Implement a challenge system, MLB

[PeteBooth]

The improvement should be made within the system itself, meaning MLB should take over the Training of umpires and get the "best of the best".

Presently you make "chicken feed" in the minors. You can make more money if you are manager of Wal-Mart. If MLB took over the training of umpires perhaps salaries would increase. I am NOT saying a minor league umpire should make what the PRO umpire makes BUT they should be able to make a decent living. This would attract more umpires and allow MLB to get the "best of the best"

I would try that approach FIRST. If that does not improve the quality of umpiring, then by all means give your method "a shot"

Many times calls are missed because the umpires are NOT in the proper position.

As you say NO SYSTEM is perfect but IMO, Expanded Replay in baseball could be a joke.

Pete Booth

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

Expanded Replay in baseball could be a joke.

Pete Booth

Do you believe it would be if it went in as I detailed earlier in this thread? I too see lots of pitfalls available should IR get expanded, but I do believe it could be expanded and the game made better without risking the integrity of the game.

If you guys remember, there was a LOT of resistance in football circles when the NFL first began IR. There were some problems, some wrinkles, and even some decrying it as the end of the sport. The same arguments were made then - "The human element must be kept in the game, etc". And today, it's an accepted part of the game, and I don't believe very many people would currently consider it a negative.

[TwoBits]

Pete and Mbcrowder both bring up excellent points. Pete, I had never thought of having MLB take over umpire training.

Mbcrowder's response is very good, too. The game has changed over the years. We all know at one time players didn't use batting helmets. Over 100 years ago, they didn't even use gloves! However, over time, these have been accepted into the game, and I would expect over time IR would be accepted just as it has in the NFL.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Do you believe it would be if it went in as I detailed earlier in this thread? I too see lots of pitfalls available should IR get expanded, but I do believe it could be expanded and the game made better without risking the integrity of the game.

If you guys remember, there was a LOT of resistance in football circles when the NFL first began IR. There were some problems, some wrinkles, and even some decrying it as the end of the sport. The same arguments were made then - "The human element must be kept in the game, etc". And today, it's an accepted part of the game, and I don't believe very many people would currently consider it a negative.

FWIW, NFL owners did vote out IR at one time. It was reinstated a couple of years later. Anyway, the head coach doesn't throw the red flag until he gets some sort of replay input from the coaches' booth most of the time. Kind of takes out the human element to me.