Instant Replay

[Butter Parque]

Now that we're at the unofficial halfway point of the season, what does everyone think of it? Personally I think it's been a disaster that is hurting the sport. When it comes to reversing calls, we have now reached the stage where the umpires are guessing on scenarios that would have taken place had the play continued. I have seen countless calls that upon further review, have still be blown. It's just not worth it to me.

[Kyyle23]

I chose "Other". It is incredibly incomplete and needs a lot of tweaking, but I think it is getting tweaked and revamped as they go along.

[Chisoxfn]

It sucks and should be gone. Use it in the post-season. Not needed in regular season. If you really need it in regular season, implement it in final 10 games or something. It is terrible.

[Butter Parque]

I don't see how it can function in baseball. When you reverse the call, you have to then resort to imagining the way the rest of the play would have gone. For example, because a call can be overturned on the neighborhood play at second base to result in the runner actually being safe, shouldn't all teams be instructing their players to keep running in this situation if there are 2 outs? Even if the umpire originally calls you out to end the inning, it can still be reversed at which point shouldn't you be awarded home if you decided to keep running? Its just one example of how stupid the whole thing is. Baseball is not played with a time clock like other sports, which means the action never really stops until a play is ruled over. if the play is reversed then the play never really stopped, meaning its basically thunderdome on the base-paths.

[southsider2k5]

It has been incredibly inconsistent. Moreso than any other sport that uses it. I feel like there have been multiple times where the call on the screen was obvious, but the call wasn't made that direction. At other times it takes way too long to get an obvious call made.

[Chisoxfn]

It has been incredibly inconsistent. Moreso than any other sport that uses it. I feel like there have been multiple times where the call on the screen was obvious, but the call wasn't made that direction. At other times it takes way too long to get an obvious call made.

One of biggest problems with baseball is the speed of the game. Replay makes that worse and in a 162 game season, anomalies will off-set themselves. I understand in a tie-breaker game or the final game of the season it could be the difference maker, and if you really feel that strongly, like I said, only do it in September or something. But doing it all season is awful. Baseball also needs to do something to speed up at bats and breaks. They have for a long time and I don't get why they don't really hammer on it. Quicken the tempo / pace and you'll see ratings pick up, imo.

[southsider2k5]

One of biggest problems with baseball is the speed of the game. Replay makes that worse and in a 162 game season, anomalies will off-set themselves. I understand in a tie-breaker game or the final game of the season it could be the difference maker, and if you really feel that strongly, like I said, only do it in September or something. But doing it all season is awful. Baseball also needs to do something to speed up at bats and breaks. They have for a long time and I don't get why they don't really hammer on it. Quicken the tempo / pace and you'll see ratings pick up, imo.

 

The games are way too long. Priority one should be trying to speed up the game from pitch to pitch. So much time is just wasted, and it turns everything into a 3 hour game.

[Balta1701]

The games are way too long. Priority one should be trying to speed up the game from pitch to pitch. So much time is just wasted, and it turns everything into a 3 hour game.

The game time has reportedly been up this season but it seems to have very little to do with replay most of the time.

 

I am noticing that the time it takes to get the replay call seems to be going down as the season goes on. However that is not changing the game lengths.

[Butter Parque]

The games are way too long. Priority one should be trying to speed up the game from pitch to pitch. So much time is just wasted, and it turns everything into a 3 hour game.

 

Simple solution: Mandate that the batter stay in the box in between pitches. In the past, the hitters did not need to leave the box in between pitches, so why do these guys do? Another thing I would institute would be the Bill James rule regarding pickoff throws. I would also limit the number of times a catcher can go to the mound. it should be one time other than when the pitching coach, manager, or trainer comes out. Get the game moving at a higher pace, more action, less standing around, more excitement for the fans.

 

Instead the dunce we have for a commissioner fixates on instant replay, which has no chance of success in a game that doesn't run within a time-clock. Worst commissioner in the history of sports.

[Kyyle23]

One of biggest problems with baseball is the speed of the game. Replay makes that worse and in a 162 game season, anomalies will off-set themselves. I understand in a tie-breaker game or the final game of the season it could be the difference maker, and if you really feel that strongly, like I said, only do it in September or something. But doing it all season is awful. Baseball also needs to do something to speed up at bats and breaks. They have for a long time and I don't get why they don't really hammer on it. Quicken the tempo / pace and you'll see ratings pick up, imo.

 

Come on, all the games matter and count in the end. If the Sox lose on a terrible call in may that is unreviewable because it is May, and come within one game of getting into the playoffs then you have a problem.

 

Either you do it the whole way, or you dont. This is a "iron out the kinks" season. They need to figure out how to make these calls quicker, especially when it is obvious.

[southsider2k5]

Simple solution: Mandate that the batter stay in the box in between pitches. In the past, the hitters did not need to leave the box in between pitches, so why do these guys do? Another thing I would institute would be the Bill James rule regarding pickoff throws. I would also limit the number of times a catcher can go to the mound. it should be one time other than when the pitching coach, manager, or trainer comes out. Get the game moving at a higher pace, more action, less standing around, more excitement for the fans.

