Poll time: Does blown call reaffirm need for replay?
Buster Posey should have been ruled out on this stolen base attempt in Game 1 (although the call wasn't as obvious as this camera angle might suggest).
SAN FRANCISCO — We have a little time before the Braves attempt to break out offensively against the San Francisco Giants tonight — can they get three hits? — so let’s address the issue that seems to be burning up blogs and message boards: instant replay.
It’s crazy that baseball doesn’t use it to a greater degree. I addressed this in two blogs back in June when Detroit pitcher Armando Galarraga got jobbed out of a perfect game because umpire Jim Joyce blew an obvious call at first base (which he later admitted).
Here’s the blog on baseball’s stubbornness following Joyce’s call.
Here’s the blog on commissioner (still!) Bud Selig’s illogical decision to not overturn the call, which would not have affected the outcome of the game and would’ve righted a wrong.
Back to the Braves. Yes, the Giants’ Buster Posey should’ve been called out on a stolen base attempt in the fourth inning of Game 1, and he eventually scored what would be the game’s lone run. But please, no more whining about how the Braves got robbed.
Second baseman Brooks Conrad didn’t argue the call. Manager Bobby Cox didn’t come out to argue (and he argues everything). Cox explained later: “From the dugout, you can’t see anything and I didn’t see a reaction from our infielders.” And after the Braves lost 1-0, it would have been easy for players to point to that play and complain, but to their credit they didn’t.
Here’s why the Braves lost: They didn’t hit. They didn’t field.
Loading ...Actually, the one amusing thing to come out of the latest ReplayGate was the 180 pulled by Giants manager Bruce Bochy. Bochy had been quoted in an ESPN.com story last month about how he was in favor of baseball expanding its use of replay. Quoting: “I just want to get it right. It’s OK to lose a game if the other team beats you. But if you lose a game because a call goes against you, it’s hard to sleep at night.”
So what did Bochy say after the game Thursday night, given replay would’ve gone against his team? This: “In certain cases, [yes]. But no, plays like this, no, I’m not. You keep the game moving. But I talked about balls maybe down the line, maybe a play at the plate. But, no, you start to slow the game down when you start reviewing every play.”
Yeah. Whatever.
So what are your thoughts on replay use? I’ve put up a poll, but, as always, the floor is yours.
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134 comments Add your comment
bob dylan
October 8th, 2010
2:11 pm
omg first
Alejandro Alejandro
October 8th, 2010
2:13 pm
over/under for Braves hits in the series 6.5
Ramblinwreck83
October 8th, 2010
2:15 pm
Of course Bochy said he didn’t want it on those plays. You only want replay when it helps your team out not the other. Maybe something will go the braves way especially since nothing like that happens for them.
Hot Phone Sex Princess
October 8th, 2010
2:16 pm
My hat (etc.) is off to the players for not whining. If they had scored twice they would have won the game. Anyone can score twice. Anyone.
Um
October 8th, 2010
2:17 pm
Regardless of the call… Stop swinging at every pitch and make the pitcher work some and this would not even be an issue; we could have won 3-1.
"Chef" Tim Dix
October 8th, 2010
2:20 pm
I was very surprised Bobby didn’t come out of the dug out.
Ted M
October 8th, 2010
2:23 pm
There you are.
Reid Adair
October 8th, 2010
2:25 pm
If Brooks Conrad would have reacted and indicated that Posey was out (which everyone knows he was), I think Bobby Cox would have been out in a heartbeat.
That was absolutely pathetic. It wasn’t even close. Despite what Dennis Eckersley said on TV, it was clear that Buster Posey was out (he even said he was glad they didn’t have instant replay after the game). Eckersley obviously has vision as bad as Paul Emmel does.
I’ll give Posey credit. At least he admits they got it wrong; that shows a lot more class than Bruce Bochy.
stupup74
October 8th, 2010
2:26 pm
Before replay is put in, MLB needs to break the umpires union and fire the incompentent umps first. Then MLB should implement a challenge replay system like the NFL. Give the managers a flag and two or three challenges a game. That would solve alot of this.
Ted M
October 8th, 2010
2:26 pm
sooner or later replay will be use more. Its inevitable… MLB looks kinda stupid dragging their feet.
Jack Fate
October 8th, 2010
2:27 pm
Bochy is pretty full of it, but what do you expect him to say. TBS had a pretty good edit of the play almost instantly. It would have slowed the game down about the same amount of time as a hitter stepping out of the batter’s box.
droopydawg
October 8th, 2010
2:27 pm
I definitely do not think that the league should ever have replay on judgment calls like balls and strikes or checking a swing, but the league absolutely must get calls like this and homer or no homer correct, even if it means stopping the game for a few minutes. It’s not like baseball is a fast paced sport anyway.
droopydawg
October 8th, 2010
2:27 pm
12th!!!!
GaCracker
October 8th, 2010
2:28 pm
Just get rid of umpires and use robotic umpires woth electronic eyes. They ALWAYS get calls right with, including balls and strikes (wow a correct strike zone every pitch every ganme)! Save money and use high tech. Umpires are relics!
WDE!!!
October 8th, 2010
2:28 pm
Have to score 1 run to win anyway…
chris
October 8th, 2010
2:28 pm
I don’t mind replay of calling balls hit down the line or ruling on homeruns or fan interference. However if you start using replay for check swings & stolen bases you are taking the human element out of the game which is one of the things that makes baseball great.
