When Buster Posey attempted to steal second base in game one of the National League Division Series, everyone but the umpire knew he was out. Instead, Posey was called safe, and of course, scored what would be the only run of the game in the Giants’ 1-0 victory over the Braves.
Just days later, a similar situation occurred when second base umpire Ed Hickox called Pat Burrell safe at second base for what would have been the second out of the inning. After the following batter struck out, the inning would have been over, but because of the call, the Giants were able to score what turned out to be the winning run of the game.
The Braves lost both of these games, and are now out of the playoffs, arguably because of these two blown calls.
Almost daily, blown calls are made that may or may not affect the outcome of a game. And even if they do not directly impact the game’s final score, they can cause pitchers to throw more pitches and tire themselves out. This in turn could affect their overall performance and that of their team, as it seems that the longer an inning is, the greater a chance that a fielder will commit an error.
Blown calls also have psychological effects, as they can frustrate players and cause them to lose focus and possibly make errors later in the game. Pitchers who are not getting strike calls, for instance, may become frustrated and lose some of their control.
I myself have seen this specific example occur many times throughout the season. Most notable, however, was in game two of the American League Division Series between the Twins and Yankees. After what appeared to be strike three was called a ball, Lance Berkman crushed an RBI double to give the Yankees the lead. This run turned out to be the game winner, and is just one reason why the Twins, like the Braves, are out of the playoffs.
So, now that the postseason is in full swing and so many bad calls have already proved game-changing, the question remains, should instant replay be used in baseball?
Having played and watched baseball from a young age, I believe that the game should remain the way it is. Even though blown calls sometimes prove costly, most often they have no effect and receive little publicity.
Also, it’s not as if major league baseball is not trying to solve the problem in other ways. In the postseason, for example, two umpires are added to the regular season crew of four to reduce the number of calls that each umpire is responsible for. This allows them to focus on the job they are assigned in the hopes of reducing the number of blown calls.
Many people also believe that baseball games are too lengthy, and allowing for instant replay would only make them even longer. It would create a break in the action, and for a sport that is already criticized for its slow pace, would only cause a loss of viewers.
As for me, I am not so concerned with instant replay lengthening games as I am it eliminating what has come to be an integral part of the sport. Blown calls have always been a part of the game, and without them, baseball would never be the same.
In fact, many people find delight in complaining about umpires and their calls, especially those concerning balls and strikes. It is something that nearly everyone does, and often brings fans together.
When it comes down to it, instant replay would only serve as a hindrance to the game of baseball. So when Commissioner Bud Selig makes a decision concerning such technology, he must consider not only the negative, but also the positive impact that such calls have had on the game. They may be a source of frustration among fans and players, but they have always been, and should remain, part of the game.
