MLB Umpires Reportedly Agree to Electronic Strike Zone in New Deal

Umpire mistakes reared their heads throughout the course of last year's MLB postseason, and commissioner Rob Manfred is working towards eliminating the possibility of such occurrences taking place for good.

Talks surrounding the implementation of automated umpiring zones have been heard for many years, and have oftentimes come from fans and players alike. Several league officials, though, have argued against employing them, saying that the "human element" of the game is part of what makes it so great. It's impossible to get every call right, but Manfred wants to take every step possible to make that vision a reality.

The league and its Umpires Association have agreed in principle to develop a new automated ball-strike system that will begin in the minors, and could eventually work its way up to the big leagues in the coming seasons. The deal came as part of an updated five-year labor contract negotiated between both parties Saturday.

"Here's our thinking on the automated strike zone: The technology exists. We have the technology," Manfred told MLB Now. "I think we need to be ready to use an automated strike zone when the time is right. That's why we experimented in the Atlantic League. It's why we went to the Arizona Fall League. It's why we're using it in Minor League Baseball next year, in some ballparks at least."

The system in essence -- if the MLB follows suit with the Atlantic League's style -- will look something like this:

An umpire will continue to remain behind the plate, and instead of making ball and strike calls themselves, they'll be notified by a tracking system of where the ball was in the strike zone, thus being prompted to make their call based on its direction. All other field umps will retain their same duties.

There's been controversy surrounding this topic, and there has been ample praise as well. Whether you love it or hate it, these bots are coming to the game of baseball, and likely sooner than we think.