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Timmy's Tidbits: Another Argument For Instant Replay In Baseball...It Turns Out The Rockies Didn't Win
By Tim McKernan Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Why Not Solve The Problem With Instant Replay?
 

I don't know the answer to that question. I really don't. The most often-used arguments are as follows:
 

1. Instant replay would take away the human element.
 

2. It would slow the game down too much.
 

Really? Would you rather have the "human element" (whatever the fuck that is) and a game that moves faster by what...5 minutes...than get it right?
 

That seriously makes no sense to me...and I say that before the inevitable blown call---hopefully in a Yankees-Red Sox ALCS so it will be treated like a global catastrophe---impacts the outcome of a postseason series.
 

Actually...it may have already happened...albeit during the regular season in the obscurity that was the Cardinals-Rockies game.
 

Now, if you watched the game, you saw the first base umpire, Sam Holbrook, absolutely Don Denkinger a call in the 9th when Skip Schumaker was clearly safe.
 

But, what you may not know is that, according to the Denver Post, the now famous pop fly that ended the game when Albert Pujols was doubled off first base wasn't actually caught by Rockies' second baseman Clint Barmes. Pictures galore document the ball hitting the ground.
 

I realize the Cardinals have clinched, but this season isn't over, and this week's games---including that one in Denver---still matter to the way things shape up for the NLDS and the NLCS. With six games remaining in the season, the Cardinals and Phillies are deadlocked at 90-66. The Dodgers have a 2.5 game lead on both of them. Homefield advantage is on the line...and the Cardinals got banged out of---at the very least---a tie game...if not a 9th inning lead.
 

But, at least the Cardinals, Phillies, and Dodgers are all in the playoffs. The Braves are just two games back of the Rockies, but if it weren't for Holbrook's blown call...which would've been easily overturned by a replay review...and the missed call on Barmes' drop, the Braves could very well be down just one game.
 

You play 162 games over six months...and what if, when it's all said and done on Sunday...the Braves miss catching the Rockies by one game...and the Cardinals finish 3rd out of all division winners by one game?
 

Would the "human element" and the five minutes saved be worth it?
 

The Blues Open The Scottrade Center Doors For This Weekend's Opener In Sweden
 
The Blues will be opening the Scottrade Center for a Blues vs. Detroit Red Wings Viewing Party on this Friday, October 2nd and this Saturday, October 3rd courtesy of Dish Network. Here are the details:

* Admission is Free to the General Public
* G/A Seating
* Set-up is comparable to Blues Training Camp
* Atrium doors only @ 1:30 p.m.
* Game Time is 2:00 p.m.
 

The insideSTL.com St. Louis Sports Game Ball
 
Yesterday, our poll question asked readers who got their St. Louis Sports Game Ball for the past weekend. Here are the final results:
 
1. Adam Wainwright: 60%
2. Blaine Gabbert: 25%
3. Jason La Rue: 11%
3. Danario Alexander: 7%
4. Kyle Boller: 5%
5. Steven Jackson: 2%
6. Albert Pujols: 1%
 

Log-in to post your comments, or you can email me at tmckernan@insidestl.com.
Comments
By bastardilla @ Tuesday, September 29, 2009 12:40 PM
If baseball were to do this, how about instituting a challenge system like the NFL? Each manager has two challenge flags that would have to be thrown out before the next pitch is thrown. Only two, though. But only to challenge safe/out calls or catch/no catch - not balls and strikes. That would counter the "makes the game too long argument" as the challenge shouldn't take longer than a pitching change, and could even generate some crowd excitement watching the replays.
By STLMojo @ Tuesday, September 29, 2009 9:03 PM
"I don't care if they make the right call, I just want the game to be over.... " That's basically what the "it will make the games too long" crowd is saying.

NL games don't take as long as AL games. If they want to shorten the game, get rid of the Designated Hitter.
By bastardilla @ Wednesday, September 30, 2009 10:39 AM
....or enforce that 20 second rule between pitches. By rule, from what I recall, if a pitcher does not throw a pitch within 20 seconds of the last pitch, the umpire is directed to call the non-pitch a ball. They could also stop granting multiple time-outs per at-bat (see: Derek Jeter, who asks for time every time he steps in the batter's box)
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