Instant replay in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) uses instant replay review to allow league officials to review certain types of plays in order to determine the accuracy of the initial call of the umpires on the field. Reviews may be initiated either by a team's manager with limitations or by the umpires themselves. All instant replay reviews are examined by umpires at the Replay Command Center in New York City, who have the final decision as to whether to uphold or overturn the initial call.
MLB was the last of the four major North American professional sports leagues to implement an instant replay review system. Instant replay review was first implemented during the 2008 season. Under that system, only the umpire crew chief could initiate a review, and one or more members of the umpiring crew would review the video at the stadium and render the decision to uphold or overturn the call. Only boundary home run calls could be reviewed, either if the initial call was a home run but might not have been (e.g., spectator interference or a foul ball near the foul pole) or if the initial call was not a home run but might have been (e.g., the ball hit an object such as a railing beyond the outfield wall and then bounced back onto the field).[1][2]
The current instant replay system was implemented in the 2014 season. Under the current system, each manager is allotted one challenge per game, with additional challenges granted only if the previous one was successful. From the eighth inning on, the umpire crew chief is allowed to initiate his own replay review. The umpire crew chief is also allowed to initiate a review during any inning if the play in question is a boundary home run call.
Procedure
The following plays may be subjected to instant replay review:[3]
- Home run or boundary calls, including placement of runners
- Fair/foul calls on balls hit into the outfield
- Force plays and tag plays
- Catch/trap calls on balls hit into the outfield, i.e., whether an outfielder cleanly caught a ball on the fly or trapped it just after it touched the ground
- Whether a runner passed a preceding runner
- Time plays, i.e., whether or not a run scored prior to the third out
- Missed bases
- Scorekeeping issues, including the count, number of outs, score, or substitutions
- Whether a batter was hit by a pitch
- Collisions at home plate (Rule 6.01(i))
- Tag-ups
- Interference on double plays
- Spectator interference
In addition, the crew chief can use replay to review the following issues at any time, which is not considered a challenge:
- The count, the number of outs, and the score
- Substitutions
- Batting out of turn
- Rules check
In cases where an appeal is required by rule (e.g. missed base, tag-up), an appeal must be made, and it is the call on the appeal that is reviewed.
To initiate a manager's challenge, a manager must either enter the field of play and verbally tell the umpire he will use his challenge, or call or signal the challenge from the top of the dugout, within 30 seconds after the end of the play. Teams are allowed to have a replay assistant in the booth watch the replay and talk with a coach via the dugout telephone to decide if the team should challenge the call. A player or coach in the dugout will signal to the manager whether or not to use the challenge. The manager must signal to hold play within 10 seconds after the end of the play in order to wait for his replay booth's decision.
When a play is reviewed, at least two umpires (including the crew chief) will go to an area behind
After being reviewed, umpires will call one of three review outcomes. If the play is confirmed, the umpire found clear and convincing evidence that the original call was correct. If the play is overturned, the umpire found clear and convincing evidence that the original call was incorrect. If the umpire found no clear evidence to overturn the call, the call stands.[5]
The replay review lasts no more than two minutes. The clock begins after what is being challenged is established by the crew chief. There are a few exceptions to this time limit however, including placement of runners, multiple challenges, technology issues, rules application, and director discretion.[5]
Some plays are non-reviewable, so instant replay cannot be used. These plays include subjective calls, such as check swings, infield fly rule, and balls and strikes. Other calls that are considered non-reviewable are trap plays (infield), foul tips, and mound visit count.[5]
Background
Instant replay in MLB actually had been used once before in the 1999 season during a
Major League Baseball instant replay was instituted on August 28, 2008, by
MLB was the last of the four major United States professional sports leagues to implement an instant replay review system. Replay was used 123 times between August 28, 2008, and the conclusion of the 2010 season (with 48 of those instances resulting in overturned calls).[10]
Official debut
Replay made its official, sanctioned MLB debut at
The first instance of an umpire's call being overturned by instant replay also occurred at Tropicana Field. On September 19, 2008, in the bottom of the 4th inning with two runners on base, Carlos Peña of the Rays hit the ball just over the fence in right field. The umpires originally ruled that there was spectator interference, but after several minutes of viewing replays, the umpires returned to the field and signaled it a home run, extending the Rays' lead to 9-0.[12]
Aside from the two aforementioned reviews at Tampa Bay, review was used five additional times during the 2008 regular season: twice at Houston, and once each at Seattle, San Francisco, and Philadelphia.
Use of instant replay
On March 16, 2009, during the
Instant replay instead made its WBC debut during the 2013 World Baseball Classic, as umpires upheld a home run call during a Mexico vs. USA game.[14]
On June 19, 2009, instant replay was used twice in a game for the first time, during a Detroit Tigers versus Milwaukee Brewers game.
On October 31, 2009, instant replay was used for the first time in a World Series. In the fourth inning of Game 3 of the World Series, Alex Rodriguez hit a ball that bounced off the camera in right field. Initially called as a double, the umpires reviewed the play, and determined that had the camera not been in its location, the ball probably would have left the park, and a home run was awarded to Rodriguez, making the score 3-2.[15]
On June 1, 2011,
On August 18, 2011, Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins hit a deep fly ball to right field that appeared to go just to the right side of the foul pole for a foul ball in a game against the New York Yankees. However, the umpires immediately called it a home run. Yankees manager Joe Girardi came out to argue the call and ask for a review. The umpires reviewed and ruled that the ball did indeed go past the right side of the foul pole, thus calling it a foul ball. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire came out to argue the call and was ejected from the game by home plate umpire Brian O'Nora for arguing a decision to change a call after looking at instant replay, which pursuant to MLB rules, results in an automatic ejection.[16]
On September 4, 2011,
Changes for 2014
Instant replay was not expanded in 2012, and Torre confirmed that instant replay would again not be expanded in time for Opening Day 2013, putting off plans for another season.[18] On August 15, 2013, Major League Baseball announced that it would expand its video review process for the 2014 season, granting managers one challenge over the first six innings of games and two from the seventh inning until the end of the game. Calls that are challenged would be reviewed by a crew in MLB headquarters in New York City, who make the final ruling.[19]
As part of the 2014
2013 Arizona Fall League testing
Following the conclusion of the
The first overturned call occurred during November 6's Rafters-Scorpions game when umpires used replay to reverse an out call on a stolen base attempt. The game also featured a rare multi-replay challenge, as video review upheld two umpiring calls in one play: batter Kyle Kubitza's touch of second base as well as his slide into third base ahead of a tag.[22]
In total, fifteen calls were challenged with three overturned upon instant replay review, resulting in a 20% overturn rate.[23]
Expanded replay approved for 2014
To accommodate the anticipated expansion of instant replay, MLB promoted seven minor league umpires to the full-time major league staff on January 14, 2014.[24] Two days later, on January 16, MLB officially announced the approval of expanded instant replay for use during the 2014 season, whose terms were modified after negotiations with the MLBPA and WUA.[25] According to the terms, managers were allotted one challenge per game (two if the first challenge resulted in an overturned call) while the umpiring crew chief was empowered to initiate a review in the seventh inning and beyond. The umpires were also allowed to review a home run call at any time. Once a call was challenged or an umpire requested a video review, fellow umpires in New York's Replay Command Center watched video of the play in question using the "indisputable video evidence" standard when deciding whether to overturn a call. The following plays were reviewable under the system:
- Ground-rule doubles
- Fan interference calls
- Boundary calls (managers may not, however, challenge home run or potential home run calls)
- Force plays at all bases, except whether a middle infielder touched second base during the attempt to "turn" a double play
- Tag plays on the base paths—whether a runner was tagged or whether the runner touched a base (an appeal is still required ahead of the latter)
- Fair/foul calls on balls hit into the outfield
- Catch/trap calls on balls hit into the outfield
- Time plays (whether or not a run scored prior to the third out)
- Whether a runner passed a preceding runner
- Scorekeeping issues, including the count, number of outs, score or substitutions
Judgment calls not specified above, including, but not limited to, pitches called ball or strike, obstruction, interference, the infield fly rule, and checked swings are not reviewable.
On March 31, 2014, the first instant replay challenge under the new system occurred when
As of the 2014 All-Star Break, instant replay was generally well received by managers, players, and umpires. Managers challenged 606 calls, or an average of one every 2.35 games, of which 52% were overturned. Including situations where umpires requested the Replay Operations Center to review a call, 47.7% of calls were overturned. However, MLB informally allows up to 30 seconds to have the team's video coordinator signal a call to the manager. When situations where the manager comes out on the field to await a decision from a team video coordinator are included, MLB estimates the percentage of calls overturned decreases to 21%. The average replay review takes one minute, fifty seconds, which is higher than MLB's original goal of 90 seconds per review.[29]
One side effect has been the addition of 12 new umpires—the most since 1999—to MLB's staff, due to the need to staff the Replay Command Center with two crews. However, statistics show that umpiring quality has remained constant despite the additions, with four out of the top seven umpires with reversals those who have umpired more than 1,600 games.[29]
Changes for 2015
In 2015, many changes regarding instant replay were made. Managers could invoke instant replay from the dugout and were no longer be required to approach the calling umpire to challenge a call. Managers could hold play from the top step of the dugout by signaling to players and the home plate umpire that they are considering a challenge. A decision could be communicated verbally or with a hand signal. To challenge an inning-ending call, managers are required to leave the dugout immediately in order to hold the defensive team on the field.[30]
Tag-up plays became reviewable, to help determine if a player touched the base before continuing or not. A manager now retains his challenge after every call that is overturned, as opposed to the 2014 standard that allowed a challenge to be retained only after the first overturned call. A manager must use a challenge in order to review whether a play at home plate included a violation of the rule governing home plate collisions. However, in the event that a manager is out of challenges after the start of the seventh inning, the crew chief may still choose to review whether there was a violation of the rule. During postseason games, regular season tiebreaker games, and the All-Star Game, managers are given two challenges per game. Instant replay was not utilized during 2015 spring training, but it was in place for exhibition games at Major League ballparks prior to the start of the 2015 regular season.[30]
See also
- Bill Duplissea, known for his effectiveness in challenging calls for the Kansas City Royals[31]
References
- ^ "Major League Baseball approves expanded instant replay, managers can challenge up to two calls a game". Daily News. New York.
- ^ "MLB clubs unanimously approve expansion of instant replay". Major League Baseball. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
- ^ "Ground Rules | MLB.com".
- ^ "All systems go with expanded instant replay for Major League Baseball | MLB.com: News". Archived from the original on March 30, 2014.
- ^ a b c "2019 INSTANT REPLAY RULES". Baseball Rules Academy. March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- ^ "Marlins object to umps watching TV". CNN. June 1, 1999. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012.
- ^ "Marlins' 'Replay' Protest Denied". Los Angeles Times. June 4, 1999.
- ^ "NL president: Umpire erred in consulting replay". CNN. June 2, 1999.
- ^ Curry, Jack (August 27, 2008). "Baseball to Use Replay Review on Homers". New York Times. Retrieved October 1, 2008.
- ^ "Instant Replay at a Glance". October 20, 2010.
- ^ "Instant replay goes off without a hitch". Major League Baseball. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
- ^ "Rays' Pena shines, receives MLB's first replay reversal in rout of Twins". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
- