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How to improve MLB's replay system for fun and profit

MLB finally instituted a replay system last year, but things haven't gone well with the system this year with complaints of calls still being wrong and the process taking too long. Let's improve the system.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

MLB has come under fire in recent weeks for a replay system that only encourages confirming or denying a call, as opposed to independently getting the answer correct. Whereas last year the existence of any replay system was celebrated, this year managers have called for further changes, such as not allowing the replay umpire to see what the call on the field was.

These minor changes should help increase the accuracy, but the reality is they don't go far enough. Calls will likely be incorrect, and the reality is that the right call will always be unknowable because it escapes what the human eye and brain can process.

Luckily we don't have to live in the Stone Age any longer. There are ways, if we have the strength to use them, to end our agony against blown calls forever. I'm speaking, of course, of a variant on Goal-Line Technology.

For those that don't know, soccer has a system called Goal-Line Technology which basically means they put electronic sensors in the ball and at the goal-line, and this assists the referees in whether a ball actually went into goal. It's an unobtrusive system that helps on the occasions when the human eye (or the human eye watching a video replay) is not enough.

The same idea can be implemented in baseball. Imagine a game where sensors are imbedded in the balls, gloves, bats, bags, and outfield fence. The data provided by this system could be compared to show if an event happened: for instance, at what point does a player touch a base, and at what point does a ball reach a glove? Which ever happened first is the correct call.

Players could wear sensors in their shoes, so you'd know the exact instant they reach a base. The StatCast system could be modified to analyze and enhance the strike zone or if players go out of the base paths.

Sensors could be installed on beer vendors, and an app released to fans to request beer, to ensure the best coverage in a stadium.

Sensors could be installed in Baxter so he can be shocked when he gets outside his designated area.

Sensors could be installed in FO smartphones with an "auto-shutdown" function if a bad trade is a bout to happen.

Sensors could be installed in lame bloggers and censor their work when they're about to write something critical about their team.

Replace the players with perfect, baseball playing robots.

Use the fans as living batteries.

Submit.