We all know that everyone isn't perfect and that's why baseball is hesitant to put more instant replay in the game. However, it has gotten to the point where it is costing teams games, players milestones/rare achievements, and changing the outcome of seasons. So I feel that baseball should expand replay viewing options to not only whether something is a home run or not, but also to whether someone is out or safe on a bang-bang play, and if someone either caught it or not. Now here is why.
Nobody likes to admit that they're wrong, but sometimes people make mistakes. This could help that inevitability. People may complain that it will only prolong the game, one that already takes about three hours to complete.
The NFL has instant replay for about almost anything, with the exception of penalty, which should be the officials judgement. The same would apply in baseball, with balls and strikes, because if baseball starts reviewing balls and strikes, it would be solely on the umpire, since every strike zone is different.
Each team should be allowed two challenges per game, just like in football, unless there is a play that all the umpires feel worthy of reviewing without a challenge. Two minutes should be the limit on the review, which should be plenty of time to determine a call, and it wouldn't prolong the game as much as fans might believe. This could have been used many times over the years, but a few incidents stick out:
1985 World Series - Game six between the Cardinals and the Royals, with the Cards up 3-2 in the series. It's the bottom of the ninth and a slow ground ball is hit towards the first base side, where the first baseman scoops up the ball and throws to first to the pitcher covering.
It looks like the runner is clearly out, but first base umpire Don Denkinger calls the runner safe. Arguing and pleading follow by the Cardinals, but to no avail. The Royals go on to win the game and series. If instant replay is put into play, it would take about thirty seconds for the umpires to realize and decide that the wrong call was made, the runner would be called out, and maybe the Royals still win, but Cardinals fans never forget it.
2005 ALCS - Game two between the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago White Sox. Game tied at two in the bottom of the ninth, and a potential strike three is thrown, but the batter swings and the ball is low. Naturally, the player thinks the ball might have hit the ground, but the catcher, believing he caught it, rolls it back to the mound and runs off to get ready for extra innings. Umpires confer and decide the ball hit the ground. Runner steals second and Joe Crede hits in the game winning run a couple pitches later. Sox go on to win the Series, and the World Championship. Now, this was a big turning point in the series, and could have easily have been corrected with instant replay, even though it was a little less obvious than the Cardinals Royals game. Who knows how the 2005 playoffs turns out if that call is reversed?
2010 Regular Season - Armando Galarraga, one batter away from a perfect game, a ground ball is hit to the first baseman, Galarraga goes to cover first base, he appears to get to the bag before the runner; however, first base umpire Jim Joyce calls him safe and ruins the perfect game.
Immediately, Galarraga knows the call is wrong, but just smiles and handles it with total class. With instant replay, this is easily overturned, Galarraga has his perfect game, and Joyce isn't known for making one of the most controversial calls in baseball history. It wouldn't even take thirty seconds to determine that Joyce made the error, but the umpires need to be able to go back and review the play.
Whether it costs a team a World Series, a chance to go there, or someone a place in baseball history, more instant replay would be better for the game because it would reduce the amount of error that occurs by way of umpires.
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