MLB Instant Replay was a hot debate this season. Personally, I was in favor of implementing instant replay. Every argument I heard against it didn't make much sense to me.
First, people complained it would slow down the game. Wrong, simply wrong. What truly slows down the game is when the manager comes storming out onto the field, kicking and throwing things, only to be ejected 5 minutes later after a pointless argument. Now you have a potentially wrong call, an unnecessary argument that usually takes a few minutes, and player/coach ejections. All this can be avoided with instant replay, if used correctly. If fans are so worried about slowing down the game, shouldn't we be more strict about managers coming out onto the field to argue calls? Or perhaps we need to crack down on the countless time wasted while players step out of the box after every pitch and re-fasten their batting gloves, shin guards, elbow braces, helmets, and then tap their feet 16 times for good luck.
Second, many people argued that human error has been part of the game and should be left that way. Nearly everything else in life is corrected when possible, even in other sports. History and tradition do not always make something right, soemtimes it just makes it a really long mistake.
Third, people complain that we will still get calls wrong. Of course, but if 9 out of every 10 questionable home runs can be called correctly, then it would be absurd not to get them correct based on that 1 instance that may not be definitive. Instant replay is like a seat belt. A seat belt will not save every life in every car accident, but it saves a lot of lives, and just because they don't always guarantee safety 100% of the time doesn't mean we shouldn't still wear them.
The last argument is that instant replay will get out of hand, where do we draw the line on what can or can't be reviewed? They have already drawn the line, and I agree with it. Home run calls are different from balls and strikes or safe and out calls not because they are more important, but because of the distance from the umpires at which they occur. Also, the design of many newer ballparks make it increasingly difficult to determine whether or not a ball has left the field of play or is fair or foul.
Bottom line, all these arguments are extremely flawed. Instant replay in baseball is a positive thing. It is here to stay, so do me a favor and get used to it.
First, people complained it would slow down the game. Wrong, simply wrong. What truly slows down the game is when the manager comes storming out onto the field, kicking and throwing things, only to be ejected 5 minutes later after a pointless argument. Now you have a potentially wrong call, an unnecessary argument that usually takes a few minutes, and player/coach ejections. All this can be avoided with instant replay, if used correctly. If fans are so worried about slowing down the game, shouldn't we be more strict about managers coming out onto the field to argue calls? Or perhaps we need to crack down on the countless time wasted while players step out of the box after every pitch and re-fasten their batting gloves, shin guards, elbow braces, helmets, and then tap their feet 16 times for good luck.
Second, many people argued that human error has been part of the game and should be left that way. Nearly everything else in life is corrected when possible, even in other sports. History and tradition do not always make something right, soemtimes it just makes it a really long mistake.
Third, people complain that we will still get calls wrong. Of course, but if 9 out of every 10 questionable home runs can be called correctly, then it would be absurd not to get them correct based on that 1 instance that may not be definitive. Instant replay is like a seat belt. A seat belt will not save every life in every car accident, but it saves a lot of lives, and just because they don't always guarantee safety 100% of the time doesn't mean we shouldn't still wear them.
The last argument is that instant replay will get out of hand, where do we draw the line on what can or can't be reviewed? They have already drawn the line, and I agree with it. Home run calls are different from balls and strikes or safe and out calls not because they are more important, but because of the distance from the umpires at which they occur. Also, the design of many newer ballparks make it increasingly difficult to determine whether or not a ball has left the field of play or is fair or foul.
Bottom line, all these arguments are extremely flawed. Instant replay in baseball is a positive thing. It is here to stay, so do me a favor and get used to it.
