QuesTec - Are you for it or not?

[The Brain]

I may be reading this wrong, but I think you may have missed what QuesTec can actually do. It doesn't see a set strike zone, it changes the strike zone based on each batter that's at the plate. At least that's how I read it. This way the strike zone is always correct.

We're acting as if a machine can be completely infallible as well.

Besides, the QuesTec system is not (currently) designed to be an immediate guage of what is and is not a strike. It compiles all the pitches, and at the <b>end</b> of the game, the data it gathered is compared to how the ump called the game.

And you forget that umps do more than call standard balls and strikes. How will QuesTec sense foul tips into the catcher's glove? Check swings? How about balks by the pitcher? Hell, how about balks by the catcher (although I can't recall the last time I saw that called)? Close tag plays at the bases (what if the camera can't get a good enough angle)?

It will get to the point you will need dozens, if not hundreds of cameras to do what four guys are capable of simply by moving into the correct position to view the play.

I'm sorry, but human error is a basic part of the game-- players are awarded such error distinctions, and every now and again, the judges of the game will be accorded the same standard. I might feel differently if it were blatantly obvious that no umpire could call the strike zone at least somewhat right, but for the most part, they all do solid work.

[Flock of Moosen]

I'm not saying this QuesTec is infallible Brain. Far from it.
I don't think at this stage it should even be considered as a replacement for the umps either. You do need to keep the umps for calls that can never be determined by any machine, no matter how advanced it becomes.

It is however a good tool if they want to use it like Instant Replay. Give each team a certain amount of challenges like in football and when a manager sees fit they could challenge an ump's call.

[Snoogans]

quest tech sucks, the reason you have umps is for human error. its part of the game

[SO]

I took about 20 minutes writing a reply, and then a server error. FUCK!

quest tech sucks, the reason you have umps is for human error. its part of the game

Idiot retard.

Makes me feel a little better...

[Flock of Moosen]

Originally posted by SO
I took about 20 minutes writing a reply, and then a server error. FUCK!

Cut and Paste my friend, Cut and Paste.

Never trust this server because it's on the fritz a lot. :disappointed:

[SO]

I'm more pissed that I didn't save my reply, than that anyone else can't read it. I was really proud of what I wrote. And I never saved it.

DAMN YOU AL GORE, DAMN YOU TO HELL!!

[NastyHam]

hey.. i think questec in and of itself is a good idea. i think the more important thing is to get the call correctly than to coddle the umpires. i am usually a big baseball traditionalist and dont usually approve of widespread changes. i think the system in theory has a lot of merit. i think there are a few problems with it. 1) the system isnt accurate 2) the strike zone varies in each stadium based on the operator of the thing. the only qualification to man the machine is that you graduated high school and that you live within 50 or so miles from the stadium i.e. you could have a total zero deciding each players strike zone. i think in order for the system to work youd need a system that detects a players height and can asertain their strike zone. can that be done? i dont know, but in the age of cell phones being the size of a roll of pennies i dont doubt it can be done. once its done i think the umpires union would still have a HUGE fit. i dont think that this would replace the umpires for everything, as the machine cant detect balks, etc like someone already mentioned. i think that the umpire is an integral part of the game and that in the field you can still have them around doing everything they do now. would it revolutionize the game and throw away one of the main aspects of the game? yeah. as i type this im not sure whether i like the idea of having a machine calling balls and strikes but i think the system can be valuable in terms of assisting the play (e.g. instant replay). also, i dont think youll find questec machines keeling over from a heart attack in mid july :lol: