Is the human factor in sports a good thing anymore?

Nowadays there is video review in the NFL and the MLB, even tennis has computer verification of where a ball lands near the line. There is an element in sports that  is what many feel is the best thing about sports... the "human element". Referees and Umpires who make the calls in every game, the players who make the mental mistakes contribute to the "reality" of sports. The only authentic reality show on TV anymore.

But are there aspects of the human side of sports that can be better?

Doug Fister after allowing a 3 ball walk.

On Saturday, July 2nd, during the Padres-Mariners game an umpiring mistake allowed a walk on a 2-2 pitch. That's right.. a 3 ball walk. The walk actually wound up being the winning run so the human mistake changed the entire game. The score board operator was the originator of the mistake showing a 3-2 count when it was actually a 2-2 count. But the count on the field of play is supposed to be held by the home plate umpire. The scoreboard is not supposed to play a  part.

When you think about it, EVERYBODY should have known what the count was! The pitcher, the catcher, the team manager, the ENTIRE umpiring crew... they ALL should have known what the count was. No one knew what the count was and the Mariners lost the game because of it.

Is it a good thing that this happened? Yes, it absolutely is! If only to prove that that the game is a game played by and officiated by... humans! If the game becomes too automated and computers or video become too integrated, the game loses it's humanity, charm, honesty, and integrity. The human aspect of ANY sport makes the sport attractive because as fans (humans also) we can relate. We have all made mistakes and bad decisions and we know what it's like to be in those shoes. It also gives us something to be frustrated about with the game. A bad call or a mistake by a player ultimately makes the sport or game more appealing and popular because we then talk about it and complain about it and then we watch more.

What is also important to remember is that the players and umpires are being watched by future players and umpires. That's right, kids are watching. Kids are like big sponges, the soak it ALL up, everything!

Jon Rauch loses his shirt and his temper after being ejected.

In a game that was also played on Saturday between the Blue Jays and the Phillies, Toronto pitcher John Rauch was unhappy with the call of two pitches that ultimately became a walk. On the next pitch the run scored. As he was walking by the home plate umpire Rauch made the comment that it was too bad that the umpire couldn't have an ERA because that run was his. Rauch was ejected. Rauch had to be restrained and the altercation became so violent that he lost his uniform shirt and threw his hat down in disgust and anger. He was ejected from the game, not for arguing balls and strikes but for disrespect.

In a game Sunday, Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves was unhappy with the called strike 2 and 3 in the 9th inning. Although he didn't argue at the plate, he did say some things in a post game interview that even he admitted he could be fined for. He didn't care if he was fined and he said so.

Kobe Bryant was fined earlier this year for an offensive comment he made toward a referee. It happens in all of sports!

Behaving disrespectfully towards the officials will never help your cause, not as a ball player or in life. If you have a smart mouth, you will get fined or ejected, just as much as if you have a smart mouth towards a police officer will get you locked up. A young man who was forced to testify in the Casey Anthony trial flipped the bird to one of the prosecuting attorneys. The Judge immediately had him removed and gave him 6 days in jail. There is a consequence for every action!

Athletes in any sport have an obligation to show respect towards the officials. Not because they need to keep from being fined or ejected or penalized... but because the officials are the authority at that moment.

Athletes need to set the example. Having a smart mouth or behaving badly towards an official will result in a penalty of some sort. Be a professional and act like a man, not a 14 year old who didn't get his way!

There was a time, not long ago, when players in major sports acted like gentlemen. That time is sadly over!