The Challenges of Umpiring in Major League Baseball

Umpiring is tough at any level, especially in major league baseball. You’ve got to make quick decisions on tight calls at the bases or home plate. The home plate umpires have to call balls and strikes in a flash, facing pitches that can be heart-stopping.

It’s not an easy task. A while back, the New York Times did an interactive piece that challenged readers to make calls on a series of virtual pitches. Many tried, but most couldn’t get it right.

Some pitches, however, are a bit clearer than others.

Take a recent game, for example, where the Baltimore Orioles played against the Toronto Blue Jays. With the Orioles leading 6-3 in the fourth inning, Toronto infielder Ernie Clement stepped up to bat against starting pitcher Zak Efrin.

After Efrin threw a sinker inside—called a ball—he sent another sinker right down the middle.

This was called Ball 2.

Fans, as well as announcers in the Orioles’ broadcast booth, were taken aback. “Wait a second, wait a second!” exclaimed Kevin Brown, the Orioles’ announcer. “That pitch was right down the middle.”

“Oh my goodness. What’s happening at home plate?” former pitcher Ben McDonald added. “I mean, we couldn’t have placed it on a tee any better.”

Clement did manage to get a hit, narrowing Baltimore’s lead to 6-4. The call became memorable amidst the Orioles’ continued success.

Now, how did this mistake happen? It’s likely that catcher Adrie Latchman, who was positioned outside the plate, threw off umpire Brian Walsh’s perspective. Efrin’s perfectly placed sinker had Latchman reaching back inside with his body and glove as it approached.

Walsh should have been able to see where the pitch landed. Still, it’s understandable that Latchman’s movement might have misled him into thinking it was inside.

That’s just how it goes in baseball. Analyzing the pitch with the Statcast tool shows a simulation that underscores the discrepancy.

Again, making those calls isn’t straightforward. Personally, whenever my team faces a shortage of umpires, I completely understand why it can be so hard to call balls and strikes accurately.

But still, this pitch could have been a turning point.