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Umps Can't Hide Behind ABS Tech
20 Jun
Summary
- Manager Kotsay argued umpires shouldn't rely on ABS technology.
- He stated umpires are using ABS as a shield for poor performance.
- Teams prefer not to use challenges early in games.
Oakland A's manager Mark Kotsay recently expressed strong disapproval of home plate umpires who appear to be hiding behind Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) technology. Kotsay argued that the availability of pitch challenges for teams does not grant umpires a pass for poor performance. He highlighted that teams strategically conserve their limited challenges for later in games, making early-game complaints about the strike zone a legitimate managerial concern.
Kotsay asserted that umpires should not feel shielded from scrutiny by ABS technology, as it negates the traditional dynamic of on-field arguments. He stressed that the purpose of ABS should not be to excuse errors but to ensure accuracy. The manager's public dispute underscores a growing tension between traditional umpiring and technological assistance in baseball.
