Instant Replay: Friend or Foe?

It's a debate that is being held by every major sport.

Should we or should we not implement instant replay?

Personally, I think this year in sports is about as PERFECT of a case as to why instant replay works.

The NCAA, NHL, NFL, MLB, and now NBA have all had some argument as to why a replay system would work.

For the NCAA, it was in the National Championship game between Memphis and Kansas that showed a three-pointer, wasn't a three at all, but a two.

In the NHL series between Dallas and Detroit, the expanding of the instant replay rule would have helped Detroit with a disallowed goal, and in the same game disallowed a Dallas goal for the same infraction.

In football, it's obvious.  The replay has helped determine touchdowns and most importantly, "Immaculate Receptions" on helmets.

Major League Baseball had its first encounter with why this works when the umps botched a homerun call that was off of the foul pole.

Now we have the NBA jumping on the bandwagon with their botched call that replay would have solved.

All of these scenarios are PROOF that replay would be a great addition to the sports.

So what's the argument?

It’s whiny people who think it may make a game longer, and "loyalists" who want the game to stay the same.  That basically means that those people don't want to be there any longer than they must.

Ok...Then why go?

A sporting event is something that shouldn't worry about how long it should last.  If a game is going to be quick, it'll be that way, and if it goes long, same thing.

Replay will NOT impact the game that severely.

What it will do is help make sure the games are fair and every possible effort is made to ensure that.

Think about it. 

Your favorite team is down by one, in whatever sport you want to fantasize about, and they get the tying or go ahead score. 

But wait, the officials are discrediting it saying they were out of bounds, in the crease, shot clock violations, foul ball, and whatever.

How do you feel then?

Exactly...You're pretty PO'ed at the fact the officials just cost your team the victory or tie!  Had replay been involved, the officials could review it and make sure that the call was correct or missed.

It could mean the difference in a championship.

And I am sorry.  I absolutely loathe listening to teams saying "Had the refs got it right..."  Hell I hate being the one saying it!

So, all sports need to pony up, get off their little soap box and fighting it, because it is something that will make sure things happen as they should.

And if you're that worried about how long a game may last, stay home and watch on TV.  You don't deserve to be there live with that attitude.