We’ve all read the stories about players opting out of the 2020 season as they feel it’s not worth risking their lives and their families’ lives for a 60-game season that will just be a bunch of asterisks in the record books that log the metrics of player and team performances. No one is criticizing them for that decision and they certainly make enough money to withstand the loss of what 60 games of salary would represent.
Next, of course, came word that fans would not be permitted at the ballparks. Many clubs (including the Mets) are providing cardboard cutout replicas of fans free to season ticket holders or available for the $86 price to anyone not in one of those plans. Since restrictions on large gatherings of people are in place most locations around the country to prevent the spread of COVID-19, people might be disappointed with this development but they understand.
Then we heard word floating about regarding coaches on teams opting to participate remotely as best they can due to pre-existing health conditions that might make them vulnerable to catching the coronavirus. On the Mets, for example, hitting coach Chili Davis is not at Citifield. Assistant hitting coach, Tom Slater, is manning things on the field while Chili Davis watches video and assesses player performance reports. No one is questioning this decision either.
There are also players who have had undisclosed absences from camp which people assume are related to the pandemic. It is up to the players whether or not to disclose the reason for their invisibility and thus far none of them have said anything. The Mets will therefore have to work around bullpen absences and also see how qualified Robinson Cano is to start the season on time next Friday.
One that came as a bit of a surprise to many fans was the announcement from the umpires that they too have a number of folks opting out for this season. Depending on which report you believe, 10 or 11 of the current group of umpires are voluntarily sitting out the 2020 season for health concerns.
According to statistics reported, of the 76 full time major league umpires over 25% of them are over the age of 55 which places them in a higher risk group. According to the umpires on the opt-out list, some are concerned about their own health while others are concerned for members of their families already impacted or greatly vulnerable.
Now the boys in blue are never considered very popular by the players or the fans, so it did not surprise me in the least that right away people raised objections to umpires doing what coaches and players have already done. I have no qualms with their choice as everyone is entitled to do what they feel is right for themselves. The umpires are not quite as well compensated as the players and coaches, but they certainly make far more than the warehouse worker or retail store clerk who faces the choice of working or losing their job.
While they’re experimenting with the DH in the NL and the extra inning man-on-second rule, perhaps it’s time for the umpires to be tested with cameras to fill in for the vacancies. Needless to say, the results would be more accurate than the rookies coming up from the defunct minor leagues or graduating from umpiring academies. Of course, the umpires group would not be in favor of something that could jeopardize their jobs long term, but hey, if you can experiment on the game in other ways then the umpires should not be exempt.
5 comments:
Regarding umps, I like real ones.
I also hate instant replay.
Now... pass me a refill of Sanka.
The strike zone is way too subjective. Anything to make it more uniform is a good thing/
Locally we now have EZ Pass instead of toll collectors, so technology is inevitable. Umps could become obsolete.
Umps cannot unilaterally stay away. They have to first come to the park and have another ump scream, “yer OUT!”
Then they can leave.
Mack, it’s Folgers in my cup, the best part of waking up
Earlier we heard proposals about using an automated strike zone but I'm assuming that's not on the table now.
There's a saying - Do what you can until you know better. Than do better. And that's how I feel about the strike zone. Umpiring is tough, a job that humans quite frankly can never be perfect with. The overwhelming majority of umpires are doing 100% the best they can. The issue isn't with effort.
I'd rather we have a uniform and consistent strike zone for all pitchers than consult replay on bang-bang calls at first base in a 9-2 game.
The game will be better when the automated strike zone is ready to be implemented. Might take 5 years or 10 years to do it right. That's ok - take all the time you need. But get it here.
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