Replay in MLB: both sides make their point after game 4 of the ALCS

October 21, 2:17 PMSports ExaminerPaula Duffy

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Who was out at third? Only one Yankee according to the umpire.       (AP)

Tuesday's game four between the N.Y. Yankees and the LA Angels of Anaheim is more famous for its blown calls by umpires than the lopsided score.

The Yankees and Angels are battling to get back to the World Series for the first time in six and seven years respectively.

Yet sports talk radio has been dominated by debates about whether instant replay should be used for more than fair/foul or home run calls.

Each side is passionate about its views and there is no middle ground between the two.

Former pitcher and current MLB Network broadcaster, Al Leiter spoke on behalf of keeping the status quo during a Wednesday afternoon call-in to ESPN 1050 in New York.

He and host, Michael Kay went 10 rounds on the subject and Leiter was adamant about his position. It can be summed up by saying he likes the human element.

However he did offer a partial solution: let the other umpires on the field enlighten their colleagues if there was a bad ball. Leiter wouldn't name names but said that many an ump has lamented the fact that he couldn't help out after the fact. The issue is pride and territory.

When pressed to expand on his refusal to get past the tradition of the game, Leiter got a bit prickly and suggested to radio host Michael Kay, that if it was perfection Kay wanted, then why not have pitching machines replace men on the mound?

Kay got his back up a bit and realized the segment was over since there is no where to go from that point.  Kay is of the belief that if the technology exists to get it right, then just adopt it and get it over with. The games are long already and the argument over blown calls lasts almost as long as it would take to look at a monitor.

Two distinct views with no middle ground. Reminds me too much of the health care debate. Play ball!

For more info: ESPN 1050 site for podcast of Kay vs. Leiter.

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