Comments on: It’s time for limited replay

By: stanzy

stanzy — Tue, 20 May 2008 01:55:41 +0000

Either do replays or don’t. If you set a “challenge” limit (like 2 per team per game), there’s no reason not to allow it on *any* type of play. What idiot manager is going to waste either of his 2 challenges on arguing a ball/strike call?

I don’t buy the time-wasting argument. As others have said, if you have to wait for arguing players/managers anyway, what’s the difference? Also, don’t we see several replays on TV before the next batter gets his first pitch? How much extra time will it really take?

That said, I think replays are pretty useless. Sure it’s frustrating to see bad calls, especially against your team. And I’ve felt like, especially in the past few years, the umpires have made some ridiculously bad calls. But over time they definitely even out. And many (most?), like last night’s, wind up having no impact on the outcome of the game. Sure, you can argue that it might affect a manager’s next decision, or a team’s energy, or any number of things. But there’s no way to say how (does the team get knocked down or fired up?), so that’s a pointless argument.

By: Jack Knight

Jack Knight — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:28:26 +0000

Whitey Fraud,
I said the same exact thing to my dad last night about Joe Morgan.

By: Jack Knight

Jack Knight — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:26:58 +0000

automated strike zone. I almost threw up in my mouth.

By: Whitey Fraud

Whitey Fraud — Mon, 19 May 2008 22:45:39 +0000

Oh, and Joe Morgan ought to be bronzed or something.

Great ballplayer but as an announcer or color man (careful!)… not so much.

By: Whitey Fraud

Whitey Fraud — Mon, 19 May 2008 22:43:40 +0000

I’d settle for just replays of close plays on the stadiums’ jumbotrons.

Remember when they used to do that? Good times…

By: Emily

Emily — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:48:29 +0000

I usually agree with what you have to say; however, I do not agree with you AT ALL. I pray that there are enough baseball puriest out there that will not allow this to happen. I think it has caused lost interest in other sports that have incorporated instant replay, and I think it will do the same in baseball. It’s part of the game, part of every sport, to have good and bad calls. Although what you suggest is limited, it won’t stay that way. It will slowly creep into every play being reviewed and that just makes the point of playing obsolete. Instant replay needs to stay out of sports.

Even though this made me think less of you, I’ll still be a faithfull reader.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:03:16 +0000

The game has changed. The equipment is better, the physical training is better, why can’t the umpiring be better.

As far as the time is concerned, after a call is made, discussed, argued, overturned, and argued again how about just using a replay to get it right and save time and effort. Especially in postseason games where, if I remember correctly, there is a “backup umpire,” why not just throw a TV in front of him. Ultimately it’ll save time and they’ll get it right.

Lastly, I don’t buy this “slippery slope” argument. The same reasons balls and strikes and basepath calls won’t go to instant replay will remain forever. Making people make calls from 200 feet away is just ridiculous.

By: Mike McCann

Mike McCann — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:18:21 +0000

Here’s the alternative to using replay on home run calls — wire the foul pole. With today’s electronic wizardry, I would think that designing a pole to set off a buzzer or a lamp at the top, or glow bright white if contact is made with its shaft or screen should be practical — and would be easily understood without marring tradition.

By: Doreen

Doreen — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:42:36 +0000

SoS27

Re: Morgan & Miller going on about the foul pole lining up with the painted foul line – doh – yeah, from some angles, but the only angle that counts is straight down the foul line.

By: Doreen

Doreen — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:39:46 +0000

Tom -

I guess what we all tend to forget, myself included, is that umpires make these judgements in real time at real speed without benefit of super closeups and slo motion. So, you are correct, sir, that it isn’t that far a stretch to see that that was a close call.