It's Time To Retire Home Plate Umpires As We Know Them

[Mr KLC]

Maybe it's because K-Zone is being shown on TV more frequently, but I think it is time to pass the ball-strike counts to the computer. I can't tell you how many games I've seen this month where the umpire has been missing calls. A batter will let an outside pitch go by that is out of the zone, but they are still facing an 0-1 count after making the right decision. I saw one game where the umpire had the 2-2 count correct, but he made the wrong call on all 4 pitches.

It's time to leave it up to the computer, so we can get more consistent calls, and the batters don't have to figure out what the true strike zone is from game to game. Leave the home plate umpire back there for swings, foul tips, HBP, etc., but please take the normal calls out of their hands. This leaves them with more control of the game than NBA referees.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

KLC, I used to think the same thing. I think the real issue on the Balls/Strikes is the true definition of the strike zone. Used to be that the zone was defined as hi as the armpit, but you'd never get a called strike above the waist.

I'm w/ you. I'd like the strike zone to be called by the computer. Greg Maddux used to be so smart, he would know Umpire zone to a tee so that he could pitch to the corner.

[lakerboy]

Just get rid of baseball.

[slayer14]

The strike zones are not consistent

[pavyracer]

The computer code is still controlled by humans. So if you eliminate the umpires they will rig the computer software to get the call they want for a particular at bat.

[texhooper]

Is the k zone technology dead nuts on though?

[DrunkHorseplayer]

The computer technology that exists right now is far superior to even the best umpire.

[innovation]

$$$$$

thats why

[rake922]

ball is 95 MPH... and umpire is standing behind a catcher...



its dumb for 2016

[Rich Boy]

In theory is makes sense but MLB is so slow to make changes it took forever for them to implement replays and that was a no brainer

Personally I dont think this ever gets done

[RavensFan2k3]

Just get rid of baseball.

[JayDr3am]

i swear to god i just mentioned this to my friend.. by now they should have lazers or some shit to determine the strike zone man.. its like the umps strike zone fluctuates as the game goes on.. but i guess MLB always wants to keep that human-element to the calls so its always controversial..

[The Giant]

They had a minor league game a year or two ago without a home plate umpire calling balls and strikes. He would just have an earpiece, as then people in the booth would be whispering in his ear whether it's a ball or strike.

Apparently it worked pretty efficiently.

No idea why they don't go to the robots.