Instant Replays at the Stadium, Ensberg Homer

[Navin R Johnson]

I got into a discussion with someone at the park last night regarding instant replays on the jumbotron.   Specifically, the lack thereof controversial/close call replays.

I was told/heard/read somewhere, way back when, that the reason they weren't shown was because the Umpires union wouldn't allow them to, out of fear of the Umps looking bad.

Is that true, or is it an urban legend?

On Ensberg's homer, where exactly did it hit?   From the replay I have seen (online and grainy) it appears to hit the yellow padding on the rail and come back into play??  Did it actually hit the padding and then go off the facade or something?    If it just hit the yellow line, it wouldn't have been a homer, right?

[mihoba]

It hit right on top of the railing (painted yellow) beside the Crawfords.

Ground rules at MMPUS.

[Frobie]

Ball lodges under or behind tarp - DEAD BALL.

Is there really a tarp at MMP?

[Limey]

Is there really a tarp at MMP?

Yes there is.  Maybe it's required by MLB regardless of the flip-toppedness of MMPUS.  Maybe it's in case the roof jams open.  But it is there.

[JimR]

I got into a discussion with someone at the park last night regarding instant replays on the jumbotron.   Specifically, the lack thereof controversial/close call replays.

I was told/heard/read somewhere, way back when, that the reason they weren't shown was because the Umpires union wouldn't allow them to, out of fear of the Umps looking bad.

Is that true, or is it an urban legend?

On Ensberg's homer, where exactly did it hit?   From the replay I have seen (online and grainy) it appears to hit the yellow padding on the rail and come back into play??  Did it actually hit the padding and then go off the facade or something?    If it just hit the yellow line, it wouldn't have been a homer, right?

i believe that is very true.

[subnuclear]

In my recent experience at RFK, it seems 50% of the crowd buy tickets so that pictures of themselves can be shown on the Jumbotron.  Showing replays would take time away from this thrilling experience.

[Waldo]

i believe that is very true.

Considering the rhetoric coming out of the commissioner's office after Frank Pulli used replay on his own initiative a few years ago, I wouldn't be surprised if it was an MLB mandate.  Not necessarily to prevent the umps from looking bad, but to remove the temptation of considering replay as an option.

[mihoba]

I got into a discussion with someone at the park last night regarding instant replays on the jumbotron.   Specifically, the lack thereof controversial/close call replays.

I was told/heard/read somewhere, way back when, that the reason they weren't shown was because the Umpires union wouldn't allow them to, out of fear of the Umps looking bad.

Is that true, or is it an urban legend?

An umpiring crew in the mid-70's walked off the field in protest of instant replay on close calls shown on the big screen. I cannot find an official rule, however, but I do remember that incident.

ETA: History of umpiring

[ValpoCory]

Considering the rhetoric coming out of the commissioner's office after Frank Pulli used replay on his own initiative a few years ago, I wouldn't be surprised if it was an MLB mandate.  Not necessarily to prevent the umps from looking bad, but to remove the temptation of considering replay as an option.

So instant replays on the hundreds of TVs at the ballpark in front of thousands of fans is ok, but not on the big screen in front of tens of thousands.    Got it.

[Navin R Johnson]

In my recent experience at RFK, it seems 50% of the crowd buy tickets so that pictures of themselves can be shown on the Jumbotron.

Aint that the truth!   I have never understood the jubilation some espouse for getting on closed circuit TV.

[Gizzmonic]

This woman agrees with you:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/34028

Aint that the truth!   I have never understood the jubilation some espouse for getting on closed circuit TV.

[Waldo]

So instant replays on the hundreds of TVs at the ballpark in front of thousands of fans is ok, but not on the big screen in front of tens of thousands.    Got it.

What the hell?