NPR: Baseball Managers Vote for Limited Instant Replay

Baseball Managers Vote for Limited Instant Replay

Anyone who watched this year's baseball playoffs will remember Boston Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez's long drive that bounced high on the outfield wall in Cleveland. It was hard to tell if the ball hit above or on the line that marks a home run. The umpires huddled and eventually ruled the ball had stayed in play. But if baseball managers have their way, the umps could go to instant replay to make the call in the future.

Baseball's general managers voted 25-5 Tuesday to add instant replay during games in limited situations. It wouldn't be used for balls and strikes or to determine if a runner was safe at home, but it could help decide if "potential home runs are fair or foul, whether balls go over fences or hit the tops and bounce back, and whether fans interfere with possible homers," The Associated Press reports.

The next step is for the managers to put the proposal before MLB commissioner Bud Selig, who has opposed instant reply. But as the Los Angeles Times reports, he has "softened his opposition" recently, apparently not wanting to appear outdated. If he approves, the managers would vote on a more detailed proposal, which would eventually go the players' and umpires' unions and possibly the owners for approval.

The idea of instant reply is attractive when you consider situations like the Ramirez hit. But games are already pretty long — and many complain that instant replay is likely to drag them out even more. Is the chance that a replay might work out in your team's favor worth the possibility of an even longer game?

10:46 AM ET | 11- 7-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I am opposed to instant replay. I don't think that this will get either union's blessing. As much as we often dislike it, human error is part of the game. Indeed, in a game where a 70% failure rate makes you a great hitter, human error is an intricate part of the mystique.

Sent by Rich Campbell, Padre blogger | 11:09 AM ET | 11-07-2007

No, No, No, to replay, especially for baseball. I know professional, and many colleges, have turned sports into big money entertainment, so replay may seem logical to properly distribute profits. But, as a traditionalist, I prefer the sports remain games. Baseball's long and storied history decries adjusting the games for modern convenience. Replay demonstrates the original calls are almost always correct anyway. Football replay has made officals lazy in their calls, depending on replays to make appropriate adjustments with long, game interupting, reviews. Fairness means lack of bias, and I believe officials, be they referees or umpires, provide this service just fine without electronic enhancement.

Sent by BIG DADDY | 11:47 AM ET | 11-07-2007

Oh my gosh! Isn't this game slow enough already? Just get on with the playing ... instead, maybe offer player bonuses if they can finish a game in under 4 hours. Sleepy Fan

Sent by A Cole | 11:51 AM ET | 11-07-2007

Oh my goodness, no! Part of the fun of basball is the uncertainty and the ensuing "hot under the collar" reactions to an umpire's decision. We would no longer have people yelling "hey, blue, you blind? What's the fun of that?

Sent by Carol West | 12:04 PM ET | 11-07-2007

hey it's a trial folks, a trial.

not mentioned above is fan interference.

if it helps, great. if it's inconsequential or unduely lengthens the game, get rid of it.

Sent by OhioOrrin "Go Tribe Go" | 2:04 PM ET | 11-07-2007

Not a bad idea. There should be a third TV umpire. Life has become easier since TV umpire and replay rule was inroduced in the game of cricket. I agree with many others that baseball is a slow sport, and 70% failure rate makes one a Baberuth, Alex,or a Barry. However, still millions watch, admire and follow this game. I personally love the game and the rivalaries associated with this sport. I am a recent baseball convert from cricket, that was my chilhood religion!
anser Chicago

Sent by anser azim | 2:45 PM ET | 11-07-2007

Yes, absolutely, as in football. Many games have been lost due to incorrect calls by umpire's.

Sent by Andrea I. Wadds | 4:03 PM ET | 11-07-2007

I don't think that instant replay will change the game very much since most of the calls are correct. I also belive that it may actually speed up rather than slow down the game, if done properly.

Sent by Alex Sheftel | 4:56 PM ET | 11-07-2007

Okay. Instant replay of an umpire's call of Stike Three when the ball was clearly two feet low and outside the plate.

Then the manager has to run out and get between the arguing batter and the umpire, while everyone is screaming and spitting in each other's faces, and the umpire is throwing the batter out of the game, then throwing the manager out of the game. Then, when the team owner comes hurtling over the wall and out on onto the field, the umpire throws the team owner out of the game.....

....meanwhile, as all the fun is going on out there on the field, we at home are watching continual television instant replays of the ball just barely grazing the edge of home plate from one camera angle, while from another camera angle the ball looks two foot wide.......

...meanwhile, what we missed on television was the third base umpire throwing the home plate umpire out of the game as fans start throwing baseballs and old Disco records out onto center field.

Yeah, why not instant replay in baseball?

fred call

Sent by fred call | 3:45 PM ET | 11-08-2007

Instant replay should be employed to eliminate game changing mistakes. In fact if those who think the game is too long, perhaps an electronic strike zone should be used so the pitchers throw more strikes and the ball will be put in play in a shorter time thus a shorter more active game. After all, a no hitter is only interesting in the last few outs of a game. Talk about yawn. Bad, ego driven, homeplate umpires ruin the game of baseball and significantly extend its length. More electronics not less need to be employed.

Sent by jim cochrane | 10:47 PM ET | 11-11-2007

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