MLB fans may finally get their wish for robot umpires as early as 2024.
On Wednesday, baseball fans were given a sliver of hope on the future of umpires and officiating in the MLB. ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. spoke to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred for a lengthy interview, detailing some important points of interest for baseball fans.
The biggest note of them all was the likely implementation in 2024 of an automated ball-strike zone system, commonly known as robot umpires, according to Manfred. It’s no secret that the MLB’s umpires make some horrifically embarrassing calls, and the introduction of a robot umpire system would help alleviate the issue plaguing the sport.
News in this story includes:
– MLB wanting to expand to 32 teams
– The pitch clock is almost a certainty in 2023
– Manfred saying MLB is targeting automated balls and strikes — robot umps — in some form or fashion in 2024Lots more from Don in this expansive look at Manfred. https://t.co/Hzb7kdehmT
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 30, 2022
ESPN’s interview goes into a bit more detail about how this system would be implemented, from umpires receiving calls in an ear piece made by an automated system to multiple manager challenges that would review replays of called balls and strikes. Currently, the minor leagues use a form of robot umpires to assist their officials in making the correct calls.
It sucks that baseball fans will have to wait until 2024 to see robot umpires implemented in some form, but it’s great to hear Manfred pushing forward on a highly-requested change. After all, good things come to those who wait.
