Instant Replay in Major League Baseball?

[82Rigger]

What do ya'll think about it?

This from the New York Times:


ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 6 — With a 25-5 vote, general managers took the first step Tuesday to add instant replay to baseball games. The vote marked a significant departure from previous votes at general managers meetings, where the issue had the support of, at best, half of those present.

"There was very thoughtful discussion," said Jimmie Lee Solomon, the executive vice president for baseball operations. "A lot of general managers have given a lot of thought to it."

The discussion and vote were limited to calls involving home runs — whether balls go over foul poles or to the fair side or the foul side, whether balls clear fences and carom back onto the field, whether they go over painted lines at the top of outfield fences, whether fans interfere with balls that appear to clear the fences.

Before instant replay could be implemented, it would require approval of the owners, Commissioner Bud Selig, the players and the umpires.

Selig has long opposed instant replay, but he said recently that he would consider the limited use of it that the general managers are talking about. John Hirschbeck, the president of the umpires union, said that the umpires would listen to what management had to present, and Gene Orza of the players' union said that union officials would have to speak to the players.

Solomon said even if everyone approved it, he did not expect instant replay to be implemented for next season.

"We have glacier-like movement in baseball," he told a news conference.

[1CAVCCO15MED]

We have to watch them scratch their nuts again?

[82Rigger]

Yeah, and spit sunflower hulls!

[Bill Farnie]

I don't think it's that bad if they limit it to what was stated in the Times, besides the video screens at ball parks already show instant replays. All the more reason to boo the umps I say.

[82Rigger]

Bill,

Yeah! Half the fun of major league baseball is what happens when the umps make bad calls!

[revwardoc]

I agree with the rigger. Who we gonna bitch about if they have instant replay? Nothing like gathering around the ol' watering hole and screaming about an umpire's obvious blown call.

[Keith_Hixson]

I'd like a electronic strike zone. That makes more sense. They really blow it calling strikes and balls.

Keith

[revwardoc]

Time to shine: Rays introduce new name, new icon, new team colors and new uniforms

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- Introducing the Tampa Bay Rays. Tampa Bay's Major League Baseball team has a new name, new team colors - navy blue and light blue - and a new icon, a bright yellow sunburst invoking the magnificence of life in the Sunshine State.
The dramatic makeover was announced today at a launch party in downtown St. Petersburg. In front of a crowd of thousands, Rays players and coaches and former Rays Fred McGriff and Wade Boggs modeled the new uniforms and licensed team apparel. The festivities continued with a concert performance by entertainment star Kevin Costner and his band Modern West, and concluded with a fireworks show and a pyrotechnics-display of the new Rays logo. The event was presented by Champs Sports, The St Petersburg Times, and Bright House Networks.

"We are now the 'Rays' - a beacon that radiates throughout Tampa Bay and across the entire state of Florida," said Stuart Sternberg, the team's principal owner. "Tampa Bay and the Sunshine State are beautiful places. We want the Rays to reflect the best our region has to offer."

When Sternberg assumed his role as principal owner following the 2005 season, he asserted that a change to the team's identity was necessary. "As we enter our second decade of play, it is important that we express a classic, crisp, traditional baseball look," Sternberg said. "These new marks will have a positive effect on the franchise as we progress towards new levels of achievement and success."

Both the new home and away uniforms, as well as the team's new primary logo, feature the word "Rays" in navy blue lettering cast with a light blue shadow. A bright yellow sunburst gleams from the letter "R." The two hues of blue suggest the deep blue waters and bright blue sky for which Florida is known. The elongated tail of the "R" further reinforces the water imagery.

In the primary logo, the team name is set against a white baseball diamond with a prominent navy blue outline. The diamond features basepaths, bases and home plate outlined in light blue.

The team's new cap has a base color of navy blue and white "TB" lettering cast with a light blue shadow.

The "TB" lettering was custom designed for the team and was selected for its elegant simplicity and classic look.

The Rays new colors are unique within Major League Baseball. The Rays worked closely with Major League Baseball on the new design, along with conducting their own internal research with employees, fans, and local leaders.

While the name and uniform change send a clear message that the team is entering a new era, the organization will not remove all connection to its first ten years of play as the Devil Rays. An updated Devil Ray patch will continue to be worn on the left sleeve of the jersey. The team will also continue to operate its popular touch tank filled with live rays at Tropicana Field.

The change of marks and colors will extend throughout the organization. Both the exterior and interior of Tropicana Field will be updated to reflect the team's new look. Raymond, the team mascot, has also been updated.

In addition, the Rays official website has been changed to raysbaseball.com.

"Our new team name and new look express the vibrancy of our organization," said Rays President Matt Silverman. "The Tampa Bay Rays will shine, on the field and in our community. We will be a great source of pride for our region."

----------------------------------------------

Personally, I think they caved in to the religious right who have been complaining about the name, Devil Rays, since they started the team. If they're gonna call themselves the "Rays" their logo should be a picture of Ray Charles which would be more indicitive of the way they play.

[Robert Ryan]

Yeah Keith I agree with you. Man there were some poor calls this season by umps.

[Keith_Hixson]

Bad calls on strikes and balls is a real problem. I've seen a ball thrown down the middle called a ball and a ball 4" out of the zone called a strike. Electronic calling would be in line. And the technology is there.
I noticed Tennis has electronic calling for the lines. I also noticed that when a player challenges they are right 75% of the time.

Keith