Minor League Video Clip Gives MLB Fans A Preview Of What Automated Strike Zones Would Look Like

[ificandream]

Baseball fans are getting a glimpse of what an automated strike zone might look like in the MLB. There has been some experimentation at the minor league level that could lead to a major change in the near future.

The strike zone is one of the most controversial areas in baseball. Balls and strikes are called on nearly every play, and the human element has become more and more evident with the introduction of that little square box that sits above home plate for fans watching on TV. Umps aren’t perfect, and it’s now easier than ever to criticize missed calls.

The debate of using technology continues to pick up more steam among viewers. The MLB already uses review to look at safe/out calls, fair/foul rulings, and home run confirmations. It could soon come to the strike zone, too.

The lower level is now using an NFL-like challenge system where hitters, pitchers, and catchers can call for a review on pitches they believe were missed.

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Read more: https://brobible.com/sports/article/automated-strike-zone-preview/

[OAITW r.2.0]

1. Google Glass for Umps would be a great thing.

The strike-zone is stable (for the batter size), the location is known. He can refer to that - with an audio command to recall, confirm or rescind his call.

[Mr.Bill]

2. For different size batters, I would like to know the process

of setting the upper and lower lines of the box. Is it a singular person that sets it, is it pre-set knowing the dimensions of each particular batter, or is it somehow automated, or something else I'm not thinking of?

[OAITW r.2.0]

3. Keep it Simple - Height and arm length.

Based on these 2 variables, that should provide all the customization the batter needs to get a fair strike zone. And Google Glass gives the ump the same visual we see from the centerfield camera....if we know it's a strike or ball based on the technology, the HP umpire should have the same info to get the call right.

[Mr.Bill]

4. I don't see where arm length plays into it.

The width of the strike zone is the width of home plate and never changes.

[OAITW r.2.0]

5. Convinced me.

I'm easy.

[SCantiGOP]

6. You trying to break the internet?

No one ever admits to being wrong. You're supposed to call them a troll, question their motives, and call them a nasty name.

(for the record, taking the umps out of calling pitches makes sense to me too)

[OAITW r.2.0]

7. You made a better point. I was wrong. Why is this a human problem to admit?

Me, I got corrected and educated at the same time. Learned something, I did not know.....BUT

All the more reason to make sure the strike zone is applied for everyone.

[SCantiGOP]

8. That was Mr Bill you were talking to

I was just making a (hopefully) humorous comment.

[OAITW r.2.0]

9. Hopefully Mr.Bill will read the entire thread.

The bunch of us are colorful commentators.

[RussBLib]

10. Bring it on!

The sooner the better. Truly it seems like in every single half-inning there will be a bad call or two. And that can make the difference between scoring runs or not. It's long overdue.