Is it Finally Time for the MLB to Use Robot Umpires?
Assessing the validity of replacing baseball umpires with robots
Over the past few years, with technology only evolving, many have claimed that it’s finally time for the MLB to replace human umpires with robots. Fuel was only added to the fire of those in favor of the switch when a controversial strike decision led to both Ozzie Albies and Mookie Betts being called out in the ninth inning.
For those who are unaware of what occurred, the Atlanta Braves were facing off against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night. It was the bottom of the ninth inning and the Braves were down four scores. Their star, Ozzie Albies, was looking to make one last effort in order to propel his team to a win. However, when a ball was thrown quite obviously outside of the strike zone, Albies was surprisingly struck out by head umpire, Edwin Moscoso. In the end, Atlanta ended up losing 7–3.
But this wasn’t the only controversial call made on Saturday night. In St. Louis, the Cardinals were playing against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a tightly knit game. The score was 6–5, in favor of the Cardinals, and with Mookie Betts stepping up to the plate, Los Angeles seemed confident in their chances of winning. However, in similar fashion to that of Albies’ strikeout, Betts was struck out by a ball outside of the zone.
With two obvious instances of umpire error affecting a game’s outcome, the debate on the use of robot umpires has been reignited. While some argue that preventing these human-errors leads to a more fair game, others assert that replacing an integral part of a baseball game only make the sport seem more superficial.
The Pros of Using Robots
The idea of robot umpires isn’t some new concept that was recently developed. In reality, the MLB has even considered employing robotic umpires and hosted preliminary experiments in the Atlantic League. While these tests did not go very far (the Atlantic League returned to traditional umpires), it does not mean that the MLB will never resort to using robots.
First, let’s establish what a robotic umpire is and what it would do. The idea is that these machines would utilize an automated ball-strike system (ABS) and determine calls based on a virtual box. If the ball is thrown within the box, the call would be a strike, and vice versa if it is outside of the box. This theoretical robot would also have to change the strike box depending on the player’s heights, with taller players having strike boxes that are higher.
This proposition would take out human error from the game and mistakes, like those made on Saturday night, would be almost nonexistent. Additionally, umpires would still keep their job as they would have to make the signal for the call, but the robot would inform the real umpire on what to display. Although this solution seems perfect, there are still flaws that exist with robotic umpires.
The Cons of Using Robots
During 2021, the Arizona Fall League also experimented using robotic umpires, but their idea did not go as planned. Contrary to public opinion, the technology was nowhere near perfect, as it made countless errors when it came down to making calls.
Balls that were thrown in the dirt were being ruled as strikes, while others that were thrown straight down the middle were being ruled as balls. As a result, players around the league grew in frustration and called for the new system to be rid of.
Those in favor of robot umpires argue that this issue could easily be fixed as the technology could simply be improved. While this may be true, the strike zone mistakes weren’t the only fault of the robotic umpires. The game also became extremely slow, in the Arizona Fall League, when robotic umpires took over.
In one game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies, the technology had issued 22 walks, as both teams ran out of pitchers by the seventh inning. Despite the game being called off early, it still lasted an astonishing three hours, displaying how the switch to robots may not be the best idea for the MLB.
Should the MLB use Robotic Umpires?
In short, yes. Robots would greatly increase the accuracy of the game if implemented correctly. However, unlike many think, they should work in partner with real umpires. Completely using one or the other would reduce the effectiveness of both, and utilizing both would maximize the potential of umpires.
Robotic umpires would only exist to assist human empires when calling balls or strikes. Incorrect calls could severely impact a team’s game or even season. In order to make baseball better, these inconsistencies must be addressed, and correctly employing robots could help fix this issue.
Should the MLB use robotic umpires? I think so, but not entirely. Both should exist to assist each other. Let me know your opinions on the subject in the comments.
