Blown Call in Braves Game Against Phillies Gets Instant Replay Torn Apart

In the recent game between the Atlanta Braves and visiting Philadelphia Phillies, there was a play at the plate in the top of the 9th inning that led to the Phillies' victory 7-6. Looking at the play in real-time it is a tough decision for any umpire to make. The original call had Phillies' prospect Alec Bohm safe at the plate but the instant replay was immediately used to ensure that he did touch the plate giving the Phillies the lead. The replay wasn't looking too promising in the favor of Bohm however as it clearly showed his foot never even hitting the plate. Even though there was this clear and definitive evidence, the official replay office in New York decided he was still safe.

The reactions from the rest of the league, including players and analysts, voiced their disbelief in the failure of the umpiring crew to get the call right. Mike Trout, one of the greatest to ever play the game, tweeted out a simple "So bad..." with the edition of a laughing emoji on the end. Many are wondering, after this blatant missed call, why is the replay even a part of the game if they can't get it right? This relates to my previous blog post about umpires and how they should remain human. When this type of technology is used in sports, such as baseball, it should help the game more than it hurts it. In that game, it made it worse.

Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud voiced his opinions after the game to the press saying "It makes me not even want [replay] anymore ... It just slows the game down. To me, they got it wrong. I'd rather not have it and get the game going". This is the frustration of many others, including myself, because they have the technology to call the game more effectively and with more precision but this was not the case in this circumstance. They slowed the game down to get the call wrong and everyone knows the call was wrong. When I first saw the replay I was left speechless for how they could have missed the call. When reading Bohm's reaction and his response to the press it seems like he knew he got away with one. All that was said by Bohm was "I was called safe . . . That's all that matters." which basically is him saying "I was definitely out but won't admit it".

I am not mad at the umpiring crew, I am more disappointed in the incorrect use of the instant replay system in New York where they have clear views of the play at all angles. Overall, this is the first instance of instant replay being used incorrectly this season and I will be curious to see of there are any more on the way.