Ball and strike calls by umpires continue to be debated in Major League Baseball. Rude calls can change the course of an inning and potentially the game. As technology advances, Major League Baseball is trying to make the game fairer and more balanced using various methods while never losing sight of the human factor.
Example from Friday’s game where Nathaniel Lowe should have gone
Initially trying a completely robotic zone with little room to maneuver, MLB tested a new challenge system in the minor leagues in 2024. I spoke with Davis Wendzel, who appeared in 21 games at Triple-A Round Rock, about his experience with the Major League Challenge system, and he gave me some insight into its basics.
- In total, the teams are given six tasks per game. Three of these are for the batting team and three for the pitching team.
- If a team wishes to appeal, it must do so as quickly as possible. Dugout help is not allowed, unlike the current MLB appeal system, where teams have a short period of time to decide whether to appeal reviewable plays.
- Once a team begins a challenge, the Jumbo Tron will usually display the zone and court location, similar to how it does in tennis when a player contests an in or out decision by the umpire (I believe these are called Hawkeye decisions or challenges).
- As long as the team successfully completes all of its challenges, it can compete as often as it wants.
- There is no room in the zone, but Wendzel says it is better than last year’s strike zone presentation. Davis, however, mentioned that the top of the strike zone is still questionable.
** NEW REFEREE AUDITOR RECORD **
Referee Angel Hernandez called Wyatt Langford for three consecutive throws out of bounds.
The strikeout pitch missed the field by 6.78 inches.
This was the largest failure due to a counted strikeout in the history of the Umpire Auditors. pic.twitter.com/BWmizkDsmD
— Umpire Auditor (@UmpireAuditor) 13 April 2024
Wendzel said he prefers this version of MLB’s ball and strike challenge system more than last year’s automatic ball-strike counter. I agree with Wendzel’s assessment. You’re not taking away the home plate umpire’s job, but you’re giving teams leeway if the umpire misses a critical call. It’s also a quick stoppage compared to a player contesting the call or a manager yelling from the dugout. If you’ve ever watched Wimbledon or any other tennis match, the challenge lasts about 15 to 20 seconds and the call is instantaneous. Overall, the team’s call for evaluation and final score should take no more than thirty seconds.
Giving the team six challenges in total is also a good starting point. On average, about eight missed calls are made per game, which, if we go by the 50/50 mark (four missed calls per side), gives each team two additional challenges to work through. However, we all know that in most games, the missed calls are not evenly distributed (some teams benefit more than others).
I asked Wendzel about pitchers pitching quickly, but he told me that he never saw it as a problem during his time in the minor leagues. However, it wouldn’t shock me if pitchers tried to throw quickly even though they know a ball will be counted as a strike. With the faster pace of play in baseball, batters don’t have to worry about that, especially when there are runners on base, because umpires would count it as a pitcher’s balk.
I like the idea that MLB has brought to the minor leagues this season. It’s a compromise between technical assistance and umpires calling the game. It takes some of the pitch framing out of the game, a technique the Rangers have had success with in recent years. But if the opponent fails in their challenge, we’re back to today’s world of pitch calling. It will also be fun if the system works similarly to tennis, where the spectators in the stadium participate and the fans watching the game on TV.
Now if only we could get rid of the unverifiable plays, MLB.
