Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site cornell.UUCP Path: utzoo!decvax!decwrl!amd!dual!zehntel!ihnp4!houxm!vax135!cornell!rossiter From: rossiter@cornell.UUCP (David Rossiter) Newsgroups: net.sport.baseball Subject: amateur vs. major league umpires Message-ID: <1645@cornell.UUCP> Date: Wed, 17-Oct-84 13:00:29 EDT Article-I.D.: cornell.1645 Posted: Wed Oct 17 13:00:29 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 18-Oct-84 14:22:06 EDT References: <537@loral.UUCP> <392@uwmacc.UUCP> <1594@cornell.UUCP> <871@hou3c.UUCP> Reply-To: rossiter@gvax.UUCP (David Rossiter) Distribution: na Organization: Cornell Univ. CS Dept. Lines: 21 In response to Bob Switzer's comments about umpires: the issue wasn't a particular ball or strike, it was the CONSISTENCY of the call. Officiating is very difficult in any sport, but the main thing is always consistency. Get a consistent referee in basketball, and the game flows well (whether they're calling the fouls or letting them play); if the same infraction is called differently (and unpredictably) the result is a frustrating game to play in or watch. It's the same with balls and strikes. I felt that the amateurs were quite inconsistent with their calls. I know we can't see too well from center field, and the announcers can't be trusted, but you could see the reaction of pitchers, catchers, and batters: truly baffled by the calls (not necessarily angry, just baffled). A good control pitcher is really bothered by an inconsistent strike zone, the same for a hitter with a good eye. It's not so bad for a free swinger or a power pitcher. The difference in the 5th game of the LCS was noticable. Hitters walked up to the plate with a different look, confident of how to watch for their pitch, and the pitchers were able to 'work' the batter. I'm very pleased that Uberroth gave the umps a big settlement in arbitration. They are tops and deserve it. (Of course, you get jerks like Luciano every once in a while, but after all he was AL, which isn't real baseball).