We already know that Major League Baseball is going to look very different next season with a pitch clock, shift ban and larger bases going into effect for 2023. But the most overdue change of all actually appears to be on the horizon for MLB:
Robot umps!
Over the past few seasons, MLB has experimented with an automated strike zone (ABS) at the minor-league level. And the results have been overwhelmingly positive. With ABS, the umpire is still stationed behind the plate to signal balls and strikes (and call plays at the plate), but the umpire is no longer tasked with judging a strike zone. There has also been a challenge-based system tested that combines the human element and ABS.
On Monday, commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed that one of those systems is going to come to MLB — he just didn’t say when.
Rob Manfred says the automated strike zone will be used in MLB, but he doesn’t say when pic.twitter.com/5xxvUSDIs6
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 10, 2022
In all likelihood, we’re still a few years away from ABS in Major League Baseball as it was not listed as a potential rule change in the latest CBA. But there are mechanisms to get it in place sooner, and given the well-documented struggles from MLB umpires, change is needed in the worst way.
And honestly, the challenge system seems like an easy compromise here depending on how many ball-strike challenges are allowed per game.
The strike zone challenge system they are testing in the minors is pretty cool. Challenges can only come from pitcher, catcher, or batter and have to happen right away. pic.twitter.com/yXspD8Qlmw
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) August 26, 2022
MLB fans, of course, had thoughts on these latest remarks from Manfred.