Besides…THE STOLEN BASE DID NOT GET US BEAT. THE GROUND BALL THAT WENT UNDER INFANTE’S GLOVE IS WHAT GOT US BEAT. YOU ALSO CANNOT WIN IF YOU DON’T SCORE.
WDE!!!
October 8th, 2010
2:30 pm
How many strikeouts can you have with pitches that are nowhere near the plate? We were one of the most patient teams in the regular season and a couple of times last night I swear that our batters had their minds made up before they saw the pitch
Edmun Schmitt
October 8th, 2010
2:30 pm
If anyone can score twice how come the Gaints didn’t?. Umpiring is just awful from the first spring trainning game to the last out of the year. Baseball fans and players deserve better Fans just have to hope that the umpires screw the other team more than the one for which they are rooting and that’s sad.
Paul Emmel
October 8th, 2010
2:31 pm
I am just glad Hunter Wendlestedt took some heat off of me. Also, Thanks to TBS for not hanging this albatross around my neck.
cattledawg
October 8th, 2010
2:31 pm
Im for replay, but it didnt matter last night. The game could have lasted 57 innings an our Braves wouldnt have scored. I knew when we got the leadoff double an couldnt get him in we were in trouble , but today is a new day. Lets go Braves!
Ted M
October 8th, 2010
2:31 pm
We could’ve scored that 1 run in the 10th or the 11th inning
Ted M
October 8th, 2010
2:33 pm
Jeff do ya think BC will shake up the lineup today?
Ted M
October 8th, 2010
2:34 pm
Jeff – Have you seen Tommy’s eye today?
PMC
October 8th, 2010
2:36 pm
Of course, Baseball umpires are the worst officials in all of sports.
IT’s very simple, have a replay official and give the head umpire a pager. Stop play, and get the call right.
No confering. If it’s too close to call don’t bother. The obvious terrible calls are the ones that need to be reversed by replay.
ATL Girl
October 8th, 2010
2:36 pm
They need to show the Braves an edited film of all the full-count swings they made on what would have been ball 4. That killed us all night.
Office of Roger Goodell
October 8th, 2010
2:37 pm
Replay has worked well in our league. Does slow the game down a bit, but certainly supports the league’s commitment to parity and fairplay. We also dumped leather helmets in favor of composite, and added facemasks.
Mr. Selig, please join the 21st century. Maybe MLB playoffs can pull more than a 1.9 share. Hard to compete against the UAB-UCF game and WWE Smackdown.
Cordially,
Roger
PMC
October 8th, 2010
2:38 pm
Balls and Strikes will not and should never be reviewed. Catches and Tags and boundry calls…. that’s just freaking obvious
vermont 39
October 8th, 2010
2:38 pm
If the game is going to pump in that much $$$ and so much rides on the outcome, then it only stands to reason that the right call be made. We demand perfection from the players; we should get the same from the Umpires
PMC
October 8th, 2010
2:38 pm
They would do better in the NFL if they just had a replay official looking at the play as well.
Chris S
October 8th, 2010
2:39 pm
@chris
Your point would be valid if the Stolen base had been out 1…..but it would’ve been out 3….there’s a HUGE difference in that scenario. Not to mention one horrid call almost always tumbles into a run during the inning.
On a clearly reviewable play, replay NEEDS to be used if it’s close. Would’ve given the MLB another perfect game this year, and would’ve kept momentum away from the giants and given the braves a chance to get to the bullpen last night…..not to mention saved the Marlins from a loss (vs. the Phillies) earlier this year. Umpiring seems to get worse as the seasons go on….and this season was likely one of the worst in recent memory.
vermont 39
October 8th, 2010
2:40 pm
oh and BTW…if you don’t score…you don’t win…DUH!
Bob the Blogger
October 8th, 2010
2:40 pm
Some plays are too close for the eye to see, and when you add angles that won’t allow you to see the play, calls will be missed. Getting it right is the most important thing, so let’s add replays.
I’ll go a step beyond that, and advocate automating balls and strikes. Heyward had a strike called on him that was four inches off the plate. How many times does that happen over the course of the game? At least have a device that notifies the umpire if the ball crosses over home plate. From the umpire’s vantage point, he can’t see home plate, and sometimes can’t see the ball. There are enough arbitrary things in baseball without calling balls strikes, strikes balls, runners who are out, safe, and runners who are safe, out.
Terry Funk
October 8th, 2010
2:42 pm
If we get a lead-off double I say we bunt twice…get the guy to 3rd and then a suicide squeeze……
Don’t want replay would drag out the game too long..
ATL girl is correct Linceome was throwing trash and we were swinging at it….
Armando Perfectgamearaga
October 8th, 2010
2:42 pm
The argument that the game is slowed down further is absurd. We are talking about a game where there is a *stretch break* built into the middle of an inning. There is enough mind-boggling slow tradition and gentlemanly gestures built into the game of baseball that a couple of challenge flags would not hurt.
Bochy should grow a pair and admit that yes, this call should have been reversed with replay. It could have proved just as pivotal as a play at the plate.
I am slowly losing faith in the MLB with this Stone Age logic on why the game should fall victim to its flaws. Take notes, Selig. I guaran-damn-tee you that without replay, we would have a different list of Super Bowl champions and BCS National Champions.
