YOUR ABS impressions first pass.

[BillyHoyleVol]

I'm in the all-or-nothing camp. To build off what the poster above said, having caught at a relatively high level, I'd worry about my catcher/umpire relationship. Some umps absolutely protect you if you're on good terms. I learned early to NEVER TURN AROUND unless your ump has been clipped (always check on him). If you've got a chatty ump, just go with it. It won't hurt anything to have a few conversations. I'd let the ump know what my pitcher was throwing so he can better prepare himself, and of course, I'd mind my framing. Holding your frame job too long can be disrespectful and pulling pitches too far out of the zone is a no go, as well.

 

[GSPVol]

Like the fact every pitch (until reviews are used up) keeps the umps honest.

According to my math challenged calculations the SEC zone is roughly 4% higher, 4% lower and 5% wider on each side of the plate (19 vs 17 in) than MLB. Not sure why. So all of these overturns where barely touching are suspect but still a plus.

The measurements are taken at mid plate so a ball can actually enter the zone out front or behind that point and not be called a strike.

Saw some three dimensional, holographic type system earlier in the development process I would love to see perfected down the road. The whole truth.

What are your impressions and wishes. Don’t think they can put the genie back in the bottle.

ABS...

 

[brockytop]

I love it. It just needs to be faster. Seemed like it was on dial-up internet.

MLB challenges seem much faster so hopefully that improves the more it’s used.

Personally, I love ABS. Keeping umps on their toes is a good thing.

 

[Rocky Knocksville]

Overall, I like it. Even with bigger dimensions than MLB, it’s better than nothing. They were able to make the reviews fairly quickly so it didn’t slow the game down. A couple were in key situations (difference between ball 4 and strike 3) so it’s good to be able to get the call correct.

Catchers were by far the most accurate at having successful challenges which isn’t a surprise. ABS did validate an Ump I think sux at calling balls and strikes (Jeff Head) got overturned at a high %. The Ump in our SC game (Eric Goshay) was by far the most accurate (only 1 of 6 challenges overturned)and that game ”felt” like it was called well. I would like to see it implemented in the Regular Season (along with banning the shift).

may I ask why you want the shift banned? I would think the defense should be allowed to align any way they want to take away a hitters tendencies. It’s up to the batter to “hit it where they ain’t“. If you can only pull the ball then learn to hit to other parts of the field. Just wondering why you feel that way.

 

[Tenacjim]

may I ask why you want the shift banned? I would think the defense should be allowed to align any way they want to take away a hitters tendencies. It’s up to the batter to “hit it where they ain’t“. If you can only pull the ball then learn to hit to other parts of the field. Just wondering why you feel that way.

It’s “somewhat” tongue in cheek. I was too lazy to switch to blue font. Tennessee seems to be unusually on the wrong side of the shift (on offense rockets shot right into the shift, on defense balls rolling right through the abandoned spots). Probably some BVS at play but there are many comments in the game thread about the Vols’ woes with the shift.

That said, I do somewhat agree with the reasons MLB changed the rules regarding the shift:

Major League Baseball banned the extreme defensive shift in 2023 to increase offense, boost batting averages, and restore a more traditional, aesthetically pleasing look to the game.
Key reasons for the ban:

• Falling Batting Averages: Advanced analytics led teams to stack defenders on one side of the field—particularly against left-handed pull hitters—which drastically reduced the number of hits and turned hard-hit ground balls into automatic outs.
• Lack of Action: The shift encouraged a "three true outcome" style of play (home run, strike out, or walk) because hitters felt their only option was to swing for the fences rather than hit for contact.
• Fan Experience: MLB wanted to bring back exciting base hits, athletic diving plays, and baserunning, which were becoming rare

College baseball hasn’t gotten to the point MLB was at because the pitching is nowhere near the same level. You need the ability to also “pitch to the shift”. But it does seem college baseball is played in the vein of the “three true outcomes” (Arky game for example, walks and bombs) listed above for the most part.

 

[MadMaxSC]

Like the fact every pitch (until reviews are used up) keeps the umps honest.

