The MLB GM's Are Trying...

...to get it right.

On Tuesday, the 30 GM's voted on a proposal to bring instant replay in to baseball. The vote was yes 25 to 5.

They understand that it shouldn't be used for every little thing. It's going to be used on home runs. Did the ball clear the fence, or hit the top and bounce off? Did a fan reach just over the fence and grab the ball? Also, for those potential HR balls that end up within inches, either way, of the foul pole.

To be finalized, MLB commissioner, Bud Selig, look over the vote, and either give the nod or deny the GMs the right to come up with an official proposal. Then, Selig would have to approve along with the Player's Association.

MLB commissioner Bud Selig has said for years he's not a supporter of instant replay because it would slow the game and take the game out of the hands of the umpires.

I always thought that was a dumb comment. Yes, you want the game to be handled by umpires. But you want them to be right. You want a potential season changing call to be the right one. And how long would it really take? As long as when the catcher comes to the mound, then all members of the infield, then the pitching coach? It would be shorter than that. Or would it take as long as it does for the coach to come out and argue the call? I don't think so.

It wouldn't be that big of a break in the game, especially if you do it like in college football, where the refs don't make the decision. A replay judge has access to every angle coming from the broadcast would put in the call that the play needs to be reviewed, and would take a minute to sort out.

You don't want the umpires going under the hood like the NFL refs. That takes too long. Even on obvious calls, it takes them two minutes to go over, check the tape, double check the tape, confer with another official upstairs and all the other steps. In college, the Ref throws on a pair of headphones and they say "reverse the call. put x amount of time on the clock. the ball should be placed on the __ yard line. 2nd down, 6 to go."

In baseball, they would throw on the headphones and hear "It was a home run. the score is now 7-4." or "No home run. Ground rule double, one run scored, men on 2nd and 3rd. 1 out." If it was a foul ball, it would be "No home run. Send runners back to 1st and 2nd. The count is now 2-2 and there is 1 out." Or "Fan interference. Ground rule double. Runner on 2nd, 2 runs score. Still 2 outs."


At the end of the day, it's all about making the right call. You don't accept a wrong call when it's obvious, so you shouldn't accept it when it's close.

I just hope Selig comes around, and the GMs get the proposal right.