Diamond Deities: Declaration

Please allow me to introduce Call to the Pen’s new feature, “Diamond Deities.” As the moniker implies, we will serve as the hypothetical judge, jury, and executioner; attempting to excoriate dubious rules, explore front office blunders, expose umpire error, and examine the value of various statistics. Unlike traditional deities, we understand that we are not omniscient. Thus, we welcome your comments, opinions and insight. In the end, the hope is that we can provide some much needed supervision and reveal the imperfections of MLB representatives.

MLB Rules & Configuration

We are well aware that the rules of baseball are a matter of significant controversy. Fans have been dissatisfied with various rules of the game since its inception. Whether it is interleague play, the use of the designated hitter, the process of selecting award winners, the alignment of leagues/divisions, or unbalanced schedules, the multitude of questions in need of resolution seems infinite. The Diamond Deities are determined to put these questions to rest.

Front Office Decisions

Team owners, general managers and executives throughout baseball often operate with little accountability. Their decisions can financially handcuff an organization for an entire decade, or leave an entire fan base disillusioned. Whether it is a bad trade, a ridiculous free-agent contract, an over-priced new stadium deal, a bad hire, or a depleted farm system, front office decisions deserve heavy scrutinizing. The Diamond Deities are determined to expose front office abuse of fans.

Umpire Error

Baseball fans have seen the outcomes of games influenced by umpire mistakes for far too long. Their decisions can be the difference between a team making the playoffs or staying home. MLB executives have offered very little in terms of improving officiating or holding umpires accountable. Whether it is an ever-changing strike zone, a blown call on the bases, or a player ejection by a hypersensitive umpire, MLB officiating is in desperate need of some oversight. The Diamond Deities are determined to hold umpires accountable for their decisions.

Statistical Analysis

Outside of baseball’s most involved fans, and “basement-dwelling” bloggers, most baseball observers are stuck in the dark ages of statistical analysis. The problem seems to be exacerbated by a generation of broadcasters and managers/coaches who simply refuse to embrace superior advanced statistics and metrics. Whether it is a fan’s reliance on batting average, a broadcaster who describes Bill James’ book as “a book about a computer,” or a manager who describes a high OBP as “clogging up the bases,” the baseball world is in dire need of some education. The Diamond Deities are determined to exalt the value of advanced statistics.

Democratic Deities

As mentioned above, we want your participation in all of this. Please make suggestions on topics within the game of baseball that you feel need to be addressed. Provide your opinion when you feel the Deities are misguided. We will offer a poll question related to each post in order to determine the views of our readers. Please vote! When you have questions, suggestions or opinions; please tell us by commenting within the post or contacting us on twitter.

Our “homily” will be held every Thursday, right here at Call to the Pen. We are looking forward to your feedback.

You can follow us on twitter – @DiamondDeities