The "age" of diva umpires

[REDREAD]

I have a sneaking suspicion you aren't being truthful about having umpired. I've never heard anyone that thought it was "easy." And you're probably the first person that's stated it goes smoothly 99% of the time. No matter how "nice" you are, things don't go smoothly. In fact, sometimes if you're a pushover, things are worse. A little bit of an edge is necessary to do a good job. Otherwise, you'll lose control of a game very quickly. In fact, that's almost how I know you haven't umpired because as George can attest, anyone that's been trained knows you are told you must be demonstrative and forceful when necessary.
.

Maybe I'm the exception, but when I was a kid playing baseball, the umps were nice.. they never needed an edge or had to be forceful. Same when my kids played.
Sure, there were jerk parents in the stands making fools out of themselves, but the umps simply ignored them.

At the MLB level, what's going to get out of control? Is there any ump that seriously fears for their safety from a player? The only circumstance I can think of is when an ump makes a controversial call and the crowd goes nuts and throws trash onto the field. Then things are in the hands of the security force, not the umps.

And I will say that most umps in MLB are good. They will let the player/manager do his yelling, and then toss them out of the game. Most umps do not escalate the conflict. Most umps are trying to get the calls right. Most umps keep their cool.
It's just there is a group of egotistical god-wannabees that are giving the other umps a bad name. Those umps need to be disciplined and removed.

[George Anderson]

Wow, that's a serious comment.
Are you saying that Bucknor or Danley are unfit? That they only have their jobs because of their race? (I honestly don't know what their race is, as I don't follow umpires that closely)

If you feel those 5 umps are incompetent, what should be done?

I am just curious what you think on this.. Not trying to argue a point.

Anyone who follows MLB knows CB Bucknor is a very bad umpire and I throw Kerwin Danley into the mix myself. IMO Danley and especially Bucknor are where they are due to pressure from MLB to have racial quotas. The selecting relatives of former or current MLB umpires to be MLB umpires is just as bad and needs to be eliminated. The game needs the very best umpires and the current method of selecting them is not letting that happen.


Basically I would like to see a system where umpires are promoted and demoted similar to how the players are. It really is that simple.

[cumberlandreds]

I saw Fielden Culbreth doing the Pirates/Brewers game last night. The announcers said he wouldn't serve his two game suspension until later in the season. I wonder why they are waiting? Waiting until he's scheduled to do an Angels series?

[Bumstead]

I saw Fielden Culbreth doing the Pirates/Brewers game last night. The announcers said he wouldn't serve his two game suspension until later in the season. I wonder why they are waiting? Waiting until he's scheduled to do an Angels series?

Probably has more to do with scheduling. Being able to have a replacement on the field while he is serving his suspension.

[wlf WV]

Bad is everywhere,look for it and you'll find it.

You know ,if it's no good it won't last.

[Chip R]

It's not been a good couple of weeks for umpires.

http://wqad.com/2013/05/13/umpire-ar...lting-officer/

[REDREAD]

It's not been a good couple of weeks for umpires.

http://wqad.com/2013/05/13/umpire-ar...lting-officer/

According to witnesses, Jacobson passed out on the field and when he was being assisted, he attacked the first responders that tried to help. He was then tased two times while being arrested.

The first responders should've known that they can't make physical contact with an umpire.

[jojo]

It's not been a good couple of weeks for umpires.

http://wqad.com/2013/05/13/umpire-ar...lting-officer/

Are we certain that he was drunk and not diabetic?

[jojo]

I think we're past the point where reasonable people can't argue that calling balls and strikes can't be dramatically improved in the mlb.... I actually think we're to a point where it's not even that controversial to ask, "is there a better way and should we be trying to find it?"

Jeff Sullivan points to a pretty eggregious instance of umping at USSM:

http://www.ussmariner.com/features/riveramorse1.png

http://www.ussmariner.com/features/riveramorse2.png

This is simply unacceptable and it speaks directly to the integrity of the game.

http://www.ussmariner.com/2013/05/14/whatever/

[Bumstead]

I think we're past the point where reasonable people can argue that calling balls and strikes can't be dramatically improved in the mlb.... I actually think we're to a point where it's not even that controversial to ask, "is there a better way and should we be trying to find it?"

Jeff Sullivan points to a pretty eggregious instance of umping at USSM:

http://www.ussmariner.com/features/riveramorse1.png

http://www.ussmariner.com/features/riveramorse2.png

This is simply unacceptable and it speaks directly to the integrity of the game.

http://www.ussmariner.com/2013/05/14/whatever/

One pitch in one game?

[jojo]

One pitch in one game?

[westofyou]

One pitch in one game?

What about the children!!

[Bumstead]

Coach didn't like my strike zone last night. Thought I should call pitches at the shoulders strikes. I called time, took off my mask, and said I had heard enough. Problem solved...

[Captain13]

Coach didn't like my strike zone last night. Thought I should call pitches at the shoulders strikes. I called time, took off my mask, and said I had heard enough. Problem solved...

Pitches at the shoulders should be called strikes. It makes for a much faster game.

[Bumstead]

Pitches at the shoulders should be called strikes. It makes for a much faster game.

Yeah, it does, but the kids can't hit the ball if it is above their hands. I tend to give them a ball or two outside and maybe a little inside and just below the knees, but not above the hands.