Rob sez no to E-calls

DESPITE increasing calls to use technology to determine balls and strikes, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred isn’t in favor of such a change, according to MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince.

“The fact of the matter is they (umpires) get them right well over 90 percent of the time,” Manfred said. “And there is a human aspect to that, a work aspect to it that’s always been an important part of our game. I don’t think you can just jump to the conclusion that if you have [the] technology to do it that’s the right thing for your product.”

It’s a vote of confidence to major-league umpires, with many around baseball wearing white wristbands Saturday during games to protest what they called “abusive player behavior.”

Regardless, the calls to move to electronic strike zones are increasing. Earlier this month, Cubs outfielder/second baseman Ben Zobrist made a plea to use technology for calling balls and strikes after he struck out looking to end a game.

“If we want to change something like that, we’re going to have an electronic strike zone because human beings are going to make mistakes,” Zobrist said. “Tough situation for that to happen, but (home plate umpire Mark Wegner is) probably going to look at it and not be too happy with himself.

“That’s something the league is going to have to look at, when you start ending games and games turn on one pitch like that. It’s an unfortunate situation, and now that we have the technology, we should probably get it right.”

LITTLE WEB GEM

Sunday might’ve featured the best baseball catch of the year — and it didn’t come from a professional.

Jack Regenye, playing for team Pennsylvania against Chinese Taipei, went back on a would-be home run ball in the fourth inning.

Regenye had other plans for the baseball.

The outfielder made an incredible leap over the centerfield fence, securing the ball before toppling over the wall.