How Bad Are the Umps?

[illinoisredsox]

I'd be more concerned with what kind of damage glasses of some type would do to an ump's face when jammed by a foul ball, but that's just me.

Just ask Mike DiMuro how hard a foul ball hits.

 

ding, ding, ding. Winner.

[User Name]

If the glasses are behind the mask, the ball would actually have to penetrate the mask to hit the glasses.

[Spudboy]

Not just Bradley's. Hanley took to laughing on two separate occasions at how bad the calls were on him. Some of them weren't even close last night.

 

How wide is the plate? 18 inches?

 

I ask because last night I noticed for the first time that the NESN strike zone was divided into boxes and that the plate was three boxes wide. If the plate is 18" then there were a bunch of pitches that were called strikes that were also at least one box or 6" wide of the plate.

 

I can understand close pitches, ones within say, one ball diameter of the plate, being called a strike. You know, the ones that Ek would call paint. It's reasonable to allow them as called strikes or balls.

 

However, a ball that is so outside that a ball diameter or one box could fit between the ball and the plate is just not acceptable.

 

Baseball has implemented instant replay or review, as they want to call it. I assume this was done in an effort to get calls "right".

 

Why stop there? Especially when 13%-16% of pitch calls are wrong? It make no sense not to try to clean up the game from so much error.

[Youk Of The Nation]

I can count on one hand the number of times an umpire has had to leave a game after a foul ball went off of his mask since I started watching baseball. I'm sure there were a couple other instances that I am missing, but it doesn't exactly happen every day. I'm sure they could easily design a Google-Glass type thing that is durable enough to not shatter into tiny pieces if struck by a ball, especially with a mask over it. I still don't think it's a good idea, but not for safety reasons. I think it would be tough because the umpire is crouching and every umpire is a different height, so they'd have to constantly make sure their eyes were pointed at exactly the spot where the superimposed strikezone needed to be. If they even wiggled a little, it might end up being off and they'd still get calls wrong.

[SoxnCycles]

If the glasses are behind the mask, the ball would actually have to penetrate the mask to hit the glasses.

 

And just how much space do you think is behind that mask?

 

I've been hit in the face while wearing a full face helmet. Got a nice gash from glasses I had on.

I can easily see the same thing happening with whatever contraption is put in there.

[User Name]

I can count on one hand the number of times an umpire has had to leave a game after a foul ball went off of his mask since I started watching baseball. I'm sure there were a couple other instances that I am missing, but it doesn't exactly happen every day. I'm sure they could easily design a Google-Glass type thing that is durable enough to not shatter into tiny pieces if struck by a ball, especially with a mask over it. I still don't think it's a good idea, but not for safety reasons. I think it would be tough because the umpire is crouching and every umpire is a different height, so they'd have to constantly make sure their eyes were pointed at exactly the spot where the superimposed strikezone needed to be. If they even wiggled a little, it might end up being off and they'd still get calls wrong.

 

The current technology can handle that issue.

[Spudboy]

If the glasses are behind the mask, the ball would actually have to penetrate the mask to hit the glasses.

 

Maybe so but these glasses would have to be fairly sophisticated not to distort or limit an umps view of the plate. Typical glass , and most applicable plastics, will refract about 4% per side or about 8% in total of incident energy.

 

At the very least these glasses would need an AR, an anti-reflection coating. This is expensive and with plastics, not always easy.

 

What would be the purpose of these glasses anyway?

[illinoisredsox]

How wide is the plate? 18 inches?

 

I ask because last night I noticed for the first time that the NESN strike zone was divided into boxes and that the plate was three boxes wide. If the plate is 18" then there were a bunch of pitches that were called strikes that were also at least one box or 6" wide of the plate.

 

I can understand close pitches, ones within say, one ball diameter of the plate, being called a strike. You know, the ones that Ek would call paint. It's reasonable to allow them as called strikes or balls.

 

However, a ball that is so outside that a ball diameter or one box could fit between the ball and the plate is just not acceptable.

