Does baseball need even more technology for plays like Pete Alonso’s disputed fly ball?

Pete Alonso's disputed fly ball during a Baltimore Orioles game against the New York Yankees highlighted the need for more advanced technology in baseball. After the ball sailed toward the foul pole in left field, Alonso initially believed he had hit a home run before tossing the bat aside. However, the call stood after a review, ruling the ball as foul. The controversy sparked calls for baseball to employ technology to evaluate such close calls near the foul pole.

The challenge of using technology in these situations stems from the limitations of existing systems like the Automated Ball/Strike (ABS) system. Unlike the ABS, which accurately determines balls and strikes, Hawk-Eye data above the foul pole is less reliable due to factors like wind and the limitations of estimating the ball's trajectory beyond initial flight data.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz stated that the front office had communicated with Major League Baseball regarding the call, emphasizing the lack of sufficient video evidence to overturn the field decision. From both camera angles, the ball appeared on different sides of the pole, providing little clarity on its exact position when it passed the pole and wall.

Given the significance of the game, Alonso expressed his desire for added clarity and confidence in such calls. He suggested that deploying a camera or laser to shoot straight up could help resolve these disputes, given the team's access to technology, analytics, and funds. The incident underscores the desire for more robust technology to ensure the correctness of critical calls in baseball.