MLB commissioner Rob Manfred spoke for the first time about the new partnership with the independent Atlantic League that will permit MLB to implement experimental rule changes.
As part of the three-year relationship jointly announced on Tuesday, MLB will install TrackMan radar technology in all eight Atlantic League ballparks. TrackMan provides all of the ball-tracking data of pitches and batted balls in MLB’s Statcast system.
Baseball America then reported that among the experiments would be the use of TrackMan to call balls and strikes instead of a human umpire. Even with the Atlantic League serving as a laboratory for testing the accuracy of the system, Manfred pumped the brakes on speculation that so-called robot umpires would reach MLB anytime soon.
“I think there will come a time when we will experiment with an automated strike zone,” Manfred said at SportTechie’s annual State of the Industry conference. “The technology has gotten much, much better. We are much closer to being able to do that, but the way I always answer this question remains my answer. Whether you have the technology or not, I think this is one of those areas where you have to think about the management of the game on the field.”
Manfred cited the mechanics of calling balls and strikes and the possibility of undermining the umpires’ authority in governing action on the field of play. A further mitigating factor is the need for MLB to collectively bargain such a change with the World Umpires Association, the union representing all big league umpires.
“Before you alter that fundamental dynamic, you really have to think through what the consequence of that is going to be,” he said.
Even the mechanics of how balls and strikes would be signaled to the players and fans would need to be carefully considered. When baseball introduced replay, managers initially ran onto the field to tell the umpire their intention of challenging—which included some instances of a manager being told by the dugout that he should not, in fact, use a challenge. That ritual was too cumbersome, leading to a refined process by which a manager can signal his decision from the top step of the dugout.
Determining the best practice for calling balls and strikes, Manfred said, is a much greater challenge.
“I think this one, actually, is beyond replay in terms of the level of change that you’re talking about,” he said. “We have a great relationship with our umpires union, but this is about their job, too. There is that overlay of bargaining that’s going to have to take place even if we do get the technology right.”
The deployment of TrackMan in each Atlantic League ballpark should nevertheless be a boon for its players. In 2018, 32 players from the Atlantic League signed a contract with an MLB organization, and the proliferation of radar will provide a standardized data set for big league scouts and analysts to consider and to unearth prospects. Manfred called that piece of the agreement an “opportunity” for all.
Even though MLB clubs have extensive minor league affiliates, the involvement of a professional independent league was necessary because team front offices are reluctant to subject their most promising young players to experimental rules. Minor league ball is critical for player development.
“It’s important to start with the idea that our relationship with minor league baseball is a long and deep one,” Manfred said. “Our very best prospects are playing in minor league baseball, and that’s a great thing because it’s a tremendous entertainment product.
“But when you realize that’s where your best prospects are, it limits your ability to experiment. Obviously, clubs want those young players playing under the rules as they exist. They’re not all that receptive to the idea of experimentation, especially experimentation that maybe pushes the envelope a little bit.”