More than any other season, umpires have blown an insane number of home run calls this season, most notably in May. Because of this, baseball and its umpires have been under fire to get instant replay into baseball to help prevent these calls, some of which have dramatically affected games. While I'm one of the "old school" fans who prefer to not have instant replay part of baseball, what I've seen this season has changed my opinion on the issue and I would certainly favor it... in limited use. So, baseball has implemented a plan that could become reality by August 1st, where instant replay would be used only on "boundary" calls involving home runs, meaning fair or foul, or did it clear the yellow line or not. I would also not be opposed to it used for plays at home plate, as missed calls there could affect the outcome of a game, as well, but that's far from becoming a reality.
Some people worry instant replay would lengthen games and drag them on. But after giving this much thought, I've concluded that since umpires generally spend a minute or two discussing these type of controversial calls before they finalize a decision anyway (as they did in the aforementioned situations), using that time to walk over to a camera in the camera well next to one of the dugouts and viewing a home run in question within a 90-second time frame wouldn't lengthen or drag a game on any more than without the use of instant replay. What generally lengthens and drags games on are all the little nuances that players bring with them to the field, such as a pitcher taking forever to make a pitch by either waiting until the alloted time to make pitch has elapsed, or continuously stepping on and off the pitching rubber on the mound, or a hitter who keeps stepping in and out of the batter's box.
This is all probably still in the early stages but it appears that this could all come to fruition over the next six weeks as we approach August 1st. It seems to me that baseball is as concerned about these calls as the general public, as well as the teams it could affect. Baseball seems to be finally getting things right!
Some people worry instant replay would lengthen games and drag them on. But after giving this much thought, I've concluded that since umpires generally spend a minute or two discussing these type of controversial calls before they finalize a decision anyway (as they did in the aforementioned situations), using that time to walk over to a camera in the camera well next to one of the dugouts and viewing a home run in question within a 90-second time frame wouldn't lengthen or drag a game on any more than without the use of instant replay. What generally lengthens and drags games on are all the little nuances that players bring with them to the field, such as a pitcher taking forever to make a pitch by either waiting until the alloted time to make pitch has elapsed, or continuously stepping on and off the pitching rubber on the mound, or a hitter who keeps stepping in and out of the batter's box.
This is all probably still in the early stages but it appears that this could all come to fruition over the next six weeks as we approach August 1st. It seems to me that baseball is as concerned about these calls as the general public, as well as the teams it could affect. Baseball seems to be finally getting things right!
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