MLB considers instant replay, pros and cons up for debate
Chris Smith
Issue date: 10/23/09 Section: Sports
10/23/09 - Everybody loves to see an instant replay. Whether you're a diehard or a casual fan, it doesn't matter: if there's a great play or a close call, you want to see it again. This is why shows like Sportscenter are so successful. People want to see a great play or close call over and over again. It's an undeniable fact. Conversely, the truth of a play can also be revealed during a replay and therein lies the true essence of a major sports debate.
During the current Major League Baseball postseason there have been a ton of over-exaggerated blown calls, most recently, controversial calls were made by the umpires in game four of the Yankees and Los Angeles Angels American League championship series.
In Tuesday night's game four, the Yankees romped the Angels 11-1. However, there were a couple of absolutely botched calls and they were mostly in the Yankees favor. Outfielder Nick Swisher was clearly out right in front of the umpire on a pickoff play at second base. Then there was the double play at third where the umpire called just one of the runners out when they were both tagged out off the bag.
Now, these calls probably wouldn't have determined the outcome of this particular game, but what if it was a one-run game?
This incident once again sparks the debate of whether or not the MLB should extend its replay review to all close plays rather than just close homerun calls.
Instant replay varies amongst professional and college sports. Personally, I think the NHL has the best review course of action. If a goal looks to have been kicked in or there was a high stick when the goal occurred, then the referee simply skates over to the booth and an NHL official in Toronto determines the call through replay. This process typically takes a minute or two.
The NFL version gives coaches the opportunity to challenge a play twice during a game by throwing a red flag on the field when they feel the referee made a bad call against them. Any play under two minutes in the second or fourth quarter can be reviewed by the officials if it's close. This system is somewhat flawed, since coaches can run out of challenges, but it typically doesn't hold up the game.
During the current Major League Baseball postseason there have been a ton of over-exaggerated blown calls, most recently, controversial calls were made by the umpires in game four of the Yankees and Los Angeles Angels American League championship series.
In Tuesday night's game four, the Yankees romped the Angels 11-1. However, there were a couple of absolutely botched calls and they were mostly in the Yankees favor. Outfielder Nick Swisher was clearly out right in front of the umpire on a pickoff play at second base. Then there was the double play at third where the umpire called just one of the runners out when they were both tagged out off the bag.
Now, these calls probably wouldn't have determined the outcome of this particular game, but what if it was a one-run game?
This incident once again sparks the debate of whether or not the MLB should extend its replay review to all close plays rather than just close homerun calls.
Instant replay varies amongst professional and college sports. Personally, I think the NHL has the best review course of action. If a goal looks to have been kicked in or there was a high stick when the goal occurred, then the referee simply skates over to the booth and an NHL official in Toronto determines the call through replay. This process typically takes a minute or two.
The NFL version gives coaches the opportunity to challenge a play twice during a game by throwing a red flag on the field when they feel the referee made a bad call against them. Any play under two minutes in the second or fourth quarter can be reviewed by the officials if it's close. This system is somewhat flawed, since coaches can run out of challenges, but it typically doesn't hold up the game.
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