Robot umpires in baseball?

[Resnic]

So baseball is testing a robot umpire during spring training?

Robot umpire system to be tested MLB next spring training, possible in 2026 regular season | FOX Sports

Major League Baseball will test robot umpires as part of challenge system in spring training next year, which could lead to regular-season use in 2026, commissioner Rob Manfred said.

www.foxsports.com

Ok part of me understands the desire for accuracy and consistency, but the other doesn't like removing the human element from something that is entirely designed and about the human element. That's why we watch sports is to see humans competing against humans and true the umpire isn't competing in the sport but there is just something I don't like about putting a computer inside a sport.

 

[shockedcanadian]

So baseball is testing a robot umpire during spring training?

Robot umpire system to be tested MLB next spring training, possible in 2026 regular season | FOX Sports

Major League Baseball will test robot umpires as part of challenge system in spring training next year, which could lead to regular-season use in 2026, commissioner Rob Manfred said.

www.foxsports.com

Ok part of me understands the desire for accuracy and consistency, but the other doesn't like removing the human element from something that is entirely designed and about the human element. That's why we watch sports is to see humans competing against humans and true the umpire isn't competing in the sport but there is just something I don't like about putting a computer inside a sport.

Its going ro happen eventually,.sports is big business. I guarantee you that there will be incidents of hacked umps though. Machines are only as good as their coding.

 

[jotathought]

I see this .. it's like watching iRobot

 

[JLW]

I can realize the need for accuracy, but in the other hand, a ref’s or ump’s spur of the moment decision, rightly or wrongly, is what make sports interesting. Watching the Euro tournament last week and the amount of time it took a VAR review took a toll on the rhythm of the game. Booing or cheering the ump or ref is part of the game.

 

[tyroneweaver]

can these machines read a back door curve

 

[Polishprince]

It will save the teams the money that umpires are paid, I can see the motivation.

And robotic umps wouldn't have to worry about "challenges" to calls which delay things nowadays.

Back in the day, umps made their call and the decision was final. Now, they have booth reviews and all that bullshit which really hurts the flow of the proceedings.

 

[jbrownson0831]

can these machines read a back door curve

...and when a manager comes out to argue, the robot arm turns into a machine gun that lays down an array of bullets pushing him back into the dugout....

 

[Votto]

So baseball is testing a robot umpire during spring training?

Robot umpire system to be tested MLB next spring training, possible in 2026 regular season | FOX Sports

Major League Baseball will test robot umpires as part of challenge system in spring training next year, which could lead to regular-season use in 2026, commissioner Rob Manfred said.

www.foxsports.com

Ok part of me understands the desire for accuracy and consistency, but the other doesn't like removing the human element from something that is entirely designed and about the human element. That's why we watch sports is to see humans competing against humans and true the umpire isn't competing in the sport but there is just something I don't like about putting a computer inside a sport.

I want to see robotic players

The team that can build the best ones wins.

 

[tyroneweaver]

...and when a manager comes out to argue, the robot arm turns into a machine gun that lays down an array of bullets pushing him back into the dugout....

or would spray 24D on Earl Weavers tomato garden

 

[lantern2814]

Still seems to be a lot of questions. Like when a taller player bats after a shorter player, will the robot accurately adjust the strike zone player to player? I can see some players worrying about injury if they slide to avoid a tag and hit this robot. Yes it's coming at some point, but they better have things pretty well perfected with the fight the umpire's union will likely put up.