BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Umpires Are Crying Foul, but They Won’t Strike Over CBS’ Eye in the Sky

Replays of ball and strike calls through the use of an overhead camera by CBS has upset umpires working in the postseason, but the crew assigned to the World Series has not considered a walkout, as was being speculated prior to Game 2.

“That was never a consideration,” American League umpire Dave Phillips said.

“We recognize CBS has a job to do and does it very well, but the use of an overhead on every pitch just makes our job more difficult.”

Richie Phillips, counsel for the umpires union, protested to CBS prior to Game 6 of the National League playoff, according to Rick Gentile, senior vice president of sports production, but CBS was advised by baseball that Phillips should direct any complaints directly to baseball, not the network.

“I don’t understand the fuss,” Gentile said. “The camera isn’t new. We’ve used it for three years.

“We’re not trying to show anyone up. We’re sensitive to the concern. We show both the good and bad, and we try to do it judiciously.”

Said Marty Springstead, supervisor of American League umpires: “The umpires aren’t getting a fair shake. It’s not an overhead camera to start with. It’s angled, so it’s not a true picture.

“Then you have the announcers giving their opinion to the point of calling balls and strikes instead of letting the umpires do it.”

Phillips wasn’t as strident. He said replays in general have substantiated the umpires’ credibility, but this is another avenue of second-guessing for players, managers and fans.

“It’s the electronics of the ‘90s, and we’ll just have to handle it,” he said.