Instant Replay in Major League Baseball??

BY: Corey Washington

Instant Replay Controversy

MLB's use of instant replay has already begun to spark controversy. Some fans are upset with the fact that the MLB system solely works in accordance with home run calls . Fans may believe the MLB needs to incorporate replay reviews in other areas of the game where missed calls frequently take place. Such as…

Baserunning (whether a player is safe or out on the bag)

Plate Calling (whether a player is out or not at home plate)

Non-Fair Fly Ball Spectator Interference (whether a player should be out or safe on foul balls)

Whether or not a batter is hit by a pitch

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:5456246

History Replay made its official, sanctioned MLB debut at

Tropicana Field on September 3, 2008 after Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees hit a ball near the left-field foul pole that was initially ruled a home run. Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon argued that the ball was foul and asked for a review. The crew chief Charlie Reliford allowed the replay, which was sent by MLB.com logger Dominic Sims, to take place and after review, upheld the home run call

Umpire Jim Joyce's incorrect safe call at first base on June 2, 2010 which deprived Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga of a perfect game has led to calls for using instant replay beyond deciding home runs.

Addressing the issue The game of baseball feels that by

implementing instant replay it changes the Humanity of the sport. If I were to be a manager in the sport I would definitely push for review on questionable calls. This is a business of winning and you cant leave it up to one individual to decide a game, which essentially is the case now.

Taking action… On August 15, 2013, Major League

Baseball announced that it will expand its video review process for the 2014 season, granting managers one challenge over the first six innings of games and two from the seventh inning until the end of the game. Calls that are challenged will be reviewed by a crew in MLB headquarters in New York City, which will make the final ruling.

Continued.. As part of the new collective bargaining

agreement between MLB's owners and players union, and pending approval by the umpires union, two additional elements will be added to the replay rules. Instant Replay will expand to include fair and foul calls and balls that are caught, or trapped by the player catching the ball. It will also expand interference reviews beyond the home run boundary to all walls.

Thoughts… I believe that this move into having reply

will be better for all parties involve. For the mangers you have the chance to challenege a play rather than arguing the call and getting kicked out the game, For players you get a sense of relief knowing if you feel you were wronged on a call it can be changed, and for the umpires it takes the media and fans of your back if you made a bad call it gets the play called right.

Resources http://

www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/11/15/like-not-instant-replay-will-part-baseball/m6pgZ75zdxWx2SwvJZDHGN/story.html

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9975837/major-league-baseball-move-ahead-instant-replay

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports