There has been a debate for a long time regarding instant replay being implemented in baseball. And after last night’s debacles in the Angels-Yankees game, the debate is a hot topic. 
When it came to instant replay in baseball I have always felt that it would be smart to have it added. Why should players be subjected to bad calls by umpires? If somebody steals a base, and they are safe, they have earned that steal. There are too many times when the umpires call that player out, and they are stealing something that the player earned with hard work.
Of course, umpires are correct a lot, or even most, of the time, but that doesn’t matter when it comes down to one play to decide the fate of a team. Percentages are thrown out the window, and all that matters is that ONE play at that ONE time. There has to be a way to ensure that the correct calls are made at all times, especially in those game-changing moments.
To me, it is important to get calls right because the team that outperforms its opponent will get rewarded. By having the umpires’ opinions deciding important plays, a factor outside of the game has an influence on what happens within the game. This has a big effect on the game itself, and it even has the ability to psychologically ruin a player’s performance in any single game.
For instance, the strike zone is different between different umpires. Some pitchers who would thrive with one umpire, struggle with another. The pitchers get rattled when they are not getting calls, and it affects the way that they pitch. That will undoubtedly change the outcome of a game, and I think that people overlook that.
On another note, people always say that instant replay will slow the game down too much. I don’t think it would be too bad. People said the same thing about football, but it hasn’t affected it too noticeably. Also, I feel that in baseball, the calls are even more clear cut and easier to see with just one or two replays. It would not be a huge break in the action, and the reward of getting calls right would be worth it.
When all is said and done, I feel that instant replay should be implemented in baseball. Getting calls right is very important, and it will help the teams that deserve to win. Life does not always seem fair, but I feel that baseball should be.
Filed under: MLB
