KBO Fires Umpire Lee Min-ho for Attempting to Cover Up Missed Strike Call Amid ABS Controversy

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) has fired umpire Lee Min-ho for attempting to cover up a missed strike call by home plate umpire Moon Seong-hoon during a game between the NC Dinos and Samsung Lions on April 14, 2024. The incident occurred amid ongoing controversy surrounding the league's new automated ball-strike system (ABS).

During the game, the ABS had ruled a pitch by Dinos starter Lee Jae-hak as a strike, but Moon incorrectly called it a ball. When the Dinos manager disputed the call, Lee Min-ho, who was serving as the crew chief, was caught on a broadcast microphone telling the other umpires to claim they heard a 'ball' call in order to resolve the situation.

In response to the incident, the KBO removed all three umpires from their assignments. Lee Min-ho's contract was terminated, marking the harshest punishment ever for an umpire in KBO history. Moon Seong-hoon and third base umpire Chu Pyung-ho were both suspended for three months without pay, the longest suspension allowed under current KBO regulations.

Why this matters: The incident highlights the ongoing challenges and controversies associated with implementing automated ball-strike technology in professional baseball. It also underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of the game and the trust between officials, players, and fans.

The KBO has announced several measures to improve the handling of ABS-related issues moving forward. An ABS official will now be allowed to intervene if any confusion arises during the transmission of calls to the home plate umpire. Additionally, all 10 KBO clubs will be equipped with a device to relay ABS calls to the dugout in real-time by next Tuesday.

KBO officials expressed their disappointment in the actions of the umpires involved. In a statement, the league said, "The KBO holds its umpires to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. The actions of Lee Min-ho and the other umpires involved in this incident are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We apologize to the fans, players, and coaches for this unfortunate situation."

Key Takeaways

• KBO umpire Lee Min-ho fired for attempting to cover up missed strike call
• Incident occurred amid controversy over league's new automated ball-strike system (ABS)
• Umpires Moon Seong-hoon and Chu Pyung-ho suspended for 3 months without pay
• KBO announces measures to improve handling of ABS-related issues going forward
• KBO condemns umpires' actions as unacceptable and a breach of integrity