Editorials

MLB News: All 30 Teams Approve Expansion Of Instant Replay

Umpire MLB took the next step forward in getting things right on the field as all 30 teams have unanimously voted to expand the use of instant replay for both the regular season and postseason.

Apart of the replay system is the coaches challenge, which is a maximum of two per game. If a manager initiates a challenge and wins, he gets the right to challenge another call. Starting after the seventh inning, if a manager has lost his lone challenge, an umpire may initiate a play be looked at by the replay booth.



In all ballparks, a communication booth will be created near home plate that will be able to talk to the replay command center in New York before making the determination to keep or overturn a call. Another aspect of replay is that teams will now have the option of showing close plays on scoreboards at their ballpark even if the play isn’t reviewed.

Here’s how the review process is used in a press release sent out by MLB:

REVIEW PROCESS

  • Once instant replay review is invoked (either by the Manager or the Crew Chief), the Crew Chief will signal to the official scorer that the play is under review.
  • The Crew Chief and at least one other umpire will then move to a designated communication location near home plate, where they will have access to a hard-wired headset connected to the Replay Command Center in New York.
  • Major League Umpires will be staffed as Replay Officials at the Replay Command Center, located at MLB Advanced Media headquarters, for all Major League games.
  • The Replay Command Center will have direct access to video from most cameras in the ballpark in real-time, regardless of whether they are shown on the live broadcast.
  • The Replay Official will look at the video feeds and determine if there is clear and convincing evidence to overturn the call on the field. If the Replay Official overturns a call on the field, he will also use his judgment to determine where to appropriately place runners if the play had been called correctly on the field.
  • The umpires on the field will not have a monitor to review the play and they will not leave the field at any time.
  • The Replay Official will make the ultimate determination of whether to overturn the call.
  • On-Field personnel may not argue with the decision of the Replay Official.

CLUB ACCESS TO VIDEO

  • To determine whether to challenge a play, personnel in the dugout will be permitted to communicate with a video specialist in the Clubhouse who has access to the same video that is available to Replay Officials. This communication will occur via the dugout phone.
  • Both the home and visiting Clubs will have standardized technology to ensure each Club has equal access to all video.
  • No monitors or additional electronic equipment will be permitted in the dugout.

SCOREBOARD REPLAYS

  • Clubs will now have the right to show replays of all close plays on its ballpark scoreboard, regardless of whether the play is reviewed.

Ross Gasmer

Ross Gasmer is a Social Media Producer for @TheHerd and was a contributing writer and editor for Dodger Nation. Follow him on Twitter @Ross_Gasmer12

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