I have always welcomed most anyone to The Corner so I certainly open the doors wide to President Barack Obama. He has put forth his opinion several times relating to a missed call by a major league baseball umpire last week which earns him some discussion time. Like anyone else who saw it, the president realized that a blown call last week cost Armando Galaraga a perfect game. Relating to the situation, the president said, “I am not advocating for it but I think baseball will have to look at what football and basketball have already decided, which in some cases replay may be appropriate.”
Maybe Mr. President but not this one. Umpires have enough trouble with coaches who think their view from the dugout is better than the view of the official who is nearly on top of it. Given the opportunity coaches will be relying on instant replay more and more often.
Like football, if instant replay is brought into baseball it is going to need tight restrictions. It should never be used for a safe or out call. Umpires need the confidence of knowing their calls are final. If they feel like they are going to be second guessed it will bring about a sense of apprehension that will make the situation worse.
I can possibly see replay as an option for foul ball calls or possibly home run judgements. Even then it will have to be monitored closely.
One thing is for certain is the situation in this case was handled beautifully. From the moment of the call until the apology by umpire Jim Joyce the next day, it was heart warming feeling for the game.
Baseball coaches and players have been tortured by umpires over bad calls for as long as there as been baseball The Billy Martin’s, Earl Weavers and Ozzie Guillen of the modern world are almost the stuff of legends. It wasn’t often, if ever, any umpire or apologized to them for making a call.
This time Joyce did and Galaraga accepted it peacefully. Thats say a lot for him and the fact Joyce apologized on his own terms is a great reflection on the game and its officials.
There is another person in Washington, in addition to the President, who flashed onto the baseball scene this week. Stephen Strassburg started his career with 14 strikeouts in one game. That is impressive.
It has been a long time since a star, in any sport, got so much media attention before they ever took to the field. The one that immeditately comes to mind is Tiger Woods. The world knew about him before he ever took a swing in a professional tournament. In baseball Ken Griffey, Jr. hit a homerun in his first at bat. The rest of his career speaks for itself. If Strassburg avoids the serious injuries that slowed down potential greats like Mark Prior and Kerry Wood early in their careers he could be a big star. He might bring a little bit of respect the the Nationals organization. At the very least he will bring some more money to the ticket box.
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2 comments:
Personally I think coaches should have the option to challenge a call where a umpire then goes to replay to see if the challenge is right. Sure I agree that replay would extend an already to long game but giving a coach 1 challenge and if he challenges correctly he gets a second one would be a fair trade off.
The writer, in addition to being a writer, is also an umpire, keen on tradition. Umpires need to get over their ego and be willing to admit they get it wrong on occasion...replay is needed. In this case the ump knew he was wrong and admitted it, that's great, so since the whole world knows it, then the rules should allow the record, especially since it did not affect the game outcome.
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