Chicago Cubs skipper Joe Maddon has joined several of his managerial brethren in calling for an overhaul of the current replay system.
The Cubs dropped a 5-2 decision to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, a game which ended on a close play at second base after Cubs outfielder Chris Denorfia was called out by umpire Jordan Baker.
On replay, it appeared Denorfia may have reached the bag before being tagged. However, the call on the field was upheld after review as there wasn't conclusive evidence to overturn.
Without definitive proof that the call made by the umpire was wrong, the ruling stands, though it's not confirmed.
(Courtesy: MLB.com)
"To say there was nothing definitive right there - I cannot disagree with more strongly," Maddon told reporters. "I have no idea why they would say that. It makes zero sense to me whatsoever.
"If the play was confirmed, I could almost live with that. To say it stands - it's just not a cool way to go, game on the line. And it was obvious from that one shot he was absolutely safe. No questions asked."
Maddon believes the problem could be remedied if Major League Baseball had people working at the league's replay hub who are more adept at quickly analyzing video.
"I think it screams for an independent group back there to research the video," Maddon said after the game. "That's what I think it screams for as opposed to working umpires that are actually on the field. I think you should get a bunch of nerds back there that know how to look at a videotape and then come to a conclusion. I think it would be much more interesting that way."
Maddon isn't the first manager to take issue with the replay system. Earlier in the season, Dodgers skipper Don Mattingly - who was, ironically, in the opposing dugout to Maddon on Wednesday - took issue with a play not being overturned because the results were inconclusive.
"I don't like 'close enough,'" Mattingly said early last month. "You've got 14 angles, you should make the call, safe or out, then it stands or is overturned."
