Looking at the question, i would first think that the addition of select() is about the only way to get around this.

But, in thinking, when writting to a closed socket, a PIPE signal will be generated. In the event of a PIPE signal, it can be checked by either installing a handler, or ignoring the signal. Such as :

# method one
$SIG{PIPE} = sub { $SERVER_DISCONNECT = 1; };
#
# when printing to socket, check $SERVER_DISCONNECT
# and handle if ($SERVER_DISCONNECT == 1)

# method two (Posix systems only)
$SIG{PIPE} = 'IGNORE';
use Errno ':POSIX';

# other code here
unless (print SOCKET "$data") {
    if ($! == EPIPE) {
        # pipe error, attempt reconnection to server
    } else {
        # real error
    }
}
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