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Thinking About Instant Replay

As we have seen (in limited numbers) from the poll on the PA homepage, most people are at least open to the idea of some type of instant replay.  In most major sports, including baseball, there is some use of replay; however, I feel like the system could easily be expanded. The tougher question has always been, "How can it be reasonably applied in baseball?"  Well, I mulled it around a bit, and here's what I've come up with.  Let me know if you think this is reasonable.

Up until a few days ago, of course, we simply would have asked Francisco Cervelli what the correct call on the field was.  Unfortunately, Cervelli has taken his thunderous bat, his rocket arm, and his rattlesnakes down to Scranton.  While he is away, I would like to see the following challenge system:

-Each team will get two challenges to use in innings 1-7.  If the challenge is a success, the team will not be punished.  If the challenge is not a success, the challenge will count as the official "mound visit" in their pitching half of the inning.  Meaning, if the pitcher is visited again during the half-inning, he must be removed from the game.

- In the 8th, 9th, and any extra innings, all review will be initiated by a replay official.  This is very similar to footballs "last two minute and overtime" rule.

-Challenges may be used to overturn the following:

     -Fair or foul (on any ball, not just a home run)

     -Safe or out (on any base)

     -If a catch has been made, or if the ball has hit the ground

     -If a player missed a base

     -If a player left a base tagging up too soon

-Challenges may NOT be used to overturn the following:

      -Strikes or balls

      -Balks

      -To overturn any official scoring (error vs. infield hit etc.)

I have probably forgotten to mention a couple of situations, but I think that sums up most of the reasons why we would need replay.  I think that this could be a great improvement to the game.  For those of you who claim that "replay would slow down the game", most of those situations are pretty clear.

With a freeze frame instant replay, it would be easy for umpires to make sure they make the correct safe/out call.  As such, they may spend 45 seconds reviewing the play, then come up with the correct call.  Without replay, the player and manager argue for 2 minutes, someone gets ejected, and the call is still wrong.

Maybe in 10 years after he has put together 48 committees to discuss the problem, I can only hope that Bud Selig puts in place something like this.

1 recs  |  Comment 18 comments |

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Wow

That’s probably the most well thought out proposal I’ve heard yet. The purists probably wouldn’t be too offended and umpires union might actually agree to such a system since it wouldn’t allow for balls and strikes to be reviewed. As long as they streamline the review process and limit it to under two minutes (some of the 7 and 8 minute long delays are absolutely unacceptable) I think this system could be pretty practical. Well done

by RicketyCricket on Jul 9, 2009 6:35 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

i'd go for that

with a few additions:

whether a pitch hit a batter
check swing
did a foul hit the ground or go right into the catcher’s mitt
runner out of the baseline
fan interference

Melky’s reviewed HR from the other day took far shorter than having a manager(s) come out to argue.

by Travis G on Jul 9, 2009 7:33 PM EDT reply actions  

I think that any of those additions would be fine

the only things that I didn’t want to put in were balls/strikes and other “judgment” type umpiring things. I think this is a complete win-win. The umps get to avoid the arguing by going to review the play, the players are satisfied that they didn’t get screwed, and with one or two looks at a slow-motion replay, ANY of these calls should become clear. What’s not to like?

by Lord Duggan on Jul 9, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

well, i'm a big proponent

of automating officiating whenever possible. i fully support having computers call pitches, and you’ll see that later tonight…

by Travis G on Jul 9, 2009 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

How boring would that be

I like the organic element of human deviation for the strike zone.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Jul 9, 2009 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

Agreed

I totally agree that baseball needs instant replay in addition to the one they have for homeruns. Its seems that umpires keep making more mistakes every year. The one thing I don’t want to happen is for it to cause the game to be longer. So if a strategy like this can work think it will help the games get called correctly. Yanks rule!

Check out this Yankee vid. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfH5_bhgKsU

by 2bayankfan on Jul 9, 2009 8:16 PM EDT reply actions  

problem with the fair/foul

If the ump calls the ball fall, everyone’s going to stop. Are we going to try to guess where the runner(s) would have wound up?

by long time listener on Jul 9, 2009 8:24 PM EDT reply actions  

this is what I was going to say

If a ball is hit down the line & is called foul but the runner stops b/c the umpire calls foul, then what…

by BriGuy27 on Jul 10, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

Exactly

It doesn’t work unless the ball is dead.

There is nothing wrong with allowing humans to officiate/umpire. I love sports as much as anybody, but I’m not going to kill myself if a call is missed.

If I was, the Giants/49ers playoff game in 2002 would have been when. The refs blew that call, and the Giants lost a game they could have won (but probably didn’t deserve to anyway.)

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 10, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions  

In football

there are some plays that “aren’t challengable” because the whistle blows and the players stop. I think the same thing could be used here. If the ump kills a play by calling the ball foul, it isn’t challengable. But, if he calls a ball fair, you can challenge that it was really foul.

by Lord Duggan on Jul 10, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

In other words...

…you’re still screwed if a ball is called foul that was really fair.

Doesn’t sound like replay is solving anything.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jul 10, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

That's one example of how it doesn't work

we just gave like 35 where it would work and help you get the right call. How is that not solving anything? There’s no way to have a perfect system.

by Lord Duggan on Jul 10, 2009 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

My Biggest Problem Has Been Solved

I love the penalty system, I could not think of a solid way to penalize a failed challenge. I love the thought you put into this. Very well thought out, solid and stream lined. I think it would work.

My only problem is that you won’t get to see nearly as umpires having dirt kicked on them. lol

by syllk on Jul 10, 2009 1:17 AM EDT reply actions  

Quicker

I agree with all of this, but the one thing they’d need to do is find a way to review it without the umpires leaving the field. Maybe there could be a review booth placed next to one of the dugouts near where the photographers sit, or better yet, there would be a 5th ump who sits in the press box and handles reviews, although I’m sure MLB wouldn’t want to pay for that.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Jul 10, 2009 3:04 AM EDT reply actions  

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