Umpiring has become a challenging job in MLB nowadays. Since the All-Star break is over and all teams are looking to seal their postseason berth, one wrong decision can make the situation worse for any team. In the tense moments when every ball matters, not just the players but umpires also feel the pressure.

Recently, in a close game between the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies, a questionable umpiring decision led MLB to receive flack from baseball fans. The San Diego Padres have been particularly unlucky regarding the umpire calls. Earlier this month, they had to face the fury of the umpire for their player, Alek Jacob, who had a towel in his pocket. And now, its Odor who faced became the victim of pitch clock violation or, say, poor umpiring.

Padres’ Rougned Odor Faces the Fury of the Umpire’s Call

This MLB season has particularly attracted the focus of the umpires due to larger-than-ever disputes on the umpire calls. After the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres have to bear the wrath of the umpire call.

In their recent match against the Philadelphia Phillies, Padres yet again got into a controversy with the umpire. This time Rougned Odor got a pitch clock violation. The mishap happened due to confusion over the timeout.

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At 8 seconds, Odor was not in the box while the umpire still did not call timeout. Odor stepped out of the box, assuming that time was called as Phillies’ Edmundo Sosa went on to pick up trash from the ground. 

The violation came at a cost to the Padres. Rougned Odor was assessed a strike by the umpire. This move infuriated the Padres skipper Bob Melvin, leading to an altercation with the umpire.  

Noticing this, MLB fans also reacted to the call on social media. They called out the absurdness of the rules and rigidity of the empire. One fan wrote on Twitter, “Brutal. The umpires have to stop being trash with this rule. They’re making it so much worse than it has to be.”

They pointed out other similar judgments by the umpires. Many fans pointed out the lapses in the umpiring and called for alternatives to the human empires.

Is AI Going to Replace Umpires in MLB?

The judgment of the umpires has long been contested among the people. However, Boston University research has confirmed the fans’ speculations. The average age of an MLB umpire is 46, but the research shows that their judgment has worsened over the years. 

Many fans have been pressing for introducing robot-umpires and AI for better and more precise judgment. People have reflected their opinion regarding it on Twitter. One user wrote, “ I am ready for our new robot overlords. Can’t wait until AI can call checked swings and we can eliminate the umpires from baseball entirely.”

Another user said, “MLB umpiring is a generation behind the advances in the speed and technology of baseball. It’s time to move to a system of calling balls and strikes that is up to the task: robotic/AI assisted.”

Steps have been made in that direction with 30 MLB installing Automatic Ball Strike System. However, as the baseball commissioner Rob Manfred hinted, robo-umpire and AI still have to wait to get on the field.

Another Game-Costing Bizarre Umpire’s Call Ignites Firestorm of Controversy, Fuels Calls for Robo Umps

For the time, all MLB players have to keep obeying the orders of the umpire. The Padres can only register their disagreement with the umpire’s call. Maybe in the near future, we will see precise and perfect decisions made by AI.

What is your take on having robo-umpires in the future? Let us know in the comments below!