 

Baseball has implemented instant replay or review, as they want to call it. I assume this was done in an effort to get calls "right".

 

Why stop there? Especially when 13%-16% of pitch calls are wrong? It make no sense not to try to clean up the game from so much error.

 

But here's the rub. That 13-16% includes all "wrong " calls; balls that are a millimeter outside the zone and ones that are a foot outside of it are considered equally wrong They aren't. Until somebody can provide some qualitative analysis to go along with the quantitative part, the discussion is silly.

[User Name]

But here's the rub. That 13-16% includes all "wrong " calls; balls that are a millimeter outside the zone and ones that are a foot outside of it are considered equally wrong They aren't. Until somebody can provide some qualitative analysis to go along with the quantitative part, the discussion is silly.

 

No it doesn't. The strike zone used by pitch f/x and gameday give a leniency around the size of the baseball to all corners of the strike zone.

[Spudboy]

And just how much space do you think is behind that mask?

 

I've been hit in the face while wearing a full face helmet. Got a nice gash from glasses I had on.

I can easily see the same thing happening with whatever contraption is put in there.

 

The joys of riding a bike!!!

 

But.... "Ten dollar helmets for ten dollar heads". I always rode with the best helmet available.

[User Name]

http://www.smartfantasybaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/pitchfx1.png

 

Look at the area around the "official" strike zone.

[Spudboy]

http://www.smartfantasybaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/pitchfx1.png

 

Look at the area around the "official" strike zone.

 

So a reasonable fudge factor is incorporated in the system. Nice.

[illinoisredsox]

Maybe so but these glasses would have to be fairly sophisticated not to distort or limit an umps view of the plate. Typical glass , and most applicable plastics, will refract about 4% per side or about 8% in total of incident energy.

 

At the very least these glasses would need an AR, an anti-reflection coating. This is expensive and with plastics, not always easy.

 

What would be the purpose of these glasses anyway?

 

To satisfy UN's rose-colored pipe dream.

[illinoisredsox]

http://www.smartfantasybaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/pitchfx1.png

 

Look at the area around the "official" strike zone.

 

Post a link to that we can see it bigger than a 2x2 picture.

[SoxnCycles]

I'm still liking S5's post.

Use existing technology to encourage umps to improve and dispense with the personal K zones.

If they can't or wont improve, they work fewer games.

[SoxnCycles]

The joys of riding a bike!!!

 

But.... "Ten dollar helmets for ten dollar heads". I always rode with the best helmet available.

 

Stupid tree took a swing at me!

[User Name]

To satisfy UN's rose-colored pipe dream.

 

No, to improve a broken system. And you can counter my ideas without being a petty jerk, thank you very much.

 

Ah, the times when people told me instant replay was a fool's errand.

[User Name]

Post a link to that we can see it bigger than a 2x2 picture.

 

It's simple: Go to mlb.com during game time. Every game has a gameday link. There you'll be able to see the effect in real time.

[Spudboy]

Stupid tree took a swing at me!

 

lol

 

When I first started riding I used an open face Bell.

 

But after a cicada flew into my face ( under my flat shield ) I graduated to full face Star 90s and eventually Arai.

[SoxnCycles]

lol

 

When I first started riding I used an open face Bell.

 

But after a cicada flew into my face ( under my flat shield ) I graduated to full face Star 90s and eventually Arai.

 

Yup, I wore a full face Arai during the crotch rocket years

Bugs suck. Even if you flipped your visor up for a sec, you'd get one in there.

 

I just use a half helmet now, but I've also got a windshield for the pesky rocks and bugs.

[iortiz]

While I want the right calls in the strike zone --who doesn't-- the "flavor" of the game with all this technology and new rules --like the sliding thing at 2nd base-- is kind of losing some "essentials" of the game. Probably most of old school fans are against technology while most of youmg fans are in favor. IMO the way the calls are made won't change or at least not soon, so we have to live with it whether you like it or not.

