IR Expansion
 

MLB considering wider expansion of instant replay

Care to make any speculations on what specifically is being considered?

The demise of baseball as it was designed to be played to allow the birth of an abortion known as "Money Ball".

Selig wants fair/foul and trap plays added so I would bet on those types of calls. Some coaches, Giradi for example, want other close calls added.

The NFL allows coach challenges on almost anything, up to 2 failed challenges so the possibilities are wide, but, baseball is slow to change.

I suspect, that the Detroit Tigers would have used a challenge flag to use on the last play of the game on June 10, 2010. And I suspect the umpire would not have minded an overturn of the call.

Only thanks to his bias: Joe Girardi sings a different tune on instant replay

If they don't make it a challenge system, managers will be arguing any close call, and the game will end up, possibly, with numerous instances of umpires being forced to guess where a runner "would have" ended up had the call been right in the first place.

I think they should leave the HR's the same - check them if they aren't sure. Any other call would have to be challenged, with a limit of 1 per game, 1 more if the first is right. 1 extra per extra inning if necessary.

I also think they should have a replay official as part of the 5-man crew, rotating. Instead of stopping down and having everyone go watch TV, the replay official would simply rule and let PU know.

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but doesn't replay in the MLB go to a central "war room" and they review and return the verdict to the officials...much like the NHL?

As a side note, not baseball specific but I've never been a fan, in general, of someone other than an official on the playing surface making the change. I understand though, that there may logistical and cost issues, at least at the college level.

I think you are right and I do kind of agree with your position about someone other than the game officials making the decision. But at least in the NHL the only real determination they are making are if the puck crossed the goal line. They can look at kicks and high-sticking into goal, but usually those are rare.

Peace

That is part of the most recent proposal, but no, right now the crew chief determines whether a review is warranted, at which point they leave the field of play. A centralized "technician" feeds the appropriate replays to the umpires, at which point they make a decision.