What’s The Point

By Mike Rifkin

In the fifth inning of Tuesday’s Mets-Reds game, Reds outfielder  Wil Myers knocked a ball away from Mets Shortstop Francisco Lindor during a play. He should have been ruled out because Myers touched a live ball during play. Instead, the umpires said they didn’t see it in a call, which was a big part of the game. The play led to Mets manager Buck Showalter being ejected for the first time this season. 

Showalter said after the game, “It’s pretty obvious what it was, but it’s hard to imagine four guys not being able to see what happened. There’s about three ways you could get that play right.” Lindor said after the game, “I can’t blame the umpires for getting that call wrong even though they got it wrong because the game is going very fast. Get help from the cameras. Slow the game down and see if there’s a way of making the right call.” 

In 2008 MLB started using replay for home runs only, then in 2014, MLB gave each manager a challenge, and if the challenge were ruled in their favor, they would keep it; if they lost it, they’re out of challenges. But managers cannot challenge things like the play being discussed here, but my question is, if you’re using review, shouldn’t EVERYTHING be reviewable? No, I am not talking balls and strikes, although, on Television, they use the little strike zone to argue that for themselves. Plus, all the talk of robot umpires is coming. But replay is about getting it right, so nothing should be off the table regarding challenges. How would MLB handle this situation if this play decided a game in the Playoffs? Replay isn’t about hurting the umpire’s feelings. It’s about making the correct call which everyone wants to happen. 

Now this is not just on MLB; the NBA, NFL, AND NHL all use replay for certain things that are subject to review. But why have the replay if we can’t use it for everything? It’s all about getting calls right.e challenge was ruled in their favor they would keep the challenge, if they lost the challenge then they’re out of challenges. But they’re things managers cannot challenge like the play being discussed here but my question is if you’re using review shouldn’t EVERYTHING be reviewable? No, I am not talking balls and strikes although on Television they use the little strikezone to argue that for themselves.Plus all the talk of robot umpires coming. But replay is about getting it right, which is why nothing should be off the table when it comes to challenges. How would MLB handle this situation if this play decided a game in the Playoffs? This isn’t about hurting the umpires feelings this is about making the correct call which everyone wants to happen. 

Now this is not just on MLB, the NBA, NFL AND NHL all use replay for certain things that are subject to review. But why have the replay if we can’t use it for everything. This is all about getting calls right.