Hello everyone! The opening of the professional baseball season is just around the corner! I think many of you have been waiting for this day. But did you know that an AI umpire system is being introduced for the first time this year, in the 2024 season? AI umpires have been used in Korea in high school baseball and the second-tier Futures League. It is the first time in the world that it is being used in a higher league, so it is attracting a lot of attention.

ABS System

The AI umpire that KBO will be using is the ABS (Automatic Ball-Strike Judging System). It automatically determines whether the ball thrown by the pitcher is a ball or a strike. It sets the strike zone based on the batter using cameras and tracks the ball to determine whether it is a strike. This judgment result is then transmitted to the human umpire through an earphone, and the human umpire makes the announcement.

Background for Introduction

The reason behind the introduction of the AI umpire system is the controversy surrounding misjudgments. Baseball is a sport where umpires are heavily involved in the game, and a certain degree of discretion is required from the umpire. If the umpire calls it a ball, then it is a ball, and if the umpire calls it a strike, then it is a strike. However, because the human eye is not perfect, there has always been controversy over umpire judgments. As a result of trial operation in high school baseball and the Futures League, the umpires agreed on the need for the system and it was decided to implement it.

Advantages

So what are the advantages of the AI umpire system? Let's take a look.

• First, it allows for accurate judgment. It is possible to make accurate judgments based on precise sensors and data analysis. It is definitely more accurate than the human eye.
  
  
• Second, it allows for fair judgment. There has been criticism of individual umpire judgment standards in the past. Human judgment is bound to be influenced by the players or teams involved, or even the atmosphere. It is expected that there will be less conflict and controversy over judgment because subjective judgment is not involved.
  
  
• Third, it shortens the judgment time, allowing for a faster game. Faster and more accurate judgment than humans can shorten the overall game time.
  
  

Disadvantages

Of course, there are disadvantages as well. Let's take a look at the disadvantages together.

• First, it reduces the role of humans. Baseball umpires have received criticism from humans, but there was also a human element to it. It seems that the charm of how the catcher frames a ball to change the call will also disappear. There is a part that only humans can judge and there is charm to it, so it is also a bit sad.
  
  
• Second, there is a possibility of technical errors. AI is not perfect. There is a possibility of a wrong call due to sensor malfunction or bugs. There is also a possibility of a time lag in the process of listening to the AI's voice and making the announcement. There are concerns that this could disrupt the concentration and tension of the game.
  
  
• Third, it requires the cost of system construction and maintenance and a period of adaptation. Since this is the first time this system is being introduced to the first-tier league, it will take some time for the system to become established, and most importantly, the players need time to adapt. It is expected that there will be some trial and error at first.

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We have looked at the introduction of the KBO AI umpire system. What do you think? Since this is the first time an AI umpire has been introduced to the first-tier league, it seems both exciting and worrisome. I hope that it will be successfully implemented and become a good precedent. I'm curious how this change will come across to baseball fans. I hope the season starts soon so I can go to the ballpark! Thank you for reading today:)