Cabrera: (re)Play Ball

With such history and importance to America and its people, baseball is still far behind its friends. Football might be the most popular sport implementing instant replay to review plays, but the ITF (International Tennis Federation), NHL, and NBA all use replay as well. Finally, last year the MLB gave in and allowed replay review for homerun and foul ball disputes in effect this season. Known as “America’s Pastime”, the game of baseball dates back to 1845, involving the Knickerbocker Club of NYC. Since that time, the game has been altered on numerous occasions. Ranging from the introduction of the catcher’s mitt to the sacrifice fly, baseball has always been a game of ongoing betterments. It’s is truly a game of history. Jackie Robinson and Ted Williams are two identifiable baseball names that exemplify and have impacted history. The game is even presidential: Wilson, Hoover, Roosevelt, Kennedy, Nixon, Clinton, and now Obama have all thrown out ceremonial first pitches. So doesn’t baseball deserve an even better replay system like other sports?

An employed umpire myself, I know how important umpires are to the game of baseball. The subjective ball and strike calls made by each umpire gives life and a needed element of surprise to the game. Imagine the game of baseball without a called third strike from the home plate umpire. I sure can’t, which is why I think the idea of having QuesTec calling balls and strikes is pure, technical garbage. However, the game can be improved, and become more exciting, with the issuance of a “challenge oriented” system much like the NFL has. Here’s how Bud Selig can improve the game and make it more entertaining for the fans at the park and at home:

1. Each manager begins the game with a red flag. The red flag can be thrown once per game, per team requesting to review a call; the flag must be thrown before the next pitch is made. If the call is overturned, that team retains the flag. If the play stands, the team is left with no more challenges for that game. A team is allowed a maximum of three challenges per game.

2. Balls and strikes aren’t challengeable.

3. Plays that can be challenged include: out/safe calls at each base, foul tip caught third strikes, hit batsmen, check swings, caught balls, and tag-ups.

4. If video replay doesn’t provide substantial evidence to overturn a call, the call stands.

5. Cameras will be placed at each base, including home plate to maximize coverage for replays.

Every game, baseball players commit errors. Likewise, umpires botch calls. Human error will always exist in sports, both in play and officiating. Implementing the aforementioned system can alleviate some of that error without taking away from the game’s subjective nature (balls and strikes), and at the same time providing some excitement.

Think about how nerve-racking it is waiting for an NFL official in the replay booth, reviewing a play that has the potential to change the outcome of the game. Or at Wimbledon, watching the flight of the tennis ball on the TV monitor, awaiting the revealing shadow to see if the ball indeed hit line. When the final outcome is determined, a cheer of excitement or a grunt of dissatisfaction is released throughout the stadium, if not the living room. Simply put, replay review brings suspense and excitement. Why does America’s most historical game have to be neglected of such righteousness and excitement? Well, it doesn’t—just follow my five steps.