By now I’m sure you have heard about Major League Baseball’s latest controversy.

A Detroit Tiger pitcher named Armando Galarraga was robbed of a perfect game by umpire Jim Joyce. In the ninth inning, with Galarraga's perfect game on the line, Joyce incorrectly called a Cleveland Indian runner safe when he was clearly out.

The call spoiled Galarraga's chance at the perfect game.

Supporters of instant replay in baseball say that this is the perfect example of why the game needs it. Human error cost this poor pitcher his perfect game, and the baseball world won’t be right until Galarraga is retroactively granted the perfect game and Bud Selig forces instant replay down upon the game from his lofty perch.

Not content with running the lives of everyday Americans, United States Congress critters have already gone into full blown overreaction mode. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) is urging Selig to use something called the “best interests of the game clause” to give Galaragga the perfect game.

The beauty of baseball is that it is a simple game that doesn’t really ever change. In fact, it resists significant change. Satchel Paige could rise from the grave, walk out onto the field at Comerica Park and could join a game in progress without missing a beat. Despite all the flashy lights and giant computerized scoreboards the game is still about guys hitting a ball around with a stick.

It is a game that teaches youngsters right and wrong, and one that teaches that life isn’t always fair. You may think you were safe when you slid into second base, but if the umpire calls you out, sorry bud: You’re Out.

In an age when everyone wants everything to be fair and easy, baseball is an unfair and harsh game to play. Sure, it brings us joy, but it can break our hearts at the same time. The umpire will almost always make a call that you don’t like. That’s just life.

Life isn’t fair, and no amount of regulations and rule changes will make it fair.

“Fairness” requires bringing a person or persons down so that another can be lifted up. In that sense, instant replay would completely change the relationship of players and coaches with the umpires. Umpires decide what is right and wrong in the course of every game. If every time an umpire makes a questionable call we have to go to the replay booth, like in a modern football game, what good are the umpires? Why have an umpire if a camera and computer can do the same job?

Umpires are paid, and paid very well at the highest levels, to make judgement calls. We trust them to make those calls, knowing that they will screw up from time to time. They are humans, just like the players and coaches on the field.

Baseball is a pure game because it relies on humans, and humans alone, to make the game work. It is one of the last remaining pure things in America, and it ought to stay that way.

Eric Mann is the Sports Coordinator for Gulf Coast Newspapers.

Reach him at emann@gulfcoastnewspapers.com