Technology with the Save!

I am going to end my LeBron adoration on this blog...for now. This is the biggest sports story of the year, so I am sure to revisit this at some point. But for now, I will be crossing over to a topic that really grinds my gears, technology in sports.

The World Cup just ended, and it was, of course, ripe with referee controversy. Phantom offsides and foul calls against the US, a goal that wasn't for England, and missed offsides calls that seem blatant to the viewer, even in real time. FIFA has defended the refs throughout the tournament, but finally decided to review goal line technology and the bad ref situation.

I, for one, am for the use of technology to the fullest degree, in each sport. Soccer actually presents the simplest implementation to improve calls made. Hockey uses it, so the technology is out there, and it would not be slowing down the "beautiful game."

In addition to the goal line technology, soccer could also use technology to determine offsides. Each player just needs a chip on their jersey, and it signals the line judge if he is offsides on the pass. Since FIFA is wary of using goal line technology though, this idea is way over their heads.

Basketball, football, and hockey seem to be using robots to their advantage. Other than replay, there is not much that can be done since most calls are judgment based, for example, what constitutes a foul.

To get the call right, I don't see why FIFA and MLB are so resistant to technology. The goal line and sensors for offsides technologies would not take away from the fluidity of the game, and I don't believe that replay in baseball would slow that down much either.

As a viewer, we see instantly whether the call was correct. I just want to see an umpire in a booth that can signal the head ump whether the call was correct. This would have saved Jim Joyce from embarrassment and given Galarraga a perfect game. This should not be for every play. Maybe the managers can have a few challenges per game. This would cut down on arguing and ensure the calls are correct.

(I do oppose to using technology in calling balls and strikes. Though they shouldn't, each umpire has a different strike zone. If you add technology to that aspect, the home plate umpire is essentially useless).

Many people want to keep the human element intact as it adds to the appeal of the sport. I disagree strongly since I want the calls to be correct, first and foremost. Many are judgment calls, so bad calls are unavoidable. For calls that are black and white though; if the football touched the ground, if the goal passed the white line, if the runner beat the throw; use technology, and make the right call.