Umpiring & Lockouts: The Lost Cause

In the last five days there have been at least 14 ejections of coaches or players by the MLB umpires. What is the cause for this recent phenomenon? Obviously those who were ejected must have thought the calls were that terrible. Were they right? Yes and No. Some of the calls were so horrendous that former umpires were interviewed by ESPN, as was the case when an umpire allowed a batter to take first base for a walk after three balls. The real question to answer is how perfect should umpires be and when should replay be instituted to help get the calls right.

In baseball, as well as in most sports, athletes are not expected to provide error free performance at any given time. We should use this same reasoning when talking about umpires. However, that does not excuse horrible altering a game and causing one side or the other to lose. For that one reason, we need replay.

Now before all you hoopla's start getting all crazy and wigging out let me explain. Replay on fair or foul balls, trapped catches in the outfield or even close plays at critical moments of a game on a base need to be reviewed. That does not mean time needs to be called and the umpires get together to talk about it. We need an extra official in a press box room with instant replay with several angles and some sort of communication to relay information to the head official on the field/court. When the said official sees a call that needs to be overturned he can relay to the head umpire/official to call time. Quickly explain the call and get on with the game. This way we ensure a better way to get the most correct calls and give the players, coaches and even the fans the best experience possible, which should be the ultimate goal.

Will this happen? Probably not. ESPN and all the other sports shows will be able to continue to debate what could have, should have or what needs to be done until they are blue in the face. The sports industry has been overrun by money and greed, hence the current lockouts with the NBA and NFL. At some point, younger and more technological sports enthusiast and upper management (league commissioners) will have the opportunity to make changes like this. Until then Bud Selig, David Stern, Roger Goodell and Gary Bettman, among others will run the professional sports arena by walking on egg shells to not lose players or owners in all of these ridiculous disagreements.