WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015 SPORTS

Baseball teams to have computer call balls and strikes

SAN RAFAEL: No blaming or booing the erized strike zone for years,” Byrnes said. prone to have a little more grace. The said. “It’s because of speed. It’s because Longo said. “We have a lot of traditional- umpire for a questionable called third “Just like instant replay was, it is long one thing you hope for is for consisten- of technology limitations. It’s because ists in our office when it comes to tech- strike this week in a Northern California overdue. Very much looking forward to cy.” quite frankly, the strike zone is different nology in baseball, but we all feel that independent league. seeing how the entire process unfolds. I The technology features three cam- for every single guy.” this is an exciting opportunity to test out The human element that many in truly believe we are very close to seeing eras that record the velocity, trajectory Byrnes will be umpire of the strike an emerging and controversial part of baseball appreciate will be absent dur- it implemented in the big leagues, just and location of every pitch to deter- zone to relay the information from the baseball.” ing an experiment for a pair of games. A a matter of time.” mine how closely each pitcher comes computer everyone in the ballpark. Each Even instant replay has had its share computer will call balls and strikes as The San Rafael Pacifics will use the to hitting the catcher’s target. night, he plans to donate $100 for each of critics along the way. Dickey appreci- the home plate umpire handles all of automated technology in two games Not that this will necessarily reach walk and strikeout to the Pat Tillman ates any work to improve baseball even his other regular duties. “It’s going to be against the Vallejo Admirals at Albert the major leagues any time soon - if Foundation and $10,000 if he ejects a if he is rooting for umpires to stay for the strange yelling at that computer,” San Field. The program, Pitchf/x, comes ever - despite Byrnes’ efforts and ener- player for arguing balls and strikes. long haul. Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy from the company Sportvision in near- gy. “I have a hard time seeing that ever “Hopefully somebody gets tossed,” he “We’ve seen replay for the most part joked. Late yesterday night, the com- by Fremont, offering technology to happen,” Toronto manager John quipped. Pacifics assistant general man- be a success. You have to be open to puter system will stand in for pitch calls track and digitally record the full trajec- Gibbons said. “It’ll give somebody a ager Vinnie Longo is happy to have his anything that will uphold the integrity of in what is considered to be the first pro- tory of live pitches within an inch of wild idea, though. I guess nobody ever team test out the system and be part of the game,” he said. “Even with replay fessional game without the umpire accuracy. “Personally, I have some figured they’d see replay, so who history, too. there are still some really gray calls. That making those decisions. A full umpiring empathy for those guys back there. It’s knows.” Baseball Commissioner Rob “I think that the issue of the automat- being said, the behind-the-plate umpire, crew will be there for everything else. not easy to track a 100 mph baseball Manfred doesn’t envision it either. “I ed umpire is going to come to Major I enjoy the human error component of it. Former outfielder Eric Byrnes will over- less than a quarter of an inch,” Toronto think we are a ways away from the League Baseball at some point in the It makes for a good spectator sport. see the computer. Blue Jays knuckleballer R.A. Dickey said. technology on, using technology to call near future, and that we can provide an “Plus, it wouldn’t give us anybody to yell “I have been pushing for a comput- “That’s tough on the human eye. I’m balls and strikes. I really do,” Manfred excellent setting to serve as a trial,” at. That’s kind of part of the fun.”—AP England aim to overcome Mitch hitch in third Test

BIRMINGHAM: is confident England’s latest collapse against an Australia pace attack led by won’t still haunt them come the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston starting today. Left-arm fast bowler Johnson took 37 at 14 apiece as Australia thrashed England 5-0 on home soil to regain in 2013/14. Johnson, however, was mocked by England fans while going wicketless during the first innings of Australia’s 169-run defeat in Cardiff in the opening match of the current Ashes cam- : This is a Sept. 7, 1987 file photo of ’s South African cap- paign. tain Clive Rice, as he holds the trophy surrounded by team mates, after winning the It was though a very different story in NatWest Trophy on the balcony of the pavillion at Lord’s after his team’s triumph the second Test at Lord’s, where Johnson over Northamptonshire. —AP had match figures of six for 80 during Australia’s crushing 405-run win that lev- Former South Africa elled the five-match series at 1-1. England may be skipper Clive Rice dies in better form than Australia counterpart Michael Clarke but that counted for little : Former all-rounder Clive tion president and Test skipper Ali Bacher also as the hosts, with Johnson taking three Rice, the first post-apartheid captain of South lavished praise on Rice. “Clive Rice was a truly cheap wickets, slumped to a humiliating Africa, died yesterday aged 66, an official great all-rounder,” he said. “Had it not been for 103 all out in their second innings. from the national association said apartheid, he would have been a world great But a defiant Root said of Johnson: “It’s Rice, who had been suffering from a brain in the game of cricket. wrong to single one man out. You look at tumour and was admitted to hospital last “He was in the same class as Cardiff and he only got two expensive weekend with severe stomach pain, played and .”Clive possessed huge wickets so it’s about putting him under most of his cricket during South Africa’s 20- determination and courage and was one of pressure.” year isolation from the international game. the best cricketers South Africa has pro- England have responded to their He was selected for a 1971-72 tour of duced.” International Cricket Council chief Australia, which was cancelled because of executive and former South Africa - drubbing at Lord’s by dropping Gary opposition to the South African government’s keeper David Richardson described Rice as a Ballance and promoting the experienced policy of apartheid. “giant”. -himself struggling for runs to When South Africa returned to the inter- “Rice was a giant of the game, not just in Ballance’s positon of number three, with national fold in November 1991, Rice was South Africa, but across the cricketing world,” coming into the side at appointed captain of a team which played he said in a statement. “Though his interna- the expense of his colleague. three one-day internationals (ODIs) in India. tional appearances for the Proteas were limit- But he was controversially omitted from ed to just three ODIs, Clive was a hugely inspi- ‘EXTRA PACE’ the South Africa team which played in the rational figure for those of us who had the Australia left-arm fast bowler Mitchell 1992 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand privilege to represent our country since read- Starc was not concerned by England’s with the selectors placing an emphasis on mission to international cricket in 1991. attempts to stabilise a top order that has youth. Former South Africa stars paid tribute “It was fitting that Clive was named cap- been 43 for three or worse seven times in to Rice, who played in 482 first-class matches tain of the national team on that historic first their past 13 Test innings and promised for Transvaal, Natal and Nottinghamshire, tour to India. “Clive was hugely regarded there would be no let-up from the scoring 26,331 runs at an average of 40.95. across the world game as a player, but later as He also took 930 wickets at an average of a coach and mentor, where he inspired the tourists’ pace attack. 22.49 before retiring in 1994. Pat Symcox likes of Lance Klusener, and “I am sure we will be following suit tweeted: “Devastated ... a great friend and . “He will be greatly missed by from what Mitch (Johnson) dished up at wonderful man. Clive Rice has passed away. those who knew him. “On behalf of the ICC, I the end at Lord’s,” said Starc. “It is great to The world is a poorer place”. would like to extend our condolences to his see a few of the guys jumping about, and called him “one of the most formidable, gifted wife and children at this difficult time.” we got a few wickets that way. We have and competitive all-rounders that any age of In an era of notable all-rounders, including got extra pace in our side.” the game has ever seen”. Ian Botham, , and This year has seen England bounce Herschelle Gibbs tweeted: “Sorry to hear Hadlee, Rice’s exploits were limited to South back from defeats by the West Indies and about the passing of Clive Rice’ ‘Ricey’ ... African domestic cricket, the English county New Zealand with a win in their very next astute captain and a man that played the championship and Kerry Packer’s World Series Test. “Throughout this summer we’ve game hard.” Former national cricket associa- Cricket. He excelled in them all.—AFP always come back from heavy defeats well,” said Root. “There’s so much confi- dence in the camp and we’ll be looking Nevill gets nod to put them back on the back foot today.” The second Test defeat prompted England’s Australian coach BRIMINGHAM: Australia’s throws a ball back during net practice in preparation for the ahead of Haddin to call for a livelier surface than the one third Ashes match against England at Edgbaston. —AP on which England great James Anderson BIRMINGHAM: has got the nod three is going to bother him too much,” he went wicketless at Lord’s. ahead of as Australia’s wicket- added. “ might feel a little more But Starc was unconcerned by the Cook backs Bell to toll keeper for the third Ashes Test against pressure because he hasn’t played as much state of the Edgbaston pitch. “It doesn’t England at Edgbaston starting today. test cricket as someone like Belly,” said Clarke matter what they dish up, we’ve got all for England during Ashes Captain Michael Clarke said selection of the opening batsman who has also strug- bases covered,” he said. Bell has scored chairman Rod Marsh and coach Darren gled for runs in this series. just one fifty in 12 Test innings since he BIRMINGHAM: England captain Alastair Cook has door down, with his weight of runs for Yorkshire, Lehmann had spoken to him about their deci- “Belly’s a helluva player who has been made a hundred against the West Indies backed Ian Bell to return to form following the vet- averaging over 100 for the side that’s top of the sion to play Nevill but refused to rule out a extremely successful over a long period of in Antigua three months ago. possible return for Haddin, 37, in the future. time,” said Clarke. “Whether he makes runs in eran batsman’s promotion to number three for the league. That’s fantastic cricket at any level, let alone In welcoming his promotion to num- third Ashes Test at Edgbaston. the First Division with Yorkshire.” “He’s a great man Hadds..I’ve really loved hav- this test or not I’m certain it’s not the end of ber three, Bell-looking to become the first ing him as vice captain and he’s performed his career. After this series I’d like to see him Bell, England’s most experienced batsman, hav- Bell’s recent performances have revived a long- batsman to score a Test exceptionally well,” Clarke told reporters yes- go on and make plenty more hundreds but in ing made his Test debut 11 years ago, has struggled standing criticism that, for all the technical ability terday. “He’s still working hard and will now this series I’d like to keep his runs to a mini- hundred at Edgbaston-said Monday: for runs during the Ashes thus far with scores of that has yielded over 7,000 Test runs at an average wait for his opportunity whether that be mum.”