
Baseball has always been a game of moments, precision, and judgment, and no one embodies that more than the umpire. The Next Pitch explores the role of umpires through time: their wisdom, their impact on the game, and the future that awaits them as technology enters the field.

Baseball is a game of precision, emotion, and trust. Every pitch brings with it a question: strike or ball? Fair or foul? Safe or out? And for over 150 years, the people answering those questions have been the umpires. These individuals have been at the heart of the game since the first pitch, but due to technology, their role is changing for the next.
This project is called The Next Pitch because we’re standing at a turning point. As technology enters the game, the role of the umpire may shift. But before we talk about replacing the human voice behind the plate, we need to understand what we stand to lose.
The Next Pitch is created by Ryan Romano, a high school baseball player and student of the game. Through this platform, Ryan explores the role of umpires in shaping baseball’s past, present, and future; from the wisdom they've passed down, to the controversies that changed the rules, to the coming impact of emerging technology.
Behind every mask is a story. Discover what umpires can teach us about discipline, leadership, and focus, lessons that apply far beyond the diamond.
Umpires have helped define baseball history, for better and for worse. Explore the judgment calls that shaped the game and sparked national debate.
With tech like automated strike zones entering the game, the role of the umpire is changing fast. What does the future hold?
Want to learn more, suggest a story, or connect with Ryan?
