Maybe he can figure out a way to modernize the bullpen telephone as to not embarrass the management anymore. Just an idea.
Of course, reviewing every single close call would prolong the ballgames. People who aren't fans of baseball and are pissed off about not being able to watch The X Factor or whatever reality show they're into when games last the 3-3 1/2 hours they already do, are likely proponents of keeping the game the way it is.
Other folks, who'd rather not see their teams totally screwed by an umpire's bad decision, are probably all for the expansion of instant replay.
The Commissioner, who plans to retire when his contract runs out after the 2012 season, told ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM that baseball plans to "enlarge replay a little bit." He went on to say this:
"If you’re going to start replaying every controversial decision or every close call, I think that hurts the sport."
Amen, Bud. But there has to be a nice middle ground where everyone is delighted with the outcome.
Currently, and ever since August of 2008, baseball limits replay use to disputed home runs. There have been plenty of blown calls over the 142-year life of MLB, but none quite as important as a missed homer or a call giving undue credit to a foul ball... unless someone screws up a perfect game. But what about close plays at the plate? Perhaps every potential scoring play should be examined when there's doubt. You'd think the 4-6 guys on the field (depending on whether it's the regular season or not) would be able to sort these types of things out all by themselves. Umpire integrity is at stake here people!
One thing is for sure, baseball does not need to turn into the NFL, where there are literally 2-3 new rules a year. It takes until Week 4 of the football season to remember things have changed once again, and we so do not deal with that well.
Speaking of umpires, check out this hilarious rendition of a disgruntled official, courtesy of Peter Berman at the Laugh Factory.
[Newsday]
3 comments:
My buddies and I sometimes have contests late into drunken evenings to see who can come up with the best wring-up... god we're lame.
I'll be sad to see Selig go next season. He's really done a lot for baseball!
If Selig was really motivated to avoid whatever might be "bad for the game", he would have resigned long ago. He's a joke... and a bad joke, at that.
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