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

2023 has been one of the worst seasons to be a baseball umpire. A few decision-makers continue to frustrate fans with what they think are bad calls. To many, the need of the hour is robo umps, which will admittedly take some time to be fully effective yet. The latest Seattle Mariners vs Washington Nationals game left the crowds furious over the umpire’s ruling.

All 30 MLB teams have employed the Automatic Ball-Strike system at the Triple-A level this year. But to introduce AI at the MLB level will require more data to make it fully effective. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has stated before that 2024 will not be the year robo umps are introduced. Meanwhile, calls like the one at the Mariners vs the Nationals might continue leaving fans raging.

Umpire’s call ends the Seattle Mariners game

T-Mobile Park played host to the visiting Nationals, with the home team clinching an 8-4 victory in the series opener. While the Seattle team rallied to give their best performance, many think the horrific umpire call aided their win. The Washington team was trailing 8-3 in the top of the ninth but managed another run. Then the Mariners’ closer Paul Sewald took the mound against Washington’s Jeimer Candelario.

READ MORE – Explosive Viral Video Fuels Escalating Umpire Backlash Following Yet Another Controversial Ruling

Seattle got ahead 1-2, but then Sewald threw the third ball that to most viewers seemed like it missed the home plate entirely. Candelario assumed the same, getting ready for another throw. However, the home plate umpire was seemingly having none of it and called it strike 3. And so ended a game that could maybe have turned around or maybe not. No one will never know.

Even the announcer sounded shocked,“That’s not even close.” And fans agreed.

Once again, MLB fans are furious at umpires

The clip of the brutal game-ending call understandably went viral on social media, with fans calling for non-human replacements. Jomboy Media mocked the situation with their post’s caption reading, “It was past the ump’s bedtime”.

Others echoed the sentiment. “When is this gonna be addressed this has by far been the worst overall umpiring season league wide in a long time and it’s getting ridiculous”

“that’s just the “it’s late and i wanna go home” call”

“These umps making these hideous calls are going to cost them their jobs to robo umps”

“I only support AI overtaking umpires’ jobs”

“I’m no robo ump fan but I understand the frustration”

What do you think? Can MLB take strict action against these decision-makers before AI is introduced?

WATCH THIS STORY – Umpire Woes Strike Again – Frustrated Washington Nationals Manager Erupts in Outrage as Another Controversial Call Robs Team of Victory