THE STORY OF THE YEAR IN BASEBALL

Major League Baseball's Official Rule Book has always had a clear definition of the strike zone, but during the last quarter-century that definition has been replaced by each umpire's interpretation of the zone. The strike zone has evolved into a much shorter and wider strike area than was ever intended. This season, Major League Baseball is commited to making sure the strike zone is enforced as described in the rule book.

In order to return the official strike zone to the game and to assist the umpires, Major League Baseball has contracted QuesTec to develop the new Umpire Information System, as well as operate the system over the next five seasons. The Umpire Information System is able to identify whether a pitched ball is in or out of each hitter's strike zone to within half an inch of accuracy. It will be used to provide the umpires with objective feedback on their performance in calling balls and strikes according to the rule book.

To learn more about QuesTec's Umpire Information System and what umpires, players and managers think of Major League Baseball's plans to enforce the rule book definition of the strike zone, check out the feature article from the March 15 issue of USA Today and click on the links below to read other related articles from publications across the country!

More Umpire Information System Information