It is absolutely ludicrous that baseball has not increased replay — even if it’s just for the Postseason, which happens to mean EVERYTHING!
Dan Shaw
October 8th, 2010
2:45 pm
What is wrong with getting every call RIGHT?
Chris S
October 8th, 2010
2:47 pm
What’s REALLY slowing the game down is the Red Sox and Yankees. Braves-Giants took 2 hours 30 minutes, it’s impossible to argue that slowing that game down by 5 or 10 minutes would be all that bad.
papadawg
October 8th, 2010
2:48 pm
It don’t matter botu the call, the Braves whiffed at everything and got beat ONE TO FREAKING NOTHING
Rich
October 8th, 2010
2:51 pm
Baseball needs replay and the Braves need a hitting coach, left fielder and center fielder
Bear
October 8th, 2010
2:51 pm
If baseball is worried about instant replay slowing the game down, how about giving the pitcher a play clock to throw the ball.
Tucker T
October 8th, 2010
2:51 pm
They should use it in the playoffs. If nothing else, I certainly hope this umpire never umps a playoff game again after this series.
Atlanta news | Minute by minute (Oct. 8) | Atlanta News | Minute by minute
October 8th, 2010
2:53 pm
[...] p.m. AJC blogger Jeff Schultz tackles the controversial Buster Posey steal in Game 1 of the National League Division Series between the Braves and San Francisco. But of [...]
Mike
October 8th, 2010
2:54 pm
As fae as the umpire is concerned, he was in the CORRECT position. He can’t stand between the catcher and 2B, the only reason we saw it differently is because we had a different angle; same goes for the checked swing in the Rays game…I umpireand i will tell you that it is not the easiest thing in the world and in my 9 years of experience only people who don’t have the gumption to put on a uni and submit themselves to the pressure complain. Try umpiring even little league and you will have a new found respect for the men and women in “Blue”.
cattledawg
October 8th, 2010
2:56 pm
I think the braves need to play wiffle ball before tonights game and get use to hitting some trash
Tweets that mention Poll time: Does blown call reaffirm need for replay? | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
October 8th, 2010
2:57 pm
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SG10
October 8th, 2010
2:59 pm
Jeff,
After all that noise and coverage about the inside borderline pitch to Berkman, I am amazed that you don’t want Braves to talk or let fans complain (or whine as you said) about the call that was out by a lot?
I am convinced that the Braves chances would have gone up considerably if they had taken this game to extra innings when both Lincecum and Giants closer would have been out having pitched already… That’s the only way braves can beat Giants when Lincecum pitches…take it to extra innings, preferably beyond 10..
coachKR
October 8th, 2010
3:00 pm
If Infante had not have went ole’ on the grounder, the Giants would not have scored! Our defense lost that game, not the blown call by the umpire, who was somewhat shielded by Posey’s strange attempt of a slide.
PMC
October 8th, 2010
3:08 pm
Umpiring is hard. It’s tremendously difficult to see everything correctly at speed. This is PRECISELY the reason that we need replay to get the calls right.
dean
October 8th, 2010
3:11 pm
Phone Sex,
Tell that to the best hitting baseball team in the NL; The Reds
Darren Farris
October 8th, 2010
3:14 pm
As soon as bud selig gets through being commish maybe we can get someone in there who cares about the game enough to put instant replay in for the play-offs to begin with.Then see how that goes and put it in the regular season.
wawel78
October 8th, 2010
3:15 pm
Just because you think it’s illogical that Selig didn’t overturn the non-perfect call doesn’t mean it is. Selig made the right call & stuck with his guns.
Ted M
October 8th, 2010
3:17 pm
More replay is inevitable, the question is when. and of coarse whats tonights lineup.
Matthew
October 8th, 2010
3:18 pm
At the pace the game is CURRENTLY played, TV coverage can show a slo-mo replay before the next pitch. Where are people getting the idea that it would slow the game to a crawl if you included replay?
And we didn’t lose because we couldn’t hit Lincecum, we didn’t lose because of our fielding, we didn’t lose because of the blown call. We lost because of the COMBINATION of all of those, and to reduce it to “We lost because of this one reason” is overly simplistic and flat-out wrong.
Whopper Dawg
October 8th, 2010
3:22 pm
Well, yeah it does. Potentially cost the Braves the first game in a 5 game series. That is a big, big deal.
Thumbody Thed That's Thupid!
October 8th, 2010
3:22 pm
I watched almost every Little League WS game this past August and replay was used with great success. I don’t remember thinking even once it was slowing the game down. Brent Musberger and Orel Hershiser kept track of it and the average replay was only 45 seconds. On top of that there was normally only 2 or 3 instances in a game that was questioned by the opposing manager. There were a couple of times it could have eliminated a team had it not been used. This would take no longer than it took Nomar Garciaparra to adjust his batting gloves and scratch his butt. Bud Selig is just like Cobby Box. They are both stubborn and set in their old-time ways. Get it right, at least in the playoffs. It only serves to cheapen the benefitting team’s success if you don’t!
bud selig dont give a damn
October 8th, 2010
3:22 pm
Is it me or do the Braves seem to get short-changed by the{out of shaped need to go on a diet umpires}every time they get to the play-offs.I mean MLB network needs to do a Top 10 Worst ump calls against the Braves in the play-offs.
