So with the rules changing for this shortened season, why didn't they test drive an umpire evaluation program with teeth? That is, have evaluations with consequences instead of the current "umpire for life" policy. They wouldn't have needed to implement the consequences this year, but just put umpires on notice that if adopted, this penalty would happen to these guys.
Calling balls and strikes is not easy, as evidenced by the number of missed calls made. But playing the game is not easy either, which is why only the best players get to keep their jobs. Why not put the umpire's job on the line just like players? Using today's technology, they could actually count the number of missed calls and come up with a percentage of all calls made that were wrong. Not every pitch results in a called ball or strike, of course. They could exclude those calls that the technology shows as on the borderline, that is, if there is no clearly visible pixel between the ball and the box, it just doesn't count as a call.
Penalties could range from losing their job, not being allowed to be behind the plate (just go from first to third in the rotation) or being suspended from calling pitches for one rotation, or more. Perhaps a certain number of lessor penalties could be used before being fired, with a "reset" after a certain number of games called that fell within the standard set. (I don't know where they should draw the line, but they have stats that could be used to determine the acceptable percentage.)
Now, I did just watch a game which had C.B. Bucknor behind the plate, and my team lost. But, along with Angel Hernandez, that guy is in the worst-of-the-worst category, in my opinion. They miss calls that are a few inches outside of the box, and going the other way, some where the technology shows the entire ball was just inside the box. Every ump will do both of those things on occasion, but those who clearly can't see the pitches accurately should not be given a pass.
I'm not advocating taking the human element out of umpiring. But it's time to hold them accountable for poor performance.
