News: Umpires complain of pressure -- from owners

[Brent McLaren]

A bad pitcher on a 10" mound is still a bad pitcher on a 12" mound. That is why they did not raise the mound.

Watching pitchers from "A" and "AA" clubs getting called up to make their MLB debut, and then back down again in two weeks, is a clear sign of the lack of talent out there.

Last season hitters dominated. This season pitchers appear to have a better chance. Still, the best pitchers use less time and less pitches.

Should the assessment of your job performance be based on the performance of some guy you have no control over? Just because you draw the fifth starter for two or three weeks, does that mean you are inferior?

Five stadiums have the "electronic strike zone" in place. Maybe we need a beep like tennis. Outfit the umpire with an earpiece and let it go from there. No beep = strike. Now who would the batter argue with?

Brent