Every day in Major League Baseball, calls are blown by MLB umpires. We laugh as the faces of managers get redder and redder; expletives get louder and more venomous. The postgame press conferences make for great TV and fodder for comical chats at the water cooler. ...MLB is seriously discussing introducing a wide array of instant replay for 2014 - "all calls other than balls and strikes", in fact. Having current (or future) technology used to call every pitch is the ultimate taboo in baseball. It seems that most people who are pro-replay draw the line there, insisting that balls and strikes continue to be called by humans. This is unfortunate, as I believe getting those calls right is far more important than reviewing batted balls down the foul lines or controversial home runs.
This discussion, just like the game itself, is not about the umpires. The fact that it's indeed time to implement widespread instant reply has little to do with the competency of the guys who enforce the rulebook and has everything to do with what's good for the game and its overall health going forward. ...
I'm in love with the tradition of baseball. I have the highest level of respect for our game's history. However, I can't stand that things are done just because, well, that's the way they have always been done. And we are getting to that point without significant instant replay.
We can't do this halfway or little by little. I'm all for correcting calls on the bases and everywhere for that matter. ...
Traditionalists, brace yourselves: When the technology is ready — and it soon will be — we need to let computers call balls and strikes with the game on the line. And we should be using the resources we have now and at every turn to make the game faster and better. ...
It's time to let go of the notion that human error is somehow part of the beauty of the game when it is, in fact, a correctable blight. I for one am ready for MLB to rip off the Band-Aid and get this very important call right.
June 4, 2013
Gabe Kapler: MLB Must Embrace Widespread Instant Replay (Including Balls And Strikes)
Gabe Kapler for Commissioner!:
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4 comments:
Gabe Kapler - more than just muscles :-)
I hate pitch zone on NESN, hate it.
A bit off topic off course because I sure MLB computer will be more accurate but it is awful.
This is a very, very tough call....replaying close calls in the ballpark on the big screen is a big part of the craziness and has been going on a long time.
Tough one, but eventually it is certain that computers and video review will make the calls. Will the game survive it?
Nothing lasts forever.....
"Will the game survive it?"
Yes. For instance, I hear tennis still exists.
Tennis (I am a hard core tennis guy BTW) and baseball are no comparison.
Individual (or doubles team) vs. team sport and the only thing in dispute is whether or not the ball catches a piece of the line...perfect place for a computer call.
Strike zone is high or low as well, where does a players knee start or chest end?....not so clear.... foul balls on hitting ground in relation to foul line is the same but again the high call around the pole is something else entirely. Was a tag applied or not? Did the throw beat the runner, tie goes to the runner...replay changes everything.
Baseball at the MLB level called by computers and video will not be the same game played at the lower levels.....I don't know what the answer is but my point is this technology will create a much different game. Better? Dunno.
It is not even close to a valid comparison.
Lot less racquet smashing and "you cannot be serious?" tho :)
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