I'm sure most of you saw the call made by Jim Joyce that cost Armando Galarroga a place in baseball history by throwing the 21st perfect game in over 120 years of baseball.
As a fan of baseball, I am disappointed any time a call goes against a player and blows his chance at history, unless he plays his home games in San Francisco.
As an umpire who has umped hundreds of games, I'm really disappointed with all the "Monday Morning Umpires." It is easy to make a call when you have 7 different camera angles, and can take a play that takes about 6 seconds from contact to the ball in the glove. ESPN shows it in "super slow mo" and it takes about 15 seconds, and then freezes the frame at the point of contact with the bag. The umpire, in that 6 seconds, has to move from his position up the 1st baseline, running in about 25-30 feet at a 45 degree angle to get in the proper position, while picking up the ball and following it from throw to glove, while watching the batter's feet hit the bag, AND while listening to the pop of the glove. Then you add the fact that the pitcher is running to the bag as he catches it, and in fast motion the difference between safe and out is about 3/10th of a second. Jim has about a second to react, and a second to make the call. I applaud Jim for coming out and saying that he is sorry he blew the call that cost Armando a perfect game. Jim is one of the best umps in the majors, and he shouldn't have to see three different segments on Sports Center each hour about the call. I like the way ESPN gets an old manager and a front office guy to talk about how bad the call was, and how they need replay. Do you believe any manager would ever come to the defense of an umpire? Hey, manager or front office guy ,there is a reason that you're on TV and not still with a team ... YOU WERE FIRED!!!
There aren't anymore questionable calls to date this year than any other years, but you wouldn't know it listening to a Sports Center anchor who has never participated in any sport above high school level. You just have more cameras at more games looking for those calls to put on highlight reels.
The human factor has been part of the game, and always will be. The MLB umpires are the very best at what they do. You have to remember that they are human too!
We just need to hear more "Good Game Blue."
The Sports Wise Guy
The multi-camera angles and the super slo-mo replays are exposing the fact that some calls are not being called correctly. Sometimes, as we've seen, the ramifications of missing a call can be huge. Instant replays are necessary to get the calls right. I understand the complexities involved in making a call, but that only adds to my argument that replay needs to be used. Heck, I'd use technology to call balls and strikes. Nothing is more important than getting the calls correct as often as possible.
ReplyDeleteRich, why stop there! I'm sure that you could use this same technology with ever big play in the NFL. A long bomb for a big score you know one of the linemen is holding some where. How often do you see a big play and the color commentator shows you where the refs missed a hold. How many times do you see a Wr...Irvin push off before a catch. If you took it to the Nba...how many times would a crossover dribble be a carry. If you had replay on most charge calls they would be block fouls on the defender.
ReplyDeleteI'm not big on replay in any sport.
I think in baseball...only on Hr's. Football if the Wr has booth feet in bounds or if the ball cross the plain of the goal & in NBA if the shooter got the shot off at the end of the game.
That is it!
Replay is not always perfect...how many times do you see a play that should be reverse but doesn't. Why doesn't the NFL/NCAA football use replays on field goals. That should be a no brainer. Just food for thought.
Rich, Thanks...many more would side with you on this topic.