Actually, since we can only see in 2D, it's sometimes very hard to know where the ball actually crosses the plate--at least for me.
I have mixed feelings on many of these technological gimmicks, used in sporting events these days. Some, like the yellow first down line, are spectacular. Others, the glowing puck perhaps the most famous, are disasters. A good friend of mine works for a company that develops, and implements these innovations. We've talked about some things, in the works, and whether I thought they'd be useful for viewers, or annoying. One thing I remember telling her was, IMO it's your company's job to keep developing and pushing the envelope. It's the networks' job to sort out what they will, and will not, use.
Way back when, I did some research for MLB, and what viewer's liked/expected from on-screen graphics/information. This was when the "Fox Box" was fairly new. Some networks wouldn't even show the score until the end of the inning. The results were kind of interesting. But I'd love to test the assorted variations the networks now use for football, baseball, etc. I think some do an incredible job of packing in a lot of useful information, in a small, relatively unobtrusive manner. Others take up a lot of space, and leave out information, I think sort of important.
As to the strike zone, pitcher/batter matchup, etc Fox is using during the WS, I really like it. I could do without the MPH of the pitch. But it doesn't bother me. But I think there are many like you, who find it annoying. I never assume my opinion is the "best", in that it is the one the majority of viewers want. I guess I do miss designing, conducting and analyzing the research. I just don't miss the BS in the TV business, these days.