RoboUmp
A recent experiment had computers doing the job of baseball umpires, and it may point to a future where arguing balls and strikes is futile.
I am totally in favor of this idea. Every umpire has his own idea of a strike zone, despite the fact it is clearly defined in the rules. Worse, they can (and do) change their strike zone as it suits their whim, making it very difficult for a batter to properly judge whether or not he should swing at a pitch. At the speeds MLB pitchers are throwing, a batter doesn't have the luxury of considering what the umpire may be thinking; he has to act instinctively.
I've see far too many questionable calls in tense situations, often where a championship was on the line, to hold any faith in the fairness of human umpires. I say replace them.
I am totally in favor of this idea. Every umpire has his own idea of a strike zone, despite the fact it is clearly defined in the rules. Worse, they can (and do) change their strike zone as it suits their whim, making it very difficult for a batter to properly judge whether or not he should swing at a pitch. At the speeds MLB pitchers are throwing, a batter doesn't have the luxury of considering what the umpire may be thinking; he has to act instinctively.
I've see far too many questionable calls in tense situations, often where a championship was on the line, to hold any faith in the fairness of human umpires. I say replace them.
posted by Jar(egg)head at 08:30
2 Comments:
I had a discussion about having the technology and supporting an electronic ball and strike system some years back. Some baseball people feel it would hurt the tradition of the game, but I think it would be a great improvement. You would still need umps at every plate to call plays at the plate, batter hit by pitch, and other things, so the visual image of the game doesn't change at all. Of course I have so completely lost interest in televised sports that I don't think I've watched even part of a game of any sport in several years unless you count looking up at the TV in a restaurant. I hate the spelling of that word; why can't it be restraunt or even restaraunt, but how it is actually spelled is illogical. It's has to be some French word.
Oui, ça l'est.
Post a Comment
<< Home