Trey
October 8th, 2010
3:25 pm
I see nothing wrong with instant replay, especially if it is for the call that could determine the game.
shut up
October 8th, 2010
3:29 pm
who cares about Armando’s 1 hit shut-out.We are talking about the braves.They could review a play in just a couple minutes if the umps weren’t so fat they could make it to a tv monitor to review the play,instead of wobbling to it.
don
October 8th, 2010
3:32 pm
Leave baseball alone. It has already been damaged enough by designated hitters, inter-league play, artificial fields, and unbalanced schedules. And, contrary to the belief of some, the call didn’t cost the Braves the game. Their ineptness in the batter’s box i8s what beat the Braves. Still, the call gives those who alsways need to blame someone else for losing an excuse.
Revived Braves Fan
October 8th, 2010
3:32 pm
i am for replay on anything but ball and strike calls. Give the manager
2 requests per game. As far as last nights game, the blown call did not
matter. The Braves atters were impatient and the Infante error cost them the game.
Captain Lou Albano
October 8th, 2010
3:34 pm
I believe under certain circumstances they’re going to have to use instant replay. Like if an umpire is out of position. If they’re out of position they’re just guessing, and they should have to use replay. Case closed.
Trey
October 8th, 2010
3:35 pm
don, I’d rather have baseball changed a little to make it better with right calls. I hate the DH, I hate interleague, but I do support instant replay.
Trey
October 8th, 2010
3:36 pm
don, there is nothing wrong with instant replay. That would be a good change, unlike DH rule and artificial turf.
Think about this
October 8th, 2010
3:39 pm
Everyone talks about slowing the game down with instant replay. I submit that it will speed the game up. If Posey would have been out then that would have been out three and the end of an inning. Probably would have saved at least 10 minutes. In football you have to play a certain amount of time so you only prolong the game whereas in baseball the length of the game is determined by how long it takes for each team to get 27 outs.
Think about this
October 8th, 2010
3:40 pm
What do you think, Jeff?
GTBob
October 8th, 2010
3:41 pm
A challenge system might work, but full blown instant replay? No thanks. We have all watched college football games where it seems like things are dragging along because there have been multiple plays “under review”. Just imagine that in baseball. A sport that is already fairly slow. Imagine having to take a 3-5 minute break from the game every time there is a close play at first. It would get annoying really fast.
Abnerish
October 8th, 2010
3:42 pm
It’s about getting the call right. For example, when UGA’s Washaun Ealey fumbled the ball on the goal line against South Carolina earlier this year, it was originally ruled down. But replays showed without a doubt that it was a fumble. They reviewed it and got the call right. I hated it because it went against my team and we eventually lost, but I loved the fact that they got it right (unlike the infamous Jasper Sanks non-fumble against Tech). As a fan, that’s all I want the officials and umpires to do: get the call right (and be as invisible as possible). Baseball should be no different. I think the technology is not there yet to replace balls and strikes, but for close plays at the bases or to determine a catch or a fair/foul ball? That should be a no brainer.
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Think about this
October 8th, 2010
3:44 pm
Also, I am tired of people saying we shouldn’t have won anyway because we didn’t score. If Posey’s out, then the Gnat’s would not have scored either.
Terry Funk
October 8th, 2010
3:48 pm
Abnerish has swayed me…I am now for instant replay….(except for balls and strikes)
Think about this
October 8th, 2010
3:48 pm
Mike, you want some cheese with that whine.
Abnerish
October 8th, 2010
3:49 pm
Selig should come out after the season and say: “for the integrity of the game, we will be expanding instant replay to include every play except balls and strikes and check swings. There will be one Replay Umpire that reviews every play and if further review is required, the Replay Ump will signal to the Crew Chief that a review is under way. The Replay Ump has the authority to overrule any call. There will be no challenges as the use of instant replay will be used as an extra set of eyes to make sure that every call is the right call. A Manager or player can request that a play be reviewed, but whether a play is reviewed or overturned is at the discretion of the Replay Ump and the umpiring crew.” It’s really that simple.
Kashi
October 8th, 2010
3:52 pm
As long as Bud is in charge, we will never see instant replay. Its waste of time to whine here. MLB official already review lots of replays right after the plays to mark earned run or unearned runs, hits and errors. Only thing missing is umpires wearing ear pieace and ask MLB official it is safe or out? Everything is already in place, how hard is it to implement 1 step further?
Think about this
October 8th, 2010
3:52 pm
Paul Emmel could not carry Eric Gregg’s jock!
Marc in FL
October 8th, 2010
3:53 pm
We’ll get a bad call in our favor in the next game or two. It all evens out, leave it be.
Think about this
October 8th, 2010
3:53 pm
I though Emmel was a chef in New Orleans. Bam!
siskel_god
October 8th, 2010
3:54 pm
The blown call only reaffirms the Braves needs to go out and acquire about three legitimate bats. Boo replay, yeah real hitters!
Abnerish
October 8th, 2010
3:59 pm
I’m glad I could change one person’s mind. Unfortunately, it wasn’t Bud Selig’s!! Oh well, I’ll take it.
Voice of Reason
October 8th, 2010
4:02 pm
Instant replay for big things: tag outs, fair/foul, catch/no catch, tag-ups,etc. For balls and strikes, no challenges, but instead have a standardized system like the networks use to show whether pitches are in the strike zone installed at each stadium–then simply make the tapes of balls/strikes calls available to the teams, the media and MLB. That way, you don’t break up the flow of the game, but you let everyone know who the crappy home plate umps are (e.g., Eric Gregg). While keeping detailed ump stats would be nice, wether the data is used to put the most reliable umps into the playoffs is up to MLB and the unions.
TN_BravesFas
October 8th, 2010
4:05 pm
Concerning the fact that the umpire said none of the Braves questioned the call, why would they want to question it? The only thing that happens when they dare to question the miscalls is that the player and manager gets tossed by the hotheaded umpires. There was not chance the call was going to be reversed and Bobby would have got thrown out. If they don’t get rid of these idiots the game is doomed.
Najeh Davenpoop
October 8th, 2010
4:06 pm
I’m in favor of replay if other steps are taken to speed the game up. Specifically, a pitch clock and limits on pickoff attempts and how often a batter calls time and steps out of the box.
jfreak13713
October 8th, 2010
4:06 pm
Bad calls are a tradition that fuel rivalries and keep fans arguing even well after the season is over! Bad calls are a real part of this game and yes sometimes they cost teams and fans more than they wish to bare, but it’s the game that I’ve grown up with and really don’t care to change. That call last night did not change the game. The Braves lost because they could not hit or play defense.
If replay is used I would only want it used like the NFL. I per game and the booth could call review after 7th inning, but never on BALLS or STRIKES.
Braves Win tonight 5 – 3!
Plate Appearance
October 8th, 2010
4:08 pm
It stinks that the Giants only run ultimately scored as a result of a blown call!
Get the call right! Use replay — for close calls on the bases and close calls down the lines!
Come on Bud, do something here!
Ken Stallings
October 8th, 2010
4:13 pm
I have two concerns about the state of umpiring in baseball. First is the apparent increase in bad calls. Second is the apparent increase in hostility by umpires toward players and managers. At least the Jim Joyce bad call was the exception in that Joyce displayed supreme character in taking the blame.
Now, contrast that with the typical example set by Bob Davidson on that ridiculously blown “foul” ball hit by Florida versus the Phillies shortly after the all star break. Rather than look at the tape and come back the next day and admit he blew it, Davidson foolishly and pridefully used physics-defying logic to say the ball hit the line fair in the infield, curved around and outside third base, and then when past the base, reversed its curve and hit the chalk in the outfield!
Right! And my grandma was Pam Anderson in her Labatt’s Blue beer girl prime!
The essential problem is two fold. First, baseball is resisting the value of replay to get bad calls right. Second, baseball is failing to hold umpires accountable in the same public manner to which players are held accountable.
If a player performs poorly, he is publicly sent down or released. If an umpire performs poorly, he is quietly send down or retires. And those actions are done many months after the poor performance. Further, when a player violates the sanctity of the game, he is publicly fined and suspended. When an umpire blows calls or violates the strike zone his rebuke is quiet.
This should change! Umpires should be graded by the ruthless yardstick of video replay and Questec ball/strike analysis, and the grades should be made public. Umpires should be rated on their percentage of correct out calls and percentage of correct ball/strike calls. Further a ratio should be kept on numbers of players/managers disqualified from a game based on an argued call that was ruled correctly versus incorrectly.
Again, all those statistics should be as public as a player’s combined statistics.
Finally, those grades should be used to evalute promotions and demotions. Being designated the crew chief should go to the top 25% of graded umpires and there is no seniority given. Likewise the bottom 10% of umpires should be relegated to the next lowest league with the top 10% of umpires at that level promoted to the next highest league.
Yes, that means that an MLB crew chief could actually go to AAA the next season for poor performance! Strange as that sounds, it is precisely the ruthlessly honest performance-based manner that the players and managers are judged by!
And yes, once an umpire has five years of service total, if he grades in the bottom 10% of rookie league ball, he is terminated by MLB as an umpire without any options for re-hire. So, that means an umpire could go from MLB league to out of rookie league in five seasons being rated in the bottom 10% of each league at season’s end!
Those grades should be based upon a formula that tallies the statistical measurements of outs, strikes, and ejections resulting from good/bad calls. Ejections from good calls should not count against the umpire, but ejections from bad calls should unless the written report indicates physical contact or a prolonged argument lasting longer than a set amount of time. This means that if an umpire shows a “quick fuse” so to speak, then he better be sure he got the call right, else it will count against his grade. Finally, any call intially gotten wrong, but corrected through conference or use of video replay during the game, shall not count against the umpire’s grade. This would also mitigate random chance that one umpire simply got more close calls to make than his peers.
I image if these suggestions were adopted, we’d see a significant improvement in the quality of MLB umpires!
Around The Horn
October 8th, 2010
4:18 pm
After 162 games to get in the playoffs, a team — any team — DESERVES TO GET RIGHT CALLS WHILE IN THE PLAYOFFS!
The Braves-Giants game should have been scoreless going into the 9th!
Use replay!
Game altering blown calls are not only a blight upon baseball and its fans — but also on THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER AND BUD SELIG HIMSELF!
Ken Stallings
October 8th, 2010
4:19 pm
And to those who argue that “blown calls” are part of the game, why do you believe that “getting calls right” should not be part of the game in the future?
