Waki Kamino

Ph.D. student, Information Science

Waki Kamino, a doctoral student in the field of information science and co-principal researcher, spent the last year attending spring training games and umpire trainings, and interviewing league executives, umpires and fans.

Kamino says:

“Umpires aren’t going anywhere. They are an essential part of the game – they stand at the center of every pitch, every play, every argument, and every moment that makes baseball what it is. The A.B.S. can automate a strike zone, but you cannot automate authority, presence, and the theater that an umpire brings to the diamond. I think the A.B.S. plays a supporting role here, letting the baseball game be a baseball game, while still providing the opportunity to correct major misses and adding an element of entertainment.”

Andrea Wen-Yi Wang

Ph.D. student

Andrea Wen-Yi Wang, a doctoral student in the field of information science and co-principal researcher, says implementing AI tools in a meaningful way is a messy process.

Wen-Yi Wang says:

“The use of the A.B.S. is not unanimously favored by all stakeholders. In our research, fans could remember 1–2 egregious calls by umpires, and yet still, they have different opinions about how involved they want the A.B.S. to be in officiating baseball games. With any AI tool put into use in an established environment like this with rich history, traditions and cultural significance, you won’t have unanimous buy-in from the get-go. Our findings suggest that implementing AI tools in a meaningful way is a messy process, requiring extensive consensus building and sensemaking from diverse stakeholder groups. You need extensive iteration, evaluation, and communication. It’s a constant work-in-progress.”