(AUDACY) Think an automated strike zone will fix all of MLB's worries? Think again.
In a game between the Lexington Legends and the Lancaster Barnstormers in the Atlantic League on Thursday, 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.
Thank you @MLB for putting the automated strike zone in the @AtlanticLg pic.twitter.com/wI8Wr9licC
— jordan pacheco (@Jstylep) July 9, 2021
Pacheco dropped his bat and put his hands on his knees looking down in disbelief before talking to the umpire, who couldn'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 eighth inning.
The independent Atlantic League was the first in professional baseball to have a "robot" calling balls and strikes, a system that has been used since 2019.
The umpire behind the plate gets a signal in his ear and then calls whatever he's told from above.
Lancaster went on to win the game 10-8.
