Automated strike zones, instant replays and social media scrutiny have not dampened the dream of becoming a Major League Baseball umpire. At a one-day camp in Milwaukee, aspiring officials worked on core skills while learning to adapt to modern technology.
Sharpening the Basics
More than 100 participants gathered at the Milwaukee Brewers’ ballpark for MLB’s umpire camp, which can serve as a gateway to the league’s month-long development program in January. From ball-and-strike calls to home plate positioning and base movement, instructors drilled the fundamentals that form the backbone of umpiring.
Led by a group of veteran MLB officials with over 300 years of combined experience, the camp also emphasised “field presence” — projecting confidence so players and managers trust an umpire’s judgment.
Tech Adds New Challenges
Today’s umpires face a level of public evaluation unheard of in previous eras. Replay reviews, the televised strike zone graphic, and viral clips of disputed calls mean every decision can be dissected.
The Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system, already tested in the minors, allows players to challenge calls instantly. Stadium screens then display the precise location of a pitch. While designed to improve accuracy, Triple-A umpire supervisor Cris Jones said the process can shake confidence if multiple calls are overturned in a game.
Committed to Accuracy
Despite the mental strain, candidates welcomed technology as a way to improve. “It’s just another tool to get the game right,” said Michigan’s Stephen Proudfit. Chicago’s Leo Dlatt, 21, said striving for perfection is part of the profession, regardless of whether calls are made by eye or reviewed by a computer.
For these hopefuls, the journey to the major leagues begins not under bright stadium lights, but on practice fields — where every call, human or otherwise, is a step toward the dream.
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