On umpires and inconsistency

by Travis G on Jul 9, 2009 9:00 PM EDT in New York Yankees Analysis

Another article by Dave Cameron addressing the inconsistencies of umpires.

You hear a lot of talk about how inconsistent pitchers are, especially young pitchers. From start to start, the variations in performance can be drastic. However, we have to keep in mind that it isn’t just the pitcher’s stuff or command that’s a variable on any given day, but the opposing team, the park, the weather, and yes, the umpire.

This may be heresy to some, but I want to see computers calling balls and strikes. They already have 'K-Zone' on ESPN, 'Pitch F/X' on MLB Gameday, and various other pitch-tracking systems. They are totally impartial (no veteran/rookie bias), always consistent from game to game, and take just as much time as an actual umpire. I really don't see a downside.

FYI, B.J. Ryan was released by Toronto after a terrible year. Is he worth a flier, maybe as a lefty specialist?
Baseball America released its 'Midseason Top 25 Prospects' list. Jesus Montero ranks third while Austin Jackson gets an honorable mention.

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Thats funny

I just got back from a baseball game and the first baseman dropped the ball and he still called me out. Me and my coach almost got tossed……

by LetsGoDevils on Jul 9, 2009 9:01 PM EDT reply actions

I agree that umpires are routinely horrible but

The idea of having computers calling balls and strikes sounds a little too perfect for me. I feel like umpire errors – officiating errors in every sport, for that matter – are indispensable fabrics of the game. Having computers call the game strips the game of authenticity IMO. A lot of umpires do blow, I admit. They are inconsistent, except for the ones that are consistently wrong. But those controversies make the game interesting and are always a lot easier to swallow when our teams actually benefit from a terrible call.

I do think instant replay can possibly be utilized in the most critical of game situations though. Some screw ups can’t be let slide.

by Hood on Jul 9, 2009 9:36 PM EDT reply actions

Too perfect!

While I perceive of myself as a traditionalist, I find myself in total agreement with you in calling for use of a computerized system and have wondered why I haven’t heard more talk of the same. The only downside I can think of is that players and fans will have less to complain about — and really arguments are part of the tradition. Also, I wonder how kindly the umpires’ union will react to a diminishment of their role in the game.

by Skycat on Jul 9, 2009 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

BJ Ryan

I say why the hell not? Get him at league minimum, since Toronto’s on the hook for the rest of his salary… see what’s what. Drop him if it doesn’t work. Coke’s been solid the past month, but for some reason I still don’t totally trust him in tight situations. I have absolutely nothing to base that on, just saying… I say Ryan’s worth a shot.

by NumberSeven on Jul 9, 2009 10:57 PM EDT reply actions

•FYI, B.J. Ryan was released by Toronto after a terrible year. Is he worth a flier, maybe as a lefty specialist?

As a specialist of what? Walking batters (he does have more BBs than Ks in 20 miserable innings) and then letting opposing hitters knock them in (2.18 HR/9 this season). No thanks. Coke and his average K/BB ratio of 2.23 more than suffices.

by The Brain part II on Jul 9, 2009 11:07 PM EDT reply actions

Well, to be fair...

The bullpen hasn’t had an intentional walk specialist since they DFA’d Jose Veras. B.J. Ryan could be a good fit for that role.

by dzawaki on Jul 10, 2009 1:30 AM EDT up reply actions

ABSOLUTELY

BJ Ryan is done. He has not been the same since TJ surgery and can barely touch 90mph.
Add to the fact he has trouble throwing strikes and couldnt even cut it in Toronto says enough.
Dont touch this guy with a ten foot pole….

by NF_nyy on Jul 10, 2009 3:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Balls called by computer

I love the idea of a computer calling balls and strikes as long as we also get a robot umpire on the field like Westworld!

by 209209 on Jul 10, 2009 8:05 AM EDT reply actions

if we can bring Yul Brynner

back to life as a robot, I’m all for it.

by Travis G on Jul 10, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Flier on BJ ...

My initial thought in reading that he was released was “let’s grab him.” Then I remembered his lasted outing against the Yanks when his radar readings were 87. Does the fact that he’s not the BJ Ryan of old but rather a shell of his former self make a difference? I don’t know. He’s a guy with a history of arm issues. Do we really even need him.

I kinda’ think we don’t need him. Is he worth taking a flier and perhaps stowing him in Scranton to hopefully regain his past glory? Perhaps. But right now the engine is running smoothly. I’d hate to muck it up unnecessarily.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Jul 10, 2009 9:02 AM EDT reply actions

No on computer umps

Jeez, you guys just want to suck every last human element out of baseball, don’t you?

Does your life really change one way or another if a pitch is missed or a call is blown on the bases?

Life isn’t perfect, people make mistakes. It’s fun to argue about that anyway.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 10, 2009 9:44 AM EDT reply actions

not at all

officials exist to make the right call. if they dont do that, and there are far better ways to do it now, what’s their purpose anymore?

and it’s ridiculous to merely slough off poor officiating as the ‘human element.’ you’re excusing it. the ‘human element’ in sports is the players, and seeing them make mistakes, not the officials (who cares about them?).

by Travis G on Jul 10, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

I totally disagree

If you eliminate the umps then you do take some of the game away.

