AI and Sports Officiating

[olbriar]

After my tirade last night about the inconsistency of officiating I went to bed thinking about possible improvements to what is now in place. I'm creating this tread in the NFL but it pertains to all sports and their questionable officiating. There needs to be major changes that don't slow the games down. The games are already slowed by challenges and reviews to the point that they distract from the games. As I was dozing off I considered AI. Why not? It would be lightening fast and be indisputable and non biased. It would remove those judgement calls that are so often blown. It just crossed my mind again so I did a quick Google search. I'm not the first to consider AI as a tool for officiating. Here is a link to my first search hit:

All-Seeing AI: One Day Technology Can Bring Consistency to Officiating

Today’s guest columnist is Bill Squadron, assistant professor of Sport Management at Elon University and senior advisor to the AI-driven sports technology company Pramana Labs. It is time for the m…

www.sportico.com

There is likely good and bad with any change. I'm not happy with sorry calls and no calls. Would AI change the flavor of the games for better or worse entertainment?

 

[PitCarver]

Why not have CGI players too and no longer have real ones?

 

[AugieTN]

Don't take offense to this, and it is just my opinion. I have never thought baseball games were too long. I don't think the challenges and or reviews in Football slow the game down too much. Just my opinion.

I think an AI behind the plate Ump might work for balls and strikes.

 

[olbriar]

Don't take offense to this, and it is just my opinion. I have never thought baseball games were too long. I don't think the challenges and or reviews in Football slow the game down too much. Just my opinion.

I think an AI behind the plate Ump might work for balls and strikes.

I agree with you Augie. When I'm watching any game, I'm not anxious to see it end. "They" think the games are running long and a cause of lost viewers... not me. The broadcasts shouldn't be allowed to superimpose a strike zone or something. Sitting at home watching a baseball game makes the ump look like he needs a white cane. I'm sure they are calling it as they see it and usually a battery will adapt to what the ump's strike zone is. It's always been part of the game. I think I would enjoy the calls aligning with the superimposed strike zone though.

 

[Dannydet]

I'm all for AI umpires , referees.
My biggest concern is that they'd be too precise to the point of stoppages on many plays, making the game intolerable, at least for football.
Probably better for sports like baseball, basketball and hockey...

 

[Clementine_3]

I watch baseball and hockey and haven't decided where I stand or even what I truly think the next step should be. It'd benefit baseball better, if it actually comes along as threatened. I do, however, 100% think @PitCarver is on to something...

 

[olbriar]

I would want AI to well versed where to draw the line of infraction or not in football. There is holding that's not called on most every snap. Those ticky tack calls would have to be ignored just as most of them are now. It's the same with pass interference where hand checking is normal. PI is only called or sometimes not called when the defender impedes the receiver's ability to catch the ball unless he is looking to intercept the pass. I agree that football would be one of the more difficult sports for AI.
Basketball is another. All of the bumps and grinding... grabbing in the paint would be difficult for AI. It seems impossible for the refs to get the calls right. Baseball should be easy for AI at least behind the plate. Balls and strikes and if the batter really swung or not should be easy calls. Balks and if the hit was fair or foul should be easy too for AI. It's all interesting and it wouldn't surprise me at all to see it slowly creep into the games. Tennis is using it for in or out calls now.

 

[treb1797]

The roughing the passer calls get more & more ridiculous every week.

 

[olbriar]

Zero argument from me. Between the bad calls and the no call it's a joke infraction and an insult to the players and fans. That has to be cleaned up before next season.

 

[treb1797]

I'm done...

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1721252208371450208

 

[olbriar]

I know that officiating is not a fine science. Between the bad calls and no calls it's mostly a joke.