Does anyone know of any location where I can get a thorough review of each umpire's tendencies behind the plate, strike zone, consistency, etc.? Thanks in advance.

Sure, you can have mine.

I have a big strike zone, and I am really consistent.

Your welcome.

Great site. Glad I joined to ask a question. Class acts on here, I see. I think I'll cancel now. Idiot.

come on.. it's kind of a dumb question... every umpire is going to call the strike zone defined by the rules as consistently as possible. Any judgement anybody else makes on how succesful they are at doing it is just that.. a judgement call.

I have found that when I ask ambiguios questions, I get ambiguios answers.

What umpires our you talking about?

Are we supposed to read your mind?

So before you go and get all skittzy fritz on us, maybe you should think about what your asking.

If its MLB he is looking for, I think you should look at the Vegas Sports books...they used to have a resource that tracked stats based on Home plate umpire.......strictly for betting purposes......

Cant imagine anyone getting rich betting on baseball from who is behind the plate.....

Adios.

Damn I'm going to miss him.

What follows is a little lesson in baseball:

Anyone watching the White Sox game? Well, top of the second, 2nd out is SO on a pitch clearly out of the strikezone. Batter (Veritek? Can't recall.) barks at umpire. Piazza, doing color announcing, says "They all knew it coming in. Hirschbeck has a wide zone." This is after first inning commentary on the strikezone where it was said "well, it's consistent, but the strikezone is wide. Hirschbeck wants them up there swinging the bat."

Okay, with a known wide zone, it's a big factor. When batters are forced to swing at things merely close, perhaps 4 inches above the 'true zone', four below, four outside and four inside, you see a lot of ground balls, a lot of questionable SO's, a lot of flies that wouldn't otherwise occur.

In other words, it can contribute to lower scores and poorer offensive numbers.

So after an inning and a half, the commentary has already twice talked about the fact that the home plate umpire's strikezone is known in the league, is exceptionally wide, and will be a factor in the game. But I guess all of you know more than Mike Piazza, a catcher, dealing with the umpires, for what, 15 years now? Or perhaps Piazza, like me, is just an idiot. What fool thinks umpires have tendencies, that umpires call games certain ways, and that, god forbid, they can be quantified and contribute to the outcome of a game?? Fools, we are!!!

As an earlier post said, yes, knowing the umpire is for betting. It is one factor. Not the end all and be all factor, but a factor. There is no factor that is the only factor to consider when betting baseball. There are probably 10 crucial ones, and knowledge of all of them leads to an educated bet. Knowing the umpire is one of them.

No guarantees, though, of course. Clement comes out, hits the first two batters, can't get anywhere around the strike zone, and therefore the umpire becomes moot. Hey, it happens, and that's why they play. Anything can happen.

No, you will not get rich on betting on umpires, but it is important, especially if betting overs and unders. Wide strike zones generally bring about low scores. Tight zones, especially with a team like Boston that is known for patience at the plate, play into a higher score for a hitting team like Boston. Wide zones detract.

As far as what umpires I'm curious about and reading my mind, I don't know how that was so ambiguous. If you had an answer or a site to point me to, I imagine they'd review all the MLB umpires. I can find all the playoff umpires from there. I would think a site that reviews umpires would review all of them.

But your real answer was: You don't know.

Another post that says it's a dumb question because "every umpire is going to call the strike zone defined by the rules as consistently as possible." Well...I guess I'd have to say that that's not only a dumb reply, but...well, I won't go further. I suggest watching a little more baseball. The umpires have as distinctive a strike zone as batters have stances. Yes, they keep within the "theory" of the rules, but if you think their zone is defined by the rules and consistent with the rules, you do not follow the nuances of the game. And the nuances of the game are what make the game.

At any rate, I appreciate the hostility and arrogance to my very simple, very innocuous, very politely asked question. I thought I even said "thank you in advance", and was greeted with innane, insulting, and ridiculous commentary.

So without further commentary, I bid all of you respondants a fond "**** you!" Enjoy the playoffs, you ****ing forum dorks!

You didn't specify which umpires you were asking about and you think it's our problem?

See Here Carl......

ANOTHER SATISFIED CUSTOMER.

Don't worry though, I'm already committed to the multi-year plan. It just might be me and you shortly.

I wonder if he happen to read T's article.

Oh, excuse me phumblelia33, that is Mr. Forum Dork to you.

Since you started the thread, are you included in your insult?

