Undermining the authority of umpires in baseball - BAD IDEA!

halfcentman

The last time I checked, umpires run the show and control the game. The last time I checked, umpires are human beings who have tendencies and emotions. The last time I checked, the quality of umpires is far from uniform.

I am sure that major league teams take into consideration who is calling their game. That way they know whether a close pitch should be taken at a certain spot which is close, or whether an umpire tends to have a short fuse, etc.

HOWEVER, challenging the umpires in a derisive manner in front of thousands of fans and millions of viewers serves no purpose but to tick off the very gentlemen who have you by the balls. This is not to say that they are autocrats, but a little class and smarts would be really nice to see every once in a while.

How about TALKING and having a civil conversation??? I am sure that if you are a boss at your job (or a teacher like my wife), you would not tolerate your authority being challenged in that fashion in a public forum.

HERE'S ANOTHER POINT TO CONSIDER: You are arguing, you and/or a player get ejected, and you look at the tape after the game and realize that the umpire got it right. The last time I checked, you and the players are getting paid to play. If you are not playing, you are decreasing your chances of winning AND you are fostering an incredible amount of bad will. The next time a close call occurs, do you think the umpire that you were just shouting at within inches of his face is going to give you the benefit of the doubt?

Whether we realize it or not, when these unacceptable displays occur, the integrity of the game is being undermined. If a team or a player has a problem, it should be done off of the field with league offices or with the umpires' representatives. If a student berated my wife in a classroom, he would be disciplined - even if he had a valid point.

THESE ARE PROFESSIONALS, and I think it's high time that they start acting like it. Don't give me this motivational BS. Players and managers have a selfish purpose to play the game to the best of their ability so they can win. They are not there to placate the fans with a side show. If you want a side show, go to the circus. Any baseball fan worth their salt should enjoy seeing crisp, fundamental, WINNING baseball where the participants use their heads as well as their physical attributes.

In our neanderthal, ignorant, and macho society, such a cerebral approach is often frowned upon. However, this is the correct, tactical approach.

By the way, I am a very emotional and volatile person if I let myself be that way. I practiced what I preached when I played.

halfcentman

<< <i>It's difficult in certain situations for many, if not most human beings, to contain their emotions in the manner which you prescribe. Your suggestion may lead to a more dignified game, but it may also be just a tad more boring as well. On a more practical level, it has been my casual observation of all of the major team sports that vehemently arguing a possible bad call often leads to the umpire/referee giving you the benefit of the doubt on calls later in the game. One often hears of "make up calls" occurring, often due to the emotional protestations on a earlier play. The idea that they will be biased against you is not one I have seen played out too often. I suppose because the umpire does not want to give the impression of being biased, especially after such a high profile argument. I'm not sure if there is any effect of grudges held in future games. Considering what umpires are paid to do, one would hope not. >>



In games of strategy, intimidation and borish behavior are successful ploys to get into the other person's head and scramble their thoughts. Obviously, in poker, looking at players like Phil Hellmuth and Mike Matusow are a prime example. Then there are quiet assassins such as Howard Lederer, Allen Cunningham, and many others who "kill" you quietly.

You are very smart to bring up the "make up call." It is the greatest upside to an emotional display, and one that I took into consideration when typing all of this.

However, I think the game should be more cerebral and dignified (I feel the same about other sports as well) - perhaps not to the extent of all of my suggestions, which is more than OK with me.

mcadams

Chipper called out the umps yesterday and he was justified in doing so. Guy was all over the map with his calls. For players who are good enough to recognize a pitch that will be 2 inches off the plate and they are good enough to lay off those pitches, it must be really frustrating when the Umps can't do the same thing.

Brick

A borderline pitch on a 3-0 count will generally be a strike. The same pitch on an 0-2 count will be a ball. That's just the way it is. If we want to see dignity and honor given to the umpires watch Japaneese baseball.

markj111

Twice in the last few days the home plate umpire blew the call on the count. We had a three ball walk and a four ball non-walk. Sometimes they undermine their authority themselves.

Barndog

arguments are part of the beauty of baseball. They have always been part of the game and always will be part of the game. Fans usually enjoy some disagreement between players and umpires and an occasional heated argument between and umpire and a manager.

bigred1

They are constantly undermined by pitchtrack. I think it is fine tool to evaluate, but is a problem on live tv in stadiums or at home. Gotta make it tougher for them.

halfcentman

<< <i>arguments are part of the beauty of baseball. They have always been part of the game and always will be part of the game. Fans usually enjoy some disagreement between players and umpires and an occasional heated argument between and umpire and a manager. >>



Players are not there to placate fans, they are there to play crisp, winning baseball. If you are more than satisfied with that you don't belong in a ballpark. I don't go to an opera just to see the costumes.

Greg

Garabaldi

I have a problem when the umpire thinks the game or argument is about them. A player can say something without looking at the ump and the ump then has to get into the players face or continue the argument. To me it seems like the umps like confrontation or the enjoyment of tossing players. They are not completely wrong, as I am sure that there are some teams or players that complain about every pitch or call that goes against them. Yes, they should get reprimanded, toss or warned.

halfcentman

<< <i>I have a problem when the umpire thinks the game or argument is about them. A player can say something without looking at the ump and the ump then has to get into the players face or continue the argument. To me it seems like the umps like confrontation or the enjoyment of tossing players. They are not completely wrong, as I am sure that there are some teams or players that complain about every pitch or call that goes against them. Yes, they should get reprimanded, toss or warned. >>



Good point. Jim Leyland was quotes on espn.com as saying that they think the arguing is always about them. Their attitudes need checking as well, but my point is that this has to be done behind closed doors.