Former Boston Red Sox and New York Mets player Frank Viola got thrown out for arguing balls and strikes with TrackMan, otherwise known as the electronic strike zone (or, in smaller circles, “robot umps.”) Home plate umpire, Tim Detweiler, ejected High Point Rockers Pitching Coach Frank Viola for arguing a series of ball calls from the electronic K-zone system. All of this took place in the first inning.
Viola’s wife Kathy was not surprised her husband was the first to be thrown out arguing balls and strikes with the computer.
Didn't surprise me because @FrankViola16 is passionate about the game & protective of his players!! He wants them to be treated fairly & learn to play the game the right way!! Thus… reason he's helped produce so many successful pitchers!! #FrankViola https://t.co/8wE3ghg9hm
— Kathy Viola (@MommaV16) July 13, 2019
Frank Viola played fifteen years in the major leagues despite being a pitching coach for the independent baseball team. Viola probably is the most qualified to question this experimental system. It was the Rocker’s first game after the break and the beginning of the use of Trackman. I still think his wife, Kathy, had plans for them or maybe he just wanted to take off early.
1st time use of trackman with @RockersBaseball at York tonight. Got myself tossed in the 1st. Problem was was it trackman, or was it human strike zone?! That was problem. Who or what was in charge?? Major problem. Let each team know at all times what’s going on…
— Frank J. Viola, Jr. (@FrankViola16) July 13, 2019
