Their focus is to keep the umpires earning $-especially the older guys. That means that younger "eyes" are not as favored as the veterans. Unfortunately as one ages so does the eyesight. Add to that the pitchers today throw harder and faster than when these guys began to umpire. If they won't change to an electronic system then the least they can do is have an umpire remain the umpire behind the plate. And pay him more since he is more involved with the play. It will always be a guessing game behind the plate but umpires behind the plate should have a particular skill that isn't needed on the base paths.