Monday, June 2, 2008

Umpires

I've about had it with MLB umpires. They call fairly terrible strike zones, miss home runs, are reluctant to talk to other umpires to get calls right, all while trying to stop players and managers from engaging in the historic right to argue a call. I don't necessarily have a problem with MLB taking arguing out of the game, but I don't really like the way umpires go about dealing with an upset player or manager.
I was recently watching a Cubs game where Mark DeRosa fairly pointed out that the umpire was being very inconsistent in calling low strikes which forced batters to swing at pitches they normally wouldn't were it not for the umpire's idiocy. DeRosa just cussed and yelled something and then turned away. The umpire, though, tried to show DeRosa up and got in his face and tried to keep the argument going. This is a common trend among umpires. I've seen umpires walk players who said something about the strike zone back to the dugout as if threatening to beat the player up if another word is spoken and Bob Brenly got tossed because he refused to put his hands down after the umpire told him to (Brenly had them to show his disgust with a call).
Now, the reason that the umpires want players and managers to stop arguing is because umpires think that it shows a lack of respect for the umpires. Well, that's a two-way street. If you yell and carry on back at the player or manager, you're being just as disrespectful. You may think that you are justified in responding in the same childish fashion that the manager is, but you are not. No, MLB umpires, two wrongs do not make a right. I think I recall being told several times that the bigger man just walks away. That's what the refs in the NFL do, they let the players say their piece and move on. In the NBA, the refs are much better about explaining calls to the players and the managers.
The MLB umpires should follow that course and teach umpires to try and be patient and not to yell back. There is nothing wrong with arguing a call, but it should be done respectfully. If it isn't, the umpire can simply say that unless the player or manager acts with the proper degree of respect, he will refuse to talk and tell the manager or umpire to go sit down (I've seen this done several times and it works pretty well). If the player or manager continues to act outrageously, then toss him. But don't act all bush league and go out of your way to show people up.
COME ON!!!

3 comments:

Dr. Robert J. Murk said...

Umpires have too much clout. They are practically untouchable. You think the NBA has problems with a guy like Donaghy betting on games he calls...

All I want from an umpire is consistency. If his strike zone sucks for both teams, fine. If guys are hitting their spots and the Ump gives them a call or two fine. But the fact that they are allowed judgement calls that are not up for debate and use that to bully players is crap.

Malach the Merciless said...

Umpires in Baseball and Basketball especially seem to think fans are there to see them.

Watch, next year MLB will have some form of Replay.

AngryMan said...

Murky-Poo:
Totally agree. Umps need to be held accountable.

Malach:
Before we get replay, I'd prefer an extra official or two either located on the LF and RF lines, or in the field of play. I just don't like the way that replay slows down games (college football and the NFL) and I'd prefer a few more eyes before we got to replay.
I agree w/you about umps thinking that they are the show. I was watching a minor league game this weekend and the ump was very flamboyant about calling strikes.