# MLB Using "Robot Umps"
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811
**Category:** The Game Room
**Tags:** baseball-mlb
**Created:** [January 22, 2020, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811 "2020-01-22T18:56:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)
#### Post date: [January 22, 2020, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/1 "2020-01-22T18:56:55Z")
[\*\* MLB plans ‘robot umps’ to call balls, strikes during spring training games.\*\*](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28537918/mlb-plans-robot-umps-call-balls-strikes-spring-training-games)
> [@](#):
>
> Commissioner Rob Manfred said Major League Baseball plans to use a computerized camera system to call balls and strikes during spring training games this year, expanding the sport’s implementation of “robot umpires.”
>
> Manfred announced MLB’s plans Wednesday during an interview with Fox Business Network, saying that the “camera-based system” will be “more accurate than a human being standing there.”
>
> “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.”
At last!
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### Author:  [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)
#### Post date: [January 22, 2020, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/2 "2020-01-22T19:48:25Z")
They should have both people and robots to start. It would be interesting to look at accuracy. I imagine that they would still have home plate umpires for safe/out calls at the plate and for foul balls. It would be a way more boring job.
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### Author:  [@Borborygmi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borborygmi)
#### Post date: [January 22, 2020, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/3 "2020-01-22T20:11:44Z")
**I CALLS 'EM As I ANALYZES THE 3D DOPPLER RADAR CALIBRATED TO THE SIZE AND STANCE OF 'EM.**
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### Author:  [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)
#### Post date: [January 22, 2020, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/4 "2020-01-22T20:20:17Z")
> [@hajario](#):
>
> They should have both people and robots to start. It would be interesting to look at accuracy. I imagine that they would still have home plate umpires for safe/out calls at the plate and for foul balls. It would be a way more boring job.
Of course they will. A plate umpire does more than call balls and strikes. In addition to what you mentioned, they also need to evaluate check swings and look for various forms of cheating.
But using tech for balls and strikes is overdue. I’m glad it’s actually happening. It’s sad when you are watching a game on TV and the onscreen indicator makes it clear that the ump is consistently off on those calls. I’m sure that doesn’t make the MLB look good.
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### Author:  [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)
#### Post date: [January 22, 2020, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/5 "2020-01-22T20:35:17Z")
> [@hajario](#):
>
> They should have both people and robots to start. It would be interesting to look at accuracy. I imagine that they would still have home plate umpires for safe/out calls at the plate and for foul balls. It would be a way more boring job.
It’s not really robots. The system just sends the call to the umps earpiece.
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### Author:  [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2020, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/6 "2020-01-23T12:02:53Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#):
>
> It’s not really robots. The system just sends the call to the umps earpiece.
Be kind of cool if it was though.
I wonder if the (human) umps will still “punch him out” on a called third strike? Or do it as dramatically…
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### Author:  [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2020, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/7 "2020-01-23T13:01:22Z")
I’m hoping this will eventually lead to other improvements, such as adding more officials to make calls umps currently have trouble with, like checked swings and calls at the wall. Why isn’t there a home run official or two?
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### Author:  [@jonesj2205](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonesj2205)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2020, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/8 "2020-01-23T13:02:49Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#):
>
> I wonder if the (human) umps will still “punch him out” on a called third strike? Or do it as dramatically…
Yes. First you have to call them out visibly somehow but more to the point the ones who do it dramatically do so because they like to.
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### Author:  [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2020, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/9 "2020-01-23T14:13:49Z")
If the ump is getting balls and strikes related via earpiece that raises some questions…
1. Can the ump overrule what they hear if they are “absolutely sure” it’s wrong? (I hope not.)
2. If there is a technical glitch (the earpiece has no sound or is garbled, etc.) does play stop until it’s fixed or does the ump just do it the old-fashioned way?
3. Will batters still argue over calls? I can imagine a batter insisting the ball was outside and maybe the ump says, “I agree with you pal but the tracker said it was over the plate.”
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### Author:  [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2020, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/10 "2020-01-23T14:30:33Z")
> [@](#):
>
> “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.”
Ah hah ha ha ha ha. Sure it will.
Not that I’m opposed, it’s just that everyone will find fault with the tech too.
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### Author:  [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2020, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/11 "2020-01-23T14:51:07Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#):
>
> Be kind of cool if it was though.
