Does Baseball Need Umpires?

Article from the Wall Street Journal about the recent umpiring controversies asks if video/machines could do the job better.

about 1 month ago Al 7 comments 1 recs |

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Videos and machines?

God, please no. Yeah, I’m sure it’s likely that they’d do a better job. But I don’t want a freaking robot hovering over the field being guided by some nerd in the press box making umpiring decisions.

Baseball is a game. Played by human beings. Umps messing up calls is just as much a part of the game as fans throwing HR balls back at Wrigley. Leave it alone.

by kanderber on Oct 15, 2009 7:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

I just posted this link because I thought it would be of interest for discussion.

I’m still in favor of review. After all, review has to be done by human beings, too.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 15, 2009 7:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also of interest

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/blog_article/is-sportvision-ruining-baseball/

Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -

by eths on Oct 15, 2009 8:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

With current technology, accurate, real time, fully automatic ball and body part tracking?

Forget it!!!

And in agreement with kanderber, removing the human factor from the game would create a cold, heartless monster.

Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -

by eths on Oct 15, 2009 8:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm all for replay

for fan interference, fair/foul and non-force outs. Making it all automated would take away too much soul.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Oct 15, 2009 9:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Balls and strikes should be done by a computer

That would end all debate. I think umpires on the basepaths is still okay if you give the manager a challenge flag.
I think the human element thing is BS, I’m tired of human’s messing up calls that computers are more than capable of making.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Oct 15, 2009 10:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Why stop at electronic umpires?

We can have robot players eventually… Let a limited number of video challenges be called per game, but keep the essence of the game. It seems to be working in football. It would work in baseball.
And, what would be the fun in seeing Sweet Lou kicking dirt on a machine?

by Nibbles on Oct 15, 2009 9:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs