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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 37th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2009 > October > 21 > Entry
Time for umpire challenges in baseball
When I lost a good portion of my vision a few years ago, a few helpful folks suggested, “Now you can be an umpire.”
And judging by what I’ve seen so far in the playoffs this year, maybe they’re right. The umpires so far have missed more calls than a teenager with their cell phones turned off.
Don’t get me wrong. I love umpires and some are good friends - like former umpire Bruce Froemming, who is now a major league umpire supervisor who watches games and grades the work of umpires, and Randy Marsh, who lives across the Ohio River from Great American Ball Park.
The job is tough, almost impossible. But these guys get it right - most of the time. I can’t count the number of times I’ve sat in the press box and watched a play with my naked eyes and said, “He missed that one.” Then I watched replays and realized, “He got it right.”
When the NFL and NCAA put in replay challenges, I thought it was an awful idea. But now that I’ve watched it a few years, I believe it is a great tool.
Isn’t the idea to get it right? And with the amazing technology available, why not use it?
Which brings me to baseball. It’s time for replay challenges, especially after watching about 10 incorrect calls so far in this postseason, including two missed calls Tuesday by umpire Tim McClelland in the ALCS involving the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Tim McClelland is a crew chief and an excellent umpire, but he blew two easy calls in one game Tuesday, plays that could have been called right if replay was used.
Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker is against replay and says, “It takes the human element out of the game and the human element is a big part of our game.”
Maybe so, but isn’t getting a call right more important, especially when it might decide the outcome of a game?
I never thought I’d ever say this, but the time is now for replay to be available. My proposal would to be give managers three challenges a game on every umpire’s call except balls and strikes. If a manager believes an umpire missed a call, he tosses a red hankie onto the field.
All this would require would be a fifth umpire seated in the pressbox with instant replay in front of him. Yes, baseball games already are too long, but what’s another ten minutes if it means getting a call right?
And if a game goes into extra innings, the replay calls are in the hands of the fifth umpire - he would review any close call and if it shows the call was missed, he reverses it.
Before technology in sports television became so sophisticated that if the catcher has a mole on his left check it is visible in your media room, they didn’t use enough close-ups and isolated cameras to show if a call was right or wrong.
And not so long ago, the home team was told not to show close plays or controversial plays on their scoreboards. But in recent years, that isn’t the case and all close plays are shown on the board, sometimes to the embarrassment of umpires, who have no access to replays. They see the play unfold and make a quick decision - usually getting it right. Usually.
Somewhere down the line, when an umpire makes a wrong call that costs the home team a game and it is shown on the scoreboard, they’ll have a European soccer riot on their hands.
So I say, with a heavy heart, install replay challenges.
Any of you have a better idea as far as different replay challenge systems? Or do you like it the way it is, permitting mistakes by umpires to possibly determine the outcome of an important game?
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Comments
By Pete
October 30, 2009 1:31 PM | Link to this
Being an official, I’m not a big fan of replay. But the MLB blue are certainly making things difficult to argue against it. They’ve not only stunk in the post-season. I watch A LOT of games during the year & they’ve stunk for quite some time in the regular season, too.
By Chad
October 29, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this
WHy does everything have to have replay? You people are ridiculous, let a sport stay a sport and be played on the field. Soon people will want fences in the woods so if they miss a deer while hunting they have a chance to get it right and shoot it. How about we have walls pop up when a light turns red so no one runs them, or better yet how about I come to your office and smack your hand every time you do something wrong or everytime your 2min late getting back from lunch…get over yourselves people its a sport watch it and enjoy it
By Gary Maloy
October 26, 2009 3:26 PM | Link to this
Ken Burkhardt. The worst d**d umpire I’ve ever seen. Arrogant @$$. Of course Carbo was safe. Of course the young Reds team was negatively affected by the play. Who knows how the ‘70 World Series had ended up if the Reds had won that game? I mean, Brooks was good, but that call was just terrible. And the fact that Burkhardt didn’t confer with the other umpires was just … well … arrogant. He knew he blew the play - or in the least didn’t see it. But he was too arrogant to ask for help. This is far too common in baseball. Blowing a call like that one - or the one in the ‘85 series has nothing to do with the human factor. It has to do with not being humble enough to ask for help! So simple.
By Getting It Right
October 25, 2009 9:45 PM | Link to this
Would there be any correlation between agreeing with Dusty and being against replays; and disagreeing with Obama because he represents change,from Dickie Bird, and better thought processes? You know, like having the opportunity to get it right, as opposed to being completely wrong.
By HavaKlu
October 24, 2009 3:30 AM | Link to this
I think the idea of managers being allowed challenges is stupid. Let there be that extra umpire upstairs who can quickly review plays and then signal the chief umpire if there is to be a reversal.
By Bruce
October 24, 2009 12:05 AM | Link to this
Why not look at the scoreboard screen of the replay? Don’t they always show it there right away? We see it right away at home…why can’t the umpire see it right away and make it right, if he missed it? Or, the crew chief could be designated to make any changes; or the whole crew votes. Ties keep the call the same as the original. It shouldn’t take long at all—then all mistakes{most anyway} will be corrected.
By redfuture
October 23, 2009 11:10 PM | Link to this
It’s the upiring calls at first and down the foul lines that are the most bothersome to me. Do you think the fact they use two extra umpires down the lines in the playoffs reduces the edge that umpires need to stay sharp? I think they would do a better job with just the four normal positions as they are used to.
By Bob
October 23, 2009 7:50 PM | Link to this
I liked your ideas, Hal. I would also like to see umpires chosen to playoffs for points earned, not because of the union. I’d like to see an umpire intervene on a blown call instead of just stand there like a post and let it go uncorrected. Bring back Jocko Conlan; if he’s available. He’d straighten it out.
By Scott
October 23, 2009 1:53 PM | Link to this
Don’t give the managers 3 challenges. Give them 1 per game. Once a call is overturned by review then the 5th ump will closely monitor the rest of the game (overturning calls if blatantly incorrect on the field).
By Scott
October 23, 2009 1:13 PM | Link to this
The calls in game 4 of the ALCS were the most horrible calls I have ever saw. Even the Fox broadcasters were stunned. Then they try and have a makeup call saying Swisher left the bag early. I would rather have correct calls than “make-up” calls. Johnny Damon being called out at 1st last night was another “make-up” call. Get it right umps.
By RC
October 23, 2009 12:39 PM | Link to this
I’m OK with replay, but against giving managers x number of challenges - in the absense of anything worth challenging, I can see guys using challenges to frost a pitcher for a minute, or to give their guy in the pen more time to warm up. The guy in the booth decides what to review. And BTW, I’d -love- to see an experiment, maybe in some minor league somewhere, using an electronic strike zone for a year. This whole “differnt umps have different strike zones” concept is a load, if you ask me.
By Harry the Horse
October 23, 2009 11:43 AM | Link to this
Tim McClelland is NOT an excellent umpire. In my opinion he is very mediocre umpire who because he has been around forever and had a famous run-in with George Brett earns better marks than he really deserves. First of all his ball and strikes calls is one of the most irritating things. He waits 5 seconds before he throws out his right arm so fans and announcers have to wait to see if the pitch is a ball or strike. Can’t someone in the MLB tell McClelland to speed it up?? It seems like McClelland likes controversy because it follows him throughout his career.. I’m glad to see he won’t be umpiring the World Series….
By Mike-Cinci
October 23, 2009 10:10 AM | Link to this
I see that Denkinger the ump who made the bad call in the Cards/Royals series in 1985 said he wished there was replay then. Replay would have reversed his call and he would have avoided the last 25 years of abuse, criticism, and bad memories.
By pat
October 23, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this
Anyway we could have instant replays in LIFE?
By Rick
October 23, 2009 9:34 AM | Link to this
Heck, let’s do away with umpires on the field. We can call balls and strikes electronically and post the result on the scoreboard and just use cameras which feed a computer to judge the play interpret the rule and make all the calls. All the calls will be perfect, the game will be faster, and the owners won’t have to pay umpires. Heck let’s just go to a giant video game and then we won’t need players either. Sorry Hal, on this one I disagree.
