Baseball Takes A Second Look at Home Runs
Baseball has decided to institute instant replay on home runs. What makes this so interesting is the change takes place during the season. I don't recall the NBA or NFL making changes to the rules in the middle of the season. Whether good or bad or in need of clarification the NFL and NBA implement rule changes at the end of the season. Live by the rules put in place at the start of the season that is fair for everyone good or bad from beginning to end playing by the same rules.
Yet maybe MLB being quick and nimble can prevent a bad call from being made. As much as it's great to be quick to act to get it right, playing by the same fair rules throughout the duration of the season seems to take precedence in the NFL and NBA and works well. Everyone knows the rules and works within them. What makes the change so interesting is that it’s the right thing to do but the timing is so odd that it conjures the feeling of indifference this late into the season. It's almost like an espisode of Seinfeld as a rule change this late seems like a change about nothing.
Comments
While I don't really understand the rule change mid-season, I disagree that it does not change anything. It's odd that they decided to do this now, instead of after the All-Star break. This is really random. The question will be if one team edges out another by 1 game either making the playoffs, or playoff seeding. Then is there a pre-replay rule game that could have changed the outcome of the regular season standings?
In the end, I think this is a great rule. I do have one addition that I heard on Around the Horn yesterday (yes, I'm one of the 12 people watching). Woody Paige of the Denver Post said it should also be used in game-ending home plate plays to determine whether a runner is safe or out at the plate. I don't think that has been great contreversy this season, but I can see that being added down the line.
Posted by: Big Money Tony
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August 28, 2008 8:34 AM
I think the reason MLB put the replay rule in now rather than at the beginning of next season is because they wanted to have it in place before this post-season to avoid another Jeffrey Maier incident. You O's fans remember that one, right?
Even though that incident was 12 years ago, the number of botched calls on home runs this season has brought the issue to the forefront.
Posted by: Bob | August 30, 2008 8:50 AM
Ex-O's fans remember that too. Might be part of the reason why the Nationals exist and many of us are Ex-O's fans.
From what I understand, fan interference will not be one of the situations MLB will look at with the replay rule.
Posted by: Big Money Tony
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August 30, 2008 5:17 PM