Instant Replay

With all the hooplas going on in Denver-namely the Democratic National Convention-I almost forgot that the US Open has gotten underway at Flushing Meadows. Having been to Flushing earlier this summer, I have something to relate to this tournament instead of watching TV blankly and idly. For the first time since 2001, the Swiss Maestro-Roger Federer, now World #2 enters the US Open without a hard court title on the year. While his friend and rival Rafael Nadal is living "da life" with an Olympic Gold around his neck and a Toronto title to his credit.

Federer effortlessly won his match over Maximo Gonzalez yesterday-looking better than the fatigued and perhaps jet lagged Rafa. Otherwise, no massive upsets yet. Just a few seeds knocking out-most significantly Tomas Berdych, Richard Gasquet, Nicolas Kiefer and Daniela Hantuchova. And my hometown lady-Li Na-fourth in Beijing has gone through to the second round. She's on a roll right now!

Starting today, Major League Baseball will begin using Instant Replay to perfect close calls. It's been a long and difficult debate and I don't know what spurred this latest progress. But I certainly do not completely agree with the decision. First and foremost, it's subjective as to what umpires deem "close plays". Secondly, when umpires retire off the field to review their verdict, they're making players and fans wait in boredom. At least when managers come out to argue, fans can cheer and jeer as they wish...arguments have been around baseball since its birth and they are an entertaining part of the game. Thirdly, human error is a part of baseball and life. It can create historically memorable moments and MLB will prevent any more of those moments from happening with their implementation of "instant replay".

That was the philosophical part of it. Now for the practical part, my plan is to put in place a system similar to the "Hawk Eye" challenges in tennis. Say, both teams get 3 challenges through 9 innings. Whenever a manager requests a "challenge", a replay of the action would be shown on the jumbotron. That way, fans, players and coaches get to see for themselves who was right and who was wrong. Afterwards, umpires can stand by their call or overturn it accordingly. Simple, clean and keeping with the human element.

In Blue Jay land, Roy Halladay earned his 16th win of the season last night down in rainy Tampa Bay. The offence was great, plating 6 runs, including one on Vernon Wells' 4th homer in 3 games. He's starting to get real burning hot!!! Scott Rolen returned after almost a month of shoulder troubles. Tonight will be a toughie. The Jays will have to battle Matt Garza with whom they've had tons of frustration this year. Rookie David Purcey will try to regain form.

NBA tip off is in 2 months.

London 2012 is in 1430 days!

-D