Umpiring

[MrBigShot_23]

Is it just me or is umpiring at its very worst this year? It seems as if every night that I watch Baseball Tonight, there's some horrid call in a game - whether its a safe/out call, or a ball/strike call. I realize this is the "human element" of the game, and traditionalists will argue that it's been this way since the conception of baseball, but it's getting out of hands. The game should be won by the players, and the "human element" should be left up to them.

The reason I bring this up is because of a call against the Tigers again today. Tigers are down 4-2 in the top of the 9th, Atlanta walks in the third run of the game. It's now 4-3. Johnny Damon comes up to the plate with the bases knocked, and runs the count full. The last pitch of the at-bat was a CLEAR CUT ball - at least 6 inches off the outside of the plate. The umpire calls it for a third strike, ending the Tigers rally, and costing them the tying run. The middle of the lineup was coming up too. It was even more frustrating than the call against Galarraga, because this one cost a win. Personal achievements are nice and all, but the fact of the matter is that the call against Galarraga didn't cost us a win. This did. And it's not something we can afford right now, being behind Minny and the White Sox charging hard.

Video of the call on this page: http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300626115

I guess my main point is that something needs to be done. Every time an umpire gets publically scrutinized, a player or manager gets fined. It's getting ridiculous. How much longer can these guys do a sloppy job without teams being allowed to question their decision making? I know everybody makes "mistakes" but these guys are supposed to be the best of the best. Its their job to make the right calls, and they aren't doing it right now. I think within the next 10-20 years, we should see an electronic strike zone, and touch sensitive bases.

[JosephC]

Not you, but with more and more "tracers" and video game replays, we can expect more and more calls to be questioned...
First I think we need stricter rules on the umpires. Umpires like C.B Bucknor that are always making mistakes, not calling some parts of the strike zone and calling stuff that isn't should have a penalty after awhile. Maybe get pulled from games, maybe be required to go to a lower level and work their way up again. We need to DEMAND better umpiring or it will never get better.

I think this is a good topic to bring up and I think another good point of discussion is whether we should have instant replays or not. I'm not a fan of instant replays. Baseball was never meant to be a sport for replays. The umpires have always been a unique part of the game and I don't want to see it change. At the same time though, on a 3-2 count and a ball goes by and it's called a strike, I get pretty ticked off. So I can see it going both ways, but I still stick to tradition on this one.

[Igoe4Mariners]

That call on Johny Damon was pathetic. It seems like the umpires are getting worse and worse as they year goes on. Not to mention they always seem to make the worst call at the absolute wrong time to create as much controversy as possible.

As for what we need to about it, that is a tough call. The moment the commissiner opens the floodgates to instant replays, everyone is going to start calling for more. My personal opinion is make everything reviewable, foul balls, catches, homers, etc. except the strike zone and give each manager one challenge a game. I think this would be very effective and add to the strategy of when to use the challenge.

[John]

They need to integrate instant replay. This is ridiculous. The umpiring this year is the worst I've seen it in a while.

[TellItToTheDA]

They need to integrate instant replay.

I disagree. There's just something about the room for human error that adds to the intrigue of the game.

[clarknova]

I have been working on an idea that I think will help keep the umpires in line, and make the game a bit more exciting...
Hear me out...

Bring back 10 cent beer night, and put Pitch F/X on the jumbo-tron!

[TellItToTheDA]

I have been working on an idea that I think will help keep the umpires in line, and make the game a bit more exciting...
Hear me out...

Bring back 10 cent beer night, and put Pitch F/X on the jumbo-tron!

Why, that's just crazy enough to work!