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by Mark_Ockerbloom from Dedham

Last Post 1 day, 2 hours Ago


Time for Instant Replay?
Oct 18, 2007 | 10:16 PM
Category: Sports
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Manny's blast in the third inning of game 5 rekindling the debate for adding instant replay in baseball. Tough to say whether or not it was home run. I for one think it wasn't because the ball landed back in play instead of continuing on into the stands. But with so much on the line, why not eliminate the guess work altogether by allowing the men in blue to revue the play as many times as is necessary to get it right? I'm not saying you have to do it for the regular season, though teams could make the case that it could mean the difference between making the playoffs or not. Of course, one of the biggest fears for baseball is the fact that most games are already too long and that by adding instant replay they'd only get longer. But, the off-season can be a very long time for a team, especially if you feel you've been burned by a bad call...one that could have been overturned with a second look.

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Member Comments Total Comments: 11
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jettagirl
Oct 18, 2007 | 11:32 PM

I've seen the replay and I am still unsure. I don't have evidence to overturn the call of the umpires; however, I kept thinking that that same ball hit to straight-away center at Fenway and bounced back into the field of play would be considered a HR. Better question...can we finally have the debate about "Manny being Manny?" Why wasn't he running hard out of the box? With the score 6-1 in favor of the Sox at 11:30 pm, but if I were Josh Beckett and the score was tighter, I would be liable to throw a high, tight one right at him in Spring Training, as if he were Kenny Lofton.
Chip read my blog view my photos
Oct 19, 2007 | 6:06 AM

The overall umpiring in this series has stunk. You could measure the striek zone in acreage, and the call on Manny's homer was just horrid.
JuneInMA read my blog view my photos
Oct 19, 2007 | 12:39 PM

Not only should they have instant replay (although I agree it should only be during the playoffs), but they should replace the home plate umpire with some kind of technology (maybe a plate or something behind the catcher) that eliminates bad calls at the plate all together. This 'plate' will tell for sure if the ball is a strike or a ball. I didn't feel this way until this series. Like Chip says, the strike zone has been dreadful! Very inconsistent.
lafko06 read my blog view my photos
Oct 19, 2007 | 5:17 PM

Mark, read my post and then re-evaluate the replay.

It was clearly a HR because the ball caromed so far into the air it had to hit concrete which lines the backside of the wall. Watch it again and you'll see Sizemore sizing up the arc of the ball and the room left to try and catch it. He makes a leap against the padding which raised the pad "UP" about 1-2 inches and that's what blocks the clear view of the ball clearing the wall.

I can't believe 6 Umpires all got the call wrong and no one had the stones to step up and call it a HR. It just goes to show that men in their 50-60's who have to sprint and make a hairline call can't be trusted in such a big game to make the correct call. To hell with the Umpire Unions and the power they have in the regular season. HR calls in all playoff games must be reviewed if their is even a shadow of doubt about the correct call.
jpaul1103
Oct 19, 2007 | 6:04 PM

I don't have an opinion on instant replay , but i do on Manny's slow trot down the line . I've coached little league the past 7 years and if any of my players had a non-chalant attitude as he does i'd sit him on the bench. Terry should of been pulled Manny from that moment on and replaced with Jacoby. I'm so sick and tired of everyone forgiving him by saying "thats Manny being Manny" I don't believe that's what our youth should be observing as acceptable behavior. Yes he's great but i'd rather lose than allow this immaturity !!!
lafko06 read my blog view my photos
Oct 19, 2007 | 6:22 PM

Jpaul:

You'd bench a little leauger? How old are the kids you're coaching?

Kids can be focused on a game and then think about how they'll beat their buddy on the next video game they play all in a a span of 1 second. It sounds like you have a certain standerd for you're players to adhere to but I hope you allow them to "HAVE FUN".

KIds will be Kids and Manny will be Manny.

Get over it and let you're kids have fun while under you're apparent strict tutilage.

The ball was a HR so all the trotting down the line talk is null and void.

It's up to you as a coach and mentor to explain what Manny did wasn't a acceptable way to go about playing a sport and accept Manny for what he is:

A Power Hitting Left Fielder Who Can Carry The Team On His Back To Another World Series Title.
jpaul1103
Oct 19, 2007 | 9:35 PM

Lafko... I understand your ?'s exactly. Yes -- i've benched a 12 y.o. if i believed he was disrespecting his teammates/coaches/opposing players. my discipline wasn't overdone . it was 2 innings and a talk to teach what was wrong with what he did. In my little league community , i'm one of the top 3 coaches when it comes to respect from players/parents/other coaches. I fully understand a childs mentality and disipline accordingly. And i'm sorry.... i'd rather lose the world series than accept "Manny being Manny " ...put Jacoby ellsbury in left field and have more respect your time more than settling for laziness/cockiness.
jpaul1103
Oct 19, 2007 | 9:49 PM

Lafko... I understand your ?'s exactly. Yes -- i've benched a 12 y.o. if i believed he was disrespecting his teammates/coaches/opposing players. my discipline wasn't overdone . it was 2 innings and a talk to teach what was wrong with what he did. In my little league community , i'm one of the top 3 coaches when it comes to respect from players/parents/other coaches. I fully understand a childs mentality and disipline accordingly. And i'm sorry.... i'd rather lose the world series than accept "Manny being Manny " ...put Jacoby ellsbury in left field and have more respect your time more than settling for laziness/cockiness.
critter171 read my blog
Oct 19, 2007 | 10:08 PM

No i dont like replay in baseball. I umpire so i know how it is.

Also it hit of the top of the mat. Which in most ball park its a homerun over that yellow line.

Not accodring to jacobs feild rule.
critter171 read my blog
Oct 19, 2007 | 10:09 PM

Chip the stirke zone is small in playoffs. You just cant complain about it.
critter171 read my blog
Oct 19, 2007 | 10:13 PM

jpaul1103

I umpire little leauge and i was doing a game dover vs somerworth .

And someworth coachs took a player out for error.

Also i seen kids make fun of there own teammate.
Those are kids. I dont care if you top 3 coaches in your leauge thats means nothing.

You need to have you team relax and enjoy game.

As for manny who cares? We need him in the lineup like it or not.
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Mark_Ockerbloom

I anchor the Fox 25 News at 5, 10 & 11pm and want to hear from you. Feel free to drop me a line anytime.

Member Since: 10/17/2006


 

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