Time for Instant Replay

Posted by Spencer Heintz

In case you missed it last week, Mets pitcher Johan Santana, threw a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals. This was the first no-no ever in Mets history. I don’t want to take anything away from the Mets or Mr. Santana because throwing a no-hitter is always something special for the game of baseball. However, had an expanded instant replay system been in place, the Mets would still be waiting for a no-hitter to be thrown. In the sixth inning of the 8–0 win, Carlos Beltran hit a screaming line drive down the third base line that was clearly a fair ball (ball mark in the line chalk). The umpire, though, called it a foul ball and the “should have been” hit was called back, keeping Santana in the hunt for his no-hitter. Before this season, it was looking like an expanded replay system for foul vs. fair balls and trapped vs. caught balls would be ready to go for Opening Day, but there were too many logistical issues that could not be ironed out in time. The MLB is hoping to have the expanded system in place for the 2013 season. . .about time! I believe that Major League Baseball has dragged its feet somewhat in resolving this issue of a replay system. Currently, the replay system in place allows for replays on questionable home run calls and instances of fan interference. With other sports leagues such as the NFL, NBA, and NHL benefitting dearly from instant replay, the MLB is losing trust from fans when an umpire can’t make a decent call. The game of Tennis even has instant replay in place for the major Grand Slam tournaments, which is so important because one point can make all the difference. Going back to the Santana no-hitter, replay would have clearly reversed the call and would have stopped any of the debate going on about Johan throwing a “tainted” no-hitter. In recent years, there have been some pretty absurd blown calls by umpires, which only adds to the negative feelings fans have of umpires and their ability to call a good game. Congratulations to Johan Santana and the Mets for finally making it into the record books because even with the questionable call, he still threw an amazing game that should not go unnoticed. Opening Day 2013 should hopefully bring relief to the fan and the umpire because the right call will be made with video review to back it up.