The only exception to all of this would be balls/strikes which seem like they could be automated. If they could, I'd do it.

It'll be great when the computer crashes in the 6th inning and they have to hold up the game while they call tech support in India.

It'll be great when the computer crashes in the 6th inning and they have to hold up the game while they call tech support in India.

Honestly, this would probably be run out of MLBAM, so the idea of them (and a few people in particular) collectively freaking out and shitting bricks during a massive strike zone tech failure does actually make me happy.

So what do you do when the other ump thinks he has a better look but is actually wrong?

They get together, discuss the call, and make a decision. If it's wrong, the world goes on.

It's the mechanism for getting together and discuss things that needs to be fixed. But I'm with Lassus and snapper on perfection. It's boring.

And I'll go alone on this and say that goes for balls and strikes too. I see nothing wrong with a personalized zone, as long as its reasonable compared to the rulebook zone (say, a couple of inches high/low, inside/outside) and consistent within that day's game. I think the ability to adapt to the way the game is being called by the man behind the plate is a skill for both pitchers and batters.

So what do you do when the other ump thinks he has a better look but is actually wrong?

What do you do when replay is wrong?

I don't mean that to be quite as snarky as it is but there are a lot of plays that look differently, particularly in slow motion, than they really were. There is this idea that replay is infallible but I do not believe it is.

I really think a two pronged process of;

1. Accountability for the umps

2. Encouraging discussions amongst the umps if someone feels they had a better look

would make a massive difference.

And I'll go alone on this and say that goes for balls and strikes too.

You're not alone on this, I'm with you SoSH. As I said above about replay I don't trust the PitchFX stuff to be as accurate as people think it is. There are a lot of games I watch with my iPad in front of me and pitch location on TV and the location on the PitchFX box seem to have nothing in common with each other.

I'm absolutely, positively in favor of a comprehensive, long-term plan to improve umpire performance, even to the point of dragging the entire group of them - metaphorically - by the neck kicking and screaming to do so. MANY of the umps would be fine with it, it is usually just the crappy veterans causing the problems.

I really think a two pronged process of;

1. Accountability for the umps

2. Encouraging discussions amongst the umps if someone feels they had a better look

would make a massive difference.

If you had 1, I think you'd get 2 naturally.

Each crew should be evaluated regulary for the accuracy of their strikezones and calls. A comprehensive view of performance, not a knee-jerk punishment b/c of 1 or 2 bad calls.

Hell, throw a few million bucks into a bonus pool for the most accurate umps. Nothing gets people motivated like free money.

Each crew should be evaluated regulary for the accuracy of their strikezones and calls. A comprehensive view of performance, not a knee-jerk punishment b/c of 1 or 2 bad calls.

There is not an industry in the world that will not fire an employee for a single episode of gross incompetence. Why should we show such patience for umpires?

I guarantee you that I would be fired if I managed to mess up my next project delivery as poorly as this call was messed up, assuming I never once reached out for assistance. I'm not sure what line of work you're in, but I have a feeling you'd be in the same boat.

Mistakes happen. The decision making that lead to not asking for help exposes a fundamental issue that should be remediated immediately. In any industry, that type of behavior would not be tolerated. Not sure why we should tolerate from MLB umpires.

Baloney. A good organization allows for some human error. Obviously there are mistakes that go beyond the pale and are sufficient for immediate dismissal but firing otherwise good people for a single moment of incompetence is a great way to get even worse performance.

Not only do you lose the good performer who had a bad day but you create an atmosphere of fear that does not allow people to be at their best. Firing umpires for a single bad call is the equivalent of releasing Josh Hamilton for an 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts night. #### happens.