Lights, cameras, action! Baseball and instant replay

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August 15, 12:55 PM

by Ted Fleming, Tampa Bay Sports Examiner

 

 

Major League Baseball has finally entered the 21^st Century. Instant replay is on the way and according to all reports it will be at a ballpark near you in time for the postseason.

Whew! And I thought Bud Selig was the only one still demanding tube time.

Baseball has notoriously been slow on the uptake when it comes to being proactive with anything. It’s almost like waiting for a tragic accident to happen before politicians agree to put in a stop light.

The sport has been a tragic accident for years, with the likes of exhibitions deciding home field in the World Series, designated hitters only if you are an American. Nationals need not apply.

Oh well, better late than never.

Umpires have a hard job as it is with everyone yelling at them and nary a good word to be heard and regardless of their protestations to the contrary, they need help. The men in blue rarely make mistakes but when they do some have been known to be game changers.

If the sport can keep a Jeffrey Maier anonymous instead of a footnote, do it. Is the ball to the right or left of the fair pole? A famous sportscaster coined the phrase, “Let’s go to the video tape.” Keep it away from the continuous plays -- calls at first or trapped balls by outfielders; just use it where it can be the most beneficial.

Protagonists against say it will slow down the game. As opposed to what, 3½ hours instead of one logged in at 3:20? It is not about getting it quick, it’s about getting it right, especially when it comes to the grand stage, the postseason.

Now that Mr. Selig has joined all the other major sports with limited use of this “new” technology, maybe someone can convince him to use it so kids can see the game the next afternoon after school.

Better late than never, right?

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