Rotating Field Umpires

[BoomerSooner]

I read an article somewhere that this was being done as a training tool for either new umpires or for those about to make the jump to MLB (maybe both). I don't recall exactly which group this was for, what leagues were doing it, or what the reasoning behind it is.

As I got my start in officiating with basketball, I kinda like the idea though. I'm not saying the guys at this level are bored or missing calls but it certainly keeps you fresh mentally, although there are many different aspects of basketball that make this practice important that aren't found in baseball. For example without rotating, one ref would call all the postplay for team A while on offense and likely call alot more fouls on team B, while the other would be doing the reverse. Creates the appearance of bias or favoritism. In baseball first base is first base for both teams, so not as big a deal.