On the TunneySide of Sports December 14, 2020 #826 Up next… Is it perfection we seek?
After further review… When instant replay came into being in the 1980s, many were against it. NFL officials at that time were not permitted to give personal opinions – only to say, “it is what it is.” I took the position that as officials we always want to get every play or call right, and if replay helped do that, so be it! As I watch sporting events today, I find replay too often seemingly gets in the way.
I am reminded of the opening Women’s Volleyball Match during the XXXI Olympiad (2016). China won the first set 24-22, the Swiss took the second set 21-18, forcing a third set. That third set recognizes the match-winner as the first T*E*A*M to reach 15 points, China was leading 14-11 when a double-net violation occurred, meaning that a player from each team touched the net. In a double net violation, the player who touches the net first is the only culpable player. China won that point on the original judgment that a Swiss player had touched the net first. China won that set 15-11.
The Swiss complained that China had also touched the net. The chair umpire appeared to make no judgment but to immediately point with both arms toward the location of the video replay booth, indicating that video replay would supply the evidence to make the call. We, the viewing audience, waited for what seemed like an eternity. The video replay crew then reported to the chair umpire that a Swiss player had touched the net first. China wins!
While the Chinese celebrated, the Swiss continued to protest – apparently to no avail. Back in the studio Bob Costas, the veteran sportscaster, and host of the NBC Olympics, continued with the scheduled program. About five minutes later, back came Costas with “We have an update from that volleyball match.” And back to that Copacabana Beach we went.
“We have a reversal of that video decision,” said Costas. The reversal apparently affirmed that a Chinese player had, indeed, touched the net first. That negated the Chinese victory and awarded that point to the Swiss making the score, with the Swiss now serving. China won that point, 15-12, and with it that set and the match!
What went on in that replay booth that caused the reversal? Do we allow some leeway, since these officials are not full time? Should that make a difference? Why didn’t the chair umpire make a decision before going to the replay booth?
Will you log-in on whether the all-seeing eye simplifies or complicates this situation?
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Jim Tunney