According to my math challenged calculations the SEC zone is roughly 4% higher, 4% lower and 5% wider on each side of the plate (19 vs 17 in) than MLB. Not sure why. So all of these overturns where barely touching are suspect but still a plus.

The measurements are taken at mid plate so a ball can actually enter the zone out front or behind that point and not be called a strike.

Saw some three dimensional, holographic type system earlier in the development process I would love to see perfected down the road. The whole truth.

What are your impressions and wishes. Don’t think they can put the genie back in the bottle.

I think, for the most part, the Umpires are honest and want to get it right. Obviously, there are exceptions but, probably a very minute number. I guess I am a traditionalist. I like it when the call is always the call...not challengeable or reversible.

 

[Tennman]

during the Regional play, the lady ump with the pony tail had the most consistent strike zone. The ump our 2nd game was pretty inconsistent.

 

[tennrich1]

Having umpired for about 10 years, I love it. I wish it could be implemented with every pitch. If the technology works, it works. Have the umpires with an earpiece just like the other players. When the pitch is a strike, they get a tone. Easy to call "strike" after you hear the tone. No tone, it's a ball. If the signal can be instant, it could work without affecting the flow, look, and feel of the game from an umpiring perspective. Granted, there would likely be an adjustment period for the umpires but, eventually it becomes second nature.

Really interesting take! Honestly I had not thought that far ahead but I like the idea of a tone. No arguing or challenging a call. Tone = Strike and the game keeps moving. It wouldn’t take long for the game to adjust IMO.

 

[a vol n tears]

Maybe the ABS is causing pitchers to throw more “real strikes” and that has caused the home runs to climb this year. No nibbling just off the plate hoping for an expanded strike zone. Gotta throw a real strike or get challenge. Result, plenty of bombs. Maybe tighten the zone and go to wooden bats. I know, I know…..

 

[KptVFL]

Interesting how the accountability of this system coinsides with the best strike zones of the year.

This ^^^100%! Funny how when there's a chance of getting embarrassed, quality goes up. QC in real time isn't a bad thing.

 

[chuckiepoo]

This ^^^100%! Funny how when there's a chance of getting embarrassed, quality goes up. QC in real time isn't a bad thing.

What gets measured, gets done!

 

[NighthawkVol]

Like the fact every pitch (until reviews are used up) keeps the umps honest.

According to my math challenged calculations the SEC zone is roughly 4% higher, 4% lower and 5% wider on each side of the plate (19 vs 17 in) than MLB. Not sure why. So all of these overturns where barely touching are suspect but still a plus.

The measurements are taken at mid plate so a ball can actually enter the zone out front or behind that point and not be called a strike.

Saw some three dimensional, holographic type system earlier in the development process I would love to see perfected down the road. The whole truth.

What are your impressions and wishes. Don’t think they can put the genie back in the bottle.

I actually have great abs. I exercise almost daily and live in a caloric deficit.

 

[Bigvalley84]

That's not really an ABS issue. That is a rule issue with the definition of the strike zone.

I’m ok with the 1 inch off the plate bring a strike , those are hittable pitches , it’s the up and down that needs to be smaller , the letters is just too high and kinda unhittable , I’d like to see that lowered to the belt but I was a position player too , I like the ABS for the insane called 3rd strike , I know Brown , Ford and Levi had some horrible strike 3’s called during the season

 

[WaywardVol]

I’m ok with the 1 inch off the plate bring a strike , those are hittable pitches , it’s the up and down that needs to be smaller , the letters is just too high and kinda unhittable , I’d like to see that lowered to the belt but I was a position player too , I like the ABS for the insane called 3rd strike , I know Brown , Ford and Levi had some horrible strike 3’s called during the season

What part of the letters? That’s not how the zone is determined. The top of the zone is determined by 58% of the batters height. That should come well below the bottom of the rib cage. The issue is that batters with a less upright stance are going to suffer. These things haven’t been strategized yet. Levi, for example, would have the strike zone at his upper chest based on how low he stands.