Fans have long clamored for Major League Baseball to adopt an instant replay system to help umpires make close calls.
Instant replay has been used in other major sports for years now—but the impact it could have on baseball would be unprecedented.
A ground ball down the line could be three runs or simply a "loud strike," or, as we saw in Game Three of the ALCS with Manny Ramirez at the plate, the difference between a one-run playoff lead and two.
Tuesday brought new life to the instant replay debate. In their annual Winter Meetings in Orlando, MLB GMs voted 25-5 to recommend a rule change allowing umpires to use instant replay to help determine home run calls.
Now the question is on the table: Is instant replay right for Major League Baseball?
Commissioner Bud Selig, like many of the older and admittedly conservative owners, is against using replay. But he does acknowledge that his office may have been too conservative in the past, causing "glacier-like movement," to quote executive VP Jimmie Lee Solomon.
Instant replay would settle difficult calls like Ramirez's ill-fated "single." And while the "human element" has been an integral and entertaining part of the game for 120 years, few would argue that having the correct calls would hurt baseball.
It certainly hasn't hurt the NFL, after all.
However, the proposed MLB instant replay is not the NFL system. The system agreed upon by the GMs Tuesday is closer to the NHL system, whereby umpires would call a third party in the press box, who would then analyze the video and make the correction.
In the NFL system, the referees review the play and make the correction—or affirmation—themselves. This alternative is better than the proposed MLB system, as umpires on the field would have a better sense of what to look for than someone sitting up in the press box.
But does the proposal even go far enough?
Home run calls are hardly the only problem in the game today. Most of the qualms managers have with umpires pertain to strike zone or basepath calls. The proposed instant replay system wouldn't cover these decisions.
Another concern would be the stoppage of play. A whole new set of ground rules would have to be determined for balls down the line, or close plays at the plate with other runners advancing while the catcher appeals for a replay.
That said, getting the call right would be well worth any logistical headaches on the front end.
Is instant replay right for baseball?
I would think so.
But is the proposed system enough?
Probably not.
Time will tell whether the owners will do more—or even accept the current proposal.
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8 months ago
I'm ok at best using replay on home run calls...but anything else would uproot the tradition of the game. I really hope this stops here and doesn't spread to calls on the base-paths...or even worse, a US Open style laser system that calls balls and strikes with loud beeping noises.
In general, I think that baseball umpires are the highest-quality officials in U.S. professional sports.
from 8 months ago
yes dave ... balls and strikes would be ridiculous. but a simple laser/sensor system that determines fair vs. foul? sounds good to me. balls and strikes have too many variables, like batter height for example. fair and foul is a simple, 1 dimension call ... there is absolutely no reason not to get the right call every time, homeruns and doubles alike. using the correct technology, there would not have to be any game stoppage at all ... it would be a simple fair or foul call based on where the ball landed or how the sensor was tripped. a screen could be set up or a monitor could be worn by umpires which gives an immediate call of fair vs foul. players would have to play out the play as if it is fair every time, which they should be doing anyway. it would take the umpires an extra 1/2 second to be alerted to the proper call, and then make their signal. now i am no engineer, and do not know the precise way that such technology would work, but if something like the iphone can exist, i guarantee you this type of technology would be possible.
8 months ago
I really do not have a problem with using instant replay in baseball, but let's hope they do not go overboard with it!!!!!
8 months ago
I don't think that they shuld be using replay for the strike zone. An umpires strike zone has been apart of the game since its creation. Why mess with tradition, just keep it to home runs.
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