Good morning! 

 Umpire Discipline 

This Umpire Art column originally appeared in July, 2010 

Matt J. asks:  While watching the games, there are, on ocasion, a bad call from an umpire. Mostly this is seen with the Home Plate Umpire by the Amica Pitch Zone. My question is this - does MLB ever take note of these things and 'coach' the umpires?

Hi Matt - The umpires get to review their performance via a recorded copy of the game happily provided by MLB after the game.  Performance is discussed internally, as are ways to improve, and there is a lot of attention to egregious calls.  The umpires have some protection via a collective bargaining agreement.  Until the umps are outfitted with devices that augment human skills (skills which in the aggregate cannot be replicated by any machine), people pretty much understand that perfection is elusive.  When the day comes, I'd like to have such an outfit.  Being Robo Ump would be cool.  But a Wilson Shock-FX titantium helmet is already fairly expensive as it is.  And what if my robo-wireless signal was disrupted?

The Amica display requires someone to determine a batter's normal & reasonable stance (e.g., a batter cannot gain an advantage by squatting so his knees touch his shoulders) and seems limited to a 2D representation.  Seeing a 2D representation, it is difficult to determine if the little circle is showing the location of the ball at the front, middle, or back of the plate.  But for close pitches, having some reliable instantaneous guidance would be great. A problem for a supplier might be that MLB would only buy 30 of them, and that MiLB might not be able to afford any because at some levels they only spring for two umpires and compensate them very poorly at that.

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To Bill*Warner NH - Like Trish, I too had to put down my coffee before I spilled it from laughing at your missive. I am certainly no Rhodes Scholar and use words like "sacrosanct" to make a point and never, ever try to make myself feel superior over anyone so I hope no offense was taken by my word usage. Also, I keep a dictionary close at hand when I write and it helps to be married to a book editor. Again, loved your comments.

Mark~NYSoxFan7

I agree that umps make bad calls and that they can sometimes affect the outcome of a game. Unfortunately if the replay is allowed I can see managers and players arguing every close call and I think that will add to the length of an already long game. I also like the fact that the game is not on a clock, however the games are too long.

How about a column that discusses ways to shorten the game. For example: 

Intentional walks: no need for four pitches, just send the player to first.

Only one pitching change an inning, barring injury. Putting in a new pitcher for one batter and then another for another batter really draws the game out.

Only one visit to the mound by the pitching coach per game. The pitching coach can talk to the pitcher between innings. Even Remy thinks the pitching coach visit is wrong. He says you don't see the batting coach going out there when the batter is in trouble.

Batters only getting one time out and not being allowed to walk out of the batter's box with each pitch to adjust equipment.

Just a few examples, I am sure other people have more suggestions.

Mike Garcia

MV Fred why do you think electronic monitoring of balls & strikes "could never work"? With currently existing technology, a sensor system could be incorporated in the uniform, the ball, and the plate, that would guarantee a perfect call on every pitch, customized to every player's strike zone. Combine that with the "video umpire" replaying bang bang plays and questionable HRs, and you really could have perfect umpiring without altering the pace or play of the game. I'd be all for it. It just isn't right that a mistake by the ump can completely alter the course and outcome of a game, especially when we can eliminate those mistakes. Umps are human, and will make mistakes no matter how well trained or conscientious they are.

Josh in NH

Trish I totally agree with you... favorite post ever from Bill of Warner NH! The one thing I take away from this is my mother was so right! She always told me that if I didn't know how to spell a word or I didn't know the meaning then look it up! I am always up for a new word a while I have used vehemently often I don't believe I have EVER used the word sacrosanct before, but obviously I will use it now! Thanks for the smile, I have been a little discouraged with the posts of late!

Rhonda * Nashua, NH