MLB's robo-ump was "humming along in the background" during yesterday's A's-D-backs Spring Training game, as the electronic system will be "studying big-league games all spring at Salt River Stadium in Scottsdale, Ariz.," according to Susan Slusser of the S.F. CHRONICLE. MLB officials will use the games to "attempt to determine whether balls and strikes should be called by a computer entirely, or if the game can be helped in other ways by the technology." In the system, the home plate umpire "doesn't call the balls and strikes -- a computer does the job, signaling decisions to an operator elsewhere in the building via lights." The operator then "transmits the call to the umpire via wireless earpiece." The technology is "not speeding things up." A's prospect Greg Deichmann said, “It was kind of a change of pace because there is a three-, four-second delay while the call is being made." Slusser noted the "consensus is, with the current robo-ump system, pitchers will benefit." MLB Senior VP/On-Field Operations & Umpiring Departments Chris Young said, “We’re going to keep studying it, and if it improves our game, it’s worthwhile to explore" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 2/23).
FRANCONA WEIGHS IN: Indians manager Terry Francona said that the electronic system "might help but the umps in today’s game haven’t presented a problem." Francona: "I’m guessing if it made its way into our game, they would have refined it so much that it would probably be OK. I don’t have an issue." He added, “Is it good for the game? I really don’t know. It would certainly make the strike zone universal. That’s for sure” (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 2/24).
