Expanded Instant Replay: MLB Meets the Rest of Us in the Future

Since the first major league baseball game was played in 1871, players and fans relied on umpires to make the right call behind the plate and on the field. For the most part, we trusted their judgement. We didn't really have a choice. However, when human error is a component in any situation, things aren't going to be perfect, tradition or not.

In 2008, MLB turned to replay to resolve disputes on potential home runs (fair or foul) but this season replay was expanded to include anything that could change the outcome of the game if missed. So pretty much any call.

I don't consider myself a baseball purist by any means and I'm not getting my panties in a wad over expanded replay, but like many fans, I was pretty concerned about the amount of time verifying calls other than homers would add to an already lengthy game. So far though, it seems to be working.

How it works: Almost every call can be challenged by a manager. Teams have someone in their clubhouse watching TV replays. That guy then calls the bench with their professional opinion on whether it's worth a challenge. Basically (and rather unfortunately in the spirit of Earl Weaver) instead of running his chicken legs onto the field to throw his cap in a scene and spit seeds into the umpire's face, a skipper can calmly demand a challenge. The final decision will then come from an umpire in the central replay booth in New York... like an umpire desk job. Disputes will then be deemed either confirmed or overturned. If the manager wins the challenge, he gets another.

The first use of the new system happened in Pittsburgh on Monday. Cubs manager Rick Renteria challenged Chicago Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija being called out at first base in the fifth inning. It took two minutes for the umps to hook up a headset on the field and get confirmation from New York that the call was correct. Of course, if the call was correct in the first place, it's going to seem like a giant waste of time to one side.

Later on in the 10th inning, Cubs runner Emilio Bonifacio was called safe at first base on a pickoff play. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle challenged the call and it was overturned. Pittsburgh won that game 1-0. Not such a waste of time after all, says Bucs fans.

Elsewhere in the National League, the Brewers' Ryan Braun was called safe at first base for an infield hit in the sixth inning. Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez successfully challenged the call, which took only 58 seconds to overturn.

What are your thoughts on the expansion of instant replay? Is it good or bad for the game?

[USA Today]

Johan Santana Makes History for the New York Mets with First No-Hitter

Johan Santana has thrown the first *no hitter in New York Mets history. Or maybe the 36th one-hitter in Mets history. Either way.

Aided by an incredible catch out in left by hometown hero Mike Baxter and a blunder by the third base umpire, the 33-year-old lefty managed to squeeze out an 8-0 no-hit victory over the St. Louis Cardinals Friday night.

Carlos Beltran, who was enjoying his first game back at Citi Field since the Mets traded him last July, hit a liner over third base in the sixth that hit the foul line and probably should have been called fair, but whoopsie, it was ruled foul... and the rest is literally history.

Santana, who was more or less just hoping to stay healthy this season, wound up striking out eight and walking five while credited with the first no-hitter in the entire 51-season, 8,020 game-history of the New York Mets. Pretty special... and fortunate that there's not more instant replay involved in the game.

[Amazin' Avenue]

Bud Selig Would Like to See Replay Expanded Before he Falls Asleep/Retires

Bud Selig is open to new technology implemented in Major League Baseball, including the expansion of instant replay.

Maybe he can figure out a way to modernize the bullpen telephone as to not embarrass the management anymore. Just an idea.

Of course, reviewing every single close call would prolong the ballgames. People who aren't fans of baseball and are pissed off about not being able to watch The X Factor or whatever reality show they're into when games last the 3-3 1/2 hours they already do, are likely proponents of keeping the game the way it is.

Other folks, who'd rather not see their teams totally screwed by an umpire's bad decision, are probably all for the expansion of instant replay.

The Commissioner, who plans to retire when his contract runs out after the 2012 season, told ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM that baseball plans to "enlarge replay a little bit." He went on to say this:

"If you’re going to start replaying every controversial decision or every close call, I think that hurts the sport."

Instant Replay: Today's the Day

It's Thursday, and it's not just fair or foul anymore. There's a third option for confused umpires to wager now: replay.

Old Blue will be allowed to check video on home run calls starting today, beginning with three series: Philadelphia @ Chicago, Minnesota @ Oakland and Texas @ Los Angeles. For whatever reason, replays will be used for all other games starting Friday.

Too bad they won't officially catch any mishaps which could arise when the Boston Red Sox visit Yankee Stadium for the last time ever. Looking for the sweep, no less.

/giant boner in Bristol.

