Article: TODAY'S TOPIC: UMPIRES MLB's new unified system is still a work in progress

Opinions about umpires vary as much as their strike zones.

This season, though, the assessments go beyond individuals because of the new umpiring system used by Major League Baseball.

Umpires this season worked for the commissioner's office rather than under the separate banners of the American and National leagues. In theory, they operate under one set of rules and one defined strike zone. The theory, though, is still evolving, as are the new men in the job.

"I thought they did a better job this year," Cubs catcher Joe Girardi said. "I think, as a whole, (umpiring) has been better. I don't know the reason. But they've been easier to work with, and I haven't found it difficult to adjust from ...

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