A second-base umpire calls Hanwha Eagles' Lee Yong-kyu, right, safe, as he reaches the second base in the first inning of the team's match against the

Doosan Bears at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, Seoul, in this May 23 file photo.







By Kim Tae-jong

How many runs your team will record is important in winning a game; but how many incorrect calls made by umpires seems to be much more critical now.

Complaints have been growing over a series of controversial calls by umpires, many of which were obvious.

The Korean Baseball Organization (KBO), which had long turned a deaf ear to outcries from fans, players and coaches, finally said last week they will expand a replay system in the latter half of the season. Currently, the KBO only allows a video replay on homerun calls.

"A series of recent incorrect calls have angered a lot of fans," KBO secretary general Yang Hae-young said. "In meetings with baseball clubs' general managers and board members in early June, we will discuss ways of expanding the video review system and implement it as soon as we reach a consensus."

The new system will not be as accurate as that of the U.S. Major League but the organization will seek a best solution in cooperation with broadcasters and clubs, he added.

However, the move apparently faces not only technical but also other procedural difficulties.

Before the expansion of a video review, it is first required for the KBO to amend its Baseball Rules which ban challenges to overturn calls on strikes, balls, fouls, and safe and out on bases.

The attempt to expand the review system is a drastic change in the stance of the baseball organization, which had merely stressed that umpires' authority should be respected.

Now, they seem to understand that this is less important than the right of fans to enjoy games, which should not be marred by judging disputes.

The league has been severely plagued and damaged by a number of controversial calls this season, stirring debate on necessary measures including a video replay system.

Many games last week saw many controversial calls, which had a negative impact on important games.

For example, the Nexen Heroes met the Hanwha Eagles, Tuesday, in the first of a three-game series in the former's home ground in Mokdong, Seoul.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Heroes were leading 1-0 with runners on first and third with one out.

Park Hun-do hit a fly to left for a second out, but Kim Min-sung tagged third.

The ball was accurately delivered to Eagles catcher Jun Bum-mo, whose mitt seemed to touch Kim on his knee as he jumped over the plate.

Umpire Lee Young-jae called safe, although footages by broadcasters clearly showed he was wrong.

Next day, another controversial call was made again against the Eagles.

In the sixth, the Heroes' Yoon Suk-min hit a ball to third, which was called fair and allowed Kim Min-sung to score from third.

The Eagle's head coach Kim Eung-yong strongly criticized the call, claiming the ball was a foul, accused the umpire of being "blind," and withdrew his men from the field. The home plate umpire threw Kim out of the game. This was the first time for the veteran coach to be thrown out of a game in 15 years.

It is obvious that fans, players and coaches are losing their trust in umpires.

Earlier this month, an angry Kia Tigers fan assaulted first base umpire Park Keun-young after running onto the field in the middle of the game with the SK Wyverns at the Tigers' home in Gwangju.

Many players argue that there should be a systematical approach to reduce controversial calls by umpires, stressing a video review is not the ultimate solution.

"My opinion is that the umpires here are not totally focused throughout the games," Shane Youman from the Lotte Giants said. "It seems every night there are a few controversial calls that have an effect on the outcome of a game. That's very frustrating for the players, as well as coaches."

Although he is for the video replay system, he said it would be a last resort as there are so many questionable calls during games here, and too many challenges would make games last much longer. Instead, he suggested stronger disciplines for umpires.

"I strongly feel more discipline for these umpires is needed to focus throughout a game, and learn how to get themselves in the right positions to make calls. Not sure what's done in the offseason, but perhaps there should be clinics, or workshops where perhaps some MLB umpires, or others can come in to teach, demonstrate and help KBO umpires learn what it takes to be a good umpire who can consistently make the right calls," he said.