The debate about whether robot umpires should be integrated into MLB still rages in 2023. And it amplifies when we see the incompetence of certain officials exposed in broad daylight and that they suffer no consequences as a result. of their poor work.
However, this controversy is not likely to fade anytime soon.
It’s that Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said the automatic strike-and-ball system used at the Triple-A level likely won’t be used in MLB in 2024.
Too bad, since the quality of the work of the officials is not improving.
According to the main interested party, the dust must settle after the many changes in regulations that have been made recently.
In addition, despite the panoply of tests carried out in the minors, certain operational problems still remain with regard to the automatic system.
Currently at the AAA level, half of the games use robots for ball calls and strikes and the other half use the traditional method of the official behind the plate.
Technology will never be perfect, just like referees will never be, far from it.
However, MLB needs to move down this avenue, either comprehensively or using a system of challenge when necessary, as is already the case with games on the trails or in the outfield.
This last option would be an excellent compromise.
