All-Star Game Screams for Instant Replay

It seems that the more and more instant replay is focused on the more mistakes are made by the umpires day in and day out.

Now, in front of millions around the world, on national television, in one of the biggest games of the year in baseball - the All-Star Game - and of all years, the last year at Yankee Stadium - which, whether you like it or not, does decides home field advantage in the World Series for the winning league, the 12th inning was a prime example for everyone to see why instant replay could be so beneficial to the sport.

Many are still very skeptical about allowing instant replay into baseball where human error is just a part of the game. However, if you asked the American League All-Stars in the 12th what they wanted, they would have surely voted on instant replay.

With none out and Ian Kinsler on first, he took off, and despite a pitch out, Kinsler beat the tag. Unfortunately, he was called out despite the fact that Tejada, who caught the throw from the catcher, never touched Kinsler, performing a phantom tag to fool the umpire.

Now, with one out the next two batters reached base on a walk and a hit - a hit that very possibly could have scored the winning run for the American League if the correct call was made on Kinsler. However, that was not the case.

Well, it all seemed like water under the bridge when Michael Young smacked a ball up the middle for what appeared to be the game winning hit. Again, it appeared that the runner, this time Dioner Navarro, appeared to score, getting under the tag of Russell Martin who received a short hop from center fielder Nate McLouth.

Instead of a game winning hit, it was second and third with two outs and the American League was unable to get another base hit and the game went on for 15 innings forcing both teams to use pitchers they did not intend to use in Scott Kazmir and Brandon Webb who both had long outing on Sunday.

Kazmir actually wound up the winner as after he pitched an inning the American League won the game on a sacrifice fly by Michael Young who a few years back in Pittsburgh won an All-Star Game with a two RBI triple.

Four hours and fifty minutes after first pitch, the American League was triumphant - while technically for the second time this night, being robbed by bad umpiring earlier, they became official winners after 15 long innings.

Instant replay could have shortened this game up - Oh well, hopefully replay will be instituted by next season.