Instant Replay is in, Oriole fan wants ‘96 ALCS replayed

What’s that you say? My home run wouldn’t have counted? Be gone with instant replay! Photo: Newscom

Instant Replay has officially made its way into Major League Baseball. Some say too soon (me), some say too late (Baltimore Orioles fans). Remember the 1996 ALCS? OK – well, how about game one of that series? You know, the one where 12-year-old Jeffrey Maier reached over the the right field wall and pulled a fly ball into the stands, which gave Derek Jeter a home run? If instant replay was in place, Jeter would have had a double. However, who’s to say Orioles right fielder Tony Tarasco wouldn’t have made that catch?

Even though instant replay is only being used to solve the mystery of controversial home runs, now is not the right time to bring it into the game. Five months into the 2008 season is too late to put it in for this year, yet Bud Selig is putting it in starting Thursday. Sure, that makes sense. Actually, no it doesn’t. Why put it in during the middle of a season? Why not wait until next year? These are questions Selig needs to answer.

I’ll be interested to see how it works out. I’m assuming we will have at least one so-called home run that will be under review in the final month of this season and possible in the playoffs. It’s just not the right time to throw in something that adds to the game.

But, maybe I’m wrong.