Baseball

Wounded Bear

(64,155 posts)

13. They are trained to look over the inside shoulder of the catcher...

Tue Mar 3, 2026, 10:57 PM

Tuesday

so if the catcher sets up toward the inside part of the plate, the ump's angle to see the plate gets forced to the side significantly. They are always a little soft on the outside pitches anyway, and the position of the catcher can make it more difficult for them.

They are also looking down toward the plate, which can distort their angle of vision on the top/bottom of the zone, especially on tall or shorter batters.

The automated system helps correct these built in error opportunities. Statistically, the umps are actually pretty accurate given the challenges of the job, overall, but I'm still a fan of the challenge system.

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I have watched several MLB preseason games so far and [View all] Diamond_Dog Tuesday OP

Me too Auggie Tuesday #1

Was watching the Guards-Dodgers game this afternoon Auggie Diamond_Dog Tuesday #2

Wow. I was listening on radio ... Auggie Tuesday #5

Yes, you're right, Auggie, the pitch I mentioned was in the 1st inning. Diamond_Dog Tuesday #6

They used it last year in pre-season as well. I like it, too... Wounded Bear Tuesday #3

I was amazed at how far off some calls the umps made were! Diamond_Dog Tuesday #8

They are trained to look over the inside shoulder of the catcher... Wounded Bear Tuesday #13

I like it too Brother Buzz Tuesday #4

Yes it is very fast! Diamond_Dog Tuesday #9

Count me in. True Dough Tuesday #7

That's a good question! Diamond_Dog Tuesday #10

Umpires are MLB's official representation on the field ... Auggie Tuesday #11

There will always be live umpires on the field, at least in our lifetimes...nt Wounded Bear Tuesday #14

I don't like it, but I didn't like the pitch or batters clocks Bristlecone Tuesday #12