I am all for adding something to make their job more accurate, but I still think it is important to keep them a part of the game. Eliminating them would change the game for ever, and not for the better.

In life in general human interactivity has drastically disappeared due to the digital age, why destroy our national pastime with more removal of humanity from the game?

For the pitcher to have to pitch to a slightly different strike zone, because that is what the ump is seeing, makes the game that more interesting.

And guess what, if a robot or computer made a call that you disagreed with, you would still yell at it and blame it on the programming or something. Just live with the game the way it is, enjoy it, instead of trying to modinfy it into something it was never meant to be.

by syllk on Jul 10, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

“In life in general human interactivity has drastically disappeared due to the digital age, why destroy our national pastime with more removal of humanity from the game?”

oh please. the ole ‘using technology will destroy human interactivity’ argument. i guess we should all go back to horse and buggies, and carrier pigeons to communicate. you realize you’re using the internet, which lets you interact instantaneously with people around the globe, yes? if you’re so averse to this technology (which your statement seems to mean), why own a PC?

by Travis G on Jul 11, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess it's not that big a deal to me

I don’t like replay in the NFL for every little inch of field position either.

To put it simply, if your life is empty enough that a blown call is going to destroy you, you’ve got problems anyway.

The day computers start calling balls and strikes is the day I stop watching baseball.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 10, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

by syllk on Jul 10, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed as well

I would hate a world where computers made the call behind the plate. In our world there is enough reliance on computers and technology as it is. The beauty of baseball is it harkens back to a world of wooden bats, leather ball, sweat and skill. I don’t want one more inch of the game encroached upon by technology. IR for fair-foul balls is fine, a computer isn’t determining the outcome. I work in THE computer animation studio, I work with some of the fastest most complex computer this side of NASA and JPL, nothing makes me happier than watching baseball the way God intended (no computers calling balls or strikes, and the Yankees winning).

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Jul 10, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Common Ground?

Is this a sign of the apocalypse?

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 10, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Well we have the commonest of grounds

Love of the New York Yankees. Everything else is an ecumincal debate.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Jul 10, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

it hasn't hurt tennis

or the NFL, or hockey or basketball. how do you explain that?

by Travis G on Jul 11, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

"The day computers start calling balls and strikes is the day I stop watching baseball."

that day cant come soon enough.

dont make judgments as if you know me.

by Travis G on Jul 11, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh I know...

…I’m so unworthy to watch baseball in your world.

Can I possibly get to sleep tonight?

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 11, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

don't start

making stuff personal.

by Travis G on Jul 11, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

And BJ Ryan is through

He was hitting 86 on the gun last week with no control.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 10, 2009 9:45 AM EDT reply actions

No sense in taking up a spot . . .

in Scranton with BJ. He is through, and that would just take away from those there that will actually benefit from there time in the minors and grow into the players that will fill our future needs.

by syllk on Jul 10, 2009 10:01 AM EDT reply actions

Yes to umpires but

I wish they were more accountable for their more drastic errors. We never know if they were chastised for they errors. When players make mistakes, we know about it one way or the other, should be the same for the officials. They are mistakes that are unforgivable … those that change the course of a game.

Christian

by cede on Jul 10, 2009 3:38 PM EDT reply actions

WOW

A Yankees prospect is ranked 3rd! in all of baseball!

WHo the hell said they don’t know what they’re doing?

And Id take a flier on BJ Ryan. Why the hell not?

by FreeBradshaw on Jul 10, 2009 3:40 PM EDT reply actions

Haha...

I guess you can find one example to prove anything.

Mariano must suck because he blew Game 7 of the 2001 world series.

Trent Dilfer is the best QB ever because he won a Super Bowl.

I’m the world’s greatest lover because I once gave a girl an orgasm.

You get the idea.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 10, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

What a surprise.

Just because the Yankees have a top-3 prospect doesn’t mean they have done a good job with the draft.

There are these things called “exceptions” that prove nothing, of which I listed a few, including a humorous and self-deprecating one.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 10, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions

....

still don’t get it.

Re-hashed wise ass response usually doesn’t get the point across. Especially when its not true either.

….Joba, Hughes. There’s 2. AJAX was a 8th rounder too. No fielders, that’s true. The pitching prospects are some of the top in baseball, also true.

by FreeBradshaw on Jul 10, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Ugh, nevermind.

Everything is serious business with you. I tried to play along with a joke and it flew over your head.

Christ, even HappyLucky played along.

Enjoy the weekend.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 10, 2009 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions

oh yeah, right

the same system that produced All-Stars Cano, Wang, ROY candidate Gardner, #3 prospect Jesus, not to mention Joba and Hughes (who are the first guys mentioned in trade talks by other teams) and all the other contributing MLers: Coke, Robertson, Melky, Cervelli, Pena, etc., without ever having a top 20 pick.

but keep believing what you like.

by Travis G on Jul 11, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions