I think it's time to implement a challenge system for balls and strikes. Since every stadium (I think) has an electronic strike zone that we see on TV, here's what I was thinking of. Each team can challenge three pitches per game. If they are proven right on any of the three, one more will be awarded.
The beauty of the system is that the computer has already decided whether the pitch is a ball or strike as soon as it crosses the plate. No replay is necessary. The challenge would simply entail the home plate umpire (or crew chief) signaling (or using an earpiece to contact) a replay official. The replay official would then simply tell the umpire what the pitch computer saw. The whole process shouldn't take more than 15 seconds.
This system still allows the human element to remain, but allows for some relief on a few close pitches that can decide a game.
The beauty of the system is that the computer has already decided whether the pitch is a ball or strike as soon as it crosses the plate. No replay is necessary. The challenge would simply entail the home plate umpire (or crew chief) signaling (or using an earpiece to contact) a replay official. The replay official would then simply tell the umpire what the pitch computer saw. The whole process shouldn't take more than 15 seconds.
This system still allows the human element to remain, but allows for some relief on a few close pitches that can decide a game.