Comments on: The case for instant replay

By: River Ave. Blues | USA Today: MLB to adopt instant replay by August

River Ave. Blues | USA Today: MLB to adopt instant replay by August — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:01:06 +0000

[...] the last few months, we have had plenty of opportunities to discuss instant replay. While it first seemed that instant replay would be tested during the [...]

By: River Ave. Blues | A-Rod homers twice* as Rasner blanks O’s

River Ave. Blues | A-Rod homers twice* as Rasner blanks O’s — Sat, 24 May 2008 17:02:44 +0000

[...] to see it, and A-Rod got himself only a double out of it. While much like Carlos Delgado’s disputed home run on Sunday, the missed call didn’t impact the outcome of the [...]

By: RustyJohn

RustyJohn — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:43:56 +0000

My favorite Morgan “analysis” on instant replay last night was his babbling the following (or something similar to this):

“See, I don’t know if instant replay does you any good because you can’t review ALL the plays. So instant replay wouldn’t do any good.”

Yes, Joe, if instant replay were instituted ALL plays would be reviewed- just like in football- I remember watching a game and EVERY play was reviewed- it was a 17 1/2 hour game.

Does this guy watch any sport, period? Did his mind just not flicker and think, “In other sports, they limit the type of plays that can be reviewed.”?

That being said, I am anti-instant replay. I like baseball as imperfect as it is- it is like life, sometimes The Man screws up and sticks it to us and we just have to deal with it.

By: RichYF

RichYF — Mon, 19 May 2008 16:34:32 +0000

I agree here, but I see both sides of the argument at this point. There has to be some way for MLB to use technology to its advantage. Unfortunately my argument was not well researched at the time, but the fact that other sports are doing it (even if they don’t do it right every time) should open some eyes. Football games might take longer, but it’s good to see the right call being made whether it be on a touchdown, a first down, or a catch.

I don’t know how much I agree with QuesTec, but I do not believe it is reasonable to just assume 10% of the calls will be inaccurate when everyone viewing the game at home can see what the RIGHT call is. If we can see it, or at least determine it, why is it just acceptable for it to be incorrect? What about the umpires that make mistakes? “I made a mistake.” That’s it. Maybe it gets discussed when his contract is up, but that happens behind closed doors.

Who is responsible for these blown calls? Like I said, over the course of 162 games things tend to even themselves out. But in a 7 game series, regardless of the outcome, the right call should be made. Whether it be an out in the top of the first or a homerun in the bottom of the eighth, there is no reason not to get it right. ESPECIALLY if it is well within the capabilities of all parties involved. Just my .02

By: Travis G.

Travis G. — Mon, 19 May 2008 16:12:48 +0000

i’ve been a big proponent of video review in MLB for as long as i can remember. the RIGHT CALL is paramount to everything else.

every other major US sport has it. baseball is always the slowest to change. the owners will have to be kicked in the face to do it. sadly, it will take something like a huge, blown call in Game 7 of the WS to make owners/GMs see the light.

it MIGHT add 5 extra minutes to a game. big deal. and that’s not counting the time that managers/players arguing calls is detracted from games.

again, the RIGHT CALL is paramount.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:00:02 +0000

Then to listen to those 2 idiots talk about why there was such a distance between the pole and the foul line as seen from that camera in the seats!!
“That was WAY fair, how many other stadiums are like that, hope they fix that in new Yankee Satdium”

Idiots, it’s called perspective!!!! I got to listen to Morgan everytime I play my son on the WII too, ugh!!!

PS: Excellent argument for Instant Replay.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:44:13 +0000

This team is pathetic to watch, i have about 15% confidence that we see any life outta this team any time soon, they gotta score more than 2 runs a game

By: A.D.

A.D. — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:41:23 +0000

But the NFL discourages the replay use by the loss of a timeout, something baseball can’t do

By: TurnTwo

TurnTwo — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:17:39 +0000

and i can see it getting much worse before it gets much better.

By: TurnTwo

TurnTwo — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:16:40 +0000

i think this actually helps the argument for instant replay, though.

people argue that it will make already long and boring games that much longer and more boring. but, if you really think about how often it would be used, which in this care is really not often at all, what’s the issue with having the technology to ensure a proper call if you need to turn to it?