Let me simplify the replay in baseball argument for everybody: if you’re against it, then you’re an idiot. I’m looking at you Joe Morgan, Kevin Kennedy, and
anyone else who has spoken up against replay over the last few weeks. What is it about baseball that makes everyone so afraid of progression and change? Here’s some of the stupider points people make against instant replay:
1. It will make the games even longer.
Really? Because every time I see a disputed play in baseball, you know what happens? First, the player makes his case. Then, the umps get together for like two or three minutes. After they decide either way on a call, the manager’s whose team the call goes against waddles out of the dugout and argues for another couple of minutes. Yet somehow eliminating all this and replacing it with an umpire looking at the video for a short, controlled period of time is just a completely unbearable notion. Why is it that all these old timers and veterans rattle on incessantly about their undying love for the game but the thought of making something they love love love blah blah like possibly four minutes longer makes them react like someone suggested they start using aluminum bats or allow a team to use to Rock N Jock Pepsi ball?
2. I like the human element.
Aaaarrgghhhhh…shut the fuck up. This is one of dumber things anyone can say in all of sports. Its essentially admitting, “I enjoy when the umpires make incorrect calls that possibly affect the outcome of games.” Replay isn’t going turn baseball into Strat-o-matic or Whatifsports.com. We’re not talking about creating some sort of strike zone force field sensor zone. Replay’s goal is to reduce human ERROR, not the human element. I’d rather a game be extended and extra five minutes than have to see the god damn replay of Jeffrey Maier 45 times a season every time a fan touches a ball in play.
3. Where do you draw the line on what can be reviewed?
It’s almost as if baseball analysts have never seen an NFL or NBA game. They think that it’s going to get to the point that balls and strikes can be reviewed. They won’t. Ever. Just like you can’t review a holding call in the NFL or fouls in the NBA. It’s going to be primarily for home run calls and plays at the plate or possibly on the bases. Watching the the third base umpire get the Carlos Delgado call right and then be overruled by an umpire who was FARTHER AWAY from the call is absurd.
4. I’m stupid, stubborn, old-fashioned, frightened of change and wish every present day ballplayer played like Mickey Mantle or Stan Musial.
That’s the only argument against replay in baseball that I’ll accept.
