I'm fed up with umpires

[Blzer]

I want to rant, but I don't want to ramble. Basically, they are trigger happy in every sense of the word and they don't leave emotion at the door, which is exactly what they are supposed to be doing. Their biggest job on the field is to be invisible. When they don't, I start to have problems with them.

This isn't just concerning the MLB, this has to do with when I play and when I coach as well. All of them in every level are awful abusing their authority.

And I'm not making my case as if I haven't umpired before either. As young as I am (22), I've umpired for 10 years. Obviously I had done younger groups in the past, but for the past four years I haven't done any sort ranked below high school ball. Now I think I am pretty good at making calls, that's either just me or people tend to not have a beef with me. However there are always fans who just can't see the strike zone from the side correctly and tend to call me out on it, but there is nothing to lash back at them. Oh, and my dad reviews my games as often as possible and sometimes even tapes them. I want to get calls right, I don't want to be emotionally defensive.

Why did I make this post now? I'm not really sure, but I'm watching the Cardinals play the Braves and I'm watching an umpire eject Terry Pendleton about as obnoxiously as he possibly could (Pendleton sits on the bench, mind you). It's just annoying.

[elTodd]

Re: I'm fed up with umpires

Yeah, I agree. I think the worst offender is Joe West. He tries to make everything about himself. Like you said, the umpires should be invisible. Unfortunately a lot of the guys nowadays seem to be trying to make a name for themselves.

The way I look at it, if I don't know the umpires name, then he must be doing his job correctly.

[ASB37]

Re: I'm fed up with umpires

Didn't an umpire eject a fan a few weeks ago? I mean I understand he wasn't behaving and whatnot, but shouldnt that be up to the stadium security to handle? Seems to me like the ump should be paying attention to what's happening on the field and not ejecting fans. If he had a problem with someone in the seats, maybe he should have walked over and spoken to a security guard and let the staff handle the situation.

Seems to me like alot of these Umps are trying to draw attention to themselves.

[l3ulvl]

Re: I'm fed up with umpires

Last week Brandon Inge hit a HR to left that was reviewed and correctly reversed. Tonight a HR was hit against the Tigers that was reviewed and incorrectly NOT reversed, then in the 6th inning Ian Kinsler struck out looking at a pitch right down the middle to end the inning and started walking back to the dugout, only to realize it was not called a strike. "Pitchtrack" showed the ball was exactly down the middle, the very next pitch was an RBI single to right/center.

I'm fed up with umps, too.

Spoiler

But I'm a Tigers fan so I'm sure it's obvious

[BatsareBugs]

Re: I'm fed up with umpires

I've been fed up with the umpires since 2006, when it was apparent that they were screwing over the Padres because Sandy Alderson was their CEO.

[steelcurtain311]

Re: I'm fed up with umpires

They're not half as bad as the NBA refs. Or the questionable NFL ref calls that conveniently happen in the playoffs.

[Blzer]

Re: I'm fed up with umpires

Cox was just thrown out in the second inning from Hahn. This is ludicrous.

At least he shunned away from Cox's negativity instead of provoking it even more.

[snepp]

Re: I'm fed up with umpires

If Joe West were here he'd eject you from the forum.

[rsox]

Re: I'm fed up with umpires

If Joe West were here he'd eject you from the forum.

Yeah but first he'd ask you to buy his CD

[Blzer]

Re: I'm fed up with umpires

If Joe West were here he'd eject you from the forum.

Because my posts are too long?

[daflyboys]

Re: I'm fed up with umpires

...and Victorino was tossed yesterday. Called 3rd strike check swing and he threw his helmet. Give these guys equipment tossing fines, but for crying out loud, fans pay GOOD money to see these guys play. You wait.... there is going to be a controversial tossing during an important playoff moment. Umpires' reputation will not improve. But, let's hope it doesn't get to the level of the NHL.

[snowmizer]

Re: I'm fed up with umpires

...and Victorino was tossed yesterday. Called 3rd strike check swing and he threw his helmet. Give these guys equipment tossing fines, but for crying out loud, fans pay GOOD money to see these guys play. You wait.... there is going to be a controversial tossing during an important playoff moment. Umpires' reputation will not improve. But, let's hope it doesn't get to the level of the NHL.

You're defending the throwing of equipment? Seriously?

Players are paid GREAT money to not get thrown out by doing something that everybody realizes merits an automatic ejection.

[daflyboys]

Re: I'm fed up with umpires

My understanding is that you can be given an equipment fine. I've seen many players slam helmets, etc. and not get tossed. No, not flick the equipment.... slam them.

Victorino apparently got tossed b/c Mr. 3rd base umpire's feelings got hurt and asked Shane what he said or if he said some certain phrase or word. Mr. 3rd base umpire turned it into a swinging dick match. Watch the replay.


Addendum: it's not automatic...it's at the umpire's discretion. Here are the sections: Ejection—4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 9.01, 9.02, 9.05.
I don't think umpires should be goading players into further arguments. If the player pursues the umpire after the call is made and after tossing equipment NOT in the direction of the umpire, then, yes, toss him. But as an umpire, don't make yourself part of the spectacle. You are there to be a judge.... not to entertain.

[Dog]

Re: I'm fed up with umpires

I am also getting fed up with the umpires. The only one I actually like right now (and I don't know all of them) would be Jim Joyce. The more I read about him, the more I like him.


With that said, I think that the umpires in the league are letting their "egos" get in the way of calling a good game. A good example of this is a game a little while ago where Ryan Howard had already struck out on a congtroversial call by the 3rd base umpire. (Saying Howard went around when it was very close. I didn't think he went around). Howard gave him a look like "Really...???". That may not have been the smartest thing in the world but the umpire went and MOCKED HOWARD by doing the same thing Howard did. Talk about childish and unprofessional. Later, the 3rd base umpire did the same exact thing, and Howard yelled something along the lines of "COME ON!" Well the 3rd base umpire went and ejected Howard for that. To me, the umpire had a vendetta against Howard (yes this does happen) and then impacted the outcome of the game by ejecting him unjustifiably.

[Dbax_Faithful]

Re: I'm fed up with umpires

About a week ago Mark Reynolds struck out (again) on a called third strike. Sure he kinda treated his bat and helmet a little rough, but he wasn't ejected for it. He said a few words to the umpire, but wasn't ejected for it. He was walking back to the dugout with the umpire talking him away, then - and this is what pissed me off - Mark Reynolds looked back in response to something being said to HIM, didn't say anything, and was ejected. The umpire claimed it was because of the helmet. If that were the case, then why didn't he get ejected right away? That umpire was bull****.