Latest news with #ABS
San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
MLB All-Star Game is leveling up its intrigue by unveiling automated strike zone
Major League Baseball tends to come up short on planning ahead. While the Oakland A's franchise caught fire, the higher-ups just sat back and watched it burn. As ballgames crept toward midnight, it took years to institute the simple rules that changed everything. Now, all of a sudden, we will have an automatic strike zone in the game next season. That's what we're told, anyway, and the lead-up is about as informative as the trailer for 'Alien.' You don't have the slightest idea what's coming. It won't be robots in umpires' clothing, in case you've been away. Tuesday's All-Star Game will feature the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), a clever way of retaining the umpires but allowing pitchers, hitters and catchers to challenge — and ideally reverse — a bad call. Teams are allowed two challenges per game, but if they are correct, they're allowed to keep it. Managers have no say in the matter. The challenge must come quickly, and the digital response will be immediate. Video boards will allow fans to view the result at the same time as the teams. It really does sound quite reasonable, but why keep it under wraps? Just when everyone looked forward to ABS throughout this year's spring training, only 13 ballparks had the technology installed and many players got only a fleeting glimpse. Now it emerges from secrecy, in the All-Star Game, apparently destined for full-time use in 2026. A great number of players have experienced ABS, which has been used extensively in the minor leagues, but that's a far cry from digital responses deciding a Giants-Dodgers game in September — or the seventh game of a World Series riding on somebody's challenge. As we prepare to learn on the fly, a few things to keep in mind: • A lot of All-Stars get only one or two at-bats in the game, and it's a pretty big deal, with families and friends glued to the action. If they're called out on strikes by a terrible call in the third inning, they're bound to challenge. When the games start for real, it will be imperative to back off all such notions until the late innings, when games are in the balance. (Quick note on better times: Willie Mays came to the plate at least four times in 15 different All-Star Games. When the National League rallied for two runs in the 10th inning to win the 1961 game at Candlestick Park, the key figures in that rally were Mays, Henry Aaron, Frank Robinson and Roberto Clemente.) • Fun to think about, especially for those who deeply resent incompetent umpiring: A hitter draws a walk on four straight challenges — strikes reviewed as balls — because the blown calls were just that obvious. • Catchers are understandably upset about losing the art of 'framing' — turning errant pitches into strikes with a flick of the glove — but they can frame to their hearts' content if the opposing team is out of challenges. • Still, the whole idea behind the new wave of catching — dropping to one knee, instead of the traditional squat — is to make it easier to 'frame' pitches near the dirt. That's about to become a lost art. At the very least, with a runner on third in a crucial situation, catchers will get off that knee so they'll have a better chance to block a bouncing wild pitch with the body (instead of reaching out like an infielder for an improbable backhand stab). • In a farewell to nuance, umpires won't have the authority to offer a slightly wider strike zone to masters of control (think Greg Maddux or Tarik Skubal), or tightening it for pitchers whose lack of control becomes an annoyance. • Handy tip for hitters certain that 'strike three' was a ball: No need to fly into a rage and get yourself ejected by an overly sensitive ump. Simply tap your helmet: the designated request for a challenge. You just might get lucky. Looking elsewhere • When the Giants drafted outfielder Dakota Jordan out of Mississippi State last year, scouting reports likened his tools to Bo Jackson's: power, speed, explosiveness and a sense he could do just about anything. Assigned to begin his pro career with the Class A San Jose Giants, Jordan was hitting .303 heading into the weekend with 100 hits, nine homers, 67 RBIs and 27 stolen bases (caught just four times) in 78 games, including a 453-foot grand slam. Definitely a prospect worth following. • Snapshot from the career of pitcher Bobby Jenks, who tragically died of cancer at 44 this month: Breaking in with the White Sox in 2005, he found himself closing ballgames down the stretch and right through a World Series title. As the final two outs went down in Houston, Jenks got two great plays from his shortstop: diving headlong into the stands to catch a foul ball, then charging a slow hopper over the mound to make a bullet throw. That man was Juan Uribe, known around here as the Giants' third baseman on the 2010 champs. • Something to remember through the endless procession of batters hit on the hand: It's not always the pitcher's fault. Self-preservation is a foreign language to hitters who stand close to the plate, then dive into a pitch that might be only inches off the strike zone. 'I don't think they're even concerned about it,' Texas manager Bruce Bochy told reporters. 'There's no fear. And I mean, fully committing and going right into the pitch. Some guys just have a hard time turning out of the way.' • It's always fun to hear national writers compare big-league ballparks, with Oracle always ranked among the best. Except there's no longer a debate, not if you've seen those astonishingly gorgeous drone shots on the Giants' telecasts. The Bay, the marina, the Golden Gate Bridge, the stadium itself from angles you've never seen before — no other park comes close. • With the WNBA All-Star Game coming up on July 19, people wondered how Caitlin Clark would get along with coach Cheryl Reeve (assigned to Clark's team), who helped keep her off the U.S. Olympic team and always seems ready for a catty dismissal. They mused about Clark selecting Angel Reese as the players' draft went down, perhaps to thaw a simmering but lively rivalry. No chance. Clark suggested the teams trade coaches, which was nice for opposing captain Napheese Collier (coached by Reeve on the Minnesota Lynx) and for Clark's warm relationship with Sandy Brondello. And as the draft went down, Clark clearly wanted no part of Reese. Quite likely, the feeling was mutual. But Reese has gone out of her way to discount the 'I hate Caitlin' chatter. She seems just a bit resentful of Clark's runaway popularity. A couple of NBA comparisons come to mind: Moses Malone, like Reese, was the world's greatest rebounder. Grinding out the dirty work, he didn't get nearly the attention of his Philadelphia 76ers teammate, Julius Erving, who staged mind-blowing shows with his dunks and drives in the early '80s. And when Larry Bird and Magic Johnson broke into the NBA, 'we hated each other at the beginning,' Magic said, 'because we wanted to beat the other guy so badly. Eventually, as everyone knows, we became very close friends.' Maybe I'm naïve, but in time, I can see Clark and Reese sharing some smiles and laughter. That would be just as compelling as a feud.
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Sky News AU
High demand in southeast nation as Aussie holidaymakers seek 'meaningful cultural adventures' for cheap prices and better value than any other popular destinations
Aussie holidaymakers have picked their new favourite international destination and it appears to be in the vibrant, atmospheric and culturally rich southeast Asian nation of Vietnam. New data from this year shows demand for the country has outpaced any other popular international destination amongst Aussie travellers for a myriad of reasons. According to ABS figures, Australian traveller numbers increased by 54 per cent during the first quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2019. Nicole Newport, from InsideAsia Tours told there was "clear evidence" of Vietnam rapidly gaining popularity and it was not expected to slow down any time soon. 'Demand for travel to Vietnam has been consistently strong this year, and we don't see that momentum slowing down,' Ms Newport said. 'The destination's close proximity to Australia and rich variety of experiences – from historic cities and chaotic market streets to towering natural landscapes – the sheer variety of scenery means a visit to Vietnam can feel like several countries in one. 'More travellers than ever are seeking meaningful cultural adventures that go beyond the typical tourist trail.' Another feature that makes Vietnam an attractive destination for Australians is the country's dollar value, according to Travel Money Oz. 'Vietnam consistently offers Australians incredible value, and with the Australian dollar's steady appreciation against the Vietnamese dong in recent months; travellers can enjoy even more bang for their buck,' a spokeswoman for Travel Money Oz told 'This translates directly to your holiday budget, with an average meal or a taxi ride costing around just $5 AUD, and bottled water at around 80 cents for a big 1L bottle — an essential as you need to avoid tap water in Vietnam.' Travel company Klook has also reported a major spike of up to 250 per cent in hotel bookings in Vietnam between March and June 2025, compared to the same time last year. Vietnam's most searched destinations include Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Ha Long Bay and Hoi An.
