Correction: In a previous version of this article, the the date when Instant replay was used by MLB was misstated. Instant replay has been used by MLB since 2008 to review home runs. The Daily Orange regrets this error. 

Baseball fans are like the old-school father who refuses to trade-in his ancient cell phone for something new because he “knows how to use it.” Major League Baseball is taking a big step to change that.

The 2014 MLB season will be like none other in history as this is the first year an instant replay system will be available to umpires.

Managers, players, umpires and fans have gotten a chance to see how this new system will work in real game time action during these first couple of weeks of spring training.

Instant replay has been used by MLB since 2008 to review home runs. This year, MLB is expanding the use of instant replay to review other calls.

As America’s favorite past-time, baseball, more than any other sport, has always had a sense of nostalgia and a deep appreciation for its rich history. Many are opposed to implementing instant replay out of fear it would prolong an already three-hour event and also take away from the flow of the game.

All other major American sports have adopted some form of replay and it’s about time baseball joined the party.

MLB should be applauded for finally taking this step. Umpires are there only to oversee the game and make sure it is being played the right way. In a sport where some of the players’ contracts are the largest out of any other major American sport, winners and losers should never be decided on the account of an umpire’s judgment call.

Each manager will begin the game with one challenge. If the challenge stands, he retains his challenge. All plays are challengeable except checked swings, balls and strikes, trapped balls and whether or not a runner left the base too early when tagging up.

These exception plays allow for some human input to remain in the game and should appease those that fear baseball is getting away from its roots.

Another cool feature of the new replay system is that teams are now allowed to show the controversial replays on the jumbotrons and in-park video boards. This adds an entire new element to crowd participation, allowing the fans to give the umpires a piece of their mind, good or bad.

The new replay system should also decrease the amount of exaggerated tirades and managers getting thrown out of games. Simply knowing that there are hundreds of cameras watching at every angle triple-checking the play to ensure the right call might discourage managers from disagreeing with the call.

From every perspective you look at it, it seems like the addition of instant replay will only enhance the game. When it comes down to it, getting the call right is all that matters. I’m sure every manager in the MLB would gladly take a few extra minutes to get the call correct rather than receive a postgame apology from the MLB head office for a blown call that cost his club the game.

Rule changes are constantly discussed in the NBA and NHL and are altered yearly in the NFL. As athletes become faster and stronger, the rules of the sports adjust accordingly so it only makes sense that as better technology becomes available we allow the same adjustment. The MLB is finally changing with times and embracing a more modern game. Hey baseball, welcome to the 21st century.

Published on March 19, 2014 at 12:26 am