Yanks/Tribe...Did it hit the bat?...commentator comments?

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

And what is wrong with going to slo-mo replays?
I find it a paradox. There is the motto "get the call right" yet baseball refuses to use the technology available to Get the call right.

"Listen to the sounds, watch no lips".

Some say that IR will add time to games that are already lasting 3.5 - 4 hours long. When the umpires "huddle" also takes time. Why "huddle" when you can go to the Replay. We do not know what would have happened but in last nights game 2 calls would have been over-turned if replay were used.

Clearly and my opinion is that one more play under instant replay/review would have been overturned. Three critical calls that had important and significant influence on the outcome.

The Matsui CI and Mussina CLEARLY touching the bag before the runner. The tradition of baseball went out years ago. The DH Rule, lowering of the mound ,smaller ball-parks, Wild card Teams, Inter-League play to name a few. Every major sport has replay even Tennis for God's sake so I do not know what the problem is. At least experiment with it in Spring Training.

Pete Booth

Mr. Booth, MLB does not want instant replay. They have chosen specific technological implementations. Those decisions were affected because MLB believed them beneficial to their profitability.

MLB does not want its MLB umpires open to the type of scrutiny that instant replay/review will expose them. MLB umpires have proven time and time again that they are not ready to have professional standards publicly applied to their performances.

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by Interested Ump

"Listen to the sounds, watch no lips".



Clearly and my opinion is that one more play under instant replay/review would have been overturned. Three critical calls that had important and significant influence on the outcome.



Mr. Booth, MLB does not want instant replay. They have chosen specific technological implementations. Those decisions were affected because MLB believed them beneficial to their profitability.

MLB does not want its MLB umpires open to the type of scrutiny that instant replay/review will expose them. MLB umpires have proven time and time again that they are not ready to have professional standards publicly applied to their performances.

Give it a rest.

MLB umpires are already under the microscope of instant replay and have been for 40 years....and need not apologize to anyone. The calls are nearly always correct.

And MLB already has the technology to make every call on the strike zone perfectly. It is currently used as a tool to make the strike zone more consistent among all umpires.


But, in the interest of never making a mistake, let's turn the game over to technology.

Let's start with the strike zone and have every ball not hit judged by the computer. A series of lights, red for strikes and green for balls, could flash around the diamond and the stadium so the players and the fans could keep track of the count. The plate umpire, no longer burdened by a protector, shin guards, padded shoes and a mask could stand opposite the swing pattern of the batter and watch for half swings, foul tips, hit batsmen, catcher interference, dropped balls by the catcher, etc. He would be close to cover plays at the plate, make sure the plate was clean, throw in new balls and make the necessary scorecard changes.

The same would hold true on the bases. Umpires would no longer need to worry about close plays, a tv replay will make the call. They still would be needed to watch out for obstruction, interference, call the infield fly rule, time the interval between innings, look out for balks, whether the pitcher went to his mouth, and so on.

This would mean MLB no longer needs seasoned veterans who spend 20 years in the minors. Think of the money it can save on salaries for arbiters who no longer have to hustle to get into position. Sure they have to be students of the rules, but Wal-Mart greeters can do that.

Who cares if a rash of close plays slows down the game, after all we want to make sure every call is dead on,right? If tv can't tell, flip a coin. Thoese types of plays always even out, right?

Besides, the time lost on reviewing close plays will be offset by no more of those disgusting arguments between a manager and an umpire.

Just think, under this arrangement Bruce Froemming could umpire for another 30 years.

[jimpiano]

Which, of course, begs the question, why would he want to?

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by jimpiano

But, in the interest of never making a mistake, let's turn the game over to technology.Let's start with the strike zone and

Reflexive, overexaggerative response, no reply to it needed.

The plain facts are that MLB has plays where the correct call could be made with an instant replay/review and MLB refuses to implement the technologies.

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by Interested Ump

Reflexive, overexaggerative response, no reply to it needed.

The plain facts are that MLB has plays where the correct call could be made with an instant replay/review and MLB refuses to implement the technologies.

And there are plenty of other plays where instant replay is of no value.
The Padres/Rockies the most recent and obvious.

So you are left with the umpires.

And they are pretty damn good.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by jimpiano

And there are plenty of other plays where instant replay is of no value.
The Padres/Rockies the most recent and obvious.

