Computer calls balls and strikes at minor league game

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (AP) — “St-riike! … And we’re talking outside of outside corners.”

“Ball!”

“St-riiike! … Inside of inside corners.”

Eric Byrnes sat behind the large monitor some 90 feet from home plate watching the screen as the computer told him exactly what to announce for the intimate crowd watching independent league baseball at Albert Park, a full moon in the distance.

For the second straight night Wednesday, Supermicro computers in a nearby van and overseen in the ballpark by the former major league outfielder called balls and strikes in what is believed to be the first time in professional baseball an umpire didn’t handle those duties.

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