Innovation in Sports

Innovation in sports has been much more about the fan experience in recent years than the actual product and integrity of proceedings on the field. Remote control on-field cameras provide great new views of the action while state-of-the-art jumbotrons and high definition television produce tremendous viewing experiences for the fan either at home or in the sporting venue itself. Billion dollar facilities bring the fan increasingly closer to the action and provide even more amenities from luxury boxes to concessions.

Yet despite all the positives that technology has provided the sports world more needs to be done to make sure the calls are made correct on the field/rink/court if the technology to do is available.

Football at both the college and pro level is improving in this regard. When a play is in doubt, referees can not only see replays in high definition but are consulting with replay officials whose job is to help make sure the call is made correctly. The leagues are still tinkering with "what is reviewable" i.e. a field goal attempt but they are coming along.

The NHL has long reviewed disputed goals for both making sure the call is correct on the ice and for scoring purposes - credit for the goal/assist(s).

In the NBA, backboards were recently upgraded to light up around the edges when the clock expired to assist in video reviews. Officials also consult video to determine if a made three point attempt was done so behind the line, or if the player had a toe on the line, to deem it a two point basket.

The sport where technology has really not been implemented where it needs to be is Major League Baseball. In a multi-billion dollar industry where fans can watch games from the internet and their cell phones, and players scout opposing teams and monitor their own performance through ipods, computers, and video, they need to do more to guarantee the product on the field is as up-to-date as it can be.

A system that critiques the umpire's calls of balls and strikes is in place in many major league stadiums. This computer program is called QuesTec. Yet of all baseball's idiosyncrasies and potential to overturn missed calls, balls and strikes is the most human element of them and least likely to be implemented.

Instant replay is needed for disputes over home runs and whether or not a ball is fair or foul. Lagging far behind the other professional sports in this regard baseball needs to get on board soon.

http://www.questec.com/q2001/index.htm
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xLDEPKbtGm8
http://youtube.com/watch?v=D3-GOxX1RmQ
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rY95p_ELquI

-- Tucker Savoye