Umpire Watch: To Err Is Human

Filed under: Braves, Giants, Phillies, Reds, MLB Playoffs, MLB Umpires, National League Division Series

Controversial calls have become as much a part of the Major League Baseball postseason as Derek Jeter and patriotic bunting. In Umpire Watch, we intend to document those calls, at least until commissioner Bud Selig puts us out of business.

There are two main arguments against the introduction of expanded instant replay in baseball. The first relates to pace of game, and is of paramount importance if you're going to construct a viable system where all this extra technology we have now gets used to make the umpires better. Baseball is a rhythm sport, and the key, in my opinion, to getting expanded replay through the door as soon as possible is developing a system that doesn't disrupt the game's natural cadence.

It's what I concern myself with when I'm constructing instant replay systems in my head at least -- a common occurrence this time of year.

The second argument is silly, romantic garbage. You may know it by its other name, The Human Element. Add in too much instant replay, the story goes, and suddenly some of the dark charm of baseball -- namely failure -- will disappear and the Replicants will take over, spoiling the pastoral game our great-great grandfathers loved.

 

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Lucy Liu Luján Fernández Magdalena Wróbel Maggie Grace Maggie Gyllenhaal