The veteran right pitcher of the giants of San Francisco, Justin Verlander, expressed his frustration with Major League Baseball (MLB) After a significant change in the way in which the Umpir is evaluated, which has resulted in a more tight Strike area.
According to The Athletic, the buffer area of the Umpires – the area around the Strike area where minimum errors were tolerated – was reduced from two inches to three quarters of an inch on all sides. This modification is part of the new labor agreement with the Major League Umpires Association, and seeks a stricter evaluation of the referees based on the exact definition of the Strike area.
Verlander harshly criticized the decision and pointed out the lack of transparency of the league:
“This only worsens the problem between MLB and the players. There is a lack of trust and communication. Rob Manfred says they want to talk to us, but then they do everything at closed doors and without including us.”
See it annoyed with the mlb
Although MLB claimed to have notified the teams after the ratification of the collective agreement, Verlander argues that neither he nor other players were informed:
“The League said he notified everyone, but nobody had heard anything. So someone is lying.”
The pitcher also warned that the reduction of the Buffer area favors high -speed pitchers above those with precision and control, which distorts the game:
“Now the type that launches 101 mph with strong breaks is preferred, instead of the one with command and lives in the corners. That is not the baseball that I know or the one that fans want.”
With these statements, Verlander reopens the debate on the balance between technology, arbitration and the essence of the traditional game in the MLB.
