Baseball approved "expanded" replay today.
What is actually reviewable is unclear.
But managers get a challenge flag, and up
to two challenges per game if the first one works.
This is going to slow down the game even more.
And it is not going to stop players and managers
from arguing calls? Or do you get tossed if the
manager has already used his challenge?
And what happens if there is an argument on the
field and not a challenge, can the umpires still
meet among themselves to review the play?
And can they use replay or just their memory?
According to media reports, managers will be allowed to challenge no more than two plays per
game, with a second challenge only being allowed if the manager wins his first challenge, i.e. the objection to the play is sustained. Challenges will be made verbally
to that day's crew chief. The umpiring crew will also be allowed to
initiate a review on any "qualified play" from the seventh inning on, even if there are no managerial challenges left. Most plays will be eligible for challenge, including: ground-rule
doubles, fan interference, stadium boundary calls, force plays (with the
exception of a fielder touching second base on a double play), tag
plays, fair/foul calls in the outfield, trap calls in the outfield, hit
by pitch calls, timing plays such as whether a runner scores before a third out
is recorded on the field, touching a base, passing runners and record-keeping errors (e.g.
ball and strike counts, outs, substitutions, line up violations.)
Home run calls will continue to be reviewable upon the crew chief's
discretion. Managers can request that the umpiring crew review a home
run call but cannot directly challenge a home run ruling.
The hot button issue excluded from the new replay rules is the "neighborhood play" around second base during a double play. The rule book says to make a force out, a fielder must touch the bag before the runner. However, it has gotten enforced in a sloppy fashion at second, with umpires routinely giving the fielder a "safety cushion" around second base to avoid a player's sliding spikes. However, some of the out calls at second base have been horrendous . . . the fielder was not even close to the bag because of bad positioning or a poor throw. Traditionalists would want the rule enforced to the letter.
Umpires will still perceive themselves being second guessed even more because of the new replay rules. The argument for the rules is that the integrity of the game should be that the "right" call be made. But when you exempt the double play bag tag from the rules, then that does not make much sense in the total picture of the sport. In addition, the problem with the length of major league games is only going to grow with more replay delays.
