tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689353.post1019138524746896037..comments2008-08-26T14:51:20.186-04:00Travis M. Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04509345527927276194noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689353.post-49967855511007245702008-08-26T14:51:00.000-04:002008-08-26T14:51:00.000-04:00Appreciate your comments, as always, Ron. <BR/><BR/>But I disagree. Sure, it's nice that there's a human element in the game, as long as it doesn't hurt your team. They had only one ump in 1871 because there wasn't as much riding on professional baseball at the time. And they never used IR because it wasn't an option until a relatively short time ago (i.e. 20 or so years, when the quality of the video became good enough to settle such disputes). With all the cameras planted all over the field, the only reason not to use IR is for the sake of tradition and/or because of the fear of slowing down the game. But frankly I think the latter of those will be assuaged by the fact that the IR process will eliminate some of the arguing that tends to prolong games now, and should nullify that effect. <BR/><BR/>Not that I think IR is the answer for everything, mind you. A little humility and reason among the umps is definitely warranted. But it could help to deal with some of these kinds of things.Travis M. Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04509345527927276194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3689353.post-74207597061504818532008-08-26T14:12:00.000-04:002008-08-26T14:12:00.000-04:00This is not an excuse to use instant replay. That's insanity. I've been umpiring since I was 14. Sometimes plays do get missed, just like players make mistakes.<BR/><BR/>People can't start screaming for instant replay everytime ESPN shows a (in their judgement) bad call. <BR/><BR/>What does need to happen is MLB needs to get rid of the prima donna umpires who think they are more important than the game. <BR/><BR/>And instant replay is exactly why they wouldn't go to another umpire to try and overturn the call. Then they would have to admit it was a bad call and change it. Because then everyone will talk about how it was a bad call and start demanding instant replay.<BR/><BR/>Baseball is great the way it is. <BR/><BR/>Lets leave it alone. Its survived in a professional basis since 1871, when they used one umpire.<BR/><BR/>Its just fine the way it is.Ron Rollinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16852012772573977515noreply@blogger.com