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Umps Under Fire After Rash of Botched Calls

Postseason miscues have MLB considering drastic changes

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 23, 2009 5:10 PM CDT
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(Newser) – This year’s postseason has featured the usual thrills—pitchers' duels, come-from-behind victories—and an outbreak of something unusual: botched calls by umpires. The threat of more gaffes in next week’s World Series has the tradition-bound sport considering expanding the use of instant replay beyond the verification of home runs. And not everyone objects.

"Baseball could save face by giving the umpires the luxury that everyone else in the world has: seeing the play again," former umpire Dave Phillips tells USA Today. Others worry replay will kill the soul of the game: "The game can be whatever we want it to be," says MLB's VP of umpiring: "There's a professor in Japan who has invented a robot pitcher and robot batter. I value the tradition and stability of the game. It's one of the few remaining things left to people on the field."

Umpire Phil Cuzzi (with Paul Konerko of the White Sox) botched a fair-foul call in a Yankees-Twins playoff game Oct. 9.
Umpire Phil Cuzzi (with Paul Konerko of the White Sox) botched a fair-foul call in a Yankees-Twins playoff game Oct. 9.   (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)
Detroit Tigers' Brandon Inge argues with home plate umpire Randy Marsh after Inge thought he was hit by a pitch during the 12th inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009, in Minneapolis. The Twins won 6-5 in 12 innings, advancing to the playoffs.
Detroit Tigers' Brandon Inge argues with home plate umpire Randy Marsh after Inge thought he was hit by a pitch during the 12th inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009, in Minneapolis. The Twins...   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, right, pleads his case with umpire crew chief Tim McClelland, center, after being thrown out of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves by home plate umpire Greg Gibson, left, during the seventh inning, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, in St. Louis.
St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, right, pleads his case with umpire crew chief Tim McClelland, center, after being thrown out of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves by home plate umpire...   (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
bewilderbeast
Oct 26, 2009 1:19 AM CDT
Mia! You are onto something that cannot be ignored. Betting on the outcome of sports games is BIG business and it is easily manipulated. WHO KNOWS to what extent?
Mia
Oct 24, 2009 12:17 PM CDT
Bribed???
freethemall
Oct 24, 2009 12:13 PM CDT
This is a little off topic, but computer technology sure ruined the game of chess for me. I used to take pride in my ability to play chess. But playing against a computer has given me a inferiority complex, as far as chess playing is concerned. Why did somebody have to go and figure the game out, anyway? Well, I don't get flagged for being off topic.

 
sports • MLB • umpire • baseball • umpires

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