The 'N'owledge on this site borders on the hilarious. One of the respondants to my lengthy diatribe says:

"You didn't specify which umpires you were asking about and you think it's our problem?"

Now, this was something I was accused of earlier, so I addressed it in my, admittedly, long response. But I shouldn't expect anyone here to be capable of reading more than four sentences at a time.

Check this quote from my response:

"As far as what umpires I'm curious about and reading my mind, I don't know how that was so ambiguous. If you had an answer or a site to point me to, I imagine they'd review all the MLB umpires. I can find all the playoff umpires from there. I would think a site that reviews umpires would review all of them."

Anybody else want to send the same accusation at me for, what, the third time? If you'd like, I can write the obvious again and again and again.

The next attempt at taking a shot at me says:

"Since you started the thread, are you included in your insult?"

No, I'm not. As I stated (and you quoted in your response) "So without further commentary, I bid all of you respondants a fond "**** you!" Enjoy the playoffs, you ****ing forum dorks!"

The statement, by the very nature of it's sentence structure, is directed at the "respondants". "Respondants" means "those who respond." As I was the originator of the thread, I cannot be a responder to myself. As you were all responding to my horrible, obscene, unbelievably idiotic question of:

"Does anyone know of any location where I can get a thorough review of each umpire's tendencies behind the plate, strike zone, consistency, etc.? Thanks in advance."

...well, then you would be the respondants.

Is this just a place where angry, disgruntled, ex-softball players go to vent their frustrations? Fascinating. Truly fascinating. A wonderful study in Internet Personality.

But please, keep it coming. This is something fun to do inbetween innings. I love to see that a simple question, asked in good faith and honest curiosity (with, admittedly, an interest in gambling), can provoke such a whirlwind of hostility. Fun.

Next batter?

Ex-softball players? You're an idiot. This is a forum for amateur sports officials. Most of us don't give a crap how ML umpires call balls and strikes.

Hey, we have another batter!

His quote: "( Nobody said umpires don't have tendencies.)"

Oh, but they did, which is why I mentioned it. Perhaps you should stretch your brain far enough to read the entirity of the thread (or even the entirity of my comment).

What kcs_hiker said: "it's kind of a dumb question... every umpire is going to call the strike zone defined by the rules as consistently as possible."

In other words, no tendencies. Just a strict obedience to the rules, the very questioning of which, is, in his (her?) words is: "kind of a dumb question."

But to understand that without him saying "umpires don't have tendencies" in bold, capital letters, you would actually have to employ interpretive thought. I know, it hurts the head to do think that way. Try morphine...dulls the pain...

(this is great! Since no one here has a shred of decency or courtesy, I can see what it's like to be a total prick for myself! **** courtesy! **** decency! **** manners, reason, and friendliness! Maybe that's why fools like you enjoy places like this!!!!)

Next comment: "( Maybe you should contact the "mob".I'm sure they have all the info you can stand.)"

I have no idea what this means. You found it an important point, though. I don't know that it proves or disproves anything, but it was a nice shot!

Next comment: "( All levels of umpires are discussed here.Maybe when you ask for info from people you don't know,perhaps you should be just a touch more specific. )"

A recurring theme! Very good, guys! Disregard any original thought! Just get pissed and stay pissed! And if three people say something, by god, jump on board! Strength in numbers!

No one seems to understand, "hey, do you know of an information site on umpires?" Not clear enough for this site. Apparently I caused great animosity by my lack of clarity. I can see how a question that ridiculous, that horrendous, that insulting, could get this little forum all fired up!

And besides, the Longwood Lumber team lost the C+ men's softball league this season. Yep, that would piss me off, too.

Drop it! It's a stupid argument! Reasonable people in a decent forum would have replied: "Are you looking for specific umpires?" or "yes, I have info on umpires. Which ones are you looking for?" or "Sorry, don't know of any sites about that". Or they would have replied nothing at all!!!!!

But in this forum, such a simple response does not seem possible. The initial response was, instead, bizarre, and vaguely homosexual.

Next comment: "(And if you think you know more about calling balls and strikes than most folks here,I'd love to come out to the park to watch you work.)"

Again and again, I have no idea what that means or what it has to do with anything.

Okay, man, you call a mean game of high school ball. Whatever. That has nothing to do with my question, but I'm sure it will rally your troops on this site to your side. Maybe you can find some other people to call me "*******!" because you call a hell of a game of balls and strikes.

Um...

And your last comment: " Hostility? You don't know from hostility.I would recommend reading any post by "rulesgeek", "dudeinblue",or several others.They've seen true hostility,full force.)"

Again and again and again, I have no idea what that means (further, I don't care...is this some war reference? Don't answer....please, don't answer), but I guess you showed me!

It's been fun, dudes! This is, honestly, the first forum I've ever asked a question on in my whole life. It's vaguely Simpson-esque, reminding me of the comic book store guy, writing asinine, pseudo-knowledgeable commentary to other nameless, faceless, jackass writers of the forum-world, getting all pissed off, giving his 'livingrooom wisdom' to cyberspace.

Carry on. Games are over today. Hope you all enjoy the playoffs. Great time of year.

I'm going to get some sleep. Please, yell at me some more. It will give me something to do while I watch the games tomorrow.

With this idiot, we don't need Windy any more.

Sorry, one more:

I just got told I was an idiot because this was a site for amateur officials who don't care how the MLB calls balls and strikes.

Great! Love it. I love how no one has been able to comprehend the whole thread. I love the "one line and out" approach.

Seriously, guys, no more. The more you write, the more I have to respond. Do yourselves a favor and stop. It all may wind up in a book someday.

And for you, amateur sports official reprsentative, I did not know that the site was designed for that. Anyone could have responded and said as much in a decent way.

But I suppose after losing the Jimmy's Trucking Southwind title of '94, you have some animosity!

HA!

Can you take a joke?

No, I'm sure you can't.

Goodnight, goodbye forever. Ump away, me boyz! I'm done with this moronic nonsense for real. It's very addicting, but this is a painful waste of my time.

You can all rest now. You won't have to hear from me again. Ump well, ump strong, ump fast and true!

Quote Phumbum
"You won't have to hear from me again."

Hopefully the third time saying this is a charm.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser

Quote:

Ex-softball players? You're an idiot. This is a forum for amateur sports officials. Most of us don't give a crap how ML umpires call balls and strikes.

Hey hey hey Rich.....I care how they call it....I figure if I can pick up a few pointers it might help me get where I want to go umpiring. But what you're referring to, the tendencies to call balls vs strikes, no I don't give a ****.

Is there an ignore button on this forum? I'm sure some people have wanted to use it against me but I think we all need it now.

PDNFTT

didnt we answer this?
 

Im sorry if I'm missing this, but I think I answered his question?........ I believe I said that if it was MLB he was looking for that the Vegas sports books have a reference tool that tracks home plate umpire tendencies... and that he should look there....

I know I added my 2 cents about not getting rich betting on the umpires, but I felt that response answered his question......maybe not to his satisfaction, but not being a betting man, its the best I can do.....

a quick google search brings up a number of betting sites mentioning MLB umpire tendencies....best he look there....



[Edited by piaa_ump on Oct 5th, 2005 at 09:29 AM]

i have a friend who used to bet on baseball, and read up on umpire scouting reports from some gambling site. he did factor umpires into account at times, depending on who was pitching and where they were at, the umpire's scouting supposedly helped him.

i should note, though, that he no longer does it since he lost quite a bit of money haha. he was "rich" for a little bit though, as many gamblers are at some point.

Man, to think I thought Dumbdrum, Dorkinblue, and Rulesgeek were the most idiotic morons surfing the umpiring boards!


I find it hard to believe that there are people stupid enough to believe that the tendencies of a MLB umpire have a direct effect on the outcome of a baseball game.

Unbelievable!

Tim.

And the board falls further & further.....

If I may, The individual who submitted a request was looking for an easy way to find an answer to his rather ambigous question. What I saw was an excuse not to do any work himself but rather to "pick the brains" of individuals in this forum.. I say to him (or her)...do the work and you'll be satisfied with the answer...Don't do the work and you'll get what you deserve...

funny you say this, I figured you would respond with a full game schedule, airline ticket numbers, and every crew's rental-car preferences ;)

I don't care who you are,that's funny !

Step out, batter.
 

I step away for a few days and you guys start having so much fun!

Perhaps our new friend could call their wives and get the goods on these guys - I'm sure they have all discussed something as intimate as their strike zones, with their wives. I know a great strike call gives me a... ... power surge.

If you figure out their predilections for balls/strikes etc. I would also like to know what are some of their favorite foods; what do they like to eat, ....

so I can avoid them and stay a little slimmer!

And we all know that when it comes to a marginal pitch, strike or ball, it depends upon who is batting! :D