SadDawg
October 8th, 2010
4:20 pm
The Little League World Series uses replays.
Enough said?
Roger
October 8th, 2010
4:24 pm
In this day of electronic technology it’s absurd to miss a call with instant replays available. I say put a video replay screen and a set of headphones in each home-team dugout. Let the home plate umpire and one other appointed umpire for each game review the replays as they talk to the replay technician who is up in the booth. Give each manager 3 protests per game. I say even let him question strike calls in situations with runners on base when a called strike 3 would result in the third out. I don’t think a manager should be charged for a protest when a home-run comes into question. The umpires, I would hope, could work this out on whether a ball exits the park for a homer or is fair or foul. Let’s make this hi-tech stuff help us humans get it right. It’s available. Use it!!!
Mitchell
October 8th, 2010
4:25 pm
Braves suck.
gt45
October 8th, 2010
4:27 pm
Can Ankiel bunt?
Braves fan in bama
October 8th, 2010
4:27 pm
I hate it the braves got screwed on the call; obviously out by two feet. What a moron umpire, he should be suspended of his duties for the rest of the playoffs. There needs to be consequences for this incompetence.
Lowe pitches a great game and get two hits support. Bats need to warm up or it is see ya! No bunts, no stepping out to disrupt timing, nothing. Chipper get off you butt and help lead. You know more about hitting than anybody on the team. Do not worry about TP ,he has proven he is worthless and will not be here next year! Go Braves, get this one tonight!
Braves Fan Since "80
October 8th, 2010
4:29 pm
The Yankees had a bad call against them…. you see it did not matter…… Management should take this loss……. WOW we give up VasQuez and our 2009 best player and we get? we give up Soriano and get what…. not a backup infielder at triple A that can contribute.
All of you thinking we should hold on to all of our pitching how does 2 hits 1 walk feel…… Oh by the way….. those three players are the only ones that would be on another playoff team
Braves Fan Since "80
October 8th, 2010
4:33 pm
Braves fan in bama ……. TP carried the team to a WS Chipper went along for the ride……. Chipper has never lead a team only made snide remarks
ajc pariah
October 8th, 2010
4:37 pm
Braves have always been cheesed in the playoffs. But what difference does it make? Braves are allergic to home plate anyway.
Najeh Davenpoop
October 8th, 2010
4:42 pm
I don’t see why baseball can’t just have an umpire sitting in a booth who is solely responsible for replay though. Cricket, a sport that is virtually unheard of in America, has a video umpire who sits in a booth waiting to be called upon by the field umpire in the event of a disputed call. All the on-field ump has to do is signal for the video umpire, who then signals whether or not the call was correct using a red light and a green light. The whole process takes about five seconds. I don’t see why this couldn’t work in baseball.
I still stand by my earlier post though — baseball needs a pitch clock and limits on batters calling time and pickoff attempts.
The Temporary Mascot formerly known as Russ
October 8th, 2010
4:46 pm
Normally, I am a football blogger but circumstances now cause me to expand my horizons. I am losing my job as Temporary Mascot at Georgia. UGA Read: “He is loosing his job they’re.” I was never really comfortable there. First thing they asked me to do -even before they painted my a$$-was to pull some teeth so I would fit in on campus. I believe in instant replay. Brooks Conrad (a good name for a dog, right?) had that man out at second and a replay would have been proof. I have applied for work with the Braves and am awaiting their response. I am working on some chin hair now (though it is coming in slowly) and hope to be a Buck Commander.
ajc pariah
October 8th, 2010
4:49 pm
Let’s see.Our leadoff hitter ends up at second.Our number two hitter.also one of three potential sluggers in lineup.Why #2.Bobby sure ain’t gonna move Omar over with a bunt, so the #3 can possibly sacrifice him in and score and early lead.Of course watching srike one and then strike two and then flailing at ball one for a strikeout reminds me of the Dale Murphy school of hitting.Sometimes I wonder if TP doesn’t use Murph’s old videos for training.No offense Murph,I’m just sayin’.
jojo
October 8th, 2010
4:51 pm
YES, BASEBALL NEEDS REPLAY AS LONG AS THE UMPIRING MAKE SHABBY CALLS. THIS HAS BEEN A TERRIBLE SEASON WITH THE UMPIRES. A TOTAL REFLECTION ON MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.
richard
October 8th, 2010
4:51 pm
THE STOLEN BASE DID NOT GET US BEAT. THE GROUND BALL THAT WENT UNDER INFANTE’S GLOVE IS WHAT GOT US BEAT. YOU ALSO CANNOT WIN IF YOU DON’T SCORE. no you got it wrong they both got us beat if he would been called out he would have never scored the run am not say braves would won but we never know because of that blow call if it was close i might under stood but he was out buy a good 3 foot. this is mlb and playoff so replays should be use in mlb if only in playoffs.
