Tyler Wells got the start for the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium against Toronto. Wells was one of several pitchers, only pitching one inning. Basically a get your work in and go home spring outing for Wells, against split-squad Toronto. Wells’ line: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K.
The Orioles struggled to get guys on base in this game, which is another issue. Especially given that Toronto was sending their B Team to Sarasota. Toronto’s Sanchez smacked an RBI-single in the third for the game’s lone run, and Toronto defeated the Orioles, 1-0.
That third inning was aided by two Toronto ball/strike replay challenges, and a pass ball, Early on the O’s didn’t challenge too many calls. But like Toronto, they were aggressive with challenges today. And there were several on both sides.
Obviously Toronto wouldn’t have scored that run if not for the challenges. But my question is are both teams and umpires now starting to rely on it too much? I say that because we see more and more challenges in the games.
I suspect that once the regular season begins teams will be a little more hesitant to challenge anything and everything. And to challenge pitches so early in games. And it’s far too simplistic to say the goal is to get the call right, and why not use technology to do it?
Fair enough. But are you comfortable with playoff games being decided with a tap on the helmet? Or heaven-forbid, a World Series?
I recognize the flip-side of that argument; are you okay with a World Series being decided on a bad call? So on that basis I’m not sure there’s a perfect answer. However teams are using the pitch challenge system early and often. We’ll see if that continues into the regular season.
Here’s another point. On a payoff pitch, conventional wisdom says a hitter should be aggressive – especially if the pitch is remotely near the strike zone. Might that change? Maybe it pays to start letting the pitch go, as they can just tap their helmet and potentially get the call overturned.
For the record, overall I like replay. I think it should exist in some form. I just think that by introducing the idea of challenging balls and strikes, we’re allowing the game to be further over-legislated.
Birdland Crush 