From ESPN.com:
A rare meeting between Major League Baseball players, umpires and league officials to discuss player-umpire relationships, and possibly instant replay, is set for Dec. 3.
The idea was sparked by the Major League Baseball Players Association after it received an increased number of complaints from players this season about umpires.
MLB spokesman Pat Courtney declined to talk about specifics of the meeting, which ESPN.com confirmed was scheduled after obtaining an e-mail that detailed logistics.
"We are not confirming any details about the meeting," he said Friday.
Michael Weiner, executive director for the MLBPA, declined comment. Brian Lam, an attorney for the World Umpires Association -- the union for MLB umpires -- could not be reached for comment.
Multiple players have told ESPN.com that tensions have increased with umpires. They also are concerned about a lack of transparency when umpires are evaluated.
We have no idea what they could be talking about. We've heard ump-team relations are just fine, dating all the way back to Game 2 of the ALDS. And we were tickled by this interview between the MLB pool reporter last night and crew chief Jerry Crawford (complete transcript):
Q. What did Gardenhire say?
JERRY CRAWFORD: Balls and strikes. That simple.
Q. Was there anything said regarding the history between Hunter and Ron that's been public?
JERRY CRAWFORD: Nothing.
Q. Did Hunter say anything about the pitch, the 2-2 to Berkman?
JERRY CRAWFORD: Nothing.
