Instant Replay

It has finally hit baseball. Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig announced Tuesday that Major League Baseball will begin to use instant replay on questionable "boundary calls". I have mixed feelings on this decision as I am a traditionalist when it comes to baseball. I would like to get rid of things like the DH and Inter league play, so you would think it would be natural for me to be against this too. but there are two points that I like.

First, replay will only be used on these boundary calls: did it go over the fence for a home run? Is it fair or foul? Was there fan interference?

Second, the umpire is the one who decides if they will review the play or not.

With these parameters, I don't think you will have games bogged down by reviews like you often see in football. And there seems to be so many more questionable home run calls this year. Why? Bud Selig (whom I don't usually respect too much) says: “I believe that because of the configuration of ballparks, both new and old, that calling home runs is really much more difficult than it once was.” That makes sense. I am sure it is also due to the television coverage of games being so much more sophisticated than before. With the ability of cameras to zoom in so clearly and to break the replay down frame by frame in perfect quality, we are seeing much better than ever before. The umpires are right on top of the play in the infield (and they get these calls right nearly 100% of the time), but it is impossible for them to be on top of the play at the wall.

At the same time mistakes have always been part of the game. In its purest form, the game will not be perfect, which makes it real.

I will at least give baseball instant replay a chance. But can we please get rid of this inter league play nonsense?