By Auctionfire.com
October 22, 2009 11:06 PM | Link to this
Hal, lets go with 1 replay per game per manager and then put it in the umpires hands for the 9th and 9th and beyond. Like you said the game is too long, I could see some disgruntled managers purposely using all 3 challenges just to drag out a blowout and drive everyone nuts. Otherwise give them up to 3 challenges but you only get the extra ones if the challenge before was upheld. So you surrender your remaining challenges if you were wrong. And while we are at it, I know balls and strikes is too much to review, but an umpire should receive a GRADE every game based on how his calls compared to a computer… lets see which umps favor which teams or pitchers… like you said the technology available is incredible it needs to be put to use the clean up the HUMAN ELEMENT which is all too fallible.
By Jim
October 22, 2009 10:26 PM | Link to this
Wow 2 more blown calls tonight.. the biggest was the NON strike 3 call to Jeter!!!!! that would have changed the out come of the inning and the Yanks dont score 6 runs!!! has to be a joke seing the replay shows its strike 3 and it goes against the Angels!!!
By Biff
October 22, 2009 9:46 PM | Link to this
Most baseball people, or anyone else, would disagree with Baker on this point, and many others.
By Steve @ the airport
October 22, 2009 1:32 PM | Link to this
Hey Hal, Why don’t you contact some of the Cardinal fans at that Italian restaurant you talked about or Whitey Herzog and Joaquin Andujar from the ‘85 Cardinals and ask them how they would feel about a review of the call Denkinger made at first base that cost them the ‘85 World Series. Or the call in the ‘70 Series when Bernie Carbo was called out at the plate when Elrod Hendricks tagged him with the catcher’s mitt and the ball was in his bare hand? I don’t remember who that umpire was but I know he was in the way and got knocked down and could not see the play but refused to ask for help. I don’t know that it would have mattered in the ‘70 Series but it definitely cost the Cards in ‘85.
By plbell627
October 22, 2009 12:01 PM | Link to this
Hal, I agree with the replay system. However, I think it might be more cost effective if they went by the NHL replay system which has all games viewed in New York. The replay official then makes a ruling on the play if it is challenged. That way it would be cost effective.
By Lee from Orlando
October 22, 2009 11:42 AM | Link to this
Oh, Hal, that’s just brilliant. Sure, by all means let’s make a bigger role for television within the game infrastructure. How could that possibly hurt the integrity and enjoyment of the game?
By GoPhils
October 22, 2009 11:32 AM | Link to this
Jamie, the reason your excellent suggestion of getting the best umps to call the games will not work is purely due to collective bargaining. The umpires union will never let that happen. If they did, the same dozen or so would be used every year and the rest of the membership would not get the chance to make the extra bucks.
By Steven Ross
October 22, 2009 11:17 AM | Link to this
Replay works in Hockey, usually in Football and in Basketball. Why not baseball? Last to the party and looking silly.
By Jamie
October 22, 2009 10:48 AM | Link to this
Maybe instead of jumping to such a radical change such as instant replay, perhaps first we should move to a system where umpires are asked to umpire important games based on their ratings. Because right now umpires are assigned to the playoffs and World Series simply based on a rotation and not their ability, so you don’t always have the best umpires working. Bad umpires equal bad calls. To erase human error from the game would be awful because it would change the game entirely.
By Paul
October 22, 2009 10:01 AM | Link to this
Not only only should they go with instant replay,(I noticed at least one)but they should eliminate this thing of appealing to the fist base a/o third base officials about whether or not the batter went thru a swing or not. That stinks. The home plate umpire sees the whole thing from up close let him decide.
By GoPhils
October 22, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this
If Dusty Baker ever manages a team that is a real contender, and his team’s outcome hinges on a blown call, I think he’ll sing a different tune. McClelland’s obvious bad calls (plural) are just the latest in a series of “human mistakes.” Since so much is riding on the outcomes, the time has come for MLB to get it right. But with Bud Selig at the helm, however, that is not likely.
By Bob
October 22, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this
As Hal said it’s all part of the game. Bottom of the 9th two outs the tyeing run on third, winning run on 2nd. the batter hits the ball to the second baseman. He lets the ball go though his legs and the winning run scores.Now do you want instant replay to allow the 2nd baseman another chance to change the outcome of the game. NOT
By Walt
October 22, 2009 9:14 AM | Link to this
Whatever happened to the other umpires getting together and discussing the play if warranted? It happens all the time in other sports. Surely the homeplate umpire had a good look at the double-play at thrid base. Afterall, the original play was coming toward him.
