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Replay or Not to Replay

by Stats

created October 24, 2009, last edited November 01, 2009

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After the playoffs are over, this might be a big topic at the owners meeting. After seeing the missed calls by the umpires so far in the division series, the ALCS, and the NLCS.

What is the answer? So say let's have replay on missed calls, have someone in the booth to call down and tell them that they made the wrong call. Or do they put only the best umpires on the field? They are human and they make the wrong calls. In the game Thursday night, the Angels in the seventh inning were winning 4-0 with two outs and three balls an two strikes. On the next pitch, John Lackey threw a pitch and it was on the low strike line, but, instead of calling it a strike, the umpire called it a ball and the Yankees went on to score 6 runs in that inning and take the lead, 6-4.

What is the answer? This will be something for Bud Selig, the players union, and the umpires to address during the off-season.

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RomiezzoLegend

34 days ago

Score 2

This is definitely going to be a big topic during the offseason... no doubt. I, personally, don't think they should have the instant reply. I'm sure many umpires have botched calls back in the day. That's part of the game.

I do believe they're not doing the "instant replay" thing for the wrong reasons: time. TIME!? Really? That was what I thought was so great about baseball. You never knew when it was going to end. True baseball fans never find games boring.

Bottom line is that the umpires are doing their best to call a fair game. There are four umpires out on that field though. Something is wrong if so many bad calls are made.

For the people for instant replay, are you telling me that because it is now the 21st century, and we now have the technology to do instant replay for baseball that we should completely forget about the traditions of baseball and change the way baseball's rules are made? Come on...

And... I don't know about you, but I was always a fan of this (even if there are THIS many bad calls made during such a short period):

You Lost

Don't Blame The Ref.

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CheezerAll-Star

32 days ago

Score 2

Your the first I've heard that wants to use replay to argue balls and strikes. Imagine the delays.

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RomiezzoLegend

32 days ago

Score 0

Of all things, balls and strikes. I thought he was going to talk more about the crappy calls on the basepaths.

Example: Johnny Damon being out (instead of safe) at first in Game 5 against the Angels. There was also numerous times with the Rockies and Phillies, according to a couple forums online.

Another example: A clear foul ball. In Joe Mauer's case against the Yankees, he hit a clear fair ball... and the ump was in perfect position to make the call. However, he called it a foul ball.

Another example: Whether or not the foot is on the base. Youkilis was on the base when he caught an infielder's throw to get a member of the Angels out. There was also a Phillies/Rockies incident where Todd Helton was on the bag when Chase Utley check swung and made contact and clearly should've been out. But the ump said that Todd Helton wasn't on the bag.

The list is enless...

These are all examples of calls that are worth complaining about, IMO. Arguing balls and strikes? You can't really say that it's the ump's fault for that... unless it's truly recognizable. The ump makes the call in a split second. If he thinks the pitch is hittable, he'll call it a strike. If he thinks it's not in the strike zone, that's the call he makes.

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JuTMSY4Legend

32 days ago

Score 2

The only issue I have with calling balls and strikes is consistency. A pitcher can usually figure out where the strike zone is by the 3rd inning (and probably earlier). But when the ump all willy-nilly gives calls in one spot and then not in another, it's frustrating. I think it was last night, the ump was calling the outside part of the plate a strike all night. Then he doesn't on A-Rod's RBI walk...c'mon, really? in that spot you change your mind. Pathetic

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

32 days ago

Score 2

They have that video system to grade umpires on the strike zone. Instead, they should use it to grade their consistency.

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

32 days ago

Score 2

Use replay only in the playoffs (except the current homerun vs. no homerun replays). Use it only for line calls (fair/foul) and maybe safe/out at home plate. But do the replay differently, do it like college football. Have a replay official in the booth do the actual reviewing, not having the umpire go into a dugout and review the play.

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Cheez WhizWaterboy

31 days ago

Score 0

I agree. They need to give some of those blown calls another look. I just dont want it to slow the game down. The game is already at a slow pace as it is right now.

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

31 days ago

Score 1

Fack replay.

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PmoehrinVarsity

29 days ago

Score 0

Screw the replays, I say just fire the umps.

I've never seen worst umpiring in a postseason then this. I mean blatently obvious calls that a four year old could make have been missed in the playoffs.

As far as replay is concerned, I would be for it, but replay isn't the problem here.

Inept umpiring is, and replay isn't going to fix that.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

27 days ago

Score 0

[edit] If they put more entirely naked, slutty babes on the field and they can show all the replays you want!

- Note: the following comment was meant to be specifically ignored by Erin Andrews whom I have already grown weary of seeing naked... Lights, camera, ACTION, Erin!!!!

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