Seems to me that the issue is not really that the umps are human. It is more that they refuse to 1) consistently enforce the strike zone as 'designed', as evidenced by the fact that umps are known to give a wide strike, or a high strike, or whatever....; 2) get together to discuss marginal calls ( as was noted happened for a brief period of time in the mid-2000's) or 3) have the ability to get together when one ump sees a call differently than another ump, like what should have happened the other night in Detroit. I find it hard to believe that all 3 of the other umps agreed that the runner was out. So, in my view, the issue is not so much the 'humanity' of the umps but the fact that they have been allowed to adopt this culture of 'egotism' that doesn't allow for any of the above to occur. And MLB is certainly partially at fault, as they have always treated umps the same as bases or balls - essential to the game but replaceable and merely 'parts'.
I had recommended this book in the past, but again, 'As They See 'Em' by Bruce Weber provides excellent insight into the umpires world, including how this whole cult of egotism developed. If given the choice between automating things like calling balls and strikes and extensive use of replay, personally, I would vote to leave it as-is, rather than mechanize the game to the point where all of the gray areas are removed. Besides, what the heck would generate so many posts as this sort of issue? Other than the Sox winning the Series in 2010, of course.... ;-) Dan D Central NJ USA -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Red Sox Citizens" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/redsoxcitizens?hl=en.
