Sunday, July 8, 2012
MLB and replay- it just gets stupider
This just might be the stupidest thing I've seen in awhile. I know the MLB is hopelessly behind the times when it comes to replay, but the fact that they do it "for fear that it might incite the crowd"? Do they think the fans will get out torches and pitch forks and chase the umpires off? The fact that they claim this is insulting to fans for two reasons. First, to think that a blown call would actually have this effect on MLB fans shows a pretty dismal view of their behavior. Second, it's a completely insulting explanation because it is such obvious bullshit.
In the end, it all comes down to MLB not wanting people to know just how bad their umpires are, at least until after the fact, which is amazing because it's not like this is a very hard problem to fix. MLB is making money hand over fist right now (just look at the recent TV deals if you have any doubt), and could easily afford a dedicated review umpire for every game. It would be easy to rig up some sort of buzzer system, where the crew chief could send a signal to the review umpire to take a look at a play.
Can anyone think of a legitimate reason to not wanting replay, at least in a limited fashion? I understand that the effects of an overturned play won't be ideal, and won't necessarily be able to match what would have happened had the call been made correctly the first time, but isn't it better to have something closer to the truth?
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7 comments:
God forbid they just get it right.
I think they think that the "removing the human element" argument is actually a legitimate argument, which is debatable at best.
I really don't mind umps missing calls once in a while. What I do mind is umps making the game about them. Make a call and then get out of the spotlight. If someone questions your call, confer with the other umps. Then get out of the spotlight.
Do you want to know the terrifying truth about instant replay or would you like to watch them sock a few dingers?
Re: the human element, there is plenty of the human element, it is a game played by humans, after all. What is so bad about getting a call right? It is only a matter of time before a ridiculously bad call alters a playoff game or a playoff spot (like Vinny T's head scoring a touchdown) and we get it.
Only a matter of time? Have we forgotten about Jeffrey Maier already? I'm pretty sure if Peter Angelos hadn't alienated all the Orioles fans, we'd hear a hell of a lot more about that play, at least in relation to replay instead of fawning over Jeter for hitting the "home run."
You're totally off base with the Maier argument. We have replay for home runs now, including whether or not fans interfered with the ball, and umps have wide latitude in deciding what the appropriate solution is (double, out, where the runners go, etc). I'm talking about a play, in the playoffs, like the call at first base that ruined Galaraga's perfect game. And I do think it is a matter of time, the replay door is already cracked, and it will only expand.
That's a fair point. My point was simply that we have already had playoff games changed due to insufficient replay (Joe Mauer's fair/foul ball from 2009 ALDS against the Yankees, Napoli's missed tag on Holiday in game 3 of the WS, etc), and that wasn't enough to make anything actually change, so why would it be any different if it happens again?
There is no argument against replay. It will eventually come to MLB, on their numbingly slow timeline, as seems the MO of Selig with all things that make sense.
We have yet to have a blown call to decide a playoff series. I think that will be the only circumstance that would accelerate the adoption of replay. It's amazing to me that MLB flirts with disaster every playoff series. Now with the expanded wildcard, you even have more opportunity for this to occur so maybe it will sooner rather than later.
There are going to be some things that are hard to overrule - e.g. if an ump calls a fair ball foul - but it seem that could be worked around (umps currently have discretion for fan interference OR, heaven forbid, we use the system that Tennis has that could instantly rule fair/foul).
As for umps making the game about them. The only way that changes if umps are taken out of the game, which I'd be all for. We have the technology to do today. Umps provide zero added value to a major league baseball game.
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