 

Instead the dunce we have for a commissioner fixates on instant replay, which has no chance of success in a game that doesn't run within a time-clock. Worst commissioner in the history of sports.

 

I love Paul Konerko, but one thing he has always done that drives me nuts is even if he takes a pitch, he steps out of the box, readjusts both his batting gloves, and messes around with his bat... every single time. If you don't swing, why do you need to redo your gloves? Get in there and hit. I know he isn't the only one, but I have seen it for 15 years now.

[southsider2k5]

Come on, all the games matter and count in the end. If the Sox lose on a terrible call in may that is unreviewable because it is May, and come within one game of getting into the playoffs then you have a problem.

 

Either you do it the whole way, or you dont. This is a "iron out the kinks" season. They need to figure out how to make these calls quicker, especially when it is obvious.

 

We won a game last week by a WP scoring a run in the first inning. It is impossible to know that a run, or any single pitch/play in a game will be meaningless when it actually happens.

[Butter Parque]

I love Paul Konerko, but one thing he has always done that drives me nuts is even if he takes a pitch, he steps out of the box, readjusts both his batting gloves, and messes around with his bat... every single time. If you don't swing, why do you need to redo your gloves? Get in there and hit. I know he isn't the only one, but I have seen it for 15 years now.

 

 

I get your point but I don't see anyway in which instant replay could work in baseball, unless it was under such a limited scope such as checking whether home runs were fair or foul. Once you break open the base-running can of worms, it just doesn't make sense. The human error is going to take place in baseball nonetheless, so why not focus on making the game quicker and more exciting?

[knightni]

HRs, catches and tags.

 

But, you only get 2 review requests per team per game unless it's the 9th inning - then the umps automatically review all close plays.

[Chisoxfn]

Come on, all the games matter and count in the end. If the Sox lose on a terrible call in may that is unreviewable because it is May, and come within one game of getting into the playoffs then you have a problem.

 

Either you do it the whole way, or you dont. This is a "iron out the kinks" season. They need to figure out how to make these calls quicker, especially when it is obvious.

No, not really. At least in the final game or two, you know much more what you need, etc. I understand a win is a win but in reality, over 162 games, it evens out, and you know in that last week, what you need to do / don't need to do a lot more (in terms of plausible outcomes / scenarios). I don't want replay under any scenarios but if people are worried about the last week or month or whatever, then just do it then. It is awful and bad calls don't keep you out of the playoffs, not over a 162 game season. In the playoffs, I get it.

[zenryan]

I just dont like managers coming up to stall while a bench coach is on the phone with someone to see if its worth challenging.

 

If you come out of the dugout then it should be an automatic challenge.

[Kyyle23]

No, not really. At least in the final game or two, you know much more what you need, etc. I understand a win is a win but in reality, over 162 games, it evens out, and you know in that last week, what you need to do / don't need to do a lot more (in terms of plausible outcomes / scenarios). I don't want replay under any scenarios but if people are worried about the last week or month or whatever, then just do it then. It is awful and bad calls don't keep you out of the playoffs, not over a 162 game season. In the playoffs, I get it.

 

Anytime you say "do it for the last month/final 10 days/playoffs" then the problem always becomes the excluded games.

 

If it doesn't work, slows down the game, then remove it. Picking and choosing when it is used always causes problems

[IlliniKrush]

No, not really. At least in the final game or two, you know much more what you need, etc. I understand a win is a win but in reality, over 162 games, it evens out, and you know in that last week, what you need to do / don't need to do a lot more (in terms of plausible outcomes / scenarios). I don't want replay under any scenarios but if people are worried about the last week or month or whatever, then just do it then. It is awful and bad calls don't keep you out of the playoffs, not over a 162 game season. In the playoffs, I get it.

"it evens out"

 

Says who?

 

It's an old saying but there's absolutely no truth behind it. Odds say that no, the breaks/bad calls won't go exactly half and half the entire season. Maybe it comes from the same book that has Hawk's "You win 60 and you lose 60, it's the other 42" stupid saying.

 

You simply can't have replay for a select part of the season unless April wins are worth .5 wins in the standings.

 

And if you are going to argue that it all evens out, there shouldn't be replay in September, either, as that's just part of the "evening out" process, even if it's game 162.

 

I just dont like managers coming up to stall while a bench coach is on the phone with someone to see if its worth challenging.

 

If you come out of the dugout then it should be an automatic challenge.

100% agree on this.

 

Put pressure on the managers. They saw the play once, you think they're wrong? Immediately go out and challenge, or sit down and take the result of the play.

