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Robot umpires for ball/strike calls moves one step closer to the major league. The automated strike zone was used in some Low-A parks last season, and this coming season they will be used in a number of Triple-A parks.
As a baseball fan, I would welcome this technology. There are probably still some issues to iron out, but the current strike zone technology we see on TV broadcasts is more accurate and consistent that the human umpires, IMO. And from what I've seen, the umpires are not really opposed to this technology, since a home plate umpire would still be needed for calls at home plate involving baserunners, as well as non ball/strike judgement calls like catcher's interference, hit batsman, dropped 3rd strike, etc., and thus it would not replace any umpire jobs.
As a baseball fan, I would welcome this technology. There are probably still some issues to iron out, but the current strike zone technology we see on TV broadcasts is more accurate and consistent that the human umpires, IMO. And from what I've seen, the umpires are not really opposed to this technology, since a home plate umpire would still be needed for calls at home plate involving baserunners, as well as non ball/strike judgement calls like catcher's interference, hit batsman, dropped 3rd strike, etc., and thus it would not replace any umpire jobs.