ROBO-UMP: AAA Ballparks Will All Have Robot Umpires for the 2023 Season

Robot umpires are becoming more popular in baseball.

Due to TV broadcasts that clearly show strike zones, controversy has increased around umpiring missteps in recent years.

Rob Manfred, MLB commissioner has expressed support for the idea. However, opinions vary across the league.

Managers have encouraged it openly out of frustration at the current system that involves strikes and balls.

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Others, including players, prefer to preserve the human element.

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These debates may not continue for long.

ESPN reported that all 30 Triple A ballparks will be equipped with robo umps on Thursday. This marks the highest level expansion of the system.

Next MLB Umpires

Robo ump systems These have been tested with positive results.

Many people prefer the objectivity of computer-driven calls. This results in fewer arguments and a lower importance of catcher framing.

Some people like to be able to have calls with umpires. This could lead to different zones. Teams with elite framing skills have an advantage.

While nothing’s been officially decided, ESPN said that MLB intends to consider the results of the AAA experiment.

“MLB’s intention is to use the data and feedback from both systems, over the full slate of games, to inform future choices,” Buster Olney.

Both sides have valid arguments.

Anyone who’s watched their favorite team be affected by poor human umpiring has almost certainly longed for an automated system.

However, the majority of bad calls end up being made over the course the season. However, there are few things more frustrating than seeing a playoff game decided by inconsistent umpiring.

Many Twitter accounts are dedicated solely to showing umpires performing each night. The results can often be very disappointing.

But there will always be those who, out of tradition and goodwill, defend the human element of baseball.

It will be an interesting experiment to see how the system performs, and it is also reviewed at the second highest level in baseball.

If it’s popular, there may be game-changing alterations coming soon to an MLB ballpark near you.