Should the UIC Be 'MIKED"

[cmcallm]

I don't think it would be practical to mike the umps so they can give explanations to the fans/pressbox/etc., but for years I've thought it would be cool to have the umpire crew wired so as to be able to communicate/hear each other. Some situations call for "one-on-one" discussions, but in an ejection situation the whole crew is asked "What did you see and hear?". Certainly this would help clarify those situations. It would be easy to SAY, "Charlie, we have an infield fly situation" - then acknowledgements wouldn't require eye contact (taking an eye OFF the ball to make eye contact with a partner). How about being able to hear without looking, "Charlie, I have third" - instead of either glancing there (and again taking an eye off the ball) or just HOPING it's covered? Same thing with an appeal situation - "Charlie, it's my call and I saw it". Lots of possiblities...."Charlie, where are we going to dinner tonight?"..."Charlie, check out the girl in the red shorts behind first base".....