Didn't see it that way at all...to my recollection, there wasn't one pitch Julio thought he had ( and evidently others here, too), that when they showed it on the box, was in there, not even on the line. He was off last night, and Samardzija was definitely on, really on, and pitched a great game. Against probably the most inconsistent offensive team in baseball. From juggernaut to weak KKings/tranced out zombies at the plate. Like Chase. Incredible.
Have you watched the Real Sports piece where they discuss this with Eric Byrnes? They tried it out in a minor league game - set up some cameras at different angles, entered everyone's strike zone before the game, and had a guy in the booth relaying the balls/strikes calls to the umpire. Just one possible system and they used it with no problems. Like you said, there would still be plenty of duties for the Home Plate ump, including calling balls/strikes for the rare technical malfunction.
Robot umpires at home would be terrible IMO. Pitchers could manipulate it to steal strikes with like loopy ass pitches. Batters can change their strike zone too much to manipulate it as well.
i agree no one likes inconsistent/bad strike calls but not everything needs to be fixed the game has survived for over 100 years and, for the most part, it's been just fine you can't -- nor should they try to -- remove the human element from the game completely it's part of the game -- always has been i also like how umpires often give elite pitchers (kersh) a more liberal strike zone guys like that have earned it and deserve it also conversely like how they don't give borderline pitches to guys struggling to with control same with hitters guys like posey are often given the benefit of the doubt on borderline pitches not opposed to change... i just don't want to see the game i love, the game i grew up with, bastardized to where i barely recognize it you want more consistent calls?... how about getting rid of sacred cow/incompetents like joe west and angel hernandez
Can't say I agree with liking the idea of umpires making good players even better with bad calls. I don't like that. If you make a good/bad play, you make a good/bad play... it shouldn't matter who you are. I also don't want to see the game bastardized, but I watched an implementation of using technology to help call balls/strikes and the system was completely unseen by the fans. The umpire still makes the calls, he just has a guy in his ear to help, so he gets more calls right. I like that. I actually find that less intrusive than gay tag replays where a guy gets called out because his foot was an inch above the plate when he slid home, or a replay where the throw beats a base stealer to the bag but the fielder swiped a hair too early and missed him by an inch. Those are bullshit calls to me. If the ball and tag beat the runner and it's not obvious at full speed that a tag was missed, then the dude is out. Watching baserunners dance to miss tags isn't baseball to me.
we'll have to agree to disagree on that one pitchers who exhibit consistent control should be rewarded on borderline pitches whereas a guy who is all over the place show have to demonstrate control before earning borderline calls greg maddux was a prime example of the former guys like kersh, madbum, arrieta often get calls others don't i haven't seen it but do you think a pompous/self-righteous ass like joe west is going to listen to some techie in his ear? here's a (perhaps) better idea... quality control have a panel evaluate the umps on a daily basis throughout the year if you suck, you're at risk of being demoted or terminated conversely, reward the better umpires with postseason duties and a generous payment incentive on this we agree phantom and neighborhood tags/plays have always been part of the game and a lot different than a blown call plus replay is the ultimate hypocrisy of the mlb demigods, who profess wanting to speed up the game
If th total electronic element is not going to be used, then the emotions of umpires controlling games , like that jerkoff in the Bosox/ Orioles game last night, at least be over ruled by someone when plain and simply, they blow it. Like some leadership and balls from the queen of the umpires, Joe Torre. It definitely could be upgraded with a little direction and focus while the human aspect is in play.
With robot umps pitches would only have to nick the zone to get called a strike. You'd have more sidearmers and guys with loopy curveballs and sliders getting strikes that barely reach part of the zone and then hit the dirt. It could easily be manipulated by pitchers. And then hitters can manipulate or find out how it determines the strike zone and if they can change that dependent on a stance. Idk, I wouldn't mind electronic type of stuff at every base but at home calling balls/strikes I think it could lead to a completely different game. Also, with no one on base and less than 3 balls or 2 strikes, why even have a catcher back there? Some team could start doing that. That's extreme but at its basis, I just don't think it's worth the risk
the point was that there should be no 'borderline' calls. It's in or it's not. Math. 0 or 1. Guys like Maddox and Kershaw are still going to prove that they make great pitches, because the reality is that they make great pitches. While we agree that highly biased asshats like Joe West and Angel Hernandez need retired I can't see a problem with assisting an ump in being accurate. We're after truth after all.
You can only game a human as long as he allows himself to be played. Eventually they will learn to adapt. That is what players do to umpires and why players constantly have to work with umpires. A machine can be gamed forever until someone decides to change the parameters. But then the parameters are easy to game again and have to constantly be changed. Like a randomizer that you need to learn how to game as the game goes on. So first few innings will be gauge what kind of AI is umpiring today. But that will be way too difficult for the players to properly gameplan and adjust in game. With a real ump you kinda know how he is from playing with him before. And you can get a feel for how he is umpiring a game right from the get go. You can even talk to the guy and get more feels 'data'. You cant do that to the machine. And fuck robobaseball. Unless its robobaseball for real. Then hooray for robobaseball.
We will definitely have to disagree on this. Bad calls are ok if they help good players and hurt bad players? Self righteous umps won't listen, but that's an easy fix. I think the quality control process already exists. The truth is umpiring MLB pitchers is hard because the pitching is so good. How about allow umpires get to choose assistance or not, but they are still judged on accuracy and the bottom umps get removed periodically? Top guys get bonuses? How many umps choose help then?
None of these are issues that can't be fixed if they cause a problem. There would still be an umpire. Loopy pitches that nick the zone are supposed to be strikes... and a pitch can't nick the zone and then go in the dirt unless it travels backwards.
Ok fine, easy fix. Each ump has a networked pair of VR goggles hanging behind his back on his utility belt. Each Manager has the option of asking the ump on certain types of calls to check the computer. Basically the manager gets to challenge the Ump. It should require the manager to kick up some dirt or throw a base or something. Manager only gets x amount of times he can ask the Ump to look at the computer, maybe 1 or 2 per 9 innings. The ump is then required to put on the goggles. At that point the MLB official in the booth will have both the digital data and the camera angle cued up for the ump to quickly analyze. The ump then makes a decision of either reversing his call or keeping his original call based on the video and the software advice. Ultimately the choice is up to the ump. Regardless of what is on the tape. And he only has 60 seconds to decide. So kinda like the NFL. But better because its MLB and the idea of manager challenging the sacrosanct umps is a lotta fun.
