Is there any point in fighting strikes and balls?

[whereisnomar]

I know that fighting a call might get reversed. Like in the TB game when they called Lugo safe, but strikes and balls? Why risk getting thrown of the game, just because you disagree with a call? Anyone have some ideas?

[riverside sluggers]

its just frustration from players trying to help their team out and costing them an out in an inning-- a recent interview with ortiz was with him saying "Its like the umpires this season have broadened the strike zone when I step up to bat, number of times balls thrown away will be called as balls. Its just so frustrating for me to disappoint my fans and teammates on ******** calls like that"

[YankeeDoodle]

Uhh...technically you CAN'T argue balls and strikes - doesn't stop some managers from trying though.

 

Rule 9

 

(a) Players leaving their position in the field or on base, or managers or coaches leaving the bench or coaches box, to argue on BALLS AND STRIKES will not be permitted. They should be warned if they start for the plate to protest the call. If they continue, they will be ejected from the game.

But baseball is a psychological game, I guess, so "arguing" is not done to get the current call, but perhaps to "influence" the ump in future calls. Sometimes a fairly new umpire might expand the strikezone if an experienced manager gets on him throughout the game.

 

Not sure if this is a scientifically-valid study, but this guy did try and find the managers best at getting calls going their way.

 

Arguing Balls and Strikes: The Most Influential Managers

 

I heard Joe Torre once got purposely tossed from a game (that obviously didn't matter much), because a veteran ump was retiring, and as story goes, Torre wanted to be the last guy he threw out!

[yeszir]

But baseball is a psychological game, I guess, so "arguing" is not done to get the current call, but perhaps to "influence" the ump in future calls. Sometimes a fairly new umpire might expand the strikezone if an experienced manager gets on him throughout the game.

Exactly. Or maybe it's because in a town like Boston or New York, the fans will get all over you for being "weak willed" or feeble if you don't show disproval at bad calls. They're covering their asses!

[Sizzlin22]

It's pretty much showing up the Ump, it's the proverbial, "you suck at your job".

[BigPapiEnFuego]

It's all a matter of pride. If you feel like you are called out on a bad call, you feel as though something is taken away from you, and the only natural reaction is to fight it.

[See Red]

If you'll remember from a Yankees/Red Sox games not too far back, there was a called ball against a Sox hitter, and it was clearly inside -- Joe Torre began arguing with the umpire from the dugout (even though he couldn't see that it was inside) and a few pitches later, the Yankees got a call that wasn't even close. And I think it was later in that game, that one of the ESPN Commentators said "This is getting completely one-sided" in reference to how the Yankees were getting all the calls.

 

I'm sure a lot of players and managers do it because some umpires may actually be influenced to call the game differently and in the complaining teams favor. It seemed to work in that example I gave.

[whereisnomar]

I guess, yelling at the ump would only make him more mad at you.

[MC Hammer]

Arguing balls and strikes to me does more harm than good. Last night Papi stepped out on a 1-2 count to yell at the ump about the call. Now what sense does that make? Do you think you're going to get the next call, after you tell him he's blind and can't make a call? No? Then why are you arguing with him in the first place. Leave the arguing to the coaches.