Don't Hold Your Breath for News on Replay at GM Meetings

CHICAGO -- Expansion of instant replay is expected to be one of the topics discussed when baseball general managers begin their formal meetings on Tuesday, but one of its longtime proponents is not optimistic that his group can effect any change.

"Whatever the instant replay discussion is, I'm going to raise my hand [in favor]," said White Sox GM Kenny Williams. "However, I don't know at the end of the day that vote is going to mean much."

This postseason was full of mistakes by umpires, leading to a national debate about whether the use of replay should be expanded beyond its current scope. Williams said he's been pushing for the use of replay for seven or eight years, but he's come to the conclusion that it doesn't matter what he or other general managers want.

"It's the owners and the commissioner's debate," Williams said. "It's not our debate to have. I'd rather go to Starbucks and talk about NFL Sunday."

Commissioner Bud Selig said during the World Series that he remained against any expansion of instant replay, because it would slow down games. However, he said that the issue would be addressed in the offseason.

Williams said he didn't think this postseason drastically changed the minds of the decision-makers, but he added that it would be "interesting to see."

Mets GM Omar Minaya said he's in favor of the current system but, "I'm not too much for expanding it."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-09-2009 @ 9:03PM

Ohioblue63 said...

I think it is a joke to talk about replay slowing things down, especially in the post season. What about batters stepping out of the box, what about the extra commercials, what about visits to the mound by the catchers. The games really slow down in the post season and it is not because of the replays, which do not exist. Instead you want everyone to see the mistakes that are made and say, "Oh we want human error because it makes the games more human". Big joke.

11-09-2009 @ 9:11PM

Clarrydarl said...

It would take minimal time for a replay to be made.This is shown with home runs and whatever was done on the umpire mistakes that weren't used.The fact that Commissioner Selig doesn't want the replay is evidence of laziness and incompetence and an unwillingness to improve baseball.95% of us want it.

11-09-2009 @ 11:38PM

Eli said...

When are we, the suffering fans, going to get rid of a do nothing know nothing commissioner? When are going to see incompetent umpires fired or dismissed? When are we going to return the game to all its glory? Get an instant replay machine and ccrrect the errors. We, the fans, pay the bills. Why are we denied the best for our bucks?
Clean house, owneers, or get someone to do it.

11-10-2009 @ 12:12AM

zemog44 said...

You can't have instant replay in baseball because if you have it then the umpires can't fix the games like they do now. So of course there will be no instant replay in baseball.