Jomboy on Robot Umpires and the Future of Baseball

But in recent years, Major League Baseball has transformed radically, and this season it has embraced technology via the ABS pitch-tracking system (also known as “robot umpires”). Has the experiment worked? Can baseball evolve in the 21st century without losing a piece of itself? Does the tech make the game less human? On this week’s Galaxy Brain, Charlie Warzel brings on Jimmy O’Brien, founder of Jomboy Media, to talk about baseball’s overhaul, how to become a lip-reading legend on YouTube, and why Americans love slow sports.The following is a transcript of the episode: Jimmy O’Brien: I don’t think the fan nor Major League Baseball—and Rob Manfred has said this—realized how much of an entertainment spectacle it was going to be in stadium to have the big board show up, and the animation. And I think that’s a huge part of it. [Music]Charlie Warzel: I’m Charlie Warzel, and this is Galaxy Brain, a show where today we are going to counterprogram the World Cup fever by talking about baseball. We’re talking balls and strikes, robot umpires, and how the national pastime has learned to embrace technology and stay relevant in the 21st century.But first, I am here to ask for a quick favor. We’re doing an audience survey: How did you learn about this podcast? What do you think of the show? We put together this quick little questionnaire, and it would be so helpful if you could answer it. The first 100 respondents will get a $20 gift card. You can go to TheAtlantic.com/Survey, and we’ll have the link in the show notes as well. That’s TheAtlantic.com/Survey. Now, back to baseball.If you’ve watched any major-league games this year, you’ve probably noticed a new wrinkle. Occasionally, after a particularly close pitch, a player—usually the batter or the catcher—will challenge the umpire’s call, like this [taps head].This funny little gesture will initiate a review by ABS. And that sta