Introduction to Robot Umpires

Robot umpires are set to make their All-Star Game debut, marking another significant step toward their possible regular-season use in 2026. This development comes as part of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) ongoing experimentation with automated ball-strike systems, which have been tested in the minor leagues since 2019.

Views from the Players

Tarik Skubal, Detroit’s AL Cy Young Award winner, shared his perspective on the strike zone, stating, "I have this thing where I think everything is a strike until the umpire calls it a ball." Skubal’s comments reflect the mindset of many pitchers who often believe their pitches are strikes, only to be called balls by umpires. Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes, who will start his second straight All-Star Game for the National League, also weighed in, saying, "Pitchers think everything is a strike. Then you go back and look at it, and it’s two, three balls off. We should not be the ones that are challenging it."

The Automated Ball-Strike System

The automated ball-strike system sets the top of the strike zone at 53.5% of a batter’s height and the bottom at 27%, based on the midpoint of the plate, 8 1/2 inches from the front and 8 1/2 inches from the back. This contrasts with the traditional rule book zone called by umpires, which defines the zone as a cube. Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers expressed his acceptance of the system, noting, "I did a few rehab starts with it. I’m OK with it. I think it works." Kershaw also pointed out the potential need for adjustments, suggesting that different sized strike zones might be necessary for batters of varying heights, such as Aaron Judge and Jose Altuve.

Challenges and Success Rates

During the spring training test, teams won 52.2% of their challenges. Batters were successful exactly 50% of the time, while the defense won 54% of their challenges. Catchers had a success rate of 56%, and pitchers had a success rate of 41%. Many pitchers have come to rely on their catchers and managers to trigger ball/strike appeals, indicating a shift in strategy with the introduction of the automated system.

Support from Hall of Famer Joe Torre

Hall of Famer Joe Torre, who is serving as an honorary AL coach, favors the automated ball-strike system. Torre, who worked for MLB and helped supervise expanded video review in 2014, believes that the technology cannot be ignored. He recalled instances from his managing career where his teams benefited from blown calls, including those involving the strike zone. Torre’s experiences highlight the potential impact of accurate call-making on game outcomes.

Potential for Regular-Season Use

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred anticipates that the automated ball-strike system will be considered by the sport’s 11-man competition committee, which includes six management representatives. The system’s debut in the All-Star Game marks a significant step toward its potential adoption for regular-season use in 2026. As the technology continues to be refined and tested, it is likely to face further scrutiny and debate among players, coaches, and fans.

Conclusion

The introduction of robot umpires in the All-Star Game represents a significant milestone in MLB’s exploration of automated ball-strike systems. With its potential to increase accuracy and consistency in call-making, the system is likely to have a profound impact on the game. As the technology continues to evolve, it will be important to address the concerns and challenges raised by players, coaches, and fans, ensuring that the system is fair, effective, and enhances the overall experience of the game.

FAQs

• Q: When will robot umpires make their All-Star Game debut?
  A: Robot umpires are set to make their All-Star Game debut this summer.
• Q: How does the automated ball-strike system define the strike zone?
  A: The system sets the top of the strike zone at 53.5% of a batter’s height and the bottom at 27%, based on the midpoint of the plate.
• Q: What is the success rate of teams and batters in challenging calls made by the automated system?
  A: Teams won 52.2% of their challenges, while batters were successful exactly 50% of the time.
• Q: When might the automated ball-strike system be used in regular-season games?
  A: The system is being considered for potential regular-season use in 2026.
• Q: Who supports the use of the automated ball-strike system?
  A: Hall of Famer Joe Torre and several players, including Clayton Kershaw, have expressed support for the system.
  

  ATLANTA (AP) — Tarik Skubal views the strike zone differently than robot umpires.

“I have this thing where I think everything is a strike until the umpire calls it a ball,” Detroit’s AL Cy Young Award winner said ahead of his start for the American League in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game.

MLB has been experimenting with the automated ball-strike system in the minor leagues since 2019 and will use it in an All-Star Game for the first time this summer. Each team gets two challenges and retains the challenge if it is successful.

“Pitchers think everything is a strike. Then you go back and look at it, and it’s two, three balls off,” Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes, starting his second straight All-Star Game for the National League, said Monday. “We should not be the ones that are challenging it.”

MLB sets the top of the automated strike zone at 53.5% of a batter’s height and the bottom at 27%, basing the decision on the midpoint of the plate, 8 1/2 inches from the front and 8 1/2 inches from the back. That contrasts with the rule book zone called by umpires, which says the zone is a cube.

“I did a few rehabs starts with it. I’m OK with it. I think it works,” said three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers. “Aaron Judge and Jose Altuve should have different sized boxes. They’ve obviously thought about that. As long as that gets figured out, I think it’ll be fine.”

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred anticipates the system will be considered by the sport’s 11-man competition committee, which includes six management representatives.

Many pitchers have gravitated to letting their catchers and managers trigger ball/strike appeals. Teams won 52.2% of their challenges during the spring training test. Batters won exactly 50% of their 596 challenges and the defense 54%, with catchers successful 56% of the time and pitchers 41%.

Hall of Famer Joe Torre, an honorary AL coach, favors the system. After his managing career, he worked for MLB and helped supervised expanded video review in 2014.

“You couldn’t ignore it with all the technology out there,” he said. “You couldn’t sit and make an excuse for, ‘Look at what really happened’ the next day.”

Now 84, Torre recalled how his Yankees teams benefitted at least twice from blown calls in the postseason, including one involving the strike zone.

With the 1998 World Series opener tied and the bases loaded with two outs in the seventh inning, Tino Martinez took a 2-2 pitch from San Diego’s Mark Langston that appeared to be a strike but was called a ball by Richie Garcia. Martinez hit a grand slam on the next pitch for a 9-5 lead, and the Yankees went on to a four-game sweep.

Asked whether he was happy there was no robot umpire then, Torre grinned and said: “Possibly.”

Then he added without a prompt: “Well, not to mention the home run that Jeter hit.”

His reference was to Derek Jeter’s home run in the 1996 AL Championship Series opener, when 12-year-old fan Jeffrey Maier reached over the wall to snatch the ball above the glove over Baltimore right fielder Tony Tarasco.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb