PRO Blues - Changing Positions

[PeteBooth]

I always wondered by PRO Umpires do not change positions during a 9 inning game, especially the PU.

Umpiring behind Home Plate can be very grueling, especially in the Hot Summer Months. We are human and as the day wears on we become tired. In practically every job today, one needs a computer. After being on a PC all day - aren't your eyes tired?

Personally, I wouldn't have a problem if the Home Plate Umpire changed every 3 innings. PRO Games are long to begin with and if this was the accepted practice - The Sponsers could get their commercials in every 3 innings instead of every inning.

I know what the main point will be - THE STRIKE ZONE.
This is PRO Baseball and the strike zone shouldn't vary too much from one umpire to another. PRO Umpires get paid a very good salary and if this was the accepted practice - then the strike zones should be similiar.

In all Sports, coaches put in "Fresh Legs" in the late innings and we all know the importance of having a good bench, therefore, what is really wrong with putting "Fresh Legs / Eyes" behind Home Plate. There is many a game when the base umpires do not even "break a sweat" . Not every game has those bangers and shoe - string catches.

For us amateurs, it wouldn't make sense because there is only 2 of us to begin with and many of us umpire double-headers where we each work the Plate, but in PRO ball, they have 4.

I guess the main point is - Would this strategy help the game? Would balls / strikes become more consistent with a "Fresh Set of Eyes"?

I do not know the answers to these but IMO it would be interesting to see the results. Hey this was just a thought


Pete Booth