This answers a lot of my questions about how ABS actually works. It seems like a more significant change to the actual rules than I realized.
Strike zones are no longer 3d prisms but now just rectangular cross-sections. This means some pitches that were actually strikes are being successfully changed into balls.
Strike zones are based on proportions of the batters' heights, rather than where chest and knees are while in their batting stance.
I'm a little surprised these changes weren't more controversial, since I don't think baseball officially changed those rules.
I didn’t realize the change from 3D to cross section. That does seem significant
Yeah, it takes away a pitchers ability to catch the corner of the plate.
There are likely very few pitches that were previously strikes that would now be balls. Although it does limit the catcher’s ability to steal strikes by framing pitches.
idk, clipping the front corner seems like a common route a pitcher would take that is not going to pass the ABS test.
framing was a part of the game but I feel like it’s ok to reduce that, it’s deception
I don't think travelling at 90+ mph too many pitches would be strikes at the front corner of the place but not the middle. I am sure there are some. Some of the ABS challenges have been off the plate by 0.1 inches. I could see some of those previously being strikes but I don't think it changes more than a couple pitches a game at most.
I'm sure that's right, but I would have expected more outrage over it anyway
People despise umpires. They have wanted better balls and strikes calls for a long time.
I trust your judgement. you know more than I do
I imagine players know this nuance and will adjust accordingly
Presumably, but I wonder if it's part of the reason why pitchers are doing so poorly on challenges.
Pitchers being 60 feet away probably has more to do with it. Catchers are the best at it because they have the best vantage point of the strike zone.
it definitely seems plausible and likely
Yes every sport should have robot umpires and referees. The only thing worse than kickers in the NFL are refs.
what’s wrong with kickers!
49ers draft them in the 3rd round so now I hate them all. Haha