When a game hinges on inches and instincts, you’d expect the arbiters of baseball to bring their A-game, not their blindfolds. But here we are, watching million-dollar plays dictated by strike zones as consistent as a coin toss. While players train year-round to shave milliseconds off their swings, some umpires seem to be freelancing their way through rulebooks like it’s open-mic night behind the plate.
The umpires in MLB this season seem hellbent on making a name for themselves. Not for making the right calls and keeping things in line, but for all the wrong reasons. Players train endlessly to connect with 100 mph heat; their grind never takes a day off. Meanwhile, umpires seem allergic to accountability, refusing to evolve while the game speeds past them.
MLB umpires turned last week into a highlight reel of chaos, according to Umpire Auditors. Their X post exposed a string of baffling missed calls that left fans and players fuming. They posted, “Umpires missed 1014 calls the week of April 14th. These were the worst called strikeouts.”
We understand that there is no visible strike zone for the umps, and it can be difficult, but this is too much. At first, it was Angel Hernandez, Joe West and CB Bucknor, now it is Chris Conroy, Mike Estabrook, and John Bacon. Veteran MLB umpire Conroy missed 24 calls in a single game of the Pittsburgh Pirates vs the Cleveland Guardians. In the recent Los Angeles Dodgers vs Colorado Rockies series that took place, umpire Mike Estabrook missed a total of 21 calls in a game.
Umpires missed 1014 calls the week of April 14th.
These were the worst called strikeouts. pic.twitter.com/AjuMLxaSz0
— Umpire Auditor (@UmpireAuditor) April 21, 2025
Forget just the umpires—on MLB’s Opening Day, there were a total of 196 missed calls. MLB may be stalling, but fans are boiling over with frustration and disbelief. Their patience is wearing thin, and collective outrage might just push the league into long-overdue action.
If this keeps up, MLB might need to start tracking umpire ERA—Error Rate Average. The league can’t keep preaching precision while letting its arbiters operate with the accuracy of a weather forecast. Fans aren’t just booing—they’re begging for accountability. Maybe it’s time MLB stopped romanticizing the “human element” and started embracing something radical: getting the calls right.
Baseball fans losing their minds after seeing the chaos caused by umpires
Baseball may be America’s pastime, but lately it feels like we’re watching a game of “Guess That Call.” While teams fine-tune analytics and biomechanics, some umpires are out here rewriting the laws of physics with every missed strike. It’s not a sport anymore—it’s performance art with a chest protector. And fans? They’re not just mad—they’re questioning reality one blown call at a time.
I hate umpires.
— NuckingFuts (@NuckingFuts_2) April 21, 2025
This is not what MLB is about. MLB is about baseball, passion, and nail-biting finishes. But the umpires are making it very difficult for fans to focus on that part of the game. This many blown calls cannot and will not go unnoticed by fans. A sport that is filled with love and support is now developing more hatred towards umpires. Let us just hope that Rob Manfred and MLB do something about it, or there will be scenes similar to what is happening with the Rockies’ management.
Crazy how we can see what’s right on TV but it can’t be implemented into the real game…
— Mike (@Mike_NYY) April 21, 2025
When a fan views a baseball game on TV, they see the strike zone as a box, and it is very easy for us to see the wrong calls, but why can’t it be implemented in the real game? It can be implemented, and that’s what ABS is about. While there won’t be a live box, the batter will be able to correct the wrong calls. But how long will it take for the MLB to implement is the big question.
Everyone crying about the umpires. How about let’s give these catchers some dues. These men are the best of the best. Most other positions can be filled in. Not a catcher.
— Alex Gibbs (@Alex_e_Gibbs) April 21, 2025
While the world is looking at umpires with fire burning in their eyes, a small section believes that catchers deserve more appreciation. Any players in the infield or outfield can play can other position with some practice. For example, Mookie Betts and Jose Altuve have changed positions, but not many players have made a shift to catcher. Framing may be important in the game, but that does not mean umpires should get away with so many missed calls.
They’re making their own case on a daily basis for an automated strike zone.
— Nick (@ncapbBlues) April 21, 2025
While the fans are angry that the umpires are blowing these calls and costing games, part of them are happy. Happy because they don’t need to ask the MLB to bring the ABS to the major leagues, the umpires, with their calamitous calls, are making a very strong case. Looking at this, the MLB might make a decision sooner rather than later.
Its not easy! Its part of the game. But on strike 3 make sure its a real strike before ringing him up.
— umpirejimmy (@umpirejimmy1) April 21, 2025
The job of an umpire is never easy, they have to be watching things very closely. This might lead to some blown calls in the game, but that should not impact the outcome of a game. You might mess up on the first and the second strike, but when you are about to call the 3rd, make sure that it is the right call. Let the batter walk off thinking the pitch beat him fair and square. Not stomp to the dugout fuming, ejected for an umpire’s dramatic misfire.
Because when the game’s fate hangs on a borderline pitch, it shouldn’t be a coin flip in blue.
Umpires aren’t meant to be the main characters—yet here we are, dissecting their every frame like it’s the Zapruder film. If MLB truly wants the game to evolve, it’s time to stop pretending perfection is human. Bring in the bots, save the drama for the playoffs, and let baseball be about baseball again.
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