[USA Today]

It's the End of the World As We Know It

Baseball purists just pooped their pants.

Umpires and baseball management signed an agreement on Wednesday that will allow instant replay to determine calls on the field.

Though they haven't figured out when it will begin, instant replay will be limited to boundary calls, including whether fly balls are fair, foul, or over the fence.

Thoughts?

[MLB] | [The 700 Level] | [Bleacher Report]

Not So Fast, Prince Fielder

Prince Fielder was under the impression he had won Saturday's game for the Milwaukee Brewers against the Minnesota Twins. Think again, buddy.

With two out in the bottom of the ninth and the Twins leading 4-3, Russell Branyan tied it up with a 415-foot bomb off closer Joe Nathan.

An inning later, the husky Fielder hit a drive off the center-field wall that appeared to hit the yellow line. In accordance with the ground rules at Miller Park, since the ball didn't go over the wall, it was not a homer. And since Fielder is a total fatass, he barely made it to third base. Matt Guerrier pitched out of the inning and they were onto more free baseball.

The real game-winner belonged to Brian Buscher, who was called up from the AAA Rochester Red Wings just a day earlier. After Brewers reliever Julian Tavarez loaded up the bags by way of a base hit to Joe Mauer and two walks in the twelfth, the fill-in third baseman drove in two on a single for his third straight hit. With two outs, Michael Cuddyer hit a pinch-hit, two-run triple before scoring on a Mike Cameron error.

The Big Sweat pitched a perfect 12th as the Twins won 9-4.

[Star Tribune]

One Scary Step Closer to Instant Replay

A proposal made by 25-out-of-30 general managers Tuesday was approved for the recommendation of instant replay to be instated to major league baseball.

Replay judges would be used to aid umpires with boundary calls, including whether potential homers are fair or foul, whether balls go over fences, and to make it clear whether fans interfere with possible longballs.

There was no specific timetable set for the system to be implemented.

If commissioner Bud Selig, who hates the idea, gives the go-ahead, his office staff would draft a detailed proposal for GMs to vote on when they get together next month at the winter meetings in Nashville, Tennessee.

Instant replay would then have to be approved by the players' union and umpires' union, and possibly even by owners.

It'll be a long time before something this drastic is decided, and it'll take a lot of convincing on the 25 GMs parts to get Selig to agree.

[NY Times] | [Dan Patrick] | [Out of Right Field]

Instant Replay on the GM Docket

The annual General Manager meetings start today in Orlando, and in addition to trades (A-Rod), deals (A-Rod) and other business (A-Rod), the topic of instant replay is expected to be up for discussion.

A couple of borderline homerun calls late in the season (Garrett Atkins' wheelchair-careening blast in the Rockies' wildcard playoff, and Manny Ramirez's longball single versus the Indians in the ALCS) helped call attention to the issue again this postseason- it was also discussed in subcommittee during last year's meetings.

Most GMs would support the addition of replays- at least in limited form. Yankees GM Brian Cashman, Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi and Brewers GM Doug Melvin are all on record in support of the idea.

"I am 110 percent for it and have been for quite some time," Cashman said Thursday. "This game moves so fast that the amount of times that they are correct is just amazing. [...] But why not utilize technology to your advantage to make certain that you get the play right on the field at all times, not just 99.9 percent of the time?"

Discussions regarding incorporating instant replay into the game have centered around limiting them to homerun calls and fair/foul determinations, and on the instigation of the umpiring crew. Additionally, replays could be limited to just postseason games.

Commissioner Bud Selig does not want replays, but also said he would be willing to let the GMs debate the matter. And representatives for the umpires union have also indicated that they would want to discuss the matter and incorporate it into their collective bargaining agreement.

[ USA Today ] | [ CBS Sportsline ] | [ Purple Row ]

Men In Suits Making Tough Decisions

Bud Selig -- an avid opponent of instant replay -- is willing to let big league general managers consider the possibility when they meet in early November, and report back to the Commissioner's Office with their recommendations.

Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, who feels his team has been robbed on at least four separate occasions, is all for it. He claims that replays would cut down on arguments and speed up the games.

However, Selig isn't fond of the idea, as he believes it causes more delays than it avoids. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?

"There are controversial decisions, and I understand it. But this has been going on 130 years, too," Selig said.

Which brings us to this poll. Is instant replay a good idea for major league baseball?

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  Yes


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  No


• 
  Undecided

view results

[ESPN] | [The Biz of Baseball] | [The Fanhouse]