For all the bashing umpires take, esp at this time of year, so great to see.
And doing it in his first World Series game - wow!
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I find the Ump Scorecards fascinating to analyze. While there are calls that are missed, in my opinion, most of the umps do a fantastic job at calling a ball traveling over 90 miles and hour and often do funky things when they cross the plate.
Am sure there are other threads in this community on the human element of those calls vs. going to automated calls of balls and strikes.
He should be behind the plate every game the rest of the Series
I would like to keep the human element but I think they should be “graded”. Average too low, you are demoted or fired, High, move up or bonus incentive.
@baseballhs posted:I would like to keep the human element but I think they should be “graded”. Average too low, you are demoted or fired, High, move up or bonus incentive.
So you think it should be a meritocracy? How refreshing! What a great idea!!
Exactly. Kind of out of style right now.
@baseballhs posted:I would like to keep the human element but I think they should be “graded”. Average too low, you are demoted or fired, High, move up or bonus incentive.
MLB umpires are graded on how close they come to the automated system that tracks balls and strikes.
So is every other umpire that officiates on a field that has that capability.
edit This determines who moves up or who moves down.
It's odd that some that so notoriously bad have stayed in their positions if they really do that.
@baseballhs posted:It's odd that some that so notoriously bad have stayed in their positions if they really do that.
If the percentages are off a slight bit they might get a pass. College coaches (with field capability) get reports as well as the tech guys. Not sure who gets it in milb and MLB. I think it's a great tool because then the coaches can correct the pitchers by knowing what to fix.
I do know it is almost impossible to get a job in milb no matter how good you are as a college umpire.
TPM is correct. You either start out as a MLB umpire or college. They do not like college guys in the pros. I was fortunate many moons ago to be a college umpire who had a direct connection to the MiLB assigner, personal friend. I filled in for them in big binds for Southeast. Many times at the very last minute. Walked on a MiLB field once as they were playing the National Anthem. Got a chance to be highly promoted during strike year but chose not to make that commitment.
I also know guys who were terrible HS umpires who went to the school and got MiLB contract. It is all about the look and the mechanics, not the rules. They have to come before you get promoted but it starts with the mechanics.
@PitchingFan posted:TPM is correct. You either start out as a MLB umpire or college. They do not like college guys in the pros.
Specific P5 conference umpires might be an exception. But it takes years to even get a chance at milb. Very political.
I thought I heard once that there is a limit to how long you can be an umpire in MiLB? If you don't make it to MLB, you are done. But I googled this and couldn't find it anywhere.
@anotherparent posted:I thought I heard once that there is a limit to how long you can be an umpire in MiLB? If you don't make it to MLB, you are done. But I googled this and couldn't find it anywhere.
I know it can take a few years less than a decade in milb to "graduate", but honestly there must be a lot of guys leaving before they even get halfway there.