Baseball gets an instant replay rule
Steven Rawlins
Posted on: 27 August 2008 - 16:46
Baseball
Like it or not, an limited instant replay rule in Major League Baseball will be implemented this season, just in time for the playoffs.
Fifteen years ago when a video replay option was first put to the vote, the idea was laughed out of the ball park. Make one of the world’s slowest sports even slower? Not likely. But on Wednesday, Major League Baseball and the World Umpires Association approved limited use of instant video replays across the League, and stated that every major league ball park will soon be wired-up to enable umpires to review certain calls.
What’s getting reviewed?
One of the major arguments against implementing instant replays in baseball is that it will be very difficult to say what should be reviewed and what should not. Do you review whether a player is out on base, or stick to home run calls? Will we eventually see umpires calling balls and strikes by computer analysis?
Those responsible for the recent ruling on instant replays have made it clear that the only reviewable plays will be home runs, limited to calling whether the ball cleared the fence or not, whether or not fan interference occurred, and whether the play was fair or foul.
Major League Baseball is insistent that there will be no expansion of the replay rule to include any other facets of the game which some might consider worthy of video replay.
Changing the game for the worst?
Opinion on whether or not the replay rule is a good idea is hugely mixed. To a degree, it will depend on whether or not the fan in question has been on the wrong end of a bad decision. There have been plenty of memorable bad calls to add fuel to the argument – the tipping point was in May when home plate umpire Bob Davidson overruled a home run call made by third-base ump Mike Reilly from over a hundred yards away. Video replays after the game confirmed that Reilly had been correct. And this is just a recent example. Bad calls from umpires have changed series and haunted players’ careers.
Maier vs. Tarasco
Probably the best known umpire error is from Yankee Stadium in game one of the American League Championship Series in 1996. Playing for the Yankees against the Orioles who were up 4-3, Derek Jeter hit a long fly ball to right field. The Orioles’ right fielder, Tony Tarasco, positioned himself below the ball. As he stretched out to make the catch, a young 12 year old fan, Jeff Maier, reached out with his glove and scooped the ball into the stands. The Orioles protested for interference, but umpire Rich Garcia called it a home run and the Yankees tied the game, later winning by a single score. Video replays after the game showed clearly that without Maier’s interference, the ball would never have cleared the fence.
A more accurate but slower game
With the video replay rule in effect, these kind of errors should be a thing of the past which is surely only a good thing for the outcome of crucial games. But replays will inevitably lengthen the game – which is already an average of almost 3 hours – and 30 minutes more in the post season. It’s possible that time spent arguing homerun calls will be cut down to offset the replay time – although I would be surprised if the networks didn’t find an opportunity to squeeze in a few more commercials. Will the fans care? If you asked any Baltimore Orioles supporter if they’d have sat through an extra few minutes of baseball in order to see Tony Tarasco win the crucial call in ’96, you’d have your answer.