Blog Post 2
West Neill
Professor Jenkins
PS 101
April 7, 2022
Blog post 2
The opening week of Major League Baseball is finally here. As talked about in the previous blog post the MLB lockout has ended and opening day for the 2022 season is set for April 7, 2022. The new Collective bargaining agreement resulted in increased salaries for minor league players, universal designated hitters, and an extended post-season. The players and fans were astounded by the compromises made by the franchise owners. But days before opening the MLB released that they are allowing multiple new methods to technologies to be implemented in the new season. These new technologies have caused a lot of conflicts among the baseball community as they fear the game of baseball is losing its tradition.
In a press conference two days before the start of the regular season, the MLB released that they approved the use of electronic pitch calling between the pitcher and catcher. This device is called the PitchCom. The catcher’s device is a wristband with buttons that transmit the type of pitch and ideal location. The pitcher that is wearing a small speaker tucked into his hat receives the pitch type and location from a preset recording. Traditionally catchers use finger signs to call pitches and locations as well as pick-off moves and pitchouts. The purpose of this device is to eliminate sign stealing from other teams. The 2017 Houston Astros were accused of sign-stealing during the World Series by using a high zoom camera in the bullpen to intercept the catchers’ signs and relayed them to the bullpen in real-time using an apple watch. Once the sign was received in the dugout, a player would hit a trashcan in a certain sequence to represent the type of pitch. The trashcan made a distinct sound that could easily be recognized by the hitter before the pitcher delivers the pitch.
In the same press conference, the MLB also released that the testing of robotic umpires will now be used in the Minor leagues. Using automated cameras and software engineering, programs will determine whether a pitch is a ball or strike. There will still be an umpire behind the plate that will be relayed the call but determining whether a player is safe or out is still being called by the umpire. In previous years this system has been tested in the lower levels of the minor leagues, but it has made its way to the highest level of the minor leagues also known as triple-A.
At this point, you may be thinking why would players and fan bases be concerned about these modern technologies that prevent cheating and improve accuracy? Well, this is because these are the first electronic devices allowed on the field of play that change the dynamic of baseball. For example, before PitchCom has approved a pitcher could only receive a sign from the catcher when he was on the rubber. This gave the batter an indication of time or when he needs to get into the batter’s box. But with the new PitchCom technology, the pitcher can receive the sign as soon as the catcher can transmit the next pitch. This allows the pitcher to potentially speed up his pitching process and quick pitch the batter. For the batter timing is very essential to hit, with the new system the pitcher has the advantage of changing speeds to throw off the pitcher. Many hitters have already spoken about the possible disadvantages this may lead to, but many players are willing to give the new system a try.
The robotic umpire has the biggest impact on the fan base of baseball. As they fear the game of baseball will become automatic and automated. A survey was conducted by BroBible of over 11 thousand fans and asked if they would rather see a robotic or real umpire call balls and strikes. Only 31% of fans said they want the robotic system implemented. So why did most fans prefer the less accurate human umpire over the perfect robotic strike zone? The answer is simple, fans do not want to see the game of baseball be altered by electronics. We see the use of modern technology around the game of baseball with jumbotrons, improved statistics, and analysis. But most fans do not want to see these changes on the field. Fans want to keep the traditional aspect of baseball and fear with the implementation of these new systems could lead to further changes and electronics. Which could change the way the game of baseball is played forever.