Fair or Foul?

That is a question being asked in two major sports. In the MLB, instant replay is the hot topic of debate due to suspect calls on fair or foul balls. In the NBA, the hot topic of debate is whether or not Derek Fisher fouled Brent Barry.


Yes, the MLB needs instant replay.

The main complaint about instant replay is that it slows down the game even more. Of all the major sports in North America, baseball is no doubt the slowest. So why create a delay? To get the call right. I do not think using replay on almost every call is the way to go. But I do think that a challenge system (NFL) should be used. I think two challenges per game should be alloted to each team and if a team wins both, they receive a third. The challenges could be used on just about anything from a fair/foul ball to a safe/out call. The only exception would be arguing balls and strikes. I think that area is fine because different umpires have different strike zones. While balls and strikes can vary in baseball, outs and foul balls cannot.

As for the game slowing down, I don't think baseball fans will have a problem. The people that complain about the slowness of a game usually aren't baseball fans. If it means getting a call correct, I would not mind waiting the extra minute or two. And for the most part, whenever there is a close call, networks broadcast the replays at least 3 times anyways.

The only thing I would miss are the manager explosions at a blown call. In a couple of years, Lou Piniella may not need to kick his hat around the field. Bases won't be dislodged and thrown to the outfield. Rosen bags won't be used as pretend grenades.

Purists may not agree with me, but I say that if we have the technology, use it.


Yes, Derek Fisher fouled Brent Barry.

Joey Crawford is now public enemy #1 with Spurs fans (not that he wasn't before). Let the conspiracy theories begin. Barry should have got 2 shots from the line because it was a foul on the floor (after the contact, Barry did not immediately shoot). Should there be instant replay in the NBA? We'll leave that for another blog post.

DD