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Phantom Home Run Gives Mets Victory

METS 5
NATIONALS 2

It took a while, but baseball's new home run video replay rule is starting to create controversy by settling disputes on the field.

For the third straight game, a challenge on a home run played a major role in the Mets victory; however, unlike Saturday night when it was obvious that Omir Santos' fly ball cleared the gigantic Green Monster at Fenway Park, tonight's controversy was not as overt.

With the score tied at one, Gary Sheffield took a 2-1 pitch from lefty John Lannan and blasted a shot to the left field wall. The ball was interfered with by a foolhardy fan who thought that sticking his glove out to catch it was a better idea than finishing his hot dog.

The initial ruling: three run home run. Nationals manager Manny Acta stormed out of the dugout and asked for a challenge. Through several replays it was quite clear that the ball was interfered with which would mean no home run. If the fan had not interfered, the ball probably would have grazed the wall and fallen to the ground for an easy two run double.

Nonetheless, the umpires upheld the initial home run call. The Mets took the 4-1 lead, and, eventually, held on for the 5-2 victory. Box Score.

These challenges are becoming a bit much. For starters, umpires take forever to make a decision. Santos' home run on Saturday took close to five minutes to review. Earlier in the year, the umps took about seven minutes to review a home run during a Yankees' game. Perhaps baseball should consider capping the amount of time umpires can take to review the play? In the NFL, where replay is best executed, officials only have two minutes to review a play and come to a decision.

Wouldn't it be nice to mike the umpires so they can explain to the rest of us their decision? In the NFL, officials give a detailed explanation for their rulings so everyone knows what is going on. In baseball, the umpire comes charging out of the dugout and makes a quick hand signal for home run, or none. There is no explanation, and unless fans are watching on TV, they will likely miss the decision.

The day will come this fall, where replay could determine the winner of a seven game series; in fact, it might even decide who wins the World Series! Baseball must work to improve the replay system so it is efficient and effective for everyone.

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