WILL POWER REPORT: INSTANT REPLAY FOR BASEBALL

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Nothing but the Truth!
 

Instant Replay for Baseball

October 23, 2009 -- I love baseball- in spite of the drugs, the drinking, the cheating, and the high salaries. But I hate the egregiously bad calls which affect the outcome of games, series, careers, and franchises.

In the recent playoff series there were at least four rulings that were wrong. A fair fly ball was ruled foul, even though the defending outfielder touched the ball in fair territory. A pick-off play at second base showed a player was out, but the umpire ruled him safe from two feet away. Then there was the comical ‘Who’s on third?” play, where two base-runners, standing off the base were both tagged out. But only one was ruled out. The umpire later admitted ‘I wasn’t watching his feet!” A base-runner who clearly tagged up legally on a sacrifice fly was ruled out.

So- it is time. It is time for instant replay in baseball. In fact, I would really like a laser system developed to measure balls and strikes. It would work better than what passes for subjective ball and strikes.

The Home Plate umpire can easily throw a game by subtle changes in the strike zone. Clearly, it is easier to swing freely on a 3-0 count than on an 0-2 count. If a laser system could measure balls and strikes, it would ensure that home teams could not intimidate umpires and swing games.

All games are already televised and multiple cameras make video review a simple task of viewing the video tape. All angles are covered. I don’t see a problem.

Fans deserve a fair playing field. Eliminating umpires mistakes may actually increase the fan base and get America’s pastime back on top. Clearly, the current umpires are incompetent. Fans deserve a level playing field.
 


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Comments

Earnie Miles Story

I am profoundly grateful and privilege to share my personal comments with respect to Mr. Earnie Miles, truly a Man for All Seasons: During my fifty plus years of aquaintance with Mr. Miles mostly as a friend and as a high school student under his guidance in the late nineteen fifties, I will not hesitate to say he has always been meticulous and thorough. Mr. Miles leadership as our math teacher was not only persuasive but also motivating, thus producing a very high level of efficiency, productivity and moral among his students. Through the years Earnie Miles has shown self conifidence and decisiveness in most all situation particularly when his challenges were most difficult, his record speak for it's self, he has an amazing career, he is just like old man river, he continues to roll on. I will always remember Miles for his dedication and his williness to help others. Also, I respect Mr. Miles for continuing to educate the public through his commentaries on the air and in various newspapers. I have great admiration for Mr. Miles and I am profoundly grateful for the impact that he has had on my life. I can say with confidence, despite his long and never seem to end career, I will always support him with what ever endeavor he chooses to pursue now or in the future. Earnie Miles is truly a man for all seasons and I commend him for his wonderful contributions to our society. Thanks, Alton Bell, Fresno, CA

" Earnie Miles, A Man for All Seasons"

Alton Bell's comments were to be attributed to my article on Earnie Miles, "Earnie Miles, A Man For All Seasons," and had nothing to do with "Instant Replay For Baseball."