By Peter Funt

In a recent discussion with a Major League pitching coach about scouting opposing hitters, I thought I was being flippant when I asked: “Do you also chart umpires?” His answer surprised me. “Yes.”

As the baseball season grinds on, umpires are taking more liberties with their interpretation of the strike zone. It’s as if they are begging Major League Baseball to once and for all give computers responsibility for calling pitches.

“He favors the low s...