On the 16th, the first game of the season between LG and Lotte in the “2024 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League” was held at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul. Before the game, LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop was asked about the ball decision during the Samsung-NC game on the 14th.
In the bottom of the third inning when Samsung was leading 1-0, NC’s starting pitcher Lee Jae-hak’s second pitch passed the strike zone. However, while first baseman Kim Joo-chan was stealing, center fielder Moon Seung-hoon’s hand did not go up. ABS (automatic ball judgment system) ruled a strike, but the ball was actually declared.
NC complained that the second ball was a strike after Lee Jae-hak threw three more balls. Then, after discussing the fourth trial, the referee held the microphone and said, “The ball (Lee Jae-chan’s second pitch) that Kim Ji-chan threw when he stole was delivered as a ‘ball’ by voice to the referee, and after checking the ABS monitor, it was determined as a strike,” adding, “NC appealed, but according to regulations, we have to protest before the next pitch starts. After the ‘appeal prescription’ has passed, we will proceed according to the original trial (ball).”
However, the situation of the referee’s mockery was revealed earlier than the previous one. Lee was caught saying that the voice was clearly recognized as a ball. That’s the only way we can get out of the game.” The Korea Baseball Organization said on Wednesday that it will hold an emergency meeting presided over by President Heo Gu-yeon and exclude duties of referee Lee Min-ho, referee Moon Seung-hoon, and third base referee Choo Pyeong-ho. “We have decided to refer them to the HR committee in accordance with the procedures.”
“There are no problems with ABS or other machines,” Yeom said bluntly. “I think it is good in terms of equity and fairness because it applies to both teams under the same conditions.”
However, it is a human problem. “It is not a problem with the machine, but the person who applied it is at fault,” Yeom said. “It is important how to supplement this problem.”
In fact, there were concerns raised before the season. The ABS delivers the decision to the referee immediately, but the two teams are somewhat late in the dugout. To appeal as stipulated by the rules, the statute of limitations must expire. “Coach managers raised this issue with the KBO during the season media day, but we were told that we would deliver it to the dugout as soon as possible,” Yeom said. “In fact, during the exhibition game, two pitches were passed after the decision, but during the regular season, the ball was delivered after the first pitch.”
After all, the person who applies it, not the system, is important. “No system can be perfect from the beginning,” Yeom said. “It is important whether to supplement these problems when they arise over the past year.” “KBO will send a signal to notify the dugout of the decision immediately,” he said. “Then one front desk member should be in charge.”
BY: 스포츠토토