Baseball is such a simple, beautiful game.

Now it's time to shake things up just a bit.

Let's keep all the dimensions and rules the same, but it's time to give the umpires a little help with the toughest of calls.

Major League Baseball seems to agree. The league is discussing forms of instant replay to possibly implement beginning next month. The league would use the system for disputed home run calls only.

Balls vs. strikes?

Umpire's call.

Safe or out on the basepaths?

Umpire's call.

Fair or foul over the fence?

Umpire's call – with help.

The change to instant replay cannot come soon enough. This is about a sport that realizes its shortcomings and is willing to change with the times. Football and basketball have each done so within the last decade.

It's baseball's time now. These new-age ballparks have caused headaches recently with their quirky foul lines and even wilder sight lines. Umpires, even with four sets of eyes on a play, have been frequently wrong with these calls this season, and it is time to give them some help before the World Series begins.

No World Series games have been won or lost on fair or foul calls – yet. It's only a matter of time before that happens.

Any opposition to making this game better is simply an outright refusal of technology, like a teenager trying to convince his grandparents that text messaging is a better option than sending a letter through the post office.

If the game can be brought into our homes from thousands of miles away thanks to cameras in every nook and cranny of the ballpark, then we can use those same lenses to assure that each player, team and fan receives what they deserve.

The right call.

Baseball purists wag their fingers at the notion of instant replay, but they fool no one. This is the same game where steroids and performance-enhancing drugs were rampant for more than a decade. This is the same game where ticket prices are pushing the average fan and family away from the ballparks and adding more luxury boxes for the wealthy.

Pure? The peanuts and Cracker Jacks don't even believe in the purity of the game anymore.

So let's at least get the calls on the field correct. Since 2001, MLB has used the QuesTec system – four cameras in a number of ballparks – to help its umpires have a more uniform strike zone. QuesTec is now an afterthought after a few early complaints about the system.

The move to instant replay signals progress. A few extra seconds to review a call will not hurt. These reviews will be few and far between, but necessary. Blame long games on managers' deliberate walks to the mound and the time between pitches.

Could this lead to more reviewable plays in the future?

Sure, but change is often a good thing.

The blink of an eye will soon have a reliable backup.

Sports writer Jessie H. Nunery can be reached at 407-9951 or jhnunery@coxnc.com