By Jamestown Joe
October 22, 2009 8:45 AM | Link to this
I think there should be instant replay, but why a set amount of challenges? Why can’t every call be corrected if it is wrong?
By rg4073
October 22, 2009 8:20 AM | Link to this
I like the idea, maybe with a tweak or two, but it’s time has arrived. Bet it won’t happen, though. After all, who’s going to pay for the 5th umpire in the pressbox?
By Sam
October 22, 2009 7:22 AM | Link to this
I agree with the replay idea, but only one challenge per 9 innings. Yes the games are too long but it’s more important to get it right. How about limiting a catcher’s visit to the mound to one an inning. It’s causing loooong delays in the playoff games.
By I agree
October 22, 2009 3:05 AM | Link to this
BUT I THINK IT SHOULD ONLY BE USED IN THE PLAYOFFS OR A RUNOFF GAME 163. PERHAPS A REGULAR SEASON GAME THAT MAY DECIDE THE PENNANT.
By I agree
October 22, 2009 3:04 AM | Link to this
BUT I THINK IT SHOULD ONLY BE USED IN THE PLAYOFFS OR A RUNOFF GAME 163. PERHAPS A REGULAR SEASON GAME THAT MAY DECIDE THE PENNANT.
By Gary Maloy Jr.
October 22, 2009 1:25 AM | Link to this
I agree that something has to be done. Sitting in Norway, and six hours ahead of the east coast, I watch highlights on the net. I haven’t seen the 10 missed calls. I did see the ball hit down the line that bounced fair and was called foul - incredible that neither the 3rd base umpire nor the homeplate umpire reversed that call! I also watched SB attempt. I watched it several times, and it seems to me that the 2nd baseman was given a gimme. The ball beat the runner, which is fine. But the glove was put down on the RF-corner of the base while the runner hit the infield-corner of 2nd base. If the runner manages to slide around the tag, then he is safe. Period. This is always the case on plays at the plate, but it seems that the middle infielders are give far too much credit for their defensive work.
By Mike-Cinci
October 21, 2009 9:53 PM | Link to this
Rain is expected on Friday. It’s surely is Dusty’s fault. Most baseball people would have the same opinion as Dusty and be against replays. You will see that opinion expressed by many over the next few weeks. However, I agree with Hal. The video technology has become so good that it makes sense to use replays. If everyone can see the Ump’s call is wrong the fair thing to do is use available technology to get it right. Can’t stop progress in any business. What ever happened to the typewriter and the rotary phone? A better way came along.
By Worn Cleat
October 21, 2009 8:54 PM | Link to this
This wouldn’t be the first time Dusty was wrong. He’s against having good competition in his lineups, as well. Plays ‘his boys’ to the detriment of his teams record. But, then that’s another story—a long one. Of course, the idea is to get it right. I’m not sure fans would mind more than three—if it means getting it right. In fact, I think each seat in the house should have a Yes/No button so we who doubt Baker’s wisdom in making out lineups can veto his miscues! Now THAT would fill some seats!
By Jeremy
October 21, 2009 8:36 PM | Link to this
If you were going to do it, I would say do it more like college football. Each coach would have only one challenge but every play could be reviewed by somebody upstairs, and when they think the umps should take a look at it, beep them on a pager and have them review it. The fact that baseball games are too long are the main reason that coaches should not be allowed three challenges. Oh, and of course D Baker doesn’t believe in it, he doesn’t believe in anything in baseball that makes any sort of sense.
By Jim M.
October 21, 2009 8:31 PM | Link to this
Hal, I agree.. i never seen so many blown calls ina postseason in my entire life. what bothers me?? seeing obvious calls when the umpire is looking dead on at the play (Mauers ball that hit fair and bounced into the seats & the pickoff at 2nd last night and the to runners not even touching 3rd base!!! ) Makes me wonder if soemthing is up with all the calls mostly going the Yankees way!! the cal at 3rd with Swisher tagging up and the umpire looking straight to center and then saying he left early i felt was a makeup for the blown pick off play. (the fans were loud knowing they could see the replays away from the field!!)..its ridiculous and i hope these same umpires never get to umpire a post season game again!!