The Automated Balls/Strikes system (ABS) is off to a rocky start.
Eventually the bugs will be worked out and it will get to a point of near perfection. In fact, the pitches that Frank Viola was up in arms about, the system actually tracked them as in the strike zone, but mistakenly notified the umpire in his earpiece that they were balls. Obviously a system bug, but it's not all negative is what I mean to convey. The screenshots from the ABS system are in the aforelinked story.
Then there was this. LOL
Videos are embedded in the linked pages and are best viewed in context of the stories.
This technology will be in the major leagues within 3 seasons, IMO. I'll be happy. The lack of consistency in calling of balls and strikes is the worst part of baseball.
They are also experimenting with two other new rules in the Atlantic League. One is making the bases wider. Not sure why. The other is intriguing. Any pitch that hits the ground before the catcher's mitt is a live ball even for the batter, who can attempt to "steal first base." This has already happened.
Eventually the bugs will be worked out and it will get to a point of near perfection. In fact, the pitches that Frank Viola was up in arms about, the system actually tracked them as in the strike zone, but mistakenly notified the umpire in his earpiece that they were balls. Obviously a system bug, but it's not all negative is what I mean to convey. The screenshots from the ABS system are in the aforelinked story.
Then there was this. LOL
Videos are embedded in the linked pages and are best viewed in context of the stories.
This technology will be in the major leagues within 3 seasons, IMO. I'll be happy. The lack of consistency in calling of balls and strikes is the worst part of baseball.
They are also experimenting with two other new rules in the Atlantic League. One is making the bases wider. Not sure why. The other is intriguing. Any pitch that hits the ground before the catcher's mitt is a live ball even for the batter, who can attempt to "steal first base." This has already happened.
