Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/3/84; site aluxz.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!mhuxn!mhuxj!mhuxr!aluxz!kolwicz 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 Lines: 24 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