Terry Funk
October 8th, 2010
4:51 pm
Tonight is not a must win….but it’s close, Tommy is soooo freaking due for some run support…after being shutout last night do the Braves score some runs..?? no clue it wouldn’t shock me if we got shutout again….this team is impossible to figure out…
The Temporary Mascot formerly known as Russ
October 8th, 2010
4:52 pm
Some say I am too little to be a Braves player but how have the big guys worked out? Glaus? Lee? I think a little dog could work some big walks like Chipper used to do . . . and then, I can steal second. Nobody else can do that. After I get to second, I will move to third if anybody – anybody – can make contact with the ball. If not, I’ll just steal third. Then, it will be up to Bobby’s successor to find somebody to drive me in. If no one can be found . . . I’ll just steal home like Blanco used to do when he was playing here. I will be a very exciting little dog ballplayer.
Jay
October 8th, 2010
4:52 pm
There’s too much riding on these games to not get the call right.
We don’t know what would have happened had the call been made correctly, but it would have been nice to watch it play out.
Ted M
October 8th, 2010
4:57 pm
Tonight’s Braves lineup. Infante 3B Heyward RF Lee 1B McCann C Cabrera LF Conrad 2B Gonzalez SS Ankiel CF Hanson P
Kwbravesfan
October 8th, 2010
5:01 pm
I think MLB should have instant replay. If the umpire would have called Buster Posey safe, like he knows he was, it would have given the braves a chance to win.
andrew
October 8th, 2010
5:03 pm
NO REPLAY! players and refs/umps are human. Or, why not just review every call and play and take the officials off the field. Sounds silly, right. It is a human game played by humans for human enjoyment. So who’s perfect?
Keith
October 8th, 2010
5:07 pm
Do I blame all of the loss on the Umpire? No, Infante SHOULD have made the play and didn’t.
However, if the ump makes the play, then there is 2 outs with 0 on, and gives us a chance to battle in the bottom of the 9th with the score being tied 0-0. Lincecum most likely leaves the game in the 10th, and hopefully we would have had another chance.
Here’s my deal: I want the RIGHT call made no matter what. Even if it’s against my team, I want the right call to be made.
Get the call right. Period.
Keith
October 8th, 2010
5:07 pm
NFL has the right idea on this. How many times have we seen important momentum calls reversed? NFL has it right. MLB should get it right.
Biggie
October 8th, 2010
5:08 pm
Baseball will never have instant replay as long as the Umps are unionized. This is because the use of replay will illustrate the fact that, with the exception of the homepklate umpire, all others can be replaced by the use of slo-mo and camera’s. Essentially, technology will make the ups obsolete.
For example, lets say that replay is used in all call for fair/foul, calls at bases, and catch/no catch, and home runs. in the first few games, the audience (and the owners who pay the bills) will figure, well, we got it right, and it was fast. Why do we even need those other guys out there if they aren’t calling balls and strikes? The owners would save money, the calls will be correct, and all the umps other than the home plate ump will be obsolete in lss than two sessons.
Nope, aint gonna happen with the umps union in place.
My $.02.
South Georgia
October 8th, 2010
5:09 pm
No excuse for not scoring even one run! Owners, please let the next manager manufacture some runs. Braves have underachieved for years with lack of offfense-several hitting instructors but same inflexible manager.
Braves fan in bama
October 8th, 2010
5:10 pm
Braves fan since 80; I agree with you TP was a stallwart playing and contributed in 1991 =MVP; but being a good player does not make you a good hitting coach. TP lifetime .270 hitter and only three years hitting .300 in the league. But you are right about the lack of leadership and I think that is what is wrong with this team. Go Braves; get one tonight.
SquillDog
October 8th, 2010
5:25 pm
Why do people continue to say moronic things like, “they’ll slow the game down if they review every play.” Do they review every play in the NFL? No, coaches challenge! Give baseball managers two challenges (and add one if they win both like the NFL) and automatic reviews from the 9th inning on. At worst you’ll get 4 reviews a game. One minute per review. You add FOUR minutes…FOUR MINTUES! Am I that much smarter than the rest of these people? I guess those 15 years of High School are paying off.
Brother John
October 8th, 2010
5:27 pm
If you can’t bunt, you shouldn’t be in the Major Leagues. This is Little League stuff. In this kind of game, I’d bunt anybody over — be it #2 hitter, #3 hitter, or # 4 hitter. Bobby goes by the book, and thankfully, that book will soon have its final chapter. And why not adjust?? “The Freak” hardly ever through a pitch that was a strike! And the Braves are up there wailing away at ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after ball after. Maybe you get the idea. With any plate discipline, he would have walked 14 guys instead of striking out 14 batters. I feel bad for Dereck Lowe. A true gamer in the big ones! If anyone can explain to me why proffessional, experienced, multi-millionare ball players swing at pitches, not only low, but a good two feet out of the strike zone — or one up at eye level or over their head — please explain it to me so I can educate myself! Out of the 14 KOs, I’d like to know how many were actually strikes????
idot
October 8th, 2010
5:32 pm
Biggie@5:08………This comment is meant as a joke, right?
Alan
October 8th, 2010
5:41 pm
Hey Jeff on your sack schultz, it has Mich St as the home team, but the game is at Michigan. Just an FYI.
Pete
October 8th, 2010
5:43 pm
Saying replay is needed in MLB is like saying politicians are crooked. EVERY sane, rational & normal human being agrees but NOTHING is ever done about it.
It’s like crying into the wind.
Nativebird
October 8th, 2010
5:50 pm
Yes. On all calls. Get over it Umps. Get it right.
wawel78
October 8th, 2010
5:52 pm
Melky Cabrera is our #5 hitter tonight. No need to bother my wife with watching baseball after this weekend.
