MLB umpire has epic hot mic moment after ABS challenge
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Major League Baseball’s Automated Ball Strike System (ABS) had arguably its best moment in spring training on Saturday afternoon.
In the game between the Cleveland Guardians and the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale, Arizona, Robbie Ray was facing Sean Mooney, who was on a 3-0 streak and leading at 0-2 with two outs at the top of the fourth quarter.
Mooney received a low hit that home plate umpire Bill Miller called a fly ball, but catcher Patrick Bailey disagreed with the call.
Only the batter, catcher, or pitcher may challenge calls, and the challenge must occur almost immediately. Each team gets two and keeps the right tackles.
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MLB umpire Bill Miller during the first inning of the game between the Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. (Reggie Hildred/USA Today Sports)
Miller announced to the crowd that he opposed the Giants’ call to throw out the inning, but made a hilarious misstep by accidentally leaving his microphone on.
“Please shoot,” Miller said, then quickly realized everyone had heard him. Bailey also reacted quite hysterically.
Miller actually favored his call being false, but the temperature was over 100 degrees in Scottsdale, so maybe Miller just wanted to calm down.
MLB umpire Bill Miller during a New York Mets game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports)
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Miller did not comply with his request. His call was accurate to within three-tenths of an inch. Two pitches later Mooney started swinging and everyone managed to calm down for a moment.
The ABS system was implemented in last year’s spring training after years of experimentation in the minor leagues and the Arizona Fall League and will finally be brought to the regular season this year.
The system provides some interesting nuances because strike zones will depend on each batter’s exact height, leading to many variations in many players’ listed measurements.
Home plate umpire Bill Miller gestures during the 10th inning of the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park. (Darren Yamashita/Imagn Images)
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The Giants will host the New York Yankees on Wednesday, while all 28 other teams will open their seasons the following day.
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