MLB Replay Problems

[hbk314]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Speaking of Nats, I saw Bryce Harper's bomb against the Marlins last week. It went over the right field foul pole and hit the upper deck. The Marlins manager appealed to U1 that the ball might've gone foul, and the umpires went to check the replay. The Nats announcers mentioned that if the replay proved that the HR stood, the Marlins would lose their ability to challenge another call.

I didn't realize that the manager challenges included the situations where replay was used in the past (fair/foul over the fence, spectator interference, etc.) Before this season, a manager could appeal for the umpires to check replay multiple times in those scenarios, could he not? But now it counts against the replay challenges? That doesn't seem right.

As for the system in general, I, too, have been surprised by replay rulings that have gone against what I've seen on TV. But it's here to stay...

I think I remember reading back when replay was first announced that those were plays were still up to the umpire to review. So my understanding is that it's not something that can be challenged.

[bwburke94]

Originally Posted by hbk314

I think I remember reading back when replay was first announced that those were plays were still up to the umpire to review. So my understanding is that it's not something that can be challenged.

Which means that a manager cannot lose their challenge from a review of those plays.

[SE Minnestoa Re]

They need to do something different. Twice last night John Gibbons walked out to the umpire on close plays and just stood there looking toward the dugout. When the dugout said don't review, he smiled and walked back to the bench.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by SE Minnestoa Re

They need to do something different. Twice last night John Gibbons walked out to the umpire on close plays and just stood there looking toward the dugout. When the dugout said don't review, he smiled and walked back to the bench.

This is what I wrote in the "Opening Day" Thread:

"Instant replay has turned into a "mating dance." Here's how it's worked in my observation."

"Close play occurs. Manager pops out of the dugout and goes on the field. Saunters over to the ump. Both turn and look toward the dugout and casually talk about whatever. Bench coach is on the phone with someone reviewing the play to give the coach the "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" - challenge or not. Once the "thumb" is given we either go to the review or not."

Originally Posted by SE Minnestoa Re

They need to do something different. Twice last night John Gibbons walked out to the umpire on close plays and just stood there looking toward the dugout. When the dugout said don't review, he smiled and walked back to the bench.

Originally Posted by grunewar

This is what I wrote in the "Opening Day" Thread:

"Instant replay has turned into a "mating dance." Here's how it's worked in my observation."

"Close play occurs. Manager pops out of the dugout and goes on the field. Saunters over to the ump. Both turn and look toward the dugout and casually talk about whatever. Bench coach is on the phone with someone reviewing the play to give the coach the "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" - challenge or not. Once the "thumb" is given we either go to the review or not."

I think it's hilarious!

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by AremRed

I think it's hilarious!

Happened about TEN times in the Nats vs Braves series last weekend and it was anything but hilarious. IMO it was embarassing.

It's early. I hope they get it fixed.....as has been stated, it's not going away.

[Rich Ives]

Why are people thinking this would be running perfectly right out of the box? What strange world are you living in?

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by grunewar

Happened about TEN times in the Nats vs Braves series last weekend and it was anything but hilarious. IMO it was embarassing.

It's early. I hope they get it fixed.....as has been stated, it's not going away.

What are they supposed to fix? Not allow the manager to come out and ask the umpires what they're doing after the game until he gets a thumbs up/thumbs down from the dugout?

I suppose the manager could stay in the dugout until he is advised to go challenge, and then request Time. In the meantime, someone on that team is going to stall (batter or runner requests time to tie a shoe, catcher requests time to talk to the pitcher, etc.) to give the bench coach an opportunity to check with someone watching replays. The end result is still the same.

Another possibility is to give the manager an allotted amount of time, say ten seconds after the play is over, to make the decision to challenge. But who would keep track of that? An on-field umpire? A play clock on the scoreboard? That would be a pain.

It is what it is (and I hate that saying). Putting limitations on it would defeat the purpose of having the system in the first place. Baseball is not a timed game, so forcing some sort of time limit when replays can be challenged is unrealistic. And, frankly, the purpose of the system is to get calls right, not to lower the amount of time it takes to play the game.