http://blogs.dailysouthtown.com/whalen/200...2.html#comments

So, when do the Red Sox come to town?

yay?

yeaf***

Not good.

Why the f*** is this crap still here. Aren't they supposed to move this junk around to other ballparks.

damnit! I asked this question last month and somebody said it wasn't coming back!!

That was my impression too.

&*^%$#%#%$^^&

From an interview about the 2007 rules changes with MLB umpire Charlie Reliford in the Cincinnatti Post:

 

Reliford also said MLB may have a new umpire-judging system - called ZE - to either replace or work with QuesTec, so that either system will be in every Major League stadium.

 

"Years and years ago we feared instant replay, but instant replay was our friend. It proved that we are the major league umpires we are," Reliford said. "QuesTec has done that too. Nobody in my uniform wanted it. But technology has given us a different way to grade ourselves. It's a tool to make ourselves better by making adjustments. We work with the league office to make adjustments, just like a pitcher with his arm angle. You change the head angle or feet."

 

One of the biggest complaints about the QuesTec system is that umpires call balls and strikes differently in the 13 stadiums that have QuesTec installed. (Great American Ball Park is one of the stadiums without QuesTec.) Reliford said every statistic has shown that isn't the case.

 

"I promise you, and I can only speak for myself, but it doesn't," Reliford said. "An umpire has technique like a hitter or a pitcher. I don't think a pitcher can say I throw this way in one ballpark and another way in another ballpark. Neither does an umpire. I work the plate the way I was taught to work the plate whether it's a QuesTec park or not a QuesTec park, I can just see the results graphically."

The ZE system sounds similar to Fox TV's f/x system (http://www.around-the-horn.com/?m=200702) where they track the ball's flight. They are gathering data on all teams and there is talk of using it for gaming purposes, like an X-boxer trying to hit an actual Joel Zumaya pitch. Since they will have the data anyway, there's no reason not to share it with the umps.

I believe they're using these system to "grade" umpire crews. I personally dislike it, it seems to be robbing the human factor from the game...but a lot of people in the game (announcers) are beginning to agree it's a good thing, since some umpires were getting out of control with bad calls.

 

Also, I was watching a Cubs broadcast the other day on TV and one of their announcers mentioned that the dropped 3rd strike rule was changed by MLB (due to AJ's steal of 1st base). The rule is now that if you take a single step toward the dugout, you are immediatly called OUT, rather than having the touch the dugout steps, as the rule was previously written. Can anyone verify?

Edited March 20, 200719 yr by Y2HH

Thats weird, because these are the only locations listed:

 

Angel Stadium of Anaheim - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Chase Field - Arizona Diamondbacks

Fenway Park - Boston Red Sox

Jacobs Field - Cleveland Indians

McAfee Coliseum - Oakland Athletics

Miller Park - Milwaukee Brewers

Minute Maid Park - Houston Astros

Shea Stadium - New York Mets

Tropicana Field - Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Yankee Stadium - New York Yankees

 

You would think they would update that kind of information.

We can debate the fairness of this system itself all day. What really doesn't seem fair though is having it in some parks and not in others. I'm no umpire, but isn't it true that we all work differently when we know we are being watched? I find it hard to believe it wouldn't affect the umps in some way.

Also, I was watching a Cubs broadcast the other day on TV and one of their announcers mentioned that the dropped 3rd strike rule was changed by MLB (due to AJ's steal of 1st base). The rule is now that if you take a single step toward the dugout, you are immediatly called OUT, rather than having the touch the dugout steps, as the rule was previously written. Can anyone verify?

 

They have until they leave the dirt circle around home plate. AJ still would've been safe.

 

a batter will lose the ability to run to first on a dropped third strike if he leaves the dirt circle around home plate unless he does so while trying to reach first base. Previously, a player could run to first until he reached the dugout or his defensive position.

 

Here's a link.

i always new in park leagues you had to a concerted (correct word?) effort to go to the dugout, not just take a step towards it. so being outside the hitting cirlce sounds good.