It seems like one idea was that it may lead to more balls in play, with fewer walks and strikeouts. (In my opinion, strikeouts are exciting, and walks aren't a negative.) In the AAA trial so for, it seems like there have been more walks than before, and no significant decrease in strikeouts.
I'm curious that the opinions would be on robo umps if the primary result would be more walks. I get that if a computerized enforcement of the strike zone lead to more talks, pitchers would adapt, and that could then lead to more balls in play. But is the concern about umpire error really about the quality of the game -- that we're not seeing enough offense or at least balls in play? Or is it really just that people get upset about bad calls that only occasionally impact the results but that don't impact anything otherwise? And don't we also like to get upset about bad calls and watch managers and players argue with the umps?
If the real issue is just the occasional bad call that might impact the result, as opposed to more "exciting" play, then perhaps only use robo umps for a limited number of challenges -- say three per team per game. Since it should only take a few seconds to respond to a challenge, there shouldn't be any adverse consequence other than you've used up one of your challenges.
I'm curious that the opinions would be on robo umps if the primary result would be more walks. I get that if a computerized enforcement of the strike zone lead to more talks, pitchers would adapt, and that could then lead to more balls in play. But is the concern about umpire error really about the quality of the game -- that we're not seeing enough offense or at least balls in play? Or is it really just that people get upset about bad calls that only occasionally impact the results but that don't impact anything otherwise? And don't we also like to get upset about bad calls and watch managers and players argue with the umps?
If the real issue is just the occasional bad call that might impact the result, as opposed to more "exciting" play, then perhaps only use robo umps for a limited number of challenges -- say three per team per game. Since it should only take a few seconds to respond to a challenge, there shouldn't be any adverse consequence other than you've used up one of your challenges.