With all the questionable calls we've been seeing, wanted to relate a story about a conversation I had with someone associated with minor league baseball.
As most probably know, I believe minor league baseball is going to the automated strike zone either this year or next. I expressed my displeasure around this
since I grew up with the old baseball "rhubarb" with managers and umps arguing and thought that was kind of a neat part of the game. In my view, going away
from part of the games history. (Think Earl Weaver, Billy Martin, etc). Guess I'm more of a traditionalist.
He indicated it had way more to do with gambling and how sports have gotten in bed with online gaming, casinos, etc. (remember back in the day when Mays and Mantle were
suspended from baseball--post playing career--for being involved in casinos). ITs gone full circle. The leagues don't want to be perceived as being part of the "fix" if an umpire/ref goes
"rogue" so they are putting in safety nets where ever they can to protect themselves from that perception.
I guess in the end, if they get the call right, there should be no complaints....I just never assumed that was the reason, but it makes sense.
And, you can never eliminate in full, so that question about iffy calls will always exist. Not saying the fixe was in at all, just that the $$ associated with gambling has changed the
landscape of both pro and college sports. Heck, the Reds have a sports betting place in their stadium....a little irony there!
As most probably know, I believe minor league baseball is going to the automated strike zone either this year or next. I expressed my displeasure around this
since I grew up with the old baseball "rhubarb" with managers and umps arguing and thought that was kind of a neat part of the game. In my view, going away
from part of the games history. (Think Earl Weaver, Billy Martin, etc). Guess I'm more of a traditionalist.
He indicated it had way more to do with gambling and how sports have gotten in bed with online gaming, casinos, etc. (remember back in the day when Mays and Mantle were
suspended from baseball--post playing career--for being involved in casinos). ITs gone full circle. The leagues don't want to be perceived as being part of the "fix" if an umpire/ref goes
"rogue" so they are putting in safety nets where ever they can to protect themselves from that perception.
I guess in the end, if they get the call right, there should be no complaints....I just never assumed that was the reason, but it makes sense.
And, you can never eliminate in full, so that question about iffy calls will always exist. Not saying the fixe was in at all, just that the $$ associated with gambling has changed the
landscape of both pro and college sports. Heck, the Reds have a sports betting place in their stadium....a little irony there!
