Robot Umpires!?

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14599 ... home-plate

Thoughts? Feelings?

Who would managers and players argue with?

I don't know how I feel about robots, but I would like to see some interactive automation used. specifically balls and strikes is what I'm after. they seem to have this so dialed in with technology. it makes the home plate umpires seem like idiots. one horrible call either way can throw off the whole ab/inning. I'd like the ump to have a little earpiece that sounds off to him whether its a ball or strike.

It is only a matter of time. Strike zones that are laser box. If we can eliminate humor error in umpiring, why not? I didn't even read the article, maybe I should.... It is not like some jobs where millions of people would be out of work. I am pretty sure most umpires would not miss a meal if they were forced out of their jobs...

Some people are just resistant to change, in fact most people... For one thing, pitchers batting is stupid. People can say it "adds more strategy" but so would making your punter play QB once every nine plays. If I want to see high school quality batters hit, I will go to a high school game. Everything has become specialized. It is time for the National League and baseball in general step into the 21 century.

"I'd like the ump to have a little earpiece that sounds off to him whether its a ball or strike"

I like this idea, or better yet how about a little electric shock when they get a ball or strike wrong?

"I'd like the ump to have a little earpiece that sounds off to him whether its a ball or strike"

I like this idea, or better yet how about a little electric shock when they get a ball or strike wrong?

yeah, one that makes them convulse the correct call in a very undignified way.

I have been following this debate for a while now. Umpires claim the technology does not accurately track the ball in the final 10 feet or so. So in theory it is not the umpires who are wrong when the various pitch tracking systems disagree, it is the technology that is getting it wrong.

Should be verifiable either way with the host of high speed cameras now in use. If the umpires are right then they should discontinue the little strike zone boxes on broadcasts that make the umpires "appear" wrong. If the umpires are wrong then the strike zone should be automated so the strike zone can be standardized and calls made accurately.