what i dont get

[expony18]

about the perfect game....

is that a sport with as many scandals as its had in the past few year, you would think selig would have the balls to stand up and do the right thing. instead he plays the "letter of the law" card, and does nothing. I feel bad for galarraga and even more so for joyce... selig had the opportunity to step up and do something, but instead he does what he usually does, nothing
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_Major ... -Star_Game ). Another solid move. yet one day bonds, mcgwire, and palmeiro will be in the hall of fame, all under seligs watch.

[mrydel]

I say let it stand as it is with the written understanding that if and when instant replay is expanded to include more than home run calls that this play will be grandfathered in and be reversed. It is sad enough for the kid to lose the perfect game but in one or two years the rules will change that to what would have allowed him to get it.

Then this one play will be the primary point of contention when the instant replay arguments continue. And both sides can argue either slower game but more correct calls, or in contrast, keep the human factor in the game.

[expony18]

slower plya is a mute point in baseball. either you're a fan or not. if you're a baseball fan the pace doesnt bother you. I have no problem watching a 4 1/2 hour duel between the sox and yankees. but im a fan. this sport is one that has delt with major issues, amphetamines, steroids, etc. I think it is clear that baseball will continue to expand the use of instant replay. How long would it have taken to review that one play? 90 seconds (including the walk to and from the tunnel)?

[mrydel]

slower plya is a mute point in baseball. either you're a fan or not. if you're a baseball fan the pace doesnt bother you. I have no problem watching a 4 1/2 hour duel between the sox and yankees. but im a fan. this sport is one that has delt with major issues, amphetamines, steroids, etc. I think it is clear that baseball will continue to expand the use of instant replay. How long would it have taken to review that one play? 90 seconds (including the walk to and from the tunnel)?

I agree with you. I love baseball, especially live. I am just saying that this particular play will be the standard bearer for argument both for and against as the debate goes on. My main point is that I am less concerned with them overturning it today than I am with the fact that if they do not, next year it will probably be a reviewable play and the kid will still not have his perfect game unless they work it into the agreement.

[expony18]

yeah i agree. my main issue is that that everyone in the situation did a great job of handling this execept selig

[Dooby]

Slow play is not part of baseball any more than it is in golf. Neither game is timed. The PGA won't let you play slow. MLB could easily warn teams or award a walk or an out for slow play. Indeed, it is already the rule because under MLB rules, an unreasonable delay may constitute a balk.

[RednBlue11]

this incident was the nail in the coffin on my opinion of Bud Selig...that crotchety old fart...let's send him and Gary bettman to hell spoonign through the 7 circles...

this is kind of like that hand ball that got France into the world cup a few months back...FIFA is just another collection of gutless [deleted]

[Longtime]

If Selig overturns the call, he will be getting appeals every week. He will be opening a door that can never be closed again.

This was not a World Series or playoff game. It did not affect who makes the postseason. It did not even affect the outcome of this particular game. The Tigers still won.

A perfect game is simply a statistical achievement, nothing more. That's not worthy of invoking the "best interests of the game" clause.

And as for "real fans" not minding 4 hour games - baloney. The games back in the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s - when baseball really was the national pastime - did not take 3 hours, much less 4 hours. It's only in the TV age, with commercial breaks and primping batters who have to step out after every pitch - that the average game has drawn on so long.

If baseball games always took four hours, baseball would never have become so popular. Baseball needs a lot more fans than merely those who can afford to spend four hours or more watching them.

[PonyKai]

It would be completely shameful for Selig to change history like that. A commissioner shouldn't have the power to do that, let alone one like Selig. What happened, happened. It's history...what are we going to call it, 27*?

[couch 'em]

I don't watch much baseball so excuse my ignorance, but can't all the refs get together and discuss a call, and change it on the field like in football? Why didn't another ref simply call a short meeting and change it?

[mrydel]

No one was closer and had a better view than the ifrst base umpire who called it. He thought he was right until he saw the replay after the game.

[expony18]

9.02
(a) Any umpire’s decision which involves judgment, such as, but not limited to, whether a batted ball is fair or foul, whether a pitch is a strike or a ball, or whether a runner is safe or out, is final. No player, manager, coach or substitute shall object to any such judgment decisions.
Rule 9.02(a) Comment: Players leaving their position in the field or on base, or managers or coaches leaving the bench or coaches box, to argue on BALLS AND STRIKES will not be permitted. They should be warned if they start for the plate to protest the call. If they continue, they will be ejected from the game.
(b) If there is reasonable doubt that any umpire’s decision may be in conflict with the rules, the manager may appeal the decision and ask that a correct ruling be made. Such appeal shall be made only to the umpire who made the protested decision.
(c) If a decision is appealed, the umpire making the decision may ask another umpire for information before making a final decision. No umpire shall criticize, seek to reverse or interfere with another umpire’s decision unless asked to do so by the umpire making it.
Rule 9.02(c) Comment: The manager or the catcher may request the plate umpire to ask his partner for help on a half swing when the plate umpire calls the pitch a ball, but not when the pitch is called a strike. The manager may not complain that the umpire made an improper call, but only that he did not ask his partner for help. Field umpires must be alerted to the request from the plate umpire and quickly respond. Managers may not protest the call of a ball or strike on the pretense they are asking for information about a half swing.
Appeals on a half swing may be made only on the call of ball and when asked to appeal, the home plate umpire must refer to a base umpire for his judgment on the half swing. Should the base umpire call the pitch a strike, the strike call shall prevail.
Baserunners must be alert to the possibility that the base umpire on appeal from the plate umpire may reverse the call of a ball to the call of a strike, in which event the runner is in jeopardy of being out by the catcher’s throw. Also, a catcher must be alert in a base stealing situation if a ball call is reversed to a strike by the base umpire upon appeal from the plate umpire.
The ball is in play on appeal on a half swing.
On a half swing, if the manager comes out to argue with first or third base umpire and if after being warned he persists in arguing, he can be ejected as he is now arguing over a called ball or strike.
(d) No umpire may be replaced during a game unless he is injured or becomes ill.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO UMPIRES
Umpires, on the field, should not indulge in conversation with players. Keep out of the coaching box and do not talk to the coach on duty.
Keep your uniform in good condition. Be active and alert on the field.
Be courteous, always, to club officials; avoid visiting in club offices and thoughtless familiarity with officers or employees of contesting clubs. When you enter a ball park your sole duty is to umpire a ball game as the representative of baseball.
Do not allow criticism to keep you from studying out bad situations that may lead to protested games. Carry your rule book. It is better to consult the rules and hold up the game 10 minutes to decide a knotty problem than to have a game thrown out on protest and replayed.
Keep the game moving. A ball game is often helped by energetic and earnest work of the umpires.
You are the only official representative of baseball on the ball field. It is often a trying position which requires the exercise of much patience and good judgment, but do not forget that the first essential in working out of a bad situation is to keep your own temper and self-control.
You no doubt are going to make mistakes, but never attempt to “even up” after having made one. Make all decisions as you see them and forget which is the home or visiting club.
Keep your eye everlastingly on the ball while it is in play. It is more vital to know just where a fly ball fell, or a thrown ball finished up, than whether or not a runner missed a base. Do not call the plays too quickly, or turn away too fast when a fielder is throwing to complete a double play. Watch out for dropped balls after you have called a man out.
Do not come running with your arm up or down, denoting “out” or “safe.” Wait until the play is completed before making any arm motion.
Each umpire team should work out a simple set of signals, so the proper umpire can always right a manifestly wrong decision when convinced he has made an error. If sure you got the play correctly, do not be stampeded by players’ appeals to “ask the other man.” If not sure, ask one of your associates. Do not carry this to extremes, be alert and get your own plays. But remember! The first requisite is to get decisions correctly. If in doubt don’t hesitate to consult your associate. Umpire dignity is important but never as important as “being right.”
A most important rule for umpires is always “BE IN POSITION TO SEE EVERY PLAY.” Even though your decision may be 100 percent right, players still question it if they feel you were not in a spot to see the play clearly and definitely. Finally, be courteous, impartial and firm, and so compel respect from all.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/of ... pire_9.jsp

[expony18]

If Selig overturns the call, he will be getting appeals every week. He will be opening a door that can never be closed again.

This was not a World Series or playoff game. It did not affect who makes the postseason. It did not even affect the outcome of this particular game. The Tigers still won.

A perfect game is simply a statistical achievement, nothing more. That's not worthy of invoking the "best interests of the game" clause.

And as for "real fans" not minding 4 hour games - baloney. The games back in the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s - when baseball really was the national pastime - did not take 3 hours, much less 4 hours. It's only in the TV age, with commercial breaks and primping batters who have to step out after every pitch - that the average game has drawn on so long.

If baseball games always took four hours, baseball would never have become so popular. Baseball needs a lot more fans than merely those who can afford to spend four hours or more watching them.

from 2005-2007 the avg college football game length was: 3:21:17, 3:07:24, 3:23:04.
and i bet you would have no problem sitting there an extra 5 minutes to watch a call for SMU get reviewed?

It's also pretty popular and it takes over 3 hours??

http://www.cfbstats.com/blog/2008/02/18 ... cast_data/

[smupony94]

What I don't get is people watching baseball

[Wuba]

If they want to speed up the game they will make the umpires call the strike zone the way it was meant to be called, but then there would be a lot less scoring and they do not want that.