>
> I wonder if the (human) umps will still “punch him out” on a called third strike? Or do it as dramatically…
[Steeeeee-riiiiike 3!!!](https://youtu.be/x-S-eeInJVk?t=1m6s)
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### Author:  [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2020, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/12 "2020-01-23T15:43:35Z")
> [@RickJay](#):
>
> I’m hoping this will eventually lead to other improvements, such as adding more officials to make calls umps currently have trouble with, like checked swings and calls at the wall. Why isn’t there a home run official or two?
The extra postseason umps should be parked under each foul pole, no idea why they are not.
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### Author:  [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2020, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/13 "2020-01-23T16:03:31Z")
There will certainly be some issues, for sure. I believe that the “robot umps” call a lot more low breaking balls strikes than human umps do (some that even almost hit the ground before being caught), but fewer tailing fastballs on the corners. We may need to have an adjustment to the strike zone to compensate. You also get a lot of “looks bad” strikes, where the pitcher misses his spot badly but it’s still technically a strike. Human umps miss those pretty often.
Another unintended(?) consequence is that pitch-framing technique goes out the window, so who cares how good at receiving your catcher is. A robot can’t be fooled. Expect to see more “hit first” catchers that don’t have the type of receiving techniques we are used to seeing, which may lead to more offense. A big change in catcher valuation for sure.
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### Author:  [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)
#### Post date: [January 23, 2020, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/14 "2020-01-23T16:24:03Z")
> [@RickJay](#):
>
> I’m hoping this will eventually lead to other improvements, such as adding more officials to make calls umps currently have trouble with, like checked swings and calls at the wall. Why isn’t there a home run official or two?
I doubt that they’d move the umpire, because of tradition, but if he’s not actually calling balls and strikes, the Ump could stand in a more advantageous spot to see checked swings himself. He’d have to hustle over to the third base side for lefty batters, but most umps could use the exercise.
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### Author:  [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)
#### Post date: [January 24, 2020, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/15 "2020-01-24T17:37:25Z")
> [@RickJay](#):
>
> I’m hoping this will eventually lead to other improvements, such as adding more officials to make calls umps currently have trouble with, like checked swings and calls at the wall. Why isn’t there a home run official or two?
They can’t exactly argue that it would break the bank to pay for another ump or two per game. It would be pocket change for MLB.
> [@John\_DiFool](#):
>
> The extra postseason umps should be parked under each foul pole, no idea why they are not.
Hell, robots should be able to make foul line calls just as easily as strike zone calls.
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### Author:  [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)
#### Post date: [January 24, 2020, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/16 "2020-01-24T17:55:08Z")
> [@hajario](#):
>
> They should have both people and robots to start. It would be interesting to look at accuracy. I imagine that they would still have home plate umpires for safe/out calls at the plate and for foul balls. It would be a way more boring job.
Ump’s job is to call plays at the plate and most importantly keeping the game moving quicker and managing disputes. Also being the fall-back option on balls and strikes if the robot glitches out due to weather or another malfunction.
Freeing them up to get a better handle on the pitcher and batter wasting time will be hugely valuable.
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### Author:  [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)
#### Post date: [January 24, 2020, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/17 "2020-01-24T17:58:17Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#):
>
> It’s not really robots. The system just sends the call to the umps earpiece.
This is a really stupid implementation. Will waste a bunch of time and energy. Just wire up a visual indicator in the plate & backstop that the players can see instantly.
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### Author:  [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)
#### Post date: [January 24, 2020, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/18 "2020-01-24T18:24:59Z")
> [@Omniscient](#):
>
> This is a really stupid implementation. Will waste a bunch of time and energy. Just wire up a visual indicator in the plate & backstop that the players can see instantly.
The ump still has to call swinging strikes on pitches out of the zone.
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### Author:  [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)
#### Post date: [January 24, 2020, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/19 "2020-01-24T19:41:22Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#):
>
> Ah hah ha ha ha ha. Sure it will.
>
> Not that I’m opposed, it’s just that everyone will find fault with the tech too.
No, they won’t. The tech already exists and works well. After a year or two, maybe less, of getting used to it, no one will argue with it at all.
No one watching the Olympics argues with the electronic timing system for runners or swimmers. No tennis fan argues with Hawk-eye.
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### Author:  [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)
#### Post date: [January 24, 2020, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-using-robot-umps/846811/20 "2020-01-24T20:07:57Z")
> [@Rysto](#):
>
> The ump still has to call swinging strikes on pitches out of the zone.
Home plate umpires already let the third and first base umps overrule them on appeal about whether a swing actually happened, though.
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