Because writing a rule book without any gray areas would be nearly impossible, human judgment is necessary for almost every sport.   That’s the main reason those other guys, the ones not playing and wearing the striped shirts, are on the field.   However, there are many rules that are not open to interpretation, they are clear-cut, black and white.   Did the ball go through the hoop?   Did the player cross the goal line?   Was their any time left on the clock?   Foul or fair?   In or out?

If all human error, by referees in these clear-cut calls, could be removed from a sport and technology put in place to make sure that the correct call is made the first time on every basket, strike, foul, touchdown, etc. would you support the change?

TheRoadto90’s Reply:

I’m going to answer no on this one. To me, part of what is great about sports is when refs. make mistakes. I’m sure #12 would be quick to point on that Michael Jordan “clearly” pushed off Byron Russell, which should have led to a foul, which means Jordan doesn’t make that critical shot.

But then we’re left without the debate. Was it a foul? Was this another example of Jordan getting “ever” call to go his way, etc. etc.

Who doesn’t love yelling at the screen, “that was a TERRIBLE call!” If we reduce balls and strikes and touchdowns to a robotic decision, we lose the human side of decision, which, while it is prone to error, makes the game what it is.

I’ll take my blown calls any day, just as long as they’re not against my team!

TheLongTalk’s Take:

Plant TheLongTalk’s flag clearly in the technology camp.   It makes no sense to support errors in a game, even when they’ve always been a part of the game.   Bacteria has always been a part of life, but if I get a cold I’m going to try to kill it.   If a clear-cut call is made incorrectly by humans, but can be made correctly by technology… then call your IT guy and get on it.

You’ll still have referees on hand for gray areas of the game, so if the technology makes the wrong call – 404 Error style – they can overturn it.   If it was a foul ball it should be called a foul ball.   If the player stepped out of bounds, they should be called out of bounds.   If it wasn’t a touchdown because the ball didn’t cross the goal line, it shouldn’t be called a touchdown.   If the computers can call the game better then the humans, let them call it.