Despite skepticism and controversy, we have now experienced an entire spring training with Robot Umpires. Although there was some concern amongst fans about the system taking away the human aspect of the game, the Robo Umps are low key and non-invasive.
The system determines each pitch's location using a Hawk-Eye camera. The challenges take seconds and having rules in place for the challenge system ensures that the process does not take away from the ballpark experience. In fact, it adds to it.
Each team is allowed two challenges per game and will retain correct challenges. The only people who can challenge the Ump are the Pitcher, Catcher and Batter. Once a call is challenged the strike zone and pitch are displayed on the LED screen for everyone to see and once a decision is made the game moves on.
Allowing fans to see for themselves makes the experience interactive and adds a level of excitement. If the goal is to make the game fair and exciting to watch, it does just that. It is yet to be determined when we will see these systems in Major League ballparks but we should know more in thee coming weeks.
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