Umpire Karate

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by TxUmp

This year's World Series umpires certainly have not improved the public's perception of umpires. They have blown several calls, made several glaring errors, used poor mechanics, and generally have not shown the excellence we would expect of umpires at the highest level. I can't comment on Culbreath's strike zone last night (seemed OK, but I couldn't stay up for the end), but I disticntly heard him call the location of several called balls - "Inside!" Since when is that an acceptable practice anywhere but in a pick-up game?

I am disappointed in the image these guys are presenting as supposedly the best umpires in the country.

The blown calls are unfortunate, but some of these mechanics are acceptable at the Major League level, like quietly giving the location of a close pitch. Like Griff said, you probably wouldn't be able to hear it in a regular season game.