CopyandPaste
October 8th, 2010
5:53 pm
BIG RULE: If you know the umpire is wrong – ARGUE THE CALL!!!! One reason why the Sox beat the Yanks when they came back from 0-3 down was that they argued EVERY CALL they thought the umpires got wrong. What’s the worse that could happen?? Maybe that the bad call would stand?
Arron
October 8th, 2010
5:57 pm
Could it be MLB and the tv networks want a west coast team to advance. Nah that would never happen.
jerry
October 8th, 2010
5:58 pm
I keep hearing missed calls are a part of the game. I watched baseball back in the 50s, 60s & 70s and the umpires were a lot better back then. Now the umps want to be a part of the game, reward the favorite pitchers and squeeze the strike zone on others. Now missed calls are not a part of the game they are what’s wrong with the game and with all the technology we have they should get them all right.
Jacketsfan24
October 8th, 2010
5:58 pm
The excuses baseball gives for not using replay are pathetic. Baseball is already the slowest sport known to man, so the whole bit about slowing the game down is pretty weak. And its not like football where there are multiple things to worry about on the replay, it would litterally take all of ten seconds to see whether or not a runner’s foot was on a base or not. I’m all for replay on the basepaths (and a new commisioner as well)!
Delbert D.
October 8th, 2010
6:04 pm
Sorry, no on replays. The game wasn’t designed with that in mind. The worst of all calls was when the Minnesota 1B-man literally wrestled Atlanta’s runner off 1st base in the world series in the Metrodome. Win some, lose some. Are you going to replay every ball and strike call? Might as well televise a computer game and save a bundle on player salaries. Replays should be used only to determine whether umpires are the take.
GSU Eagle 91
October 8th, 2010
6:59 pm
No way…
Can you imagine a Steve Trachsel pitched game with instant replay as well? We are talking about a 5 hour event!
I would be for it IF the games were speeded up a bit. The strike zone would be called as the numbers to the knees, and so things would move along.
On this particular event…If the braves could score a run or two, we wouldn’t be concerned about a missed call!
kool$kat
October 8th, 2010
7:13 pm
I say put one ump on the field with a headset and put 3 in the booth watching 3 different monitors and they tell the onfield ump what to call on EVERY PLAY!!! Balls and strikes will be called by something like Questec or that box that WTBS is using. Use lights to signal strikes, balls on the field behind home plate and on other walls for all to see. We have the technology, USE IT!!!
Of course that would take away the league’s ability to tilt the games as they see fit….or would it??? HMMMMmmmmmm
kool$kat
October 8th, 2010
7:16 pm
Or let onfield umps make calls that could be instantly reversed by officials in booth watching replay. No delay, because we watch replays all the time between pitches etc.
Josh
October 8th, 2010
7:36 pm
Wow see the reds get a double, bunt him over and then a sac fly. Ah but the booby doesn’t want to do that. They do this with a 3 run lead. This is a perfect example of why he’s been a failure in the post season.
Ryan
October 8th, 2010
7:39 pm
You idiots saying no are the same morons who said it would ruin football and slow those games.
You act like every play would be reviewed. Your argument holds nothing.
Every major sport has replay except for baseball and soccer..the 2 most boring sports on the planet.
Yeah keep missing those calls. It’s no big deal. Riiight.
Roger
October 8th, 2010
7:51 pm
Reds make 2 errors in a row but no runs
Unfair weather fan
October 8th, 2010
9:09 pm
Can the Braves rebound?
Uh, you want the profanity-free answer?
Two letters
TN_BravesFan
October 9th, 2010
1:10 am
Look at the Wiki article on Paul Emmel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Emmel.
Lifelong Dawg
October 9th, 2010
6:12 am
Chris @ 2:28PM on 10/8: “YOU ALSO CANNOT WIN IF YOU DON’T SCORE.” That’s the point. SF wouldn’t have SCORED if the proper call had been made, ergo they might not have WON (and certainly would not have with the gift run they received as a result of this egregious call). Had the Giants scored at some other point in the game, which they didn’t, it would be easier to just blow this awful call off as one of many. But that’s not how it worked out; it was THE difference. Everyone seems to forget that SF had only 5 hits, and that the ‘pen shut them down completely.
Lifelong Dawg
October 9th, 2010
6:16 am
TN_BravesFan,
That’s funny stuff about Emmel on Wikipedia.
Bobbymahlon
October 9th, 2010
9:41 pm
I agree with Abnerish on instant recalls. LETS GET THESE CALLS RIGHT.
Jay
October 9th, 2010
11:43 pm
Happened again today in the Rays-Rangers game. The 2nd base umpire’s position on a stolen base is to be on the infield grass on the first base side of 2nd base. He gets blocked from view by the runners back as he slides. He cant’t see the runner’s feet or lower leg. In both cases, the Posey play and the play today, his view of the runner’s feet was blocked. Why can’t he be behind second on the first base side of second base?
Albert
October 10th, 2010
1:05 am
Jeff Shutlz– why does the AJC keep you around?? It must be your ability to create controversy which causes the editors believe draws readers that wouldn’t ordinarily visit. The problem is that I never learn anything from our posts and articles. I stopped reading most of them when I determined that your positions were frequently contrary to rationale thought.