Think an automated strike zone will fix all of baseball’s worries? Think again.
During a game Thursday night between the Lexington Legends and the Lancaster Barnstormers in the Atlantic League, Lexington infielder Jordan Pacheco took what he (and everyone else) thought was a ball for it only to be called strike three by the automated system.
The announcer even casually calls ball two, before continuing to talk about the amount of room in foul territory only to interrupt himself and clarify the pitch was called strike three.
Pacheco dropped his bat and put his hands on his knees looking down in disbelief before talking to the umpire (who can't do anything about it).
To make matters worse, the bases were loaded for Pacheco during a 7-7 tie in the top of the 8th inning.
The independent Atlantic League was the first in professional baseball to have a “robot” calling balls and strikes and has been used since 2019.
The umpire behind the plate gets a signal in his ear and then calls whatever he is told from above.
Obviously, if the automated strike zone is to replace real-life umpires in the Major Leagues, some serious adjustments will have to be made.
Automated strike zones are still years away from coming to the MLB and if the call last night is any indication, it’s a good thing.
Lancaster went on to win the game 10-8.
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