Kyle Reminick
American Literature
Mrs. Levine
Research Paper
April 8th, 2014
Video Replay in Baseball
The most frustrating moment for a fan is having their team lose because of a blown call made by the umpire. Human error is present in baseball as it is in any other activity. If the error is made by the player, nothing can be done to reverse or change that play, but if it is made by the umpire some feel there should be a replay process. The debate over having video replay for umpires is a popular topic when it comes to baseball, and like any other debate, there are two sides to the topic that both have good arguments. Baseball should incorporate replay during baseball games but it should be limited to only on specific plays. As it stands right now replay is used solely on homeruns, but it still needs to be expanded upon more. Baseball needs to look into expanding the role of instant replay in order to make sure that each team gets a fair chance to win.
The argument for instant replay is very strong. Through past experiences there is enough evidence that would warrant the expansion of baseball. Baseball has incorporated replay during games a little, allowing it on homeruns only. Don Denkinger a former MLB umpire, most famous for his blown call in game 6 of the 1985 World Series that helped the Kansas City Royals beat the St. Louis Cardinals, gave his opinion on the weather replay should be used. “There are so many areas you can use instant replay. Maybe instant replay can clean things up. If a play is missed, it can be corrected. I didn’t feel that way in ’85, but I feel that way now” (Espn.com). Denkinger experienced firsthand why instant replay may be good for baseball. Denkinger also says that if the...
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...man error is part of the game of baseball. Video replay has the ability to eliminate most of the error that is present but, the error is part of the excitement baseball provides. The MLB needs to make sure that in the possible expansion of replay the excitement does not leave the game. The use of expanded replay on homeruns, fair/foul calls, and plays at the plate will keep that excitement alive for all viewers and players. The proponents and opponents of expanded replay both have strong arguments on whether or not replay should be used more. In the end both sides need to make a compromise because something needs to be done with the game deciding blown calls that are happening much more frequently in baseball. Baseball is the number 2 most grossing sport in America, and a success transition to standard would, without a doubt, keep them at the number two spot.
Critics say that it takes away from the way the game is supposed to be played. The rule, actually brings out the pureness of the game. It lets the hitters concentrate on hitting and the pitchers on pitching.
Cutting two leagues would save clubs over $600,000 per year in player expenses alone (See Figure 3). And while there are many benefits to adopting the NHL model in regards to draft rights retention, having more players in college would decrease the amount of players in the lower minors and decrease the amount of competition. Having college baseball in effect replace the lower minor league levels will remove the need for these levels as well as giving MLB a way to balance out the costs of increasing salaries.
The biggest change which would make the players seriously think about taking anabolic steroids revolves around the consequences for taking these drugs. The consequences for taking steroids have to be much stronger than they are now. For the first positive test, I would like the player to be suspended for one full season. Hopefully losing a year’s worth of salary would stop them from ever using the steroids again. If there is a second offense, I feel the player should be given a lifetime ban from the MLB. Yes this is much tougher than the current policy, but the player has cheated at his profession. They were given another chance and they ruined it, so they deserve to be given a lifetime ban.
Baseball?s reputation has been painted with a red asterisk. The non-medical use of steroids has been banned according to the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990. Many baseball athletes have been caught or presumed illegal users of HGH or Steroids since the act passed in 1990. All these athletes have one thing in common, they want to have an edge or advantage on the game. Some athletes even admit to administering the drug to other athletes and themselves. Jose Conseco testified to personally injecting the steroids into Mark McGuire (Cote).
...the responsibility to manage a team of drug-enhanced players and pain-killer abusing pitchers. Until baseball finds its lost priorities it has lost respect and is going to represent a sport of players who would rather sell their souls, and get a way with it, than to be true honest ball players.
Ever since the beginning of baseball players have been trying to bend the rules in order to give themselves a competitive edge over their opponent. Even people who do not watch baseball know about players 10 years ago using steroids and players just this year using biogenesis, but not many people realize that there is still cheating going on.
Baseball has been of the longest living sports in our world today. The game started with the idea of a stick and ball and now has become one of the most complex sports known in our society. Several rules and regulations have been added to help enhance the game for everyone. Although baseball has endured several issues during its history and development of the game the game has still been a success throughout the world.
First the rule in the NFL was that the play would be an automatic penalty, would result in player fine, and an additional fifteen yards would be added from where the foul was committed. The play is reviewable; however, if the call on the field does not stand the player is not fined, but it is still a fifteen yard penalty. A lot of coaches and other National Football League associates disagreed with that section of the rule and after debates and discussions the rule was changed. As of the season, if the play is reviewed and there is not an actual penalty then
Steroids are unhealthy for baseball players and they are giving the game of baseball a bad reputation. Since steroids have become such a hot topic in Major League Baseball (MLB) fans have had nothing but bad things to say about the sport and its players. When sports illustrated asked some of its readers to give reaction to the steroid controversy in the MLB here is what baseball fan Howard Langsner from New York had to say 'Horrible, just horrible. We take Olympic medals away from athletes on steroids, but we're supposed to look the other way in MLB because a guy can make the ball go further? Drug testing is commonplace everywhere, and used in other sports, as the article mentioned. Baseball should be no different'. Matt Bookman of San Jose, California writes 'That's it. I'm done as a baseball fan until MLB has a comprehensive drug testing policy. I feel so naive. I really thought that the players had gotten bigger and stronger because they had learned the value of hitting the weight room and staying in shape during the off season. It breaks my heart that I won't be able to give my children the same experience I had growing up -- to go to the ballpark and feel good about your guys and cheer on your team.' The fans reaction speaks for itself but MLB should not sit back and let steroids take over a game that was at one time America?s pastime. In this paper research will be given on what exactly are anabolic steroids and how they can affect your body, testing policies, the effectiveness of steroids on players and major league baseball.
Do you think its fair that players are credited for what they do, when cheating the game? Mark McGwire excelled at the game of baseball and got credit for all of his accomplishments, yet he cheated the game and used steroids. Babe Ruth, considered one of the greatest baseball players to play the game of baseball, who never cheated and set a great example for all who play baseball. Baseball has drastically changed over the years, especially in the cheating scandals of steroids; Babe Ruth set a great example by excelling in the sport and doing it clean, contrasting with Mark McGwire. Their existence shows how society accepted honesty and doing it the clean way in Babe’s era and how society accepts the scandals and dishonesty of Mark’s era.
Why should steroids not be allowed in Major League Baseball? That seems to be the question that is plaguing the so called, "America's pastime." The MLB is not the only sports league having a problem with this issue, but it seems that most of the time a player is caught using steroids; he is associated with the Major Leagues. This was very intriguing for me because baseball is both my father's and my favorite sport. I grew up watching baseball with him almost every single night and now that the game has been "tainted" with drug use, I feel it has been shamed by those who do use steroids.
A travel of over 3000 miles for some, a 210 mile drive for me, just to arrive at the biggest gathering of over 1,500 twelve year olds; all just to play baseball. The only place that would be suitable for such an event is Cooperstown Dream Parks, every baseball players heaven. Cars have come to Cooperstown from everywhere for this week long tournament. I met children my age from all over the United states. I became friends with kids from Ohio, Illinois, California, I even met a player from Puerto Rico who barely spoke any english. The windows of everyone 's car decorated with the names and numbers of teams and players. Excited baseball teams spill from their Barracks and hustle toward the already crowded seating area. Festive music played over
Many people don't understand the point in playing baseball. Why would someone swing a stick, hit a ball, and try to get back to where they started before the ball returns? What pleasure is there in that? Why not participate in a sport like wrestling or track where there is an obvious level of individual improvement and therefore pleasure. Well, I play baseball because of the love I have for the sport, and because of the feeling that overwhelms me every time I walk onto a baseball field. When I walk onto a field I am given the desire to better myself not only as an athlete, but also as a person. The thoughts and feelings I get drive me to work hard towards my goals and to be a better person. The most relevant example of these feelings is when I stepped on the field at Runyon Complex in Pueblo, Colorado during our high school state playoffs in 2003. This baseball field will always be an important place to me.
One of the biggest fears for a MLB player is to injure a fan as a result of one of their foul balls. Justin Verlander, pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, was asked the question about fan safety he said “It seems like something happens once a game, where a ball just misses a fan, inevitably, it’s always small kids or a woman that you know. It’s something that needs to be looked at, hopefully before someone’s life gets taken”. Fans and players alike are concerned for the overall wellbeing of the fans. The National Hockey League (NHL) had the same problem 20 years ago where pucks would fly up in the crowd striking and injuring fans.. The NHL was not concerned about he dangers until March 20, 2002 when sadly a puck went flying into the stands striking a 13-year-old girl and killed her. Immediately after this incident, the NHL made every hockey rink have safety netting up at both ends of the ice rink. Since then, there have been no incidences of fans being struck by pucks. The MLB needs to take a stand before someone’s life is
In brief, steroids should be legalized in professional sports for they can make the games a more exciting experience for society. Also, if all the athletes took steroids all the players would play equally. Sports fans can see who truly is the best player and their true potential. Under proper doctor supervision, steroids can be injected safely. Steroid doping and other have become the biggest scourge of professional sports leagues, and that’s why it may be time they were made legal. Athletes are never going to stop intaking the drugs and banning the drugs in sports will never be successful. We can all choose whether or not to improve and to be the better person or to stay normal.