a swing. Hitters won't be upset when the pitch 3 feet outside is called a strike. Solves every issue.

[SearchPatrol]

I would like to hear from more minor league players on if they liked the system or not. I keep looking for stories and very little has been written. Especially players that were called up late in the season.

[tlschwerz]

Robot umps aren't the answer, but this rule change is. Would create accountability, which the lack thereof is a problem.

https://twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/m...ge-yet-r14180/

[SupermanBrandon]

Originally Posted by tlschwerz

Robot umps aren't the answer, but this rule change is. Would create accountability, which the lack thereof is a problem.

https://twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/m...ge-yet-r14180/

No need for accountability when you just take the homeplate ump out of the equation completely. IF you're using the tech to challenge, just use the tech 100% of the time. Hopefully ABS will be in MLB full time in 2025.

[JRX]

Originally Posted by tlschwerz

Robot umps aren't the answer, but this rule change is. Would create accountability, which the lack thereof is a problem.

https://twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/m...ge-yet-r14180/

It's worked well in tennis for years now.

Sent from my SM-A546U1 using Tapatalk

[OhioLawyerF5]

Originally Posted by SearchPatrol

I would like to hear from more minor league players on if they liked the system or not. I keep looking for stories and very little has been written. Especially players that were called up late in the season.

It's probably not written about much because it just works. When things work, they tend to get little press or commentary. When they don't, you hear the complaining. The fact that you aren't hearing much likely means there isn't much to complain about.

[SearchPatrol]

Originally Posted by tlschwerz

Robot umps aren't the answer, but this rule change is. Would create accountability, which the lack thereof is a problem.

https://twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/m...ge-yet-r14180/

Why, for you, is it not the answer?

If you use it for challenging a call, it must work. It doesn't add any extra time to the game. Just use it for every pitch.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by Danderlion

I don't understand this comment...

If a breaking ball catches the edge of the strike zone, it is a strike and should be called a strike. Doesn't matter that some hitters may be surprised that a pitch is called a strike when it is a strike.

Pitchers have always tried their best to paint the corners / edges of the zone. This is nothing new. We will just get a higher level of accuracy on the calls. I don't get what the joke is.

The joke is that hitters will be getting exactly what they are asking for and it will not be what they expected -- they will be surprised by a certain percentage of automated calls just like they were when human umpires were making the calls.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by cholodolo

New to baseball?

That's the whole point.

Throw borderline pitches that hitters have a low probability of getting solid contact.

Pitchers won't be upset if they miss a little outside -- it was intended to miss and induce a swing. Hitters won't be upset when the pitch 3 feet outside is called a strike. Solves every issue.

The way I think it will work is, pitchers will be trained to nick the edges of the zone -- low breaking balls and high fastballs, primarily. Hitters will then chase more pitches as a result.

[ThoseBackPages]

it will happen

[theredmenace]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

The joke is that hitters will be getting exactly what they are asking for and it will not be what they expected -- they will be surprised by a certain percentage of automated calls just like they were when human umpires were making the calls.

Sure, but over 162 games the hitters care most about consistency. They'll adapt pretty quickly.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by OhioLawyerF5

What?!?

Pitchers are supposed to be getting better at throwing strikes on the edges of the zone. How is that new or bad? They'll just be reward correctly for it with an automated strikezone and hitters will need to adjust to swinging at those pitches.....that are and always have been strikes.

It's crazy to think people are actually arguing that pitches that are strikes shouldn't be called strikes because pitchers will try to throw those hard to hit pitches more.

The ultimate goal isn't to get it right -- the goal is to entertain fans. If the automated strike-zone favors pitchers, it will just make MLB less enjoyable to watch. Hitters will be flailing more at pitches outside the strike-zone for fear of getting rung up on borderline pitches. Strike zone adjustments might need to be made, just like the rule changes implemented this season.

[JRX]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

The ultimate goal isn't to get it right -- the goal is to entertain fans. If the automated strike-zone favors pitchers, it will just make MLB less enjoyable to watch. Hitters will be flailing more at pitches outside the strike-zone for fear of getting rung up on borderline pitches. Strike zone adjustments might need to be made, just like the rule changes implemented this season.

If they don't get the results they want, they'll change the strike zone.

Sent from my SM-A546U1 using Tapatalk

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by theredmenace

Sure, but over 162 games the hitters care most about consistency. They'll adapt pretty quickly.

Consistency equals fairness. But it also might mean more difficulty. I will be interested to see how long it will take for hitters to complain about the automated strike-zone.

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Consistency equals fairness. But it also might mean more difficulty. I will be interested to see how long it will take for hitters to complain about the automated strike-zone.

How many articles or interviews have you seen AAA players complaining about it since it was implemented in all AAA stadiums this year?

How many articles have you seen with Independent League players complaining about it since it's been tested for years there? I can tell you, it's been in service in the Atlantic League and we've gone to tons of Southern Maryland Blue Crabs games and I've never seen a fan, player, or manager complain about the system.

[ThoseBackPages]

fabian having a rough month.

Betts now this

[ThoseBackPages]

as for ABS, its been fun to see it implemented throughout AAA this season.

Player does not like the call, they turn around to complain only to realize it has nothing to do with the umpire! haha

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by fulltritty

How many articles or interviews have you seen AAA players complaining about it since it was implemented in all AAA stadiums this year?

How many articles have you with Independent League players complaining about it since it's been tested for years there? I can tell you, it's been in service in the Atlantic League and we've gone to tons of Southern Maryland Blue Crabs games and I've never seen a fan, player, or manager complain about the system.

Why would developmental players complain about the automated strike-zone, even if it were wonky or problematic? They are just focused on trying to make the big leagues -- they have no power or say in their playing conditions. Big leaguers on the other hand have guaranteed contracts and a lot at stake. They have highly-valued skills and are at the pinnacle of their sport.

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Why would developmental players complain about the automated strike-zone, even if it were wonky or problematic? They are just focused on trying to make the big leagues -- they have no power or say in their playing conditions. Big leaguers on the other hand have guaranteed contracts and a lot at stake. They have highly-valued skills and are at the pinnacle of their sport.

Did minor leaguers pretty much not revolt last year (or was it the year before) about the horrible living conditions and food allowances and get the league to change that?

Do they not want to see a fair balls and strikes system as that benefits their ability to make the Big Leagues when they strike out less, walk more, and get more hits?

TBP was correct. Maybe try arguing a little less in every thread as if your God's gift to baseball.

[fabiani12333]

I can only speak for myself, but an automated strike-zone makes me less interested in watching games. If I know strikes and balls are going to be called to near perfection, I'm going to be less engaged with the action. A big reason why I watch games is for the uncertainty of it. Taking away imperfections of baseball makes it less dramatic and mysterious. I can just look at a strike zone plot after the game and a video highlight package -- I'm less concerned with missing out on nuances.