MLB to Exapnd Instant Replay in 2014 - UPDATE

[UMP25]

I like this article's take on it.

Why not have a 5th umpiring crew member at each ballpark be responsible for replay review in an expanded format? Makes better sense than the new, proposed policy.

[tmagan]

Here is another situation:

Runner at third, bottom of the ninth two out tied game, ground ball to third, runner holds, on the throw to first the runner at third breaks for home, the play at first is ruled out, extra innings. However home team manager challenges and the call is overturned, but the runner at third, who was halfway to home when the batter is ruled out, does he score? The first baseman could say if the first base umpire had ruled the batter safe, he would have then throw home to retire the runner trying to score.

[DadofTwins]

Another question -- Does it have to be a "call" to be reviewed? That is, can a manager challenge a "no call" on, say, a possible balk?

[PeteBooth]

This is the infant stage for replay and IMO, rule changes / adjustments will most likely follow:

In the play you presented I could see a rule amendment that said something along the lines of: if a call is overturned, all runners return to their TOP base unless forced to advance as a result of the over-turned call. To me that's fair because without replay the game would have gone to extra innings, it still might but at least the offense has another "shot" to win whereas without replay they wouldn't.

Pete Booth

[Publius]

Originally Posted by tmagan

Here is another situation:

Runner at third, bottom of the ninth two out tied game, ground ball to third, runner holds, on the throw to first the runner at third breaks for home, the play at first is ruled out, extra innings. However home team manager challenges and the call is overturned, but the runner at third, who was halfway to home when the batter is ruled out, does he score? The first baseman could say if the first base umpire had ruled the batter safe, he would have then throw home to retire the runner trying to score.

They aren't going to use challenges in U10 baseball, which is about the highest level you'll see R3 do that in the situation you described.

[voiceoflg]

One thing I would like to see is IR cause fewer arguments. On a bang/bang play, if the manager comes out the umpire would say "are you requesting a challenge? If not, get back to the dugout." That way as the game is slowed down by challenges, it is sped up by the lack of unchallenged arguments.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by voiceoflg

One thing I would like to see is IR cause fewer arguments. On a bang/bang play, if the manager comes out the umpire would say "are you requesting a challenge? If not, get back to the dugout." That way as the game is slowed down by challenges, it is sped up by the lack of unchallenged arguments.

I'm thinking that will be part of the process.

Challenge or get ejected, manager's choice.

[PeteBooth]

What about if the manager wants the umpire to seek help so he doesn't have to use a challenge?

We have seen calls changed after the umpires huddled. With IR the umpire who made the call most likely isn't going to check with his partners figuring if the coach doesn't like it he can challenge.

Again as i previously mentioned this is the infant stage and I am pretty certain IR will be tweaked after it's indoctrination.

Pete Booth

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by voiceoflg

One thing I would like to see is IR cause fewer arguments. On a bang/bang play, if the manager comes out the umpire would say "are you requesting a challenge? If not, get back to the dugout." That way as the game is slowed down by challenges, it is sped up by the lack of unchallenged arguments.

Originally Posted by Rich

I'm thinking that will be part of the process.

Challenge or get ejected, manager's choice.

Yeah I've been thinking about this too. If you come out on the field, you have to challenge or be ejected. So if you're out of challenges and come on the field to argue a call, it's time to hit the showers.

[tmagan]

After watching the shenanigans from Chad Fairchild and Ted Barrett's crew this week I am now 100% in favor of instant replay.

In fact Michael Kay and David Cone of the YES network are going over chapter and verse all the missed calls by Ted Barrett's crew this week, which is remarkable because they were all in favor of the Yankees.

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by UMP25

I like this article's take on it.

Why not have a 5th umpiring crew member at each ballpark be responsible for replay review in an expanded format? Makes better sense than the new, proposed policy.

Far more expensive than simply having them at a central location in New York. For all practical purposes they could review the plays from their home.

Heck, that's what we all do.

To have a 5th umpire traveling w/ all of the crews is not practical or cost efficient.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by UMP25

I like this article's take on it.

From the article:

"Schuerholz said that 89 percent of umpires’ calls — including apparently all safe/out calls — would be reviewable. The 11 percent of “unreviewable” plays includes balls and strikes and whether or not a pitch hit a batter."

Really? I wonder why that's untouchable as well? I vividly recall when Derek Jeter sold a HBP where replays clearly showed the ball hitting the knob of his bat. Why not allow a challenge for that? That's as much a potential game-changer as a missed pulled foot call at first base, which, like a HBP, may be tough to see even with replay (assuming that's the reason to not allow a challenge for that).

[UES]

Originally Posted by Manny A

From the article:

"Schuerholz said that 89 percent of umpires’ calls — including apparently all safe/out calls — would be reviewable. The 11 percent of “unreviewable” plays includes balls and strikes and whether or not a pitch hit a batter."

Really? I wonder why that's untouchable as well? I vividly recall when Derek Jeter sold a HBP where replays clearly showed the ball hitting the knob of his bat. Why not allow a challenge for that? That's as much a potential game-changer as a missed pulled foot call at first base, which, like a HBP, may be tough to see even with replay (assuming that's the reason to not allow a challenge for that).

I totally agree - why isn't HBP included? A few years back, Brandon Inge (playing on the Tigers) got grazed by a pitch with the bases loaded... it would have forced in the go-ahead run. The HP umpire did not see the ball barely nick Inge's jersey and replays showed that it should have been ruled a HBP. Tigers went on to lose the game in extra innings.