MLB instant replay

The Major League Baseball (MLB) Instant Replay rule was instituted on August 28, 2008.

Professional baseball instant replay

Major League Baseball has now implemented a replay system similar to that of other professional sports to handle missed calls by umpires that have been debatable over recent years. The implementation for this replay system in professional baseball began on August 28, 2008 based on a statement issued by commissioner Bud Selig. "I believe that the extraordinary technology that we now have merits the use of instant replay on a very limited basis," Commissioner Selig said. "The system we have in place will ensure that the proper call is made on home run balls and will not cause a significant delay to the game." [cite news | first=Jack | last=Curry | coauthors= | title=Baseball to Use Replay Review on Homers | date= | publisher= | url =http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/27/sports/baseball/27replay.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2008-10-01 | language = ]

MLB is now the last of the four major United States professional sports leagues implementing an instant replay review system.

Instant replay reviews may only be initiated by the umpire crew chief, whose job is also to determine as to whether a call should be reversed. Instant replay reviews, as of now, solely are set to determine:

* Home run calls (fair or foul)
* Whether the ball actually left the playing field
* Whether the ball was subject to spectator interference

All games will be monitored and staffed by an expert technician and either an umpire supervisor or a former umpire at Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLB.com) headquarters in New York. A television monitor and a secure telephone link to MLB.com, placed next to the monitor, have been installed at every Major League ballpark. If the crew chief determines that instant replay review is appropriate, he then calls the MLB.com technician, who transmits the most appropriate video footage to the crew chief and the umpire crew on site. The umpire supervisor or former umpire, however, does not have direct communication with any other umpires on site.

Following an instant replay review, whether or not the call has been reversed, neither club is permitted to further argue the decision. A player, manager, or coach who continues to argue will be treated in the same manner as one who argues balls and strikes.

Any decision regarding the placement of runners, should a home run call be reversed, is made by the crew chief. As is done in cases of spectator interference, the crew chief will place the base runners where he believes they would have been had the call been made properly.

General Managers voted 25-5 in November 2007 on this system.

Replay made its MLB debut at Tropicana Field on September 3, 2008 after Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees hit a ball near the left-field foul pole that was initially ruled a home run by third base umpire Brian Runge. Tampa Bay Rays manager, Joe Maddon, and catcher Dioner Navarro argued that the ball was foul and demanded a review. After a conversation among field umpires, crew chief Charlie Reliford allowed the replay to take place, and after review, the home run call was upheld.

Controversy

MLB's use of instant replay has already began to spark controversy. Some fans are upset with the fact that the MLB system solely works in accordance with home run calls and no other part of the gameFact|date=September 2008. Baseball needs to incorporate replay reviews in other areas of the game where missed calls frequently arise. Some areas include:

* Baserunning (whether a player is safe or out on the bag)
* Plate Calling (whether a player is out or not on a bad call by the umpire behind home plate)
* Specatator Interference (whether a player should be out or safe on foul balls)

References