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by Michael Miner on May 29th 2008 - 6:19 p.m.

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When does the lively debate over introducing instant replay to baseball come to grips with the game's contingencies?

If a double off the top of the center field wall turns out on review to be a home run instead, no harm done. But what if a homer turns out to be a double? What happens to the runners who ambled around the bases when a home run was signaled? A triple down the line that slo-mo reveals landed a hair outside the chalk is easily voided, but what do you do about the foul that actually landed fair? And the runner halfway to third when the center fielder makes a sensational catch and easily doubled up back at first is given what base when the catch turns out to be a trap? 

Imagine this one. Runners at first and second. One out. A shot up the middle. The second baseman gloves the ball, stabs at second with one foot, and throws to third. Out at second. Out at third on a bang-bang play. Certain the runner heading to third beat the throw, his manager appeals. And what does the replay show? It shows that although the third baseman was standing on the bag, he missed the tag. So the runner is safe at third. But it also shows that the second baseman didn't actually touch second. So the runner at second is safe -- which turns the play at third into a force play. And that means the third baseman didn't have to tag the runner, so that runner's out after all. 

Readers are invited to submit their own scenarios.

Instant replay? Does baseball really want to go there? 

 


Comments
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Neil
May 29th - 8:58 p.m.
I'm glad you aren't a sports writer.
You used 12 cliches in one item.
Yep
May 30th - 9:28 a.m.
From MLB.com:

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Instant replay may now become a factor on a limited basis in Major League Baseball games.

The collective general managers voted 25-5 during their Tuesday morning session to at least explore the possibility of using the video technology to help decide disputed home run calls: fair or foul, in or out of the ballpark.

Presently, it's only being considered for home run calls. No big deal--for now.
Jim
May 30th - 12:38 p.m.
Stop putting the cart before the horse. The only situation instant replay is being considered for is home run vs. foul ball, a straightforward yes-or-no call. "Purists" love to project any number of oddball scenarios which would cause problems. And they would, but such speculation is, for the time being, pointless.

Every sport that has instant replay has shown the ability to place parameters on it that allow it to work. There's no reason to think baseball would be an exception.
The_3_Little_Pigs
June 3rd - 3:45 p.m.
How about putting two extra umpires in the game. One in left, one in right. That should help infield umps trying to judge if a ball landing 280 feet away from them hit the top of center field or above the yellow line. Maybe they can start hiring baseball field architects who aren't on crack and we can get rid of those ridiculous outfield dimensions in newer parks. I'm surprised they didn't put a cactus on "Tal's Hill" (The Grassy Knoll) in Minute Maid Park. I long for the day when a home run was a ball that was hit "into the stands".



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