BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: UMP NO FAN OF ‘INSTANT’ ACCESS (RR)

Baseball Primer Newsblog
— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand

Saturday, August 30, 2008

UMP NO FAN OF ‘INSTANT’ ACCESS (RR)

In Jerry Layne there is an umpire being shown video feeds…

The monitor here at Dolphin Stadium is located in the umpire’s dressing room at least 50 yards from home plate deep, which could lead to lengthy delays that slow the game down even further.

That might be why crew chief Jerry Layne, speaking to a group of reporters before last night’s game, wasn’t exactly enthused about replay.

“I’m a purist of the game, but with the pressures of other sports having replay and the outcry from the public in favor of it, they’re the ones that are paying the ticket prices and buying the souvenirs that keeps baseball going,” Layne said. “But it’s a slippery slope, and when you go down that slope, it’s hard to stop it.”

Repoz Posted: August 30, 2008 at 10:29 AM | 8 comment(s)
Related News: General, Special Topics, Florida, NY Mets

Reader Comments and Retorts

Go to end of page

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

Page 1 of 1 pages

1. The Joe Mauer Power Hour (kj) Posted: August 30, 2008 at 11:18 AM (#2922781)

I’m a purist of the game

I can see this argument working in a few cases, like the DH, interleague play, the Olympic extra-inning rule--situations where the actual game of baseball and its rules are being changed. But shouldn't a "purist of the game" desire to get as many homerun calls right as possible? I hate when "purist" and "afraid of change" are used interchangeably. If we want to play that game, then the purest form of baseball involves underhand pitching and entire rosters of white players.

2. Philippe Posted: August 30, 2008 at 11:19 AM (#2922786)

Darren ! a Beatles reference ! You're losing your touch, man !

3. Colin Wyers Posted: August 30, 2008 at 11:28 AM (#2922794)

This is really disingenuous of the umpires to complain about replay slowing down games - after all, their union negotiated for replay to be done in this fashion, rather than letting the folks in the media center make the call themselves.

4. Leroy Kincaid Posted: August 30, 2008 at 12:56 PM (#2922849)

If he and other umpires are such "purists" how come they can't follow the rules they're supposed to uphold? "Interpreting" the strike zone, if the ball beats the runner he's out-doesn't matter that he beat the tag, baserunner can run across the mound to avoid a tag and won't get called out, etc. It's clear that the umps either can't do the job correctly or refuse to. Either way, they've got no kick coming, as Sterling likes to say.

5. Padraic Posted: August 30, 2008 at 04:47 PM (#2922991)

the outcry from the public in favor of it

What outcry? The idea that your average fan is just insistent that every single call be right is ridiculous. People support it generally (but not passionately) because people reflexively support this kind of technology.

But it's not driven by fan demand - it's driven by major league baseball wishing to expand its power over what occurs on the field. My enjoyment of the game diminished the first time I saw the 'war room' with 100 kids in dockers who were now involved in the determining the outcome of a baseball game.

6. Fancy Pants Handle Posted: August 30, 2008 at 05:08 PM (#2923007)

100 kids in dockers getting it right trumps 4 old farts in black getting it wrong.

7. Padraic Posted: August 30, 2008 at 05:12 PM (#2923012)

100 kids in dockers getting it right trumps 4 old farts in black getting it wrong.

Nah. Not really. I've seen plenty of bad calls, and the aesthetic appeal was never as poor as the 'war room.'

8. Miss Remember Posted: August 30, 2008 at 10:29 PM (#2923274)

Nah. Not really. I've seen plenty of bad calls, and the aesthetic appeal was never as poor as the 'war room.'

You haven't watched the NHL where they *in a Canadian accent* "are making the call to the War Room in Toronto". Much funnier if you've seen Canadian Bacon...

Page 1 of 1 pages

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

<< Back to main

Saturday, August 30, 2008

UMP NO FAN OF ‘INSTANT’ ACCESS (RR)

Reader Comments and Retorts

Support BBTF

My Bookmarks

Hot Topics