By Staff Writer: Travis Waker
Starting in 2014, Major League Baseball will be adapting a new replay system that could change the game. I believe that instant replay will help umpires tremendously.
The new system is somewhat of a copycat of the National Football League. Like the NFL, MLB managers will be given a challenge flag at the beginning of every game. Just like football, if they win the challenge, they will be given another flag to challenge another call. If they lose the challenge, they will lose their challenging privileges will be taken for the remainder of the game. If it is after the 7th inning, umpires will have the ability to review whatever call they deem to be close. Homeruns and fair/foul calls will be reviewable by umpires in any inning,
To reverse a call, umpires must have, “clear and convincing evidence.” Also, they must be on agreement with the replay headquarters which will be stationed in New York.
I believe instant replay will be a good thing for Major League Baseball because umpires will be questioned less by reporters after the game on a controversial call that may have decided an important game. Also, fans will be less angry because they know that the right call was made, even if the call went against their team. There will be fewer ejections among managers because they will be more reluctant to change a call if there is video evidence against them.
The MLB, to a point, has already instituted instant replay when they gave umpires the ability to review homerun calls in 2008. The replay has already swayed several games in the right direction since 2008. This is now an even bigger expansion by MLB commissioner Bud Selig.
People who are against replay say that it taints the purity and old-fashioned nature of the game of baseball. However, on June 2, 2010, the Cleveland Indians played the Detroit Tigers. Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga threw the now infamous “near perfect game”.
The perfect game is the rarest feat in professional sports. There have only been 23 thrown in the 135 year history of the MLB, that is, twenty-seven outs in a row. Galarraga had 26 outs when Cleveland’s Jason Donald stepped to the plate. With a 1-1 count, Donald hit a routine groundball to first that was cut off by Detroit’s first baseman Miguel Cabrera who threw to first for what should have been the final out of the game and in the history books as one of 24 no hitters. Instead, first base umpire Jim Joyce called Donald safe, and he became the only Indians base runner of the night.
This is a classic example of where instant replay would’ve changed the course of baseball history. In addition, Joyce received death threats and it was a very serious situation for Major League Baseball.
Overall, I think instant replay could be very productive and prevent further situations like Joyce. It will take some adjustment, but Major League Baseball will benefit from instant replay.
