Rob Manfred opens up on one of baseball's "most misunderstood topics"; MLB commissioner backs umpires' authority 

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has acknowledged the controversial view surrounding umpiring in the league, particularly umpire accountability remaining a perennial topic of debate. Time and again, fans are outraged by what appear to be outrageous calls, while analysts break down each missed strike and how to hold umpires responsible.

During an interview with "SiriusXM," Manfred acknowledged the public's desire for a more transparent system but defended the current approach, calling it:

"One of the most misunderstood topics in baseball."

He then talked about umpire authority:

"We have never publicized the accountability of umpires for the simple reason it undermines their authority on the field."

While details remain private, Rob Manfred said that mechanisms are in place to ensure umpires are held accountable for their actions. Senior umpires undergo two evaluations each year. It directly affects their most significant assignments: postseason games. High ratings guarantee invitations to these prestigious occasions, whereas poor evaluations lead to a lack of postseason. To add, the commissioner said:

"A big portion of their pay is dependent on the outcome of those evaluations."

The assessment is more than just grading. Umpires who consistently struggle in specific areas, such as pitch recognition or strike zone calls, receive targeted development programs during the off-season. The commissioner further added:

"So, you know, it's kind of a popular thing to say they're not accountable. They don't get sent down to the minor leagues the same way players do but they are accountable."

Commissioner Rob Manfred announced plans to test Automated Ball-Strike

MLB is taking a step closer to introducing robot umpires in the regular season. Commissioner Rob Manfred announced plans to test Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) during a meeting with the Baseball Writers' Association of America on Tuesday.

"I said at the owner's meeting it is not likely that we would bring ABS to the big leagues without a spring training test," Rob Manfred said. "OK, so if it's '24 that leaves me '25 as the year to do your spring training test if we can get these issues resolved, which would make '26 a viable possibility." [H/T Fox Sports]

MLB has been experimenting with ABS in minor leagues since 2019, but defining the strike zone remains problematic, although the technology itself is accurate. As per the system, a pitch will be classified as a ball or strike based on the path of the baseball crossing home plate, unlike traditional human interpretation.

The upcoming spring training test will be important in assessing the system's effectiveness and observing how fans feel about it. If successful, robot umpires with a challenge system could become a reality in Major League Baseball by 2026.