At least we know how important getting the call right is to 11- year-old ballers. Little League is able to make this decision because ESPN is televising all 32 games. The cameras will only be used, per the AP, for "questionable home runs and other close plays at the outfield fence." Why would Little League make this decision?
Because even Little League has been the victim of a missed home run call.
But the timing of Little League's decision had more to do with logistics, according to Little League officials. Keener began looking into replay after a 2005 U.S. semifinal game between Maitland, Fla., and Rancho Buena Vista, Calif.
An apparent three-run home run by Maitland's Mike Tomlinson was instead ruled a ground-rule double by left-field umpire Steve Oullet; replays from the ESPN telecast showed the ball hit the netting attached to the foul pole before bouncing back onto the field - meaning it should have been a home run.
Which is great. Unless you've been in the grips of depression like Maitland's Mike Tomlinson for the past three years.
Little League World Series to use instant replay [NBC Sports]
We all need to follow ten year olds more often [Walk off walk]