[Spudboy]

Yup, I wore a full face Arai during the crotch rocket years

Bugs suck. Even if you flipped your visor up for a sec, you'd get one in there.

 

I just use a half helmet now, but I've also got a windshield for the pesky rocks and bugs.

 

Back in 1977 while I was living in South Florida I took my Yoshimura CB400F out for a blast in the Everglades. Just cruising at about 90 or so through the tall reeds on a two lane road when BAM!!!

 

A crow flew out from the side of the road, glanced off my 1/4 fairing and into my chest.

 

f*** did that hurt!

[Maxbialystock]

I have turned games off due to s***** umpiring several times.

 

Thanks to you and mvp78 for clarifying your perspective. I get mad if we get screwed on calls on balls and strikes, but that has never caused me to go away from a game in progress. Indeed, to me that is part of the experience because I accept the umpire's role. I will, however, go away if our pitcher is giving away tons of runs and an insurmountable lead. On rare occasions I even do that when the Sox go up by, say, 10 runs.

I like the drama of the game, the great plays in the field, the matchups between pitchers and hitters, the weather and/or the look of the ball park. I even like to watch the way umpires call the game when it is well done.

 

Last night I was furious when an outside pitch was called against HanRam in the 9th and therefore enjoyed the payback when the Giants LF dropped the fly ball for a 2 run error. I got mad again when other outside pitches, especially against JBJ, were called strikes in the 9th inning, especially because I saw few or none of those outside strikes called for Price when he was in.

[SoxnCycles]

Back in 1977 while I was living in South Florida I took my Yoshimura CB400F out for a blast in the Everglades. Just cruising at about 90 or so through the tall reeds on a two lane road when BAM!!!

 

A crow flew out from the side of the road, glanced off my 1/4 fairing and into my chest.

 

f*** did that hurt!

 

Ouch!

Birds suck too.

 

My first street bike was a '75 CB400F. I loved that bike.

Did you build yours or buy it modified?

[Spudboy]

Ouch!

Birds suck too.

 

My first street bike was a '75 CB400F. I loved that bike.

Did you build yours or buy it modified?

 

I started riding in 1974 on a CL100 Honda.

 

My 3rd street bike was a red 1975 400F.

 

I did most of the small mods myself, I had a Boston Cycles mechanic who raced install a Yosh cam and then had Performance Engineering in Brighton re-jet and synch the carbs.

 

I installed a Lockhard oil cooler, Koni shocks, 15 weight fork oil, K-81 Dunlaps, and a color matched Camber1/4 fairing. I was setting the bike up for Mod-Prod and Endurance Racing.

 

I ran into Johnny Bettencourt in the pits at Daytona in 1976. He had a blue 1975 400F with a color matched 1/4 fairing that his cute girlfriend was riding in Florida. He was racing for Yoshimura East at the time. One of those KZ900s with gobs of horsepower and flexi frames!

 

Anyhow, we got to talking about the 400Fs. I had just ordered my fairing at a show in Daytona but the tinted windscreen was on back order. Johnny offered to loan me his spare clear windscreen. That was wicked cool of him. I rode that bike around for several months with his windscreen on it until mine came in and I drove down to Bridgewater to return his.

 

Too bad he got so f***ed up on coke. He was easily one of the nicest and most talented riders I have known.

 

I have owned dozens of bikes. And while the 400F was not the best bike I owned, it was and still is my favorite street bike.

[SoxnCycles]

I started riding in 1974 on a CL100 Honda.

 

My 3rd street bike was a red 1975 400F.

 

I did most of the small mods myself, I had a Boston Cycles mechanic who raced install a Yosh cam and then had Performance Engineering in Brighton re-jet and synch the carbs.

 

I installed a Lockhard oil cooler, Koni shocks, 15 weight fork oil, K-81 Dunlaps, and a color matched Camber1/4 fairing. I was setting the bike up for Mod-Prod and Endurance Racing.

