CA independent teams to have computer call balls and strikes

Photo by: The Associated PressSAN RAFAEL, Calif. — No blaming or booing the umpire for a questionable called third strike this week in a Northern California independent league.

The human element that many in baseball appreciate will be absent during an experiment for a pair of games. A computer will call balls and strikes as the home plate umpire handles all of his other regular duties.

"It's going to be strange yelling at that computer," San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy joked.

On Tuesday night, the computer system will stand in for pitch calls in what is considered to be the first professional game without the umpire making those decisions. A full umpiring crew will be there for…