MLB and the human element.

[Gibreficul]

In case any of you weren't aware, the year is 2013. Computers have been merging into everything from banking to driving. Sports like track and field and fencing have adopted computerized scoring in order to eliminate human error. The question is now, should Major League Baseball adopt computerized umpires to call balls and strikes? We've all seen the visuals on TV, where the strike zone is tinted, and they show exactly where the ball passed relative to it. It's accurate, and doesn't seem to ever be wrong. Human umpires make mistakes. Computers do not. At what point do we decide that the "human element" is less important than getting it right every time? Or is the "human element" more important and here to stay indefinitely? Would computerized ball and strike calls add to, or take from the game? What exactly does the "human element" of calling balls and strikes bring to the sport, other than drama?

This question was raised on a local radio show earlier this week, and I'd love to hear some opinions from the peanut gallery. :thinking:

[Whirlin]

Not just good for players and fans either!

http://thenewsportsguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ump-john-hirschbeck-jewels.gif

But I think it's needed. The comparison I'd make would be to football, while there is still the human component, referees are allowed to use higher-tech things to assist them in the determination of the calls. Video playback from a bajillion angles, secondary reviews, even just halting of everything to determine the call... If that happened in baseball, games would take a couple dozen more years to finish.

Referees will still be needed to call players out at home plate, and the bases... but I think for the purpose of strike versus ball on a pitch, the the ref/ump is not needed.

[diethx]

I see no "lol baseball" option. Your poll is invalid!!

[Latrinsorm]

Really the biggest stumbling block is how you would implement a robo strike zone. Would it be a screen that said STRIKE or BALL? Would you use one of those weird computer voices, or even a repurposed Detroit car-making arm?

The thing with "everyone at home knows the real call" is that we only know that because we watch the reply 9 times while the game keeps going, and that can't work for officials because as Whirlin('s bow) mentions the games (in all sports) are too slow already. This can be solved by humans having to see it replayed 9 times being replaced with calm pew tors only needing to see it once in real time and throwing the flag.

I am all for trying to implement a computer that can interpret the (very intricate) nature of sports rules because that brings us one step closer to a computer that can interpret the (very intricate) nature of crimers and the crimes they crime, and then universal surveillance, and then paradisio. Just like sports was the first step in racial integration! It all fits, I tell you.

[Latrinsorm]

Also: why did you pick the tenth of October for the poll to close?

[Gibreficul]

I see no "lol baseball" option. Your poll is invalid!!

I thought that the "I don't care" option covered that.


Also: why did you pick the tenth of October for the poll to close?

I did a quick estimation of the season's end... and figured that it's about 2 and a half months, or 75 days.