Umpires Today

by nick9314 on Sep 17, 2009 11:30 PM EDT

Watching the Braves and other MLB games this year, I have noticed particularly awful umpiring. Anywhere from tonight's call on Escobar at the plate to Bill Hohn's inconsistent strike zone, umpires have blown calls very frequently this year. So, I want to know, what is the cause of all of these blown calls that we are seeing? I personally think that MLB should institute a challenge system much like the NFL's. I know that people complain about the length of the game, but I think that the slow nature of the game is what makes it unique in comparison to other American sports. Anyways, please vote on the pole. Thanks.

Poll

What is the reason for all of these blown calls?

Umpires today aren't as sharp as past umps

12 votes

Human error is being exposed by cutting edge super-slow motion replay

48 votes

60 votes | Poll has closed

This FanPost does not express the views or opinions of Talking Chop.

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Comments

I don't think it's any worse than it's ever been.

Don't fire Bobby.

by esadb on Sep 17, 2009 11:33 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I don’t think that its worse then it has been in years past. My biggest problem with it is that certain umpires will have bigger or smaller strike zones. There isn’t a standard strike zone.

by jack dein on Sep 18, 2009 12:08 AM EDT reply actions

you would think that “over the plate, between the knees and numbers” would be simple enough…

"Actually, Justin was right."
by bigjoe on May 15, 2009 9:04 AM PDT

by justincredubil02 on Sep 18, 2009 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions

you would think so

but not all umpires follow it.

by jack dein on Sep 18, 2009 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I check all the games on my xtra innings package

and its hard to go 5 minutes without seeing a horrible call.

Frank Wren for GM of the Year.
"Wait, bait and bash." - Jason Heyward's personal philosophy.

by Scott Coleman on Sep 18, 2009 12:49 AM EDT reply actions

a different perspective

I don’t think they are any worse/better than in the past, but I think there’s a different perspective. I think they are on the defensive.

Moreso now than ever, the technology advances with game covereage have turned every call into a forensics investigation. They don’t have the confidence or the consistency that they used to have. Used to be a pitcher’s umpire was a pitcher’s umpire. His (wide) zone was at least consistent. Now, they adjust inning-to-inning or pitch-to-pitch… maybe they’re watching that big jumbo-tron in center field show replay after replay of the last pitch they missed.

They’re like a chihuahua in a room full of dobermans. Just nervous as all hell. Nervous people make more mistakes than confident ones.

This, of course, in no way explains Bill Hohn and his 70’s pornstache… he’s just a doosh.

Heaven is a baseball field.

by rbratt3 on Sep 18, 2009 2:45 AM EDT reply actions

Each manager should be allowed one challenge/review during a game. Then everyone will stop bitching. And they have Major League reason to bitch.

(self-appointed President of Yunel's Cartel~~~)
"The future is no place to place your better days." - Dave Matthews ~ RIP Roi
Chief! Do your anti-rain dance!!! Now, damn it! Now!!!

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Sep 18, 2009 8:23 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, cause slowing down the game even more is exactly what baseball needs.

I’m honestly with you on this Chief, however, the games are already too long.

by Sparhawk on Sep 18, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

alright, give each manager 1 challenge per game, then cut down the time between innings by say a minute and a half. that should cut down some time in games (plus if each manager has 1 challenge, its no different than the umps going back and looking at a HR in replay). If the time cutting in half innings doesn’t work, try it somewhere else, ie. Pitchers only have a certain amount of time in between pitches or batters only have a certain amount of time to step to the plate.

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as amazing as Matt Diaz..
by Titansfan9 on Sep 1, 2009 8:01 PM PDT

(Yunel is still the Queen of Hearts)

by GoBravesNY on Sep 18, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Baseball games always have the potential to be uber-long, regardless. I really don’t think it would make a huge difference. And it would make the game that much more fair.

The home plate ump missed 2 calls last night that:
a) costed us our grand slam for the year
b) costed us another run at the plate

Both of these calls were missed right in front of his face. It’s like he was in la la land, and then the reasoning went to, “This one’s for my good buddy, Hohn. Foul! Out!”

utter bullshite

(self-appointed President of Yunel's Cartel~~~)
"The future is no place to place your better days." - Dave Matthews ~ RIP Roi
Chief! Do your anti-rain dance!!! Now, damn it! Now!!!

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Sep 18, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree

The game is kind of flawed by human error, and that a challenge system might be nice, although i worry about it hurting the amount of times bobby gets ejected(haha joke). i think the time excuse is a weak one, a games length is dictated by the game at hand, a pitching duel is always short(unless xtra innings are required) and high scores are long, thats how it is, and its part of the reason it makes baseball great.

on a side note i think the blown call leading to no slam is just more proof that its destiny for our slam to come in the…..PLAYOFFS

by Don Draper on Sep 18, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

The Japanese do it right. They have a regulated strike zone that all umpires use. I would like to see a regulatory strike zone implemented and all umpires must call based on that. It would alleviate a lot of issues at the plate. Especially crap like this umpire has a lenient strike zone or this ump has a smaller strike zone.

Let’s be consistent. I’m sure the hitters and pitchers would like like to know what the strike zone is for every game instead of figuring it out by the second time through the order.

I think umpires should be held accountable for game calling and missed calls. If they do, then I don’t feel like they really do.

by Sparhawk on Sep 18, 2009 9:11 AM EDT reply actions

this

Owning the Patriots since September 9, 1960

by Darin H on Sep 18, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think they are worse making calls...

the problems with umps I have is that they seem much more confrontational these days.

by Mr. Sanchez on Sep 18, 2009 9:21 AM EDT reply actions

yep

and from what I’ve seen, MLB seems to be fine with that

(self-appointed President of Yunel's Cartel~~~)
"The future is no place to place your better days." - Dave Matthews ~ RIP Roi
Chief! Do your anti-rain dance!!! Now, damn it! Now!!!

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Sep 18, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions