Two Baltimore Oriole fans were told to turn off their high-tech lighted jackets during a game between the O's and the Oakland A's because it was distracting the players. The two men, seated in the barren outfield stands at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, wore the mini-billboard jackets which read "Go Orioles" and other blinking messages.
With the A's at bat, the second base umpire stopped the game and told the two men to shut off their attire.
In Oakland, the only things that get lit up in the Coliseum are the A's pitchers.
Even the home crowd booed the ump's decision.
Babe Ruth would be turning over to the antics of todays' umpires.
ReplyDeleteThe umpires are supposed to govern the play of the game. The play of the game is just that: how the players (not fans) play baseball. If the fans are not on the field, or endangering the play on the field (such as by throwing things), the umps have no business interfering.
ReplyDeletesome umps are on nothing more than a power trip...how he even noticed that while umping second base of all places is beyond me and its funny how no player commented on this article
ReplyDeleteIf it was distracting the pitchers then it is dealing with the game.
ReplyDeleteI really don't understand how the umpires EVER got the feeling that the fans go to a game to see THEM..I can't stand it when a home plate umpire signals a strike 2 seconds after the catcher returns the ball to the pitcher. Hey, a new set of primadonnas. Memo to umpires: just do your job and nothing more. We don't give a d--- about your technique. We fans are here to watch our team not you.
ReplyDeleteI love those jackets, ebay?
ReplyDeleteAlong with officiating the game, umpires try to insure the safety of the players. Having umpired for almost ten years on the collegiate Division 1 level I can understand the umpires concern. When a ball is being pitched at 90+ mph, and the reaction time for the batter is miniscule, blinking lights in the hitters eyes can cause enough of a distraction that can certainly lead to serious injury.
ReplyDeleteI applaud the umpire for understanding the importance of insuring the safety of the athlete.
Oh, and by the way. I'm from "Jersey:
TJG
Another over reaction by power hungry umps! By the way, it can't distract pitchers dummy, pitchers have their back to center field. If the batter was distracted, he wasn't watching the pitcher or the pitch.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping for a young lady in a loud tank-top. Disappointing.
ReplyDeletecamera flashes can temporarily blind a batter too so are they gonna stop the game & the fans from doing that? NO. Sorry ump from Jersey, your argument doesn't wash. If I pay the price for admission & the person @ the gate says it's OK, I'm leaving it on. Umps regulate play on the field not in the stands, that's what security is for. Not hat'n, jus' say'n.
ReplyDeleteHow does a lighted jacket in the OUTFIELD seats distract the pitcher? Shouldn't he be looking at home plate and the catcher instead of the fans in the outfield bleachers? Maybe that's what's wrong with the A's, their pitchers are distracted by shiny objects behind their backs.
ReplyDeleteThe jacket would distract the hitter, not the pitcher. That being said, it IS DISTRACTING and dangerous. You try standing there and picking up a ninety MPH pitch with that in the background.
ReplyDeleteFunny how those that never played or umpired at a high level know it all!
I have umpired baseball/softball for quite a few years and I can tell you that during night games, any lights just above fence level make it really hard to see the baseball out of the pitchers hands.
ReplyDeletethis is NOT power hungry umpires. This call is protecting the hitters, catchers and plate umpires from harm.
It is also why in many stadiums fans cannot sit in the CF stands during night games but they can during the day. Light colored clothing mixed with the limited lighting make for large and dangerous distractions.
I disagree with your comment about the A's pitching getting lit up at home this season. So far in 2011 the Oakland A's ERA at home is only 3.15; 5th best is all of MLB. Please check your facts before writing your jokes.
ReplyDelete