The Future of Umpires in the MLB
Robot Umpire Graphic via Chicago Style Sports
Major League Baseball has been criticized over the last few years due to blown umpire calls. Most notably, long-time MLB umpire Angel Hernandez. However, Angel isn’t the only one. From Don Denkinger’s blown call in St. Louis to most recently, Gabe Morales’s blown check swing call against Giants’ Wilmer Flores, MLB must fix this problem. In recent years, we’ve seen the emergence of robo-umps. The future of the MLB and the present of AAA. A computerized umpire, with time, would fix the blown calls of umpires. A sensor is placed above home plate and detects the pitch location and relays the data to a device, which then sends an audio relay into the ear of the home plate umpire, telling said umpire, to call a ball or strike. In recent studies, the computerized umpire fairs well with fastballs but must be improved on breaking balls.
Where MLB Stands Now
With MLB deciding to use these robo-umps in AAA, they seem to be running an experiment. They realized the blown calls that we’ve seen ruin games, is a problem. They are currently seeking employees to operate the computer system for the robo-umps. Teams seeking employees are the Albuquerque Isotopes, Charlotte Knights, El Paso Chihuahuas, Las Vegas Aviators, Oklahoma City Dodgers, Reno Aces, Round Rock Express, Sacramento River Cats, Salt Lake Bees, Sugar Land Skeeters and Tacoma Rainiers. On top of the expansion, MLB also stated robo-umps will be used in some Spring Training parks and will remain in Low-A Southeast and could be used in some non-MLB venues.
What We’ve Seen of Robo-umps
With the recent news of robo-umps making its debut into AAA in the 2022 MiLB season, it’s a good idea to state what we know so far. In 2019, robo-umps made its way into the Independent Atlantic League all-star game as well as the second half of their season. They were also used during the Arizona Fall League for the top prospects.
What happens to MLB Umpires?
With all the talks of robo-umps replacing MLB umpires, we ask, will they all lose their jobs? The simple answer is no. Belief rises that robo-umps and MLB umpires would work together. Someone still has to make the call for balls and strikes as well as watch replay. Of course, calls such as fair balls, infield fly rule, and home runs wouldn’t be the computers job, we would need the MLB umpires to make those calls. The MLBUA (Major League Baseball Umpires Association) has been on record stating they would be more than willing to work with robo-umps, if Rob Manfred decides to implement them into the Majors.
Mixed Feelings
When it comes to a decision that changes baseball as drastically as robo-umps, you are guaranteed to receive mixed reactions. In 2019, Phillies Hall of Famer, Mike Schmidt was on record stating, “It could change the game for good. It would continue the effort to eliminate human deficiency." Then, Astros manager, A.J Hinch during 2019 World Series, stated that, “I think it’s a little naive to think that simply letting computers generate strike or ball. It’s incredibly naive to think that there’s not going to be pitfalls in that scenario".
With the feedback we have received regarding robo-umps, it’s hard to tell where we go from here. After the 2022 MiLB season, we are expected to get an answer regarding the future of robo-umps in Major League Baseball. Time will tell where this experiment goes, but it’s a relief baseball is trying to fix their problems during their dark days of the lockout.