2012 Umpire Performance/Venting Thread

[NelsonMuntz]

I don't think there is a Yankee bias but it does worry me at how poor some of these calls have been.

Agreed, but the worst part is that nothing will be done about it. There is no accountability for bad calls.

[ajra21]

What sort of accountability would you like?

[NelsonMuntz]

What sort of accountability would you like?

Well if i routinely screwed up at my job i would get fired. These guys are rewarded with post season assignments. Plus they essentially have jobs for life. Zero accountability.

[89FoxBody]

Already they're starting....not that it matters but the damn ball hit his foot.

[THEBOSS84]

Already they're starting....not that it matters but the damn ball hit his foot.

And then he was safe on that pickoff.

[89FoxBody]

Who needs a batter's box when you can just run up to the pitcher to hit?

[Jax Teller]

Both feet out of the box before the bunt. Should have been out. Another F up

[effdamets]

Well if i routinely screwed up at my job i would get fired. These guys are rewarded with post season assignments. Plus they essentially have jobs for life. Zero accountability.

This isn't true.
While they won't get 'fired', umpires are evaluated and get post season assignment based on merit.

[effdamets]

Both feet out of the box before the bunt. Should have been out. Another F up

One was in the air, not counted as 'out'.
The other - clearly.
But good luck getting that call.
The umpire will NEVER see the hitters feet.

[effdamets]

And then he was safe on that pickoff.

That's two in the last two games with the wrong call on a pickoff play at first.
These umpires need better positioning on those calls.
They have to make sure they're not blocked out.
And when they finally get their lazy arses into position, they have to pay attention to the defender's glove.
Goodness gracious.

[Jace]

This isn't true.
While they won't get 'fired', umpires are evaluated and get post season assignment based on merit.

Still, their accountability is a LOT less than the players they are making bad calls on. I do wish there was some public accountability system for umps. I'm sure it would cause other problems, but it would make me happy

[effdamets]

Still, their accountability is a LOT less than the players they are making bad calls on. I do wish there was some public accountability system for umps. I'm sure it would cause other problems, but it would make me happy

OK.
I understand what you're saying but publicly hanging umpires, like you want, damages (greatly) the integrity of the game.
Yes - there should be better discipline, I agree. But not public. I think there needs to be an evaluation program (I've actually developed one) and when an umpire's score dips below a certain rating, it's down to AAA to work on weaknesses.
No one has to know, no one will wonder any differently.
Once that umpire shows imporvement in the minors, he can be promoted.

[justtxyank]

I think at the end of every day's worth of games they take all the umpires that made a mistake that day and put them against a wall. A firing squad will then line up and be handed rifles at random. Some will be loaded and some will be empty. Aim...fire.

The surviving umpires get to go back to work the next day with a better sense of the magnitude of their jobs. The ones who didn't make it? Hey, all great causes have their casualties.

[NelsonMuntz]

This isn't true.
While they won't get 'fired', umpires are evaluated and get post season assignment based on merit.

Yeah, I know this is what we're supposed to believe yet somehow assclowns like Angel Hernandez and Joe West continue getting post season assignments. Clearly there is a flaw in the system.

[NoodleRay]

Not to be sour grapes but, either you call the low strike on everyone or don't call it at all. The umpire seems to pick and choose who to call that low strikes on, how about he was all over the place an called a bad game, yes it's that simple...

[sweet_lou_14]

In today's Reds-Nationals game, Laz Diaz just blew what should have been called strike three to end the inning. The next pitch was hit for a grand slam.

[89FoxBody]

We don't even need to discuss the Dodgers' triple play yesterday....


Why does it always seems like Swisher is getting screwed on these horrible strike calls? That AB was completely changed by 2 terrible strike calls.

[NelsonMuntz]

Welke's strike zone is infuriating today.

[JSG]

One was in the air, not counted as 'out'.
The other - clearly.
But good luck getting that call.
The umpire will NEVER see the hitters feet.

here's another one >> http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=320422106

you need replay both for bad calls the ump should have be able to get right (like cano safe at 1B by a few feet), but some you just need replay or it's just a guess -- starting w really close tag plays but really any play where the ump is out of position or can never really be "in position" to make a true call.

[effdamets]

here's another one >> http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=320422106

you need replay both for bad calls the ump should have be able to get right (like cano safe at 1B by a few feet), but some you just need replay or it's just a guess -- starting w really close tag plays but really any play where the ump is out of position or can never really be "in position" to make a true call.

I get what you mean but you'd have replay on every pitch. Games would take a week to finish.

[AuroraBomberalis]

How long before an electronic strike zone?

[effdamets]

How long before an electronic strike zone?

Never comes to mind.....

[JSG]

I get what you mean but you'd have replay on every pitch. Games would take a week to finish.

not for every pitch of course - i'm not in favor of replay for balls/strikes, just base calls, check swings, etc., where the ump is often out of position to make a proper call. you can also expand the scope say late innings or extras. i mean, how ABSURD to have an extra inning game decided by a bum call ?? how ABSURD to have a perfect game taken away by a bum call ??

they do it in EVERY other sport. in hockey they have a remote ref that makes the calls -- this should take, what -- 5-10 seconds to get right ???!!!

[effdamets]

not for every pitch of course - i'm not in favor of replay for balls/strikes, just base calls, check swings, etc., where the ump is often out of position to make a proper call. you can also expand the scope say late innings or extras. i mean, how ABSURD to have an extra inning game decided by a bum call ?? how ABSURD to have a perfect game taken away by a bum call ??

they do it in EVERY other sport. in hockey they have a remote ref that makes the calls -- this should take, what -- 5-10 seconds to get right ???!!!

Meh - I don't know.

I do know that I'm in favor of a more strict evaluation of umpires. Like I've said before in this thread, evaluate these guys and if their score reaches a certain level, it's down to the minors to work on lacking skills.
If there is a major/minor leagues for players, they can have a majors/minors system for umpires.

[NelsonMuntz]

Joe West gonna Joe West.