—Reuters “I know I haven’t performed to the one, 60, one and 11 in the first two matches. of more than 43 with 22 hundreds, he is rarely a through injury or getting another chance.” best of my ability in the last two months. There had been speculation that, with England man for a crisis. “I still believe that when I’m playing Haddin, who has 66 test caps, played in the “It’s a good opportunity to take some repeatedly suffering top-order collapses, Bell might at my best I’m a world-class player,” Bell, whose 562 opening game in Cardiff but sat out the sec- responsibility and score some runs.” be dropped for the third Test at his Warwickshire runs at an average of 62 played a key role in ond match at Lord’s for family reasons. Bairstow’s recall for his first Test since home ground starting today after Australia levelled England’s 2013 home Ashes series win, told Sky That paved the way for Nevill to make his he featured at Sydney last year is set to the five-match series at 1-1 with a crushing 405-run Sports. “I know that I haven’t done that to my capa- debut in Australia’s series-levelling win during be England’s lone personnel change after win at Lord’s. bility over the last six or seven Test matches, and which the 29-year-old took seven catches and fast bowler Mark Wood, who has a history But despite two failures in the second Test, Bell hopefully this is the start of me kicking on and scored a brisk 45 in the first innings. of ankle trouble, came through Monday’s has been promoted to number three after England going forward again.” dropped and brought in Jonny England have a fitness doubt regarding fast Clarke said he had yet to speak to Chris net session. Bairstow is averaging over a Rogers after the opening batsman survived a Bairstow to bat at five. “He’s delighted to be back at bowler Mark Wood, who has a history of ankle trou- hundred in the three,” Cook said of Bell yesterday. ble, with standing by if the Durham stiff examination from his bowling team this season, having scored five centuries, mates in the nets on Monday. “It’s a great opportunity to get in and make his paceman is ruled out. “We’re a little bit concerned but how well that has prepared him to Rogers, 37, had to retire in the second mark on the game. He’s a proven international play- with Woody and we’ll have to make that call tomor- innings at Lord’s after suffering a dizzy spell. “I face Australia’s quicks remains to be seen. er and I think he’ll relish the chance to bat at three. row,” said Cook. haven’t seen him today so I’m looking for- Australia, meanwhile, are set to field an “Also being at his home ground is a really great Despite the scale of England’s defeat at Lord’s, ward to seeing how he pulls up after he bat- unchanged side. Opener Chris Rogers, opportunity.” There had been speculation that the Cook backed his side to bounce back at Edgbaston ted really well in the nets yesterday,” said who made a Test-best 173 in the first in-form Joe Root might be promoted to number with the team having followed every previous Test Clarke. “It’s important for us to run with this innings, is set to be given the all-clear three and opening batsman Cook said: “The selec- defeat they’ve suffered this year with a win. momentum while we have it, take confidence after a balance problem in the inner ear tors would have thrown that around in the meet- “It’s 1-1, a three-match series now and we need from Lord’s but also remember how disci- forced him off the field on the fourth and ings. to win two games to do something very special,” plined England were in Cardiff. We know how final day at Lord’s. Wicket-keeper Peter “But they decided (to go with) the experience said Cook. “That’s what is keeping everyone going. good an opposition they are.” Nevill is also likely to retain is place after Ian’s got in terms of 100-odd Test matches. “Belly at Lord’s was an absolute disaster in one sense, after Clarke paid tribute to the out-of-form Ian impressing on debut last time out even three and Rooty at four looks pretty good.” Cook Cardiff (where England won the first Test by 169 BIRMINGHAM: Australia’s Brad Haddin added: “We’ve found ourselves over the last six runs) to play as badly as that. Bell who will move up one place in England’s though Brad Haddin is available again order following Gary Ballance’s exclu- (left) and Australia’s Peter Nevill walk months or so three wickets down early on too “That’s gone now. As professional sportsmen for nets practice in preparation for the after withdrawing for “family reasons” many occasions. So there has been a bit of a rejig. you have to keep looking forward to the next thing sion. “Belly’s been a class player for a long ahead of the second Test.—AFP period so I don’t think moving up to number third Ashes Test cricket match. —AP “Congratulations to Jonny - he’s knocked the rather than keep dwelling on the past.”—AFP