Robot Umps in AAA this year

[jayshum]

This also means that catchers trying to frame pitches will no longer be needed. I don't think they're going to fool a roboump.

[etsmith]

I don't see how a robo umpire could possibly be worse than some of the umpires we have now. And some of the problems people mentioned that might happen with robo umpires already happen with human umpires. I've already seen some of the umpires not adjust the strikes zone enough for a shorter player to get a fair shake.

[mq711]

I think the robo umps are necessary for two main reasons. First the movement that these guys can put on a 100+ pitch is almost impossible to follow with the naked eye. MLB umpires seem to have Supreme Court Justices status as it pertains to a job for life. But there is a skill set involved in umpiring that is somewhat based on physical limitations that deteriorate overtime (real world example would be night driving at age 42 and 62). Umpires should have tryouts or be skill tested just like players with MLB getting the best and the others sent down so they can improve themselves.

[FrankWakefield]

+1 James, post 12

+1 Butch, post 16


I still use an ink on paper pocket calendar to keep track of court dates and appointments. It's great. If I drop it, it still works, the screen doesn't crack. If it get's wet, the permanent in doesn't run. The battery never goes down to 0% on my paper calendar. I usually can recall what I've written just by having written it, I don't have that recall when I try to type on that little iPhone keyboard. I can be on the phone and look at my calendar simultaneously.

At the AAA level there aren't huge bucks on the line in one plate appearance. In the majors, with incentive contracts, it just might matter a bit.