The Age
3 days ago
- Health
- The Age
The sunburn generation: Why young people are risking cancer for tans
More than one in four young adults are getting sunburnt, and rising numbers are exposing themselves to high levels of cancer-causing UV radiation with little protection, as social media trends promote tan lines and sunbathing routines. Almost 26 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds reported being sunburnt in the previous four weeks, more than any older generation and significantly higher than the 14.8 per cent reporting sunburn overall, according to the Cancer Institute NSW's latest Sun Protection Behaviours Report. The survey of 11,297 adults in 2022 found that almost half of young adults reported frequent sun exposure (48.7 per cent versus 41.4 per cent in the overall population), and they were less likely to wear protective clothing, sun-safe hats and sunglasses. Meanwhile, roughly 70 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds are pro-tanning, said Matthew Warner-Smith, acting director of screening and prevention at the Cancer Institute NSW. 'An increasing number of young people have this misconception that fake tanning protects against sun exposure and sun burn; therefore, they don't need sunscreen … more than one-third in 2024/2025, up from 23 per cent the previous year,' Warner-Smith said. Loading Nationally, Cancer Council research found that nine in 10 Australians aged 18 to 30 intentionally or unintentionally sunbathe. Young women aged 15 to 24 (26 per cent) were more likely to try to get a suntan than young men (15.3 per cent), an analysis of ABS data showed. 'We can't underestimate the influence of social media,' Warner-Smith said. About 40 per cent of young people said people they follow on social media really influence them to get a sun tan, significantly higher than other age groups.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
2W firms' plea against anti-lock braking systems installation junked
The move, if implemented, will require 2W companies to fork out around ₹7,300 crore annually to make the vehicles safer. The draft requires all ICE 2Ws below 125 cc, electric below 11 kWh to put ABS Surajeet Das Gupta New Delhi Listen to This Article The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (Morth) has turned down a plea by two-wheeler (2W) companies to not make installation of anti-lock braking systems (ABS) on all new 2Ws — internal combustion engine (ICE) or electric — above 50 cc or with speeds over 50 kmph mandatory from January 1, 2026. The move, if implemented, will require 2W companies to fork out around ₹7,300 crore annually to make the vehicles safer. The draft mandate requires all ICE 2Ws below 125 cc and electric below 11 kWh to install ABS. Earlier it was mandated for 2Ws over 125 cc only
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Robots are closing in! MLB to use Automated Ball-Strike challenge system during All-Star Game
Feb. 2025 photo of the Automated Ball-Strike System plays on the scoreboard after a pitch call was challenged during the second inning of a spring training baseball game in Phoenix. (Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press) The MLB All-Star Game has served disparate purposes over the years. It always has been a showcase for baseball's top talent. Once upon a time, the outcome determined home field advantage in the World Series. In recent years, it has been a fashion runway for ridiculous uniforms. This year, it will be an incubator. Advertisement The Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System will take its next measured step toward regular-season implementation when it is used in the All-Star Game on Tuesday in Atlanta. Just as ABS was conducted during spring training, each team will get two challenges that can be made only by the pitcher, catcher or batter. Successful challenges are retained. The player making a challenge taps his cap or helmet to let the plate umpire know that his ball or strike call will be reviewed. The ubiquitous Hawk-Eye system tracks the trajectory and location of the pitch and and a graphic of the pitch is displayed on the scoreboard while the call is being reviewed. Read more: The Dodgers need a break, and a lot of help | Dodgers Debate Advertisement In the minor leagues, ABS has been tested since 2021 and the ABS challenge was implemented in 2022. Major leaguers got their first taste during spring training. Result? Not much difference from the calls made by human umpires. Strikeouts were reduced slightly and walks increased a tick. 'We have made a lot of progress in the way the system works,' MLB vice president of on-field strategy Joe Martinez said at a media-demonstration session during spring training, 'and also the way we weave the system into the game play. And we're at a point in triple-A where we have a system that the players like, the coaches like, the umpires like and the fans like.' The shape of a major league strike zone as called by umpires isn't the precise cube seen on television but takes a rounded form that bulges wider in the middle of the zone and tightens at the top and bottom. Advertisement Human umpires continue to improve, in no small part because pitch tracking puts every call under a microscope. MLB umpires have improved their accuracy in calling balls and strikes every year since pitch tracking technology was introduced in 2008, according to FanGraphs. Accuracy has spiked from 81.3% to 92.4%. Expressed another way, incorrect calls have been reduced by nearly 60% in 15 years. Read more: Clayton Kershaw grateful for 'weird but cool' All-Star selection as 'Legend Pick' Major League Baseball negotiated a change with the umpires association last offseason in how home-plate umpires are evaluated, effectively tightening the strike zone. The change decreased the margin of error for umpires in their evaluations, resulting in fewer called strikes off the edges of the plate. Still, a handful of calls are missed in nearly every game, and the all-stars will have an opportunity to tap their caps and challenge at least two calls per team. Should the experiment be a hit with participants and fans, the next step will be for the 11-person MLB competition committee to consider implementing the challenge system for the 2026 regular season. Advertisement All-Star notes — All-Stars will wear what they wear during regular-season games, meaning those unsightly uniforms that were uniformly panned by players and fans the last several years will remain in a closet somewhere. This will be the first year since 2019 that players wear the regular-season uniforms of their teams. — Department of serendipity: The All-Star Game will take place on Tuesday (7/15) in Atlanta, the number and location of Hank Aaron's historic home run in 1974 that vaulted him past Babe Ruth to become MLB's all-time leader at the time. Hammerin' Hank blasted No. 715 off the Dodgers' Al Downing at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. The tribute will re-create the moment through the use of projection mapping and custom pyrotechnics at the end of the sixth inning. — MLB All-Star week begins Saturday with the Futures Game. The MLB draft will be held Sunday, the Home Run Derby is scheduled for Monday with the All-Star Game taking place Tuesday. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
