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Replay Closes In On Baseball Field

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By CARTER GADDIS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 25, 2008

Traditionalists might cringe at the concept, but Major League Baseball slowly is moving toward implementation of replay review. General managers voted 25-5 in November to recommend further study of replay use on "boundary" calls, and Commissioner Bud Selig began in October to soften his long-held stance against it. Just last week, the Mets' Carlos Delgado, the Cubs' Geovany Soto, the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez and the Indians' Ben Francisco hit fly balls that were not called home runs, but that replays clearly showed should have been.

The NBA, NHL and, of course, the NFL use some form of replay review. The NHL system, which allows officials in the league offices in Toronto to review questionable goals, seems like the most logical model for baseball to follow - at least initially. And it could begin (after the requisite collective bargaining sessions) with replay review of questionable home run calls.

Quirky dimensions in new ballparks like Houston's Minute Maid Park have made it increasingly difficult for umpires to rule decisively whether a ball has cleared the fence or the yellow line marking the field's boundary. The solution? Technology is your friend. Rarely are replays of borderline fly balls near a foul pole or the top of a wall inconclusive. If baseball wants to follow hockey's lead, it could make sure not to blow the signature play of its sport - the home run - by funneling questionable calls to a central replay official in the league office in New York.

It would be a start, and it wouldn't be likely to create outrage among the folks who believe human failure is a critical component of the game's aesthetic appeal. After all, as any umpire would agree, the important thing is to get the call right.

REVISIONIST HISTORY

Five critical moments when replay review might (or might not) have made a difference:

1. In Game 6 of the 1985 World Series, replays showed first-base umpire Don Denkinger missed the fact that Cardinals reliever Todd Worrell took the throw from first baseman Jack Clark and beat Royals runner Jorge Orta to the bag. The incorrect safe call gave Kansas City the momentum it needed to force a Game 7, and the Royals won it all.

2. In Game 1 of the 1996 American League Championship Series, the Yankees trailed when Derek Jeter's fly ball to deep right field seemed destined to land in the glove of Orioles right fielder Tony Tarrasco. Instead, replays showed that youngster Jeffrey Maier reached over the fence and caught it. Umpire Richie Garcia called it a home run, and the Yankees went on to win the game and the series.

3. In Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS, Cubs fan Steve Bartman was among several Wrigley Field spectators down the left-field line who rose to try to catch a foul ball. Chicago left fielder Moises Alou also had a bead on it, but was blocked by the fans. Alou was incensed at the time, and Bartman was escorted out by security when fellow fans grew irate. Replays were inconclusive about whether the ball was touched by the fan in fair territory, and Alou later admitted he didn't think he would have caught the ball. In any event, the Marlins came back to win that game and went on to win Game 7 and the World Series.

4. In the ninth inning of Game 2 of the 2005 ALCS, Angels catcher Josh Paul flipped the ball toward the mound after White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski apparently swung and missed strike three. But home plate umpire Doug Eddings didn't indicate the pitch had been trapped, thereby giving Pierzynski the chance to run to first. After initially moving toward his dugout, Pierzynski took off for first and was safe without a play. A pinch-runner eventually scored the winning run, and the White Sox went on to win the series. Paul insisted the ball was not trapped, and replays were inconclusive.

5. In the 13th inning of last year's NL wild-card tiebreaker game between the Padres and Rockies, replays showed that Colorado's Matt Holliday never touched home plate after he "scored" on a game-winning collision with San Diego catcher Michael Barrett.

THE PROS AND CONS

Arguments for and against the use of replay review essentially come down to traditionalists vs. progressives. Baseball has been slow, historically, to embrace change. Divisional alignment, the designated hitter and the wild-card playoff berth all came to be after strenuous debate. Naturally, replay review has its supporters and detractors, and here are the basics of their arguments:

Pros

1. Fewer blown calls would mean the games would have a greater chance of being decided by the actions of the players, rather than the opinion of the on-field arbitrators.

2. Umpire conferences, which now occur after close calls, would be shortened, thereby shortening the game.

3. Arguments from players, coaches and managers would be curtailed, also shortening the game.

Cons

1. It's a human game, resonant with human flaws, and beautifully so. Always has been, always should be.

2. Where do we draw the line? First replays. Then a highly calibrated sensor to call balls fair, foul or gone. Would balls and strikes be next?

3. If the system isn't streamlined, it could create significant delays. Plus, there's no way to guarantee the correct camera angle would be available on a given play.

WHEN TO USE IT

Items best cleared up by replay review:

1. Foul balls.

2. Home runs.

3. Fan interference.

4. Close force plays.

5. Close calls on whether a base runner was tagged out or safe.

6. Appeals on tagging up after fly balls.

WHEN NOT TO USE IT

Items best left to human discretion:

1. Balls and strikes.

2. Pitcher's intention on brush-back pitches.

3. Batter's intention to swing.

4. Close calls on whether fly balls or line drives were caught or trapped.

5. Balks.

6. Hit by pitch calls.

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