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From: kolwicz@aluxz.UUCP (kolwicz)
Newsgroups: net.sport
Subject: Re: officials using replays
Message-ID: <207@aluxz.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 30-Dec-84 21:05:17 EST
Article-I.D.: aluxz.207
Posted: Sun Dec 30 21:05:17 1984
Date-Received: Mon, 31-Dec-84 03:19:35 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Allentown, PA
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There have been a number of surveys done that have established
the fact that fans want (by a 2-1 margin) officials to use replays 
on close, or disputed plays.  However, it's quite unlikely that
it's gonna happen - it's bad for sport and bad for business.  The
fact of the matter is, some controversy makes sports more interesting.

A case in point was the 'balk-line' trial that took place in pre-season
major league baseball a few years ago.  What they did was put lines on 
the mound that would clearly indicate whether or not a balk had taken 
place.  It did the job so well that it made the occasional balk call
incredibly boring - and one thing baseball does not need is another
boring play.  Hence, you don't see balk lines used, even though it would
make things very clear.

As for myself, I hope replays are never used - a occasional bad call
(and they are rare, to be sure) spices things up, and will rarely 
allow a second-rate team win when they shouldn't.  And when it does -
so much the better.

Besides, if you think about it, it *really* doesn't matter if the best 
team *always* wins, does it?
-- 
Kevin Kolwicz  aluxz!kolwicz  x2287