Japanese scientists took a break from their usual routine of genetically engineering octopi with penis-tentacles to develop baseball-playing robots.

The pitching robot, with its three-fingered hand, can throw 90 percent of its pitches in the strike zone, won’t need any relief from the bullpen and never asks for a pay rise…. [it] can throw 40 kph (25mph) strikes.

Incredibly slow pitches thrown accurately?  OH MY GOD, Jamie Moyer’s a robot!

The batting robot, which has a sensor to determine if pitches are strikes or balls, hits balls in the strike zone almost 100 percent of the time, doesn’t swing at pitches outside the strike zone, and is guaranteed to pass all drug tests.

I don’t like where this is going.  The Yankees are going to shell out for all the good Japanese robots and the small-market clubs will be left with inferior technology.  The Royals starting third baseman will be a series of levers and pullies operated by a carnie.  Which is an upgrade from the hobo they’ve got now.  [via]