MLB on track to expand robot umps to all triple-A ballparks

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball is on monitor to broaden its experiment with robotic umpires to all 30 triple-A ballparks this season.

MLB used the Automatic Ball-Strike system at 5 Triple-A stadiums for elements of final season and can go forward with the broader use this yr if house owners approve of it subsequent month. MLB’s intent was first reported by ESPN.

MLB began the experiment within the impartial Atlantic League in 2019. A problem system was tried final yr at Low-A wherein a pitcher, batter or catcher had the fitting to enchantment a human umpire’s determination to the pc name.

Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred mentioned he appreciated the problem system however mentioned the game’s competitors committee was not going to contemplate the robotic umpires for the main leagues for 2023.

“There are difficult issues surrounding the strike zone that affect outcomes on the field, and we need to make sure we understand those before we jump off that bridge,” he mentioned in June.