Interesting Photo

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"Has anyone encountered a legitimate news story concerning the performance of the replacement umpires? I've only seen a few and all deal with the issue and have kind words about the new arbiters. A couple of local beat reporters (read: hoping that they get out of those one stoplight towns) are doing decent jobs of trying to catch all angles. Keep searching and let us know how those 'misfits' are ruining the game."

Problem is that the reporters simply don't have a clue. Look at Joe Morgan - makes $$$ spouting rules on TV & is wrong most of the time.

The answer to your questions is: Depends

1. The few games AA & A handled by decent D-I crews have gone, for the most part OK. The NCAA strike zone is different (Lower for the most part), which has required an adjustment for the players.

2. Otherwise, whenever the replacements have had to WORK it's been cluster $%^@.

- Strike zones stink (Read between the lines of the player/manager comments)

- Gross inability to control the game. Since when do you let a pitching coach come out to argue a balk from the bullpen? Base coaches leaving position to argue ball/strike or safe/out? Permit a manager to argue for 15 minutes? fail to recognize a brewing bean ball war?

- No need to make generalized comments about individual quality, crew mechanics, etc. It's to be expected that crews thrown together that normally work 2 umpire in a slower paced environment are working 3 umpire crews at the pro level. D-1 umpires one would expect to get the mechanics right, as they work the 3 umpire system all the time.

In reality the overall quality is deteriorating, as the better umpires refuse or turn back games (The glammer of working MiLB has been replaced by the realization that working 40+ hours at a regular job, handling 5-7 D-1 or MiLB assignments plus travel week over week is NOT fun). On weekends all good D-1 guys are and have been booked for months, so it's been left to locals (Mostly HS or perhaps JUCCO) umpires.

Whatever happens in the end (IMO AMLU will win some concessions & be back to work at some point this year) it's going to be an interesting journey.