Strike Three for Umpires

Technology can call it cleaner, faster, and fairer—so why cling to human error?

Yes indeed—Major League Baseball is actively testing automated ball-strike systems, signaling a real push toward replacing traditional umpires with high-tech officiating.

Baseball has always been a game of tradition, but it's time to ask if the role of the human umpire has become an obstacle to progress. We should seriously consider an umpire-free future for baseball, where technology, not fallible human judgment, makes the calls.

The core argument is simple: the pursuit of perfect accuracy. In an era where every play is scrutinized by high-definition cameras and sophisticated analytics, human umpiring introduces an unnecessary level of error.

We have the technology to determine with absolute precision whether a pitch is a strike, a runner is safe, or a ball is fair.

Why Getting Rid of Umpires Is a Win

• Ensures Fairness: Bad calls can change the outcome of games, series, and even seasons. Removing umpires from the decision-making process ensures that the result is determined solely by the talent of the athletes, not by human error.

• Redefines the Umpire's Role: Umpires would not be eliminated but would evolve into administrators of the game. They would enforce rules and manage the pace of play, acting as on-field managers of a technological system that handles all judgment calls.

• Shifts Focus Back to the Players: The drama of a close play should be about the players' skill, not about a controversial call. By eliminating human error, the focus returns to the incredible athletes who make baseball the beloved pastime it is.

It's time to let go of a flawed tradition and embrace a more accurate, fair, and ultimately, better game.