News: Umpires complain of pressure -- from owners

[Bfair]

Originally posted by Patrick Szalapski
Hear, hear, Steve! If umpires were evaluated by the true zone as sensed by a computer, the pitch count would go down and the "integrity of the game" would be intact--nay, even restored! I fully agree with you. Now, how do we convince Alderson, Selig, and Hirschbeck?
P-Sz

Patrick, the management has a legitimate reason for wanting the zone the way they do:
1) it's what the book says
2) quicker games, better revenues
NOTE: not necessarily in that order

I do not have the insight as to why the umpire's union wouldn't just merely adjust to the desires of their employers. I would think the umpires are capable of doing what is desired by management. Certainly there may be more involved than many are aware of.

However, perhaps it's just arrogance and power struggle of not liking being "told" what to do. That is how I view it at this point.

Of course, the point I was really trying to make, is that if management were to make it a requirement of the umpire's job, then the umpire will do it, lose it, or let the union fight it. Are there other options?

Let's get to the real world. Other people lose jobs for poor performance or not doing as requested by their employers. I am not talking about meeting pitchcounts, but I am talking about adjusting their zones to meet the book.
Why should umpires be any different than other working folk?
Better union???

Just my opinion,

Freix