3 Leads

Twist

    In the history of Major League Baseball, only 20 pitchers have thrown a perfect game, a game in which no players of the opposing team are allowed on base. On a warm June night, 29 year old pitcher Armando Gallaraga was one out away from pitching his way into the history books as one of the few who had achieved perfection. However, the final play of the game would come to be remembered as one of the most controversial moments in baseball history.After hitting a slow ground ball towards first baseman Miguel Cabrera, the final batter hustled down the baseline as Gallaraga rushed to cover the bag and make the final out. The play happened in a split second. To the viewer watching on TV, as well as the people watching the instant replay later, it was clearly the last out of an extraordinary game. His face revealing no emotion, first base umpire Jim Joyce had a different opinion. With a swift horizontal motion of both his arms, he called the runner safe, and changed everything.

Anecdote

    Whenever I make a call, it’s always met with a chorus of boos and cheers. That’s part of the game. I’m an umpire, and the league that I work for on my spare Saturdays and Sundays is full of protective parents and rowdy fans. I’ve had to call the police, kick people out of games, and argue with men who I would normally show only respect. Whenever I watch a professional baseball game I always watch the umpires, constantly trying to pick up tips. However, professional baseball umpiring is in danger of submitting to the increasing demands for instant replay during games. I’m here to tell you why that’s the worst mistake Major League Baseball could possibly make.

Direct Address

    Watch a Major League Baseball game, and you might notice just how many close calls there are. Oftentimes, plays occur within a split second, the runner’s foot and the smack of the ball being caught in the glove sounding  simultaneously. Being the umpire, you're faced with an immediate decision. You barely have any time to think before making the motion of your arms that signals out or safe. An entire game can rest on one call. And what happens when umpires make the wrong one? Some argue for instant replay systems. I say no.

Jamie