So you are left with the umpires.

And they are pretty damn good.

Not to mention that if they replaced the umpires with machines they would be smashed with baseball bats inside a week.

I would like to see how technology ejects angry managers.

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Not to mention that if they replaced the umpires with machines they would be smashed with baseball bats inside a week.

I would like to see how technology ejects angry managers.

http://tinyurl.com/3awsmz

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by jimpiano

And there are plenty of other plays where instant replay is of no value

The argument that it's "all or nothing" is invalid, let's move on.

[NFump]

Originally Posted by Interested Ump

The argument that it's "all or nothing" is invalid, let's move on.

I agree completely with the bolded part of this statement.

Thank you for your opinions on this subject.

[Cub42]

I find it utterly ridiculous in your comments about professional standards and the MLB Umpires not being up to them. Just wondering how many games you have done iinfront of 50,000 people and every available angle covered by TV. Not to mention the speed of the game.There is always going to be the human element in the game. But what ever your personal feelings toward them, they are the best at what they do, and they are there based on their ability.There are a lot of guys on this site that are in AA or AAA. Ask them the difference in the game as they move up each level. Then think about your comments the next time you are out on the field working what ever level you work.

[PeteBooth]

Football officials have done games in front of way more than 50,000 people in attendance and

they are the best at what they do,

, yet the NFL and NCAA has Replay

You said it yourself it's because of the speed of the game.

There is always going to be the human element in the game, but if the ball is truly not a HR or vice versa and there is technology to correct it why not use it.

IMO, it's a Cop out. As mentioned Football / Basketball Officials are the best at what they do but Replay is used. IMO baseball should be no different.

Pete Booth

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

IMO baseball should be no different.

Pete Booth

Ahhhh, but it is. And for many, that's part of its charm.

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

Football officials have done games in front of way more than 50,000 people in attendance and , yet the NFL and NCAA has Replay

You said it yourself it's because of the speed of the game.

There is always going to be the human element in the game, but if the ball is truly not a HR or vice versa and there is technology to correct it why not use it.

IMO, it's a Cop out. As mentioned Football / Basketball Officials are the best at what they do but Replay is used. IMO baseball should be no different.

Pete Booth

Then I assume you have no problem with replacing the home plate umpire's duties of calling ball and strikes by using the computer, instead?

After all, MLB has the technology to get every call right, and there would be no delay in the game.

[PeteBooth]

No one at least not I is talking about balls / strikes. According to Bud every Park next year will have queztech in which to evaluate the Home plate umpire.

I am talking about a BIG play ala a HR which IMO is where MLB should FIRST address the replay issue. It's similar to a TD pass in football which is a BIG play.

As far as the "other" type plays that area would be phased in. Perhaps a challenge type system which the NFL has or something along those lines. The BIG question to address would be what type of penalty would you give the manager if his challenge is unsuccessful.

Replay doesn't seem to affect the integrity of the Football officials so why should it effect major league baseball umpires.

Bottom Line: The ONLY area that baseball will probably adopt Replay is on Fair / Foul on a HR or whether or not the ball is truly a HR or book rule double. Also, if a FAN interfered with ball in the field of play or not.


Pete Booth

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

No one at least not I is talking about balls / strikes. According to Bud every Park next year will have queztech in which to evaluate the Home plate umpire.

I am talking about a BIG play ala a HR which IMO is where MLB should FIRST address the replay issue. It's similar to a TD pass in football which is a BIG play.

As far as the "other" type plays that area would be phased in. Perhaps a challenge type system which the NFL has or something along those lines. The BIG question to address would be what type of penalty would you give the manager if his challenge is unsuccessful.

Replay doesn't seem to affect the integrity of the Football officials so why should it effect major league baseball umpires.



Bottom Line: The ONLY area that baseball will probably adopt Replay is on Fair / Foul on a HR or whether or not the ball is truly a HR or book rule double. Also, if a FAN interfered with ball in the field of play or not.

Pete Booth

If you refuse to use the technology that exists to be error free in calling balls and strikes, why use it anywhere else? Nothing happens without a pitcher and a batter and if there is not a consistent strike zone then someone is getting hosed.

Only a few games have disputed home runs and fan intereference, but every game has disputes about balls and strikes.