Why does MLB think that 6 umps are only needed for postseason?

Question

Its the only sport where officials are added for the post. Is the reg. season not important? 6 man crews all year round, and no replay. Stadium buliders need to make more distint markings, Not a blended pepsi ad with a line on it. I think the 1st row in the outfield should have a basket like wrigley. EVERYWHERE

Answer 1

I really like the extra umps too. I think they should add them for the regular season, boundary calls are called correctly more often. (But don't ask Moises Alou or Steve Bartman) I do not like the idea of replay in baseball, or the base coaches wearing helmets. Although, John Olerud could make money off selling base coach helmets..lol

Answer 2

Umpiring is a full-time job, unlike in the NFL, where they only have to show up on Sunday.

So, when the postseason rolls around, suddenly MLB only needs four crews that first week, instead of 15. That's a lot of umps idle -- why not put some of 'em to work? They're getting paid anyway (and umpires do get some bonus pay for working the playoffs), and it is a nice (and easy) way of recognizing the better employees of the season. And, certainly, having two extra sets of eyes is not a bad thing in terms of improving arbitration accuracy. (Remember Bellhorn's HR in 2004 ALCS Game 6? Umps got it right on the second try, but the important thing is THEY GOT IT RIGHT.)

I do wish the line umps were mandated to stand at least X-many yards (meters) beyond the corner bases -- perhaps a discreet, extra hash mark along the foul lines, at least 110 feet past first or third (200 feet from home), would help in this matter. Far too often last month, the line umps were close enough to the base umps to converse, and that simply is pointless. They need to be much closer to the wall, because that is why they're on the field.

There was, in the late 1980s, a tentative proposal -- something that bobbed up during negotiations with the umpires' union (the old one, now gone, and good riddance) -- to add a fifth umpire, who would travel with the crew, rotate with all the others like usual, and the fifth umpire on the day would be the Official Scorer, instead of one of the randomly chosen local writers. I liked the idea -- eliminate any home-team bias, maybe find out just how often Ripken really did make an error, etc. -- but nothing ever came of it. Certainly MLB could afford this.

Answer 3

Good question

I think MLB wants to make sure they made the right call in the Playoffs, and making sure they made the right call is more important in playoffs then in regular season. Playoffs, one bad call could be devastating and could send the wrong team home. Regular season, it still is devastating, but they move on..

I hope this answers the question, and correct me if i'm not right.

Answer 4

because the games are more serious they put extra eyes on the field. there is a set postion for a particular umpire to stand within a certian situation. (i.e. runners on 1st , runners on 1st and 3rd) therefore it is better for the post season games to run 6 blues. (i.e. baltimore orioles and new york yankees fan interferance 1996)

Answer 5

They are trying to tell us they really can't do a good job with four during the regular season, especially on questionable homerun balls. However, maybe instant replay will help fix that problem.

Answer 6

why would 6 umps even be needed? 6 umps is nuts use 3 and instant replay...

Answer 7

Use instant replay, this is the 21st century. With modern technology, we can eliminate the bad calls.

Answer 8

Just enough for the fix job.

Answer 9

Because they only need six umps. That's why.

Answer 10

To have better eyes on the field.