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Robo Ump Redux

Frayed Knot Feb 27 2019 04:37 PM

Here is the Robo Ump thread from the previous edition of our board in case you want to catch up Anyway, Rob Manfred is apparently willing to delay the implementation of the proposed 20 second 'pitch clock' in minor league games for this season and until as late as 2022. But on the pace of game topic, MLB and the otherwise independent Atlantic League are teaming up to experiment with 'Robo Ump' over the next three seasons. Basically the eight stadiums in the Atlantic League would use the technology while MLB foots the bill and monitors the results. After stating a year or so ago that he thought the technology was still not quite there yet, Manfred is now quoted as saying; “I think we are much closer than we were a year ago to having the technological capability to actually call the strike zone ... The accuracy is way up — way better than what it was a year ago. The technology continues to move … and it actually moved a little faster than I might have thought.” What this is starting to sound like to me is that, while Manfred & MLB play around at the margins of pace of play, he's looking for a big push three years hence when they (hopefully) have a new CBA with both the players and the umpires, and any kinks have been discovered, tested, fixed with Robo Ump. By then the minors will have an additional three years under their belts of pitch clock usage at which point much of the major league players will have come through a system where lengthy ABs are no longer the norm. By that point, it's quite possible that there'll be no need for an actual clock.

nymr83 Feb 27 2019 07:31 PM Re: Robo Ump Redux

I like that they are paying the Atlantic league to test this. A consistent strike zone would be excellent and hard data that it works would be nice.

Frayed Knot Mar 09 2019 01:34 PM Re: Robo Ump Redux

So what's going to be used on an experimental/trial basis in the Atlantic League this season? Glad you asked: - the 'Trackman' computer system for calling balls and strikes - a super-sized 1st base, an 18 inch square rather than 15, which will have the effect of shortening the distance from home to 1st by three inches (the 90 ft baselines are measured from back point of plate to far side of the base) - an increase of two feet between the plate and mound, to take effect for the second half of the AL season - restricted infield shifts: two infielders must be on each side of 2nd base - each pitcher must face at least three batters or complete the half-inning - NO mound visits except for medical issues and pitching changes - between inning breaks reduced from 2:05 to 1:45 Some of these I like better than others. But I really like that they're experimenting with various proposals so as to get some idea of if and how they work. I guess the over-sized 1B is a safety issue to avoid tangled/spiked feet (they're apparently NOT doing the same for either 2nd or 3rd) one which will could have the net effect of a few extra infield hits Not sure that I'd want ZERO mound visits in MLB. but six/per worked just fine last year despite predictions of doom and gloom and I could certainly live with fewer still The mound length adjustment is the most radical. I assume the idea is to counteract modern day fastball velocity. I'd rather shifts be encouraged in the minors/independents so hitters can learn to work around them rather than just assume they'll be able to pull their way into .300 BA for their entire careers Would prefer to see mid-inning warmup pitches eliminated (it puzzles me why this never even seems to be brought up as an option) or at least reduced (I don't think 'THOU SAHLT HAVE EIGHT' was chiseled into a stone tablet anywhere) than the three-minimum rule, but we'll see how it goes Shorter inning breaks are easy to do when the games aren't televised and contracts aren't made with certain length breaks in mind

Benjamin Grimm Mar 09 2019 01:54 PM Re: Robo Ump Redux

A larger first base wouldn't necessarily require shortening the distance from home to first. They could position it so that the extra three inches are on the side of the bag that's farthest from the plate. However... unless they position part of the bag in foul territory, it would shorten the distance between first base and second base.

Frayed Knot Mar 09 2019 02:43 PM Re: Robo Ump Redux

Except that they are, based on what I read, going to continue to measure the 90' line as they always have: back point of the plate to the far corner of 1st base (the northeast one, if you will, from the HP's pov). So the front edge of 1B will be 3 inches closer to home and, yes, this also makes the 'western' edge of 1B 3 inches closer to 2nd, possibly leading to an increase in SB attempts and successes more so than for infield singles.

MFS62 Mar 10 2019 08:19 AM Re: Robo Ump Redux

Managers would send out their Transformers to argue with the electronic umpire while the PA system plays the theme from The Jetsons. And Angel Hernandez will file another lawsuit against MLB because he feels targeted. I can see it now. I gotta' check my meds. Later