Jul 25 2009
MLB Needs To Discipline Umps
We have seen players, coaches and managers ad infinitum suspended and fined for inappropriate actions with the umpires. The fans are getting tired of umpires getting away without even a slap across the wrist.
When a guy in uniform is out of line, he needs to be ejected and or disciplined. But, so do umpires who cross the line.
What happens when an umpire’s call is proved wrong and the player/coach/manager is ejected for arguing? Is the fine cancelled? Is the ump fined for the bad call that led to the fracas? Don’t know for sure, but the answer probably is no.
It is too one sided and MLB’s Bob Watson needs to look more closely at both sides. Umps need to be called on the carpet for their bad balls and poor reactions when players question their calls. Until this is done, matters will only become worse.
Look at the terrible call made at home plate that ended the Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics game the other night. That cost the Twins a notch in the W column. It wasn’t close, it wasn’t bang-bang. It was poor positioning by the ump and a terrible call. Will that umpire be asked to explain his call with MLB’s senior umpire group? Will that umpire receive some ump coaching on positioning? Likely not.
But all umpires should receive continued education, just as the players, to improve the game. If MLB doesn’t do this, calls will get louder for more replays and eventually we can see the time that each manager will get at least one replay challenge (beyond the home run call) per game.
MLB can stop the calls for replays if it just acted and made the umps part of the entire process of improving the game.
Wake up, MLB!
