Angels News: Taylor Ward "Absolutely" in Favor of Robo Umps After Missed Call Costs The Halos

Triple-A is proving that the automated ball-strike system could be a home run.

With the bases loaded and a full count, a missed call on a strike could have been all the difference in the Angel's loss to the Houston Astros Thursday night.

Trailing 4-2 in the sixth inning, third basemen Taylor Ward had a few words for umpire Stu Scheurwater after he called a strike on a low sinker that was well outside the batter's box. General manager Phil Nevin had even more, and was promptly ejected for arguing Scheurwater's call.

While the Angels had plenty of other opportunities to knock in runs in the AL West matchup, going 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position, a correct call could have given the Halos a much-needed win to open the series in Houston.

“Did it change the game? It’s a big spot. Sure it is,” [Angels general manager Phil] Nevin said. “Everybody knows the situation, who’s coming up and what it would have meant.

Via The Orange County Register

Ward expressed his support for using automated ball-strike systems, or "robo umps," saying he was "absolutely" in favor of implementing technology to handle calls at the plate.

Here's the 3-2 pitch with the bases loaded that got Phil Nevin ejected. It was called strike 3 on Taylor Ward. pic.twitter.com/9comXRpoqn

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) June 2, 2023

“I think it would be good,” Ward said. “Or you hold umpires accountable. Whatever it is. There’s a lot of good umpires out there. But in certain spots, I think it’d be beneficial. But yeah, an automated strike zone, I’m all in for it.”

(Via The Orange County Register)

In the minor leagues, ABS systems are already being put to the test. Half of the games played in Triple-A are with all balls and strikes automated, with the other games allowing either the pitcher, catcher or hitter to challenge a call.

We have before seen the minor leagues serve as a laboratory in which rules, like the pitch clock, can be tested. With the accuracy displayed by ABS systems, it is looking more likely than not that they will enter the big leagues one day.

While the league grades umpires on each game performance in order to evaluate their accuracy, a generous margin of error — two inches on each side of the plate — allows for an inflated average.

As with any job, humans are not perfect at calling balls and strikes. And umpires in the major leagues are at the top of their game, with most calling games with about 95% accuracy. However, an automated ball-strike system would add an objectivity to what should be pretty clear cut. A pitch is either a ball or a strike, and Taylor Ward would like to see games called as such.