RISE OF ROBOT REFEREES IN BASEBALL GAMES

[Anchor Lead]

Can robot referees replace human referees in baseball? The Korean Baseball Organization plans to test robotic referees at the upcoming Futures League games. We take a look at what it's all about

[Pkg]

​When a pitcher throws a ball, its location is immediately marked on the monitor. Cameras installed at the stadium accurately trace the ball's location and trajectory. The robotic referee makes decisions on balls and strikes. The decisions are delivered to the human referee through earphones before he or she makes a call.

[Soundbite] "Ball."

The program can even modify the zone according to the hitter's height and posture. When clarification is needed, it can trace the trajectory. The Korea Baseball Organization plans to test the system at 20 games in the second half of the Futures League season.

[Soundbite] PARK YU-NA(BASEBALL DATA COMPANY) : "This system displays the ball's location by converging ground data and the virtual ground. The ball's location is very accurate."

The Washington Post reported, in the Major League, referees already agreed last year to cooperate on the development of robotic referees and raise the pension to prepare for early retirements. There are both concerns and expectations regarding the new system. The reaction in Korea is similar.

[Soundbite] CHOO PYEONG-HO(PRO-BASEBALL REFEREE) : "I heard we're going to have robotic referees. We need to test them first to find out how they work. We expect there to be some errors."

For the time being, robotic referees will only be deployed to assist humans in drawing decisions on strikes. However, it remains to be seen how much their roles will grow in the future.