Bad Calls Ump!!!

After watching the first four games of this years World Series, I have come to the conclusion that video replay should definitely be used to determine controversial calls.

 Obviously, during the play-offs, where everything is on the line, a wrong call, can be a determining factor in the outcome of the game. Currently, baseball has implemented replays for the playoffs, which is used only to review controversial homeruns. While that is a step in the right direction, replay should be used for every close call, that can determine the score.

While I have always sat on the fence about whether replays should be used, two blown calls from game three and four was enough to convince me that a change has to be made.

Make no mistake about it, this is not an article dumping on major league umpires. While they do a fantastic job, it has been proven, over the course of time, that  umpires are obviously only human; which means they are not perfect.

The first botched call came during game three, when Tampa Bay Rays’ leadoff hitter, Carl Crawford, got a huge break, in the seventh inning, from umpire, Tom Hallion. Crawford laid down a bunt and, on a close play, was ruled safe; when replays showed that, in reality, he was — not safe.

“It was a bang-bang play, and I tried to get the best angle on it,” Hallion said. “I really didn’t get a sound to be able to judge. It winds up being a great play, and looking at the replay – they just got him.”

Even though Crawford scored, the Philadelphia Phillies still managed to win the game 5-4, and justice prevailed. I don’t mean to point fingers at the umpires, but what if Crawford’s run made the difference in the outcome of the game?

In game four, the next day, another mistake was made in the first inning, when Jimmy Rollins was ruled safe on a rundown play; when in reality Rays third baseman, Evan Longoria tagged him.

“He’s seen the replay and he knows that he missed it,” said MLB vice president, Mike Port about Tim Welke, who made the call.

Rollins ended up scoring, but the run didn’t really matter, as the Phillies won the game in a walk in – a 10-2 score.

Still, what if there was a game seven and the winning run was the result of an umpire’s error? Hopefully video replay will come to the sport of baseball before something like that ever happens.

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