All over the umpires this morning . . .
 

Sportscasters are decrying all the horrible calls in various games this morning, including:

Twins' misgivings about umps were justified - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

Not defending bad calls, but if they had videotape replays from 17 angles going back to 1903, they'd find plenty of similar mistakes.

All I can say is, if the pitch tracking device is that dang accurate :rolleyes:, then why are they spending that extra money on a plate umpire. God , they could probably afford another good hitter that is capable of being considered great if he hits 30% of the time.

I understand these litte dots are placed with a little human help. What a unique scientific unbaised machine.

I thought Hunter's zone for that game was both consistent and brutal.

HP in the Reds/Phillies game got suckered by Chase Utley into calling a HBP. Utley same as admitted he didn't get hit after the game. Also a missed call at 2nd. Not a good showing for the guys in blue.

I don't think he was suckered. He IMMEDIATELY called the HPB so I think he probably heard it hit Utley.

I guess HP's ears were better than Utleys central nervous system because Utley, when asked if it hit him smiled sheepisly and said "I don't know."

At 102mph (the clock speed of the pitch in question) there would be .0067 seconds delay between when the ball passed Utley and when the ball hit Hernandez's mitt. Those are some damn good ears.

Average ears can hear that.

Not if it was a rising fastball.

Especially one that tails in, then out.

And a night game at that.

More on the subject.....
 

Dusty Baker Defends Umpires Amid Calls for Expanded Instant Replay -- MLB FanHouse

"That's a job I wouldn't want -- because you are only scrutinized when things aren't right," said Baker.

What a brutal game. By the Reds defense, who threw away a 4-0 lead and turned it into a 7-4 Phillies win with 4 errors.