Edited July 15, 2014 by IlliniKrush

[ChiSox_Sonix]

I don't see how it can function in baseball. When you reverse the call, you have to then resort to imagining the way the rest of the play would have gone. For example, because a call can be overturned on the neighborhood play at second base to result in the runner actually being safe, shouldn't all teams be instructing their players to keep running in this situation if there are 2 outs? Even if the umpire originally calls you out to end the inning, it can still be reversed at which point shouldn't you be awarded home if you decided to keep running? Its just one example of how stupid the whole thing is. Baseball is not played with a time clock like other sports, which means the action never really stops until a play is ruled over. if the play is reversed then the play never really stopped, meaning its basically thunderdome on the base-paths.

 

This is a great point. I don't know if it was discussed on television, but I was at the series this past weekend and saw Viciedo's catch get overturned. That's fine, since it wasn't a catch, but the problem is when he got up he threw the ball into the infield and the runner going to 2nd should have been out if it was not a catch, since he thought it was caught and started back tracking to first base. Too many things can happen after specific parts of a play that have to have assumptions then applied to them

[Chisoxfn]

"it evens out"

 

Says who?

 

It's an old saying but there's absolutely no truth behind it. Odds say that no, the breaks/bad calls won't go exactly half and half the entire season. Maybe it comes from the same book that has Hawk's "You win 60 and you lose 60, it's the other 42" stupid saying.

 

You simply can't have replay for a select part of the season unless April wins are worth .5 wins in the standings.

 

And if you are going to argue that it all evens out, there shouldn't be replay in September, either, as that's just part of the "evening out" process, even if it's game 162.

 

 

100% agree on this.

 

Put pressure on the managers. They saw the play once, you think they're wrong? Immediately go out and challenge, or sit down and take the result of the play.

Given the # of plays that occur over a 162 game season (and that is what we are talking about, individual plays), I would say that it is a statistical anomaly that they would not even themselves over the course of a season.

 

Also, while every game has the same importance, you are managing much different in the final week of the season then you are during the first week of the season or middle of June for that matter. There is a reason. When you are down to the end, you know what you need and have a much more specific target in mind.

[Jerksticks]

I just dont like managers coming up to stall while a bench coach is on the phone with someone to see if its worth challenging.

 

If you come out of the dugout then it should be an automatic challenge.

Yea but what about the old baseball tradition of the mangers coming out just to talk s***, slow the game, change momentum etc.

 

Managers have to be free to come out, but I get your point too. They are using it that way.

[witesoxfan]

I just dont like managers coming up to stall while a bench coach is on the phone with someone to see if its worth challenging.

 

If you come out of the dugout then it should be an automatic challenge.

 

 

100% agree on this.

 

Put pressure on the managers. They saw the play once, you think they're wrong? Immediately go out and challenge, or sit down and take the result of the play.

 

I think you need something subjective regarding this with an objective threshold. A lot of times, a manager may come out for pure clarification purposes. If he's out of the dugout for x amount of time after the explanation has been made, it's an automatic challenge. If he re-enters the dugout at all, the play is no longer reviewable. It's similar but still allows managers the opportunity to hear how the umps are interpreting a given rule.

[Balta1701]

I think you need something subjective regarding this with an objective threshold. A lot of times, a manager may come out for pure clarification purposes. If he's out of the dugout for x amount of time after the explanation has been made, it's an automatic challenge. If he re-enters the dugout at all, the play is no longer reviewable. It's similar but still allows managers the opportunity to hear how the umps are interpreting a given rule.

Or more simply, if you come out of the dugout to request a review it has to be the first thing you ask the ump for. Or just do some version of a challenge flag, you come out for other reasons fine but you have to request a review the moment you push the button or start the process, you can't wait.

[IlliniKrush]

Given the # of plays that occur over a 162 game season (and that is what we are talking about, individual plays), I would say that it is a statistical anomaly that they would not even themselves over the course of a season.

 

Also, while every game has the same importance, you are managing much different in the final week of the season then you are during the first week of the season or middle of June for that matter. There is a reason. When you are down to the end, you know what you need and have a much more specific target in mind.

No, it's be an anomaly if they were actually 50/50. And as we know, one call can make the difference. And they all don't impact the game the same way.

 

Every game means the same, you simply cannot have something different at one part of the regular season, then something else after that.

 

I think you need something subjective regarding this with an objective threshold. A lot of times, a manager may come out for pure clarification purposes. If he's out of the dugout for x amount of time after the explanation has been made, it's an automatic challenge. If he re-enters the dugout at all, the play is no longer reviewable. It's similar but still allows managers the opportunity to hear how the umps are interpreting a given rule.

I get your point, but that's not happening. 95% or more of the time, they are out there killing time, or to challenge. Very rarely are you actually looking for a legit explanation/rules interpretation. The # of plays that need it just aren't there.

[Jake]

I think it's going fabulously well. It was really iffy, inconsistent, and time consuming at the beginning of the year, but it has really improved since the first month or so of the year. The only thing I'd like to see changed, though I don't know exactly what to do about it, is the awkward period of time in which the manager waits for a signal from the dugout.