It has been debated for many years now, oft-times in the National Football League. Now the debate moves to Major League Baseball. The General Manager meetings are being held this week, and according to several media outlets, the idea of bringing a system of instant replay to the game of baseball is not out of the question.
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said earlier this week, "You would hate to have a game, or a series, or even a season, come down to a play where they miss it and instant replay could have helped. So as far as instant replay, I'm in favor of it."
Cashman is 100 percent correct. Many calls were questioned during this year's postseason. Luckily, the umpires got the calls right, but that generally is not the case during the regular season, and in past postseason series.
I have umpired little league level baseball games before, and I can tell you by experience, some plays happen so fast, and the umpire does not always have the best view to make an accurate call. The added pressure of angry coaches and parents at times is overwhelming. Imagine being a human being, and being ridiculed by coaches, players, and thousands upon thousands of fans.
Umpires are only human.
The idea of instant replay being discussed among the GMs is fairly simple. The system will not be used to replay balls or strikes. Questionable calls on whether a ball hit is fair or foul, or a home run or not would be imposed into the system. Those situations are the ones that have more potential to influence the result of a game.
The idea of instant reply has been discussed in the past by baseball's general managers, but never got far. It is unknown how far the idea would go this year. Bob Watson, baseball's vice president of on-field operations said, "I don't see it. And I don't think the commissioner is in favor of it, either."
While traditionalists feel instant reply will damage the originality of the game, I don't believe that is the case. If you truly think about it, what harm will it do? Instant reply should be able to prevent missed calls from determining the result of a baseball game. Unfortunately, missed calls have influenced the outcome of games in the past.
In 2003, umpire Tim Welke admitted after a game that his blown call at first base may have cost the Colorado Rockies the tying run against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Rockies lost the game.
Another example stems from the Yankees and Baltimore Orioles in the 1996 playoffs. Yankee outfielder Jeffrey Maier reached below the wall in Yankee Stadium and caught what was believed to have been a fly-out, yet was ruled as a home run.
St. Louis Cardinals fans will never forget the 1985 World Series. The turning point of the series took place after Don Denkinger called Jorge Orta safe. The Kansas City Royals won the series.
"I think its time has come," Milwaukee assistant Gord Ash said. "The technology has improved and is there. I think there's a place for it." If the technology can accommodate such a system, why not take advantage of it?
Again, umpires are only human.
Questions or feedback from the above article may be e-mailed to [email protected], or use the comments form below. For more about Martin, visit his personal website.
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