Two Strikes on Blue

There is a problem in baseball that affects more games than a truckload of performance enhancing drugs.The culprits are the minions dressed in blue called umpires. A time for change is long overdue.


The human element while lauded by many has proven to be too flawed. Even the best umpires are handicapped from the start due to their positioning behind the plate. Set up camp on the batters side and the umpire has trouble judging the outside pitches. Do the opposite and be behind the catchers other shoulder and the inside pitch becomes a problem. Try to split the difference and set up in the middle then the low pitches become difficult to judge. This is all assuming the umpire uses the regulation strike zone which few seem to do.


The strike zone is set by the rule book but few umpires adhere to it. Now the truth has come out that umpires adjust the strike zone depending on the pitcher or batter. A veteran pitcher will be given a more liberal strike zone than a rookie while a veteran batter will get calls that a newer player will not. That does not allow for an even playing field and the umpires are making a conscious effort the affect the outcomes of games. 


The scenarios are played out in almost every game of the year. A young pitcher will make what should be deemed a good pitch in the strike zone and the umpire declares it is a ball. The pitcher has to adjust to the "umpire's strike zone" and has to put the ball in a more batter friendly window. Results vary but the worst case scenario for the pitcher is he puts the ball in a sweet spot for the batter who hits a homerun with multiple base runners. This is played out over and over to various degrees multiple times a game every game of the season.


Now some of the umpires are taking this a step further by punishing batters or pitchers that question their corrupt strike zones. A batter may watch a ball go by that is clearly inside only to hear the umpire call it a strike. Even if he doesn't verbalize it the batter may shake his head which is enough to offend the umpire and he ejects the batter for the perceived slight. This also affects the course of the game by removing a player and not allowing him to help his team win. A possible home run lost or spectacular diving catch that is never to be due to the actions of the umpire.


The solution is to take the flawed human element out of that part of the game. The technology already exists with almost every television broadcast showing graphics of the actual pitch placement. That would be a good start. Some day it could be taken further if sensors are placed in the balls and homeplate to assist in determining the location of the pitches. It would be a quick fix and would be so much more accurate.


It may not happen in my lifetime but I can dream....