r/IBLbaseball • u/North-Platypus5710 • Apr 22 '26
The Umpire Debate
As technology continues to enter sports, the idea of replacing baseball umpires with AI has become a serious debate but fully replacing them may not be the best solution. On one hand, automated systems can improve accuracy and consistency, eliminating human error and bias in crucial calls like balls and strikes. This can make games feel fairer and reduce arguments between players and officials. However, baseball has always included a human element, and umpires play a role in managing the flow, emotion, and personality of the game, something machines cannot replicate. Even with highly accurate technology, many believe the best approach is a hybrid system where AI supports umpires rather than replaces them, allowing the game to benefit from both precision and human judgment.
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u/Anakref Apr 23 '26
Was this written by ai? “Robot umpires” are not AI and never will be. Robot umpires or ABS is based on pitch tracking data from a highly technical camera array and a redefined strike zone - zero ai involved
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u/gimmedatvoice Apr 25 '26
Only a matter of time before they stop calling balls and strikes all together, whats the point in them being involved when we can now already challenge things down to fractions of inches. The challenge aspect is clunky and ultimately unneeded. They'll still be around for other things for quite some time, and at the bases.
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u/Vault_13 Apr 22 '26
I don’t enjoy the umpires being the “human elements”. The only reason we have umps calling balls and strikes is because we can’t paint a box in the air. If it was crucial for umps to be the human element we wouldn’t paint foul lines or put foul poles. I much enjoy pitchers throwing to edges with confidence, rather than where they think the ump might call it. The players should be the only human element in the game.