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Comment by ytdytvhxgydvhh | Hacker News Reader

Interesting bit about relaying the ball/strike call to the umpires using walkie talkie or iPhone solutions. I’d have thought the hard part would be making the ball/strike determination, not getting it to the ump in a timely fashion. I wonder if they considered having a couple of big lights in center field for the ump to get this info visually. Also, are there any deaf umps? Will MLB need the ability to make accommodations if so?

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> I wonder if they considered having a couple of big lights in center field for the ump to get this info visually.

Another thing to consider is that the ump also has other responsibilities than just ball/strike. Keeping it audio only allows the ump to focus on check swings, catcher interference, and anything else that requires his eyesight.

> Also, are there any deaf umps? Will MLB need the ability to make accommodations if so?

Since they developed an iOS app, they could feasibly develop a watchOS app as well, and relay the call via vibrations on the wrist

> I wonder if they considered having a couple of big lights in center field for the ump to get this info visually.

I think having the automated call kept semi-private is part of the design. Umps aren’t big fans of getting shown up. Maybe in future iterations, but the only way this is getting adopted up front is if the ump still has some “control.”

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