Following the blown call by experienced Major League Baseball umpire Jim Joyce on Detroit Tigers' Armando Gallaraga's almost-perfect game recently, I was ready to jump on the downhill sled proclaiming instant replay for pro baseball as it is in NFL football.
However, after contemplating the reaction of both Joyce and Gallaraga, I changed my mind.
I realized there is instant replay in place for home runs along foul lines. And certainly it was instant replay that made veteran Joyce admit that he had made a mistake, so why not be for it?
It was at the moment of Joyce's and Gallaraga's response that I leaped off the bandwagon and hit the brakes on instant replay. After all, baseball isn't one of the fastest games, but it is American. And Joyce and Gallaraga showed the entire world what Americans are really made of: good men.
Joyce admitted the mistake, and nothing will change that. And pitcher Gallaraga's "oh, well" attitude about the goof made me proud of him and the game. As Mirror columnist John Mehno pointed out in his recent column, both pitcher and ump will be remembered for years to come because of the mistake and their response.
No, baseball is safe. Instant replay should stay right where it is: in football.
William Snyder Jr., Altoona
Program impressive
I am writing to bring some attention to some great men who are doing great things for our young baseball players.
My sons began began playing last fall in the NorCal East fall baseball program and their transformation from average ballplayers to the talented young men they are now is just amazing to me.
Through the efforts of their coaches, they have been able to focus on development and training.
I have known a lot of these boys since they all started playing Little League together at 8 years old, and I can not believe how far they have come.
They are not only learning the game, but they are learning respect, commitment and how to be better young men.
I can not say enough good things about these coaches. Their dedication to these kids is beyond anything I have seen.
They are not only training them for today, but they are helping to prepare them for tomorrow as well.
I would encourage any parent of a boy with baseball dreams to check out the website (www.curvejuniors.com) and even a game.
Jennifer L. Glunt
Alexandria
