Instant replay is making a bigger impact on sports today then we thought it was.

Home runs change not only the score by one swing of the bat, but can change the whole momentum of the game. Owners and managers of teams fought over instant replay for many years and in August of 2008, Major League Baseball was the last major professional sport in the U.S.A. to adopt instant replay for controversial calls. Instant replay started slowly in the MLB by only reviewing home runs at first.At first, replay could only be used when the ball was to be determined fair or foul, to determine if the ball has left the playing field, or if the home run was interferred with a fan.

The first uproar of initiating instant replay in baseball was when Derek Jeter hit a flyball to the fence in a 1996 playoff game where it was caught by a fan over the fence above the field of play. This game altering catch allowed the Yankees to tie the score and go onto win the game. This created the first outcry of players, managers, and fans to use instant replay.
Major League Baseball instant replays making the correct calls.

Instant replay is now a part of coaching strategies that they can challenge. The expansion of instant replay allowed managers one challenge per game. If the challenge was to be successful, that team would be rewarded another challenge. Most plays challenged by managers are tag plays, close plays at first base, and home runs.The umpires also have the discretion to look at a play after the conclusion of the 6th inning without a managers challenge if the play is close. These challenged calls would be looked at the headquarters of the MLB and are over turned roughly 50 percent of the time. Some plays may not be accurate, but if there is no conclusive evidence of overturning the call the play stands as called on the field.

A main reason for hesitation of instant replay in the MLB is the time it takes to replay a call. The MLB's main concern is to entertain the viewers and depending on a review it could take up to at most six minutes. That is six minutes of watching no action. Time is a major concern of losing viewers and taking away from the game itself. The MLB has been criticzed in the past for its slow pace games and taking time to review a play could take away from the viewers experience. The MLB will decide if they want right calls or they want the fan experience to be more exciting.

Professional baseball player Matt Swope(Drafted by the Montreal Expos in 2002)

National Football League allowing challenges making the game a bit more exciting.
The NFL allows two challenges per game and if both are successful that team is rewarded another one. If one or both challenged plays is unsuccessful the team is not rewarded another challenge play. NFL refs are known for excessive flags nowadays and penalties aren't allowed to be challenged even if the play is obvious. Challenged plays include spot of the ball, if a player did catch a ball, fumbles, and other such plays.

The NFL has had some major shakes in instant replay system. In 1986 the Oakland Raiders wide reciever caught a touchdown pass in the back of the end zone. The play was ruled a touchdown, but was reviewed. This play was seen upstairs in the review room as "no good pass incomplete. The message was delivered through walkie talkies as "pass incomplete" where the head ref called the play "pass complete." The raiders went on to win the game by a touchdown and the media took its anger out on the referees.

The instant replay has been off and on since then, but has now become a major part of the sport. New and improved cameras have made it much easier for officials to determine plays. But the league still has been criticized for caught passes. The league has made stricter rules on controlling the ball and this makes refs jobs in reviewing plays a lot tougher. Even with the new technology it is hard to determine if a player controls possession of the ball throughout the completion of the pass.

All major sports have been affected by human error by making the correct call.
In 2010, Armando Galarraga was pitching the game of his life. He was one out away from a perfect game. He threw a curve ball that was hit on the ground to first base where it was caught and there was a close play at first. The runner, clearly out, was called say by an MLB umpire. A game that comes once in a lifetime was taken away by a simple human error and was unable to review because instant replay was not available yet. This one play had a major impact on the entire baseball world of implementing the new system of instant replay of more than just home runs.

Professional baseball player Matt Swope(Drafted by the Montreal Expos in 2002)

In 2012, Green Bay Packers corner back intercepted a pass in the end zone to end the game. Golden Tate of the Seahawks also had his hands around the ball. The play was a clear interception, but replay was available so they looked at it. The NFL refs were in a lockout so interim refs were in place and were not used to these types of big game plays. The refs ruled it a completed pass for the Seahawks which counted for a touchdown to win the game.

In 2015, Chicago Blackhawks were playing Game 2 of a playoff series. The game went to double overtime were a controversial goal was scored by Andrew Shaw. Shaw of the Blackhawks headbutted the puck into the net where it was called on the ice as a good goal. Refs reviewed the play in what they call the "War Room" in the NHL headquarters in Toronto. The goal was called back upon review because of a deliberate motion of headbutting the puck into the net. The refs made the correct call and the game continued.

College Baseball involving instant replay for arenas that supply the technology needed.
Instant replay started in NCAA Divison I Baseball in the College World Series in 2012. It started with the same instant replay rules as the MLB started with, but soon expanded to further options of replay in later years. Instant replay is not mandatory, but can be used if the suitable equipment for instant replay is available at the ballpark.

Instant replay is available at all College World Series games played in Omaha and is available at most major baseball programs now. The advantage of having equipment approved for instant replay can help a team host playoff games if they advance. The NCAA committee chooses 64 teams to compete in the playoffs with 16 hosting sites. Having available instant replay is a big part of the resume needed to host playoff games.

University of Maryland Head Baseball Coach John Szefc

Instant replay in College Baseball is a rising subject of making in mandaotry in all parks. The NCAA has seen the impact it has made on making the right call in the MLB and it may be coming to all NCAA Division I ballparks.

New technology may be taking over for refs and umpires in the future.
Human error being part of being a ref is being overlooked as bad decision making in quick game situations. A high controversial topic is the strike zone is baseball. This may be the first big step to taking away umpire from the game all together. The MLB is looking into making an automatic strike zone created by special cameras in calling games. Business insider said "Umpires are getting better, but are still not very good."

University of Maryland Head Baseball Coach John Szefc

Technology is even creeping its way into high school sports. Technology is being used to make the kids better and being able to figure out what is wrong with their technique. Kids are getting use to this new technology and will eventually grow into the technology being used in college and professional sports.

Goal line cameras in football being used on almost every scoring play just to make sure its the correct call, reviewing a lot of home run balls just to
make sure they actually went out, and checking he replay to make sure a player shot the ball before the shot clock are all examples of how technology is taking over. We are getting closer to a sports world with little to no refs. we are taking steps closer to making it all technology based with every call being correct. We are shifting to a new chapter of how we play sports.

Coaches, players, and fans have mixed emotions of video replay.
Most fans, players, and coaches were hesitant to stray from the human error part of refs, but saw it happening no matter what in the very near future. Most welcoming instant replay in the MLB with open arms, but their still war the doubters.


Most players and coaches agree instant replay was a necessary part to implement into baseball, but only should be used for two main reasons. According to an article by the MLB, "Its important to get the call right, and instant replay should be limited to home runs only. Leave the other calls-- balls and strikes, safe and out-- up to the umpires, without the help of a television screen."

Most other sports are the same way. Hesitant at first because of the change in the game, but realize the significance it can make on a game. Getting the call right is what the coaches, players, and fans wan, but to take away from the game itself is damaging the integrity of the game itself. Doesn't matter what the sport is, taking time out of the game to review a play hurts the players and especially strays the fans attention away from the game. Fans go to support their team and expect high energy, exciting game that they can watch. Instant replay and reviewing plays takes away from that and could inevitably hurt the game.