No, not another thread on IR (which should be instituted as per my previous posts) but on the use of the Internet, web pages and hahdheld or docked devices.
Another officials service has been offering online testing for sports officials (I won't mention out of deference to this site) so the technology is there. This means that distance from the testing site(s) or timing to get a test done is not a reason.
MLB umps booted a BOO call and a simple handheld device like a Palm Treo or other PDA (with rules only on it) or docked device (umpire's access only) could have been used to search the rule and apply it correctly. Instead, we got crap.
The common horn I hear blown is how this could embarass umpires, we all heard the whining and Cheetos with Questec and the rest. Looks like everyone survived just fine to me and the strike zones are more consistent than ever.
Point: it's not technology, the cost or the implmentation that is holding the advancement of better officiating, it umpires, ump orgs and perhaps the governing bodies (like MLB) themselves.
So much for getting the call right.