 

I ran into Johnny Bettencourt in the pits at Daytona in 1976. He had a blue 1975 400F with a color matched 1/4 fairing that his cute girlfriend was riding in Florida. He was racing for Yoshimura East at the time. One of those KZ900s with gobs of horsepower and flexi frames!

 

Anyhow, we got to talking about the 400Fs. I had just ordered my fairing at a show in Daytona but the tinted windscreen was on back order. Johnny offered to loan me his spare clear windscreen. That was wicked cool of him. I rode that bike around for several months with his windscreen on it until mine came in and I drove down to Bridgewater to return his.

 

Too bad he got so f***ed up on coke. He was easily one of the nicest and most talented riders I have known.

 

I have owned dozens of bikes. And while the 400F was not the best bike I owned, it was and still is my favorite street bike.

 

Very nice!

It must have been a blast to ride with the new cam and suspension.

 

The Bettencourt name sounds familiar.

Weren't there a few Bettencourt brothers in racing?

He does sound like a nice guy.

[Spudboy]

Very nice!

It must have been a blast to ride with the new cam and suspension.

 

The Bettencourt name sounds familiar.

Weren't there a few Bettencourt brothers in racing?

He does sound like a nice guy.

 

Sorry to hijack the thread but we are having fun.

 

Yes, all of the Bettencourt boys raced. Having your Father Dick Bettencourt being the Granddaddy of Honda on the east coast sure helped them.

 

John was a super nice guy. He was one of the most talented riders in the country at one point. For a short stint he was a Factory Honda rider and at one point was near the top of the AMA Formula 750 standings on a Home built TZ750.

 

He got mixed up with drugs and lost his life.

 

I used to ride with his Father at Miles Standish State forest. Dick would show up on a Sunday morning driving a Caddy convertible with a Holsclaw trailer full of new Honda dirt bikes and Budweiser. It was from him that I learned the phrase "Horsepower is like tits. There is no such thing as too much."

[Spudboy]

 

 

I don't have any good pics of my 400F but here is what it looked like stock.

 

The first mass produced Cafe bike from Japan.

[SoxnCycles]

Sorry to hijack the thread but we are having fun.

 

Yes, all of the Bettencourt boys raced. Having your Father Dick Bettencourt being the Granddaddy of Honda on the east coast sure helped them.

 

John was a super nice guy. He was one of the most talented riders in the country at one point. For a short stint he was a Factory Honda rider and at one point was near the top of the AMA Formula 750 standings on a Home built TZ750.

 

He got mixed up with drugs and lost his life.

 

I used to ride with his Father at Miles Standish State forest. Dick would show up on a Sunday morning driving a Caddy convertible with a Holsclaw trailer full of new Honda dirt bikes and Budweiser. It was from him that I learned the phrase "Horsepower is like tits. There is no such thing as too much."

 

It's a shame about John.

 

Hanging with his dad sounds like a fun afternoon!

Were they originally from Mass?

 

LOL

I'm surprised I haven't seen that a on a bumper sticker yet!

[mvp 78]

Thanks to you and mvp78 for clarifying your perspective. I get mad if we get screwed on calls on balls and strikes, but that has never caused me to go away from a game in progress. Indeed, to me that is part of the experience because I accept the umpire's role. I will, however, go away if our pitcher is giving away tons of runs and an insurmountable lead. On rare occasions I even do that when the Sox go up by, say, 10 runs.

I like the drama of the game, the great plays in the field, the matchups between pitchers and hitters, the weather and/or the look of the ball park. I even like to watch the way umpires call the game when it is well done.

 

Last night I was furious when an outside pitch was called against HanRam in the 9th and therefore enjoyed the payback when the Giants LF dropped the fly ball for a 2 run error. I got mad again when other outside pitches, especially against JBJ, were called strikes in the 9th inning, especially because I saw few or none of those outside strikes called for Price when he was in.

 

To me, I just hate it when the ump takes over the game. Just make the calls. Don't stare down a player and start a fight. Just be reasonably accurate.

 

I just find it infuriating. It's why I hate the NBA and why I turn off some NFL games that are overly officiated.