As Major League Baseball tries to stop teams from using technology to get an advantage, it’s ironic that MLB commissioner Rob Manfred indicated that there will be the use of “robot umpires” during Spring Training.
“We believe over the long haul it’s going to be more accurate,” Manfred said. “It will reduce controversy in the game and be good for the game.”
Rob Manfred also said on FOX Business that we’re going to see use of the so-called robot umpire system during spring training.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) January 22, 2020
Rob Manfred didn’t say any specifics but the use of an electronic strike zone will be tested during Spring Training. The reason this has been called into question is that the MLB is always looking to enhance the game and speed up the game. It’s believed that the game is too slow and that’s part of the reason why the number of fans is down through the years.
In my opinion, I’m all for things that enhance the game like different camera angles for TV, sound-enhancing technology, on-field mics, etc. but the use of technology to call balls and strikes should not be introduced into the game.
It’s no question that umpires have the power to change the outcome of a game completely. I’ve been on both ends of that, either a call in the Yankees’ favor or against them. It’s the worst feeling when a call is made that’s clearly wrong but the bottom line is its part of the game.
I already think that the use of technology to review calls in the field slows down games. A close call at second base goes from a bang-bang call to a five-minute review and a call to New York for an answer.
We saw it with the Astros scandal: even though it’s not the same thing, the implementation of more technology for on-field decisions will only hurt the game.