The Decline of Umpiring

[radness]

The sanctions won't pay for training umpires; they are not kicking out $30,000+ per field for an 'auto strike zone' - which is about what Trackman costs at the moment.

Right now the ones they are experimenting with in minor leagues are expensive, hard to setup (on what are perfect fields) - but pretty good. It takes a few games for players to adjust for the extreme corners - also it really doesn't adjust for height or stance. Even then they still maintain a homeplate umpire for other calls (they have a device that indicates call or strike and make the call) and to make sure it is working properly.

There are other issues for your sport with this - for example, a small 8yr old playing 10U - their strike zone is basically nonexistent according to the rule book. Not that these can't or wont be overcome - but it is going to be very, very complex.

Hmmm $30,000
for some reason I think that something much much cheaper can be developed

especially because of all the technology used in automobiles eyesight cameras and such already available

however agree that prioritizing things like new technology will be a trickle effect.

 

[marriard]

What would happen if there was consistency LOL

Hmmm batting averages may increase???

Batting averages showed a decrease in the MiLB with Trackman. The zone is larger (and higher) and square. Also, it is never blocked by the catcher - or influenced by how the catcher catches the ball.

By nature, the actual called zone is effectively somewhat circular which makes sense. When an umpire needs to call a pitch that is both on the upper height or lowest low of the zone and also dealing with in/outthe edge of a zone, that is 2 things to decide versus just high or just off the plate so it is human nature to call that a ball. This isn't intentional; it is just a harder thing to call. When MLB quality umpires miss a call it is almost always a call that involved bout height and in/out - and generally OUT is worse than in. Trackman doesn't have that issue - either it is or isn't.

 

[PapaBear]

The standards has been lowered for sure. It does not help the game with parents questioning real time calls with no reviews and then location on social media. When the quality of coaching gets better and the quality of tournaments get better then umpire will get better. If you want to fix umpiring, stop playing water down tournaments. This is part of the cycle of having too many teams, too many tournaments and not enough umpires. The expectation on the umpire should be aligned with the quality of tournament you’re playing that day.

 

[marriard]

Hmmm $30,000
for some reason I think that something much much cheaper can be developed

especially because of all the technology used in automobiles eyesight cameras and such already available

however agree that prioritizing things like new technology will be a trickle effect.

Remember that is $30,000 the equipment - which would not work for tournaments (right now it is one game at a time) as it exists today.
This doesn't include maintenance, set up, staffing, etc.

Right now, to get ready for a MiLB game it requires at least one person to come set it up (which I believe takes a few hours to make sure it is working just right) and also basically babysit it for each game. So you still need a plate umpire + now you need another person you have to pay for this.

For a tournament, you would need one system for field + 1-2 spares + people who could set it up and maintain it through the day.

And the tech to work for a wide age group/level doesn't exist yet.

 

[Cougars]

Remember that is $30,000 the equipment - which would not work for tournaments (right now it is one game at a time) as it exists today.
This doesn't include maintenance, set up, staffing, etc.

Right now, to get ready for a MiLB game it requires at least one person to come set it up (which I believe takes a few hours to make sure it is working just right) and also basically babysit it for each game. So you still need a plate umpire + now you need another person you have to pay for this.

For a tournament, you would need one system for field + 1-2 spares + people who could set it up and maintain it through the day.

And the tech to work for a wide age group/level doesn't exist yet.

I'm happy when the field gets raked and lines chalked between games.

 

[radness]

Batting averages showed a decrease in the MiLB with Trackman. The zone is larger (and higher) and square. Also, it is never blocked by the catcher - or influenced by how the catcher catches the ball.

By nature, the actual called zone is effectively somewhat circular which makes sense. When an umpire needs to call a pitch that is both on the upper height or lowest low of the zone and also dealing with in/outthe edge of a zone, that is 2 things to decide versus just high or just off the plate so it is human nature to call that a ball. This isn't intentional; it is just a harder thing to call. When MLB quality umpires miss a call it is almost always a call that involved bout height and in/out - and generally OUT is worse than in. Trackman doesn't have that issue - either it is or isn't.

Interesting
Larger square zone.

 

[radness]

Remember that is $30,000 the equipment - which would not work for tournaments (right now it is one game at a time) as it exists today.
This doesn't include maintenance, set up, staffing, etc.

Right now, to get ready for a MiLB game it requires at least one person to come set it up (which I believe takes a few hours to make sure it is working just right) and also basically babysit it for each game. So you still need a plate umpire + now you need another person you have to pay for this.

For a tournament, you would need one system for field + 1-2 spares + people who could set it up and maintain it through the day.

And the tech to work for a wide age group/level doesn't exist yet.

Imagine in the future there will be an easier way to accomplish the same thing...
Just guessing

Also any way that a Field Complex can make more money for themselves and eliminate the middle person like an umpire in the long run benefit them $$$$$. Like Big League Dreams established complexes they could install that and just charge more. Just hypothetical business guessing?!

 

[El Oso]

When an umpire needs to call a pitch that is both on the upper height or lowest low of the zone and also dealing with in/outthe edge of a zone, that is 2 things to decide versus just high or just off the plate so it is human nature to call that a ball.

Never had this explained like that. Makes a lot of sense. Good post. This graphic from the other night bears out what you said.

 

[Westwind]

Problem with tech isn’t only the cost.

It’s finding someone who can figure out how to make it work.

 

[radness]

Never had this explained like that. Makes a lot of sense. Good post. This graphic from the other night bears out what you said.

Well thats not consistent is it.
That said
Wonder what the results of human eye consistency is in comparison?