I agree with Joe Maddon, Brad Ausmus, Mike Scioscia and the host of other major league managers who have complained this season about instant replay. It does feel like there have been an unusual amount of calls that should have been changed, but have not been.
When that happens managers are faced with a decision: Say nothing and just take it, or say one word and be immediately ejected. Players and managers are not allowed to argue after a play has been reviewed.
But the data doesn't really back up what we think we might be seeing. In 2014, 52.4 percent of calls were overturned. In 2015 that number has been 52.6%. They're changing just as many.
Maybe managers had a similar opinion last year, but were more patient with replay in its inaugural season.
The observation has been suggested that possibly umpires, who are under more scrutiny than ever, have been trying to back each other up and change fewer calls. Maybe. Instant replay told us that umpires got 608 calls wrong in 2014. Nobody likes to be corrected, especially more than half the time.
Maddon has a suggestion: get umpires out of the replay room in New York City and try another group. "I think you should get a bunch of nerds back there that know how to look at a videotape and then come to a conclusion. I think it would be much more interesting that way."
Interesting? Maybe. Better? Probably not. Despite what Rob might think.
Trained umpires are the way to go. Men who have made their lives about knowing and studying the rules of Major League Baseball inside and out, and who have made a career out of officiating games are still the most qualified to do the job.
A review board to go over replay decisions at the end of the season is likely a better idea. Umpires could get graded on how they have been on their replay shifts. I'm sure they would love that.
Either way, let's save the nerds for blogs like this one.
