The Red Flag Is Flying

When a red flag is dropped on the field, we all know what is coming next. The TV screen splits into two, revealing both teams' coaches and their reaction, the head referee goes into his little box, watching the play over and over, and the fans hold their breathes. What if I told you that in this instance, we're not talking about football? Instead, this flag had been thrown on the baseball diamond.

Last week, the General Managers of the MLB voted 25-5 in favor of recommending instant replay to Commissioner Bud Selig. Could you imagine this in baseball? Strike one! Oh wait, the White Sox are throwing the flag for an instant replay. Looks like the ruling on the field will stand, still strike one. Here comes the next pitch, ball one. Oh, here comes Lou Piniella and we're going to have another look at it...

Ok, it probably wouldn't really happen like that. At the GM meeting, it was said that instant replay will only be used on "contested home run calls." I could see where this might be helpful, especially in important, life changing games. Check out another baseball fan's opinion here. However, this might all be in vain. In the past, Selig has opposed the use of electronic replays during games to help assist call making. Also, Cubs GM Jim Hendry was among the few that voted against the proposal. I'm guessing that those who opposed instant replay felt that it would be used too much and and used for plays such as foul balls, if someone was safe or out, and even whether or not a pitch was a strike or a ball.

It's not that instant replay is necessarily a bad thing but I just don't see it being used effectively in baseball. Heck, it isn't used effectively in football half the time. Ok, that might be an exaggeration, but let's take the Colts game last night. However much I don't want to talk about it, a point must be made. It was late in the fourth quarter and the Colts appeared to have the 1st down far in Charger territory. Then, officials in the replay booth challenged the spot which reversed the call on the field making it fourth-and-1. Following this catastrophe, the Colts false started, Vinatieri missed a field goal, and all hope was lost. Needless to say, Indianapolis suffered because of this instant replay call. Of course, not all instant replay calls are bad but I still can't see this being used in baseball.