Expand MLB Instant Replay? No way

Once again we have the tiresome instant replay argument being brought up again in the MLB. We had ONE bad call recently and it shouldn't even have happened in the first place, and now we have a bunch of people screaming for it again...

What a load of crap.

The Twins got called out on a game-ending play at the plate. The A's were ahead 14-13 and Michael Cuddyer tried to score the tying run on a passed ball. Cuddyer was easily safe but called out to end the game.

But the Twins shouldn't have been in this position in the first place. They had a 12-2 lead in the 3rd inning; last time I checked in baseball rarely any lead is comfortable early in the game. It's a sport where you need to keep putting pressure on the opposing team.

The Twins didn't do their job after the 3rd inning. The pitchers struggled and hitters went quiet. The A's slowly crept their way back into it and then blew up with a 7 run 7th to take the lead. The Twins only have themselves to blame. They gave up a big lead then tried to blame it on the ump on one call to end the game.

I know it was a bad call but the umps can't see them all. That's why you can't put yourselves in a possible position where an umps call can "decide" the game. The umps are payed to be accurate and make sure the game goes along smoothly. But they're not payed to get every call right.

Now to replay. The human element is what makes baseball such a great game. There's just something about it that I like. Baseball is a game of judgment calls and was made that way for a reason. I would not like to see instant replay expanded to calls on the field.

Once you expand to 'on the field' plays you run the risk of delaying the game and ruining the tradition of the game. If we do this then what's to stop them from expanding to balls and strikes? You rarely see bad calls like this, but remember it's part of the game. It was a rather unfortunate ending to a game where the Twins unfortunately had it coming.

Thoughts and Headlines 8/22

There's been a lot going on in the sports world lately so here's a few quick thoughts on what's going on.

One More
The USA Mens BBall team is one win away from a gold. The 3 year commitment to the Olympics is one game away from showing it truly payed off. They will take on a Spain team that will be hungry to win gold. In the last Olympics the Spaniards finished undefeated in group play and didn't come away with a medal. Don't expect a big blowout over Spain like the USA did before. This Espana team is hungry and look for them to give the USA a run for their money. I expect them to pack it inside, try to get Dwight Howard into foul trouble early and make Team USA beat them from the outside. Michael Redd could be the X-Factor in this game.

Track and Field
Usain Bolt is just insane. Becoming the first person ever to break both 100 and 200m world records in the same Olympics. His 40 yard dash time translates to 3.53, that is just utter ridiculousness! Put this guy in an Eagles jersey and make him return kickoffs and punts. As long as he can catch, I want to see this guy in the NFL! But anyways, Bolt is just a phenomenal runner, just think he could have shaved .10 seconds off of his 100m time had he not show boated. I guess he doesn't care anyways.

USA Soccer
We know that the Olympic Soccer team was eliminated early, but that wasn't their best team. They were gearing up for a 2010 World Cup Qualifier against Guatemala. They won for the first time in Guatemala since 1988. This USA team just seems like a completely different team outside of it's own borders. The game had some iffy calls both ways and I think Guatemala got robbed on a few plays, but so did the Americans. I was very impressed by USA goalkeeper Tim Howard, he made some spectacular saves and really was a key to their 1-0 win.

MLB approves Instant Replay
The Umpires and league has agreed for instant replay. It will be limited to boundary calls, such as determining whether fly balls were fair or foul, or whether they were Home Runs. I definitely agree with the implementation of instant replay, but it needs to be kept pretty limited. The umps should only refer to replay, unless a manager uses their one challenge (that's if they let them have one challenge), only if they are absolutely unsure of a call. If they believe 100% a HR was a HR, then call it. But if they are unsure then they should go ahead and use it. But the game is already long as it is and replay will definitely prolong it. But as long as it is used minimally, I will be fine with it. But just because we will have instant replay now, doesn't mean we will still get the correct calls 100% of the time.

MLB Wants Instant Replay by August

I posted a Buy or Sell piece last summer on instant replay in baseball. HERE IT IS. My stance here hasn't really changed much so I'm using my old post to do most of the explaining so definitely check it out.

Baseball wants to implement the new instant replay system for boundary calls by August so that the system will be fine tuned in time for the playoffs and World Series.

To make this happen MLB and the umpires union will first need to reach an agreement before instant replay can be used and the two sides have begun discussions on the issue. Bud Selig, the comissioner of the league, will need to sign off on the deal in order for it to be implemented, and he has been a staunch opposer to instant replay in the past. After seeing many of the blown calls throughout the season (especially of late) it seems that Selig is softening his position on the use of instant replay in MLB.

Many people in baseball find themselves divided on the use of instant replay. Some people think that instant replay should be implemented as soon as possible. Still, others who consider themselves baseball purists or “old school” think that human error is very much an intended part of the game. Also, many believe that instant replay will only slow the pace of an already slowly paced game. But isn't getting it right the most important thing?

I'm not going to go into too much detail in regards of my personal feelings or thoughts with instant replay because you can read my old post. But instant replay has had so much success in other leagues that it is about time that MLB makes this happen.

The umpires do not want replay used for any other situation then boundary calls, which I am a little iffy on. If you are going to use instant replay why not make sure that you’re getting all the calls right, such as stolen bases and plays at the plate (think Matt Holliday sliding home in the NLCS Game 7 last season). I do however, agree with the notion that instant replay should not be used to determine strikes or balls as that would severely hamper the pace of the game.

If all goes well it looks like this is going to happen before the end of the season. So what do you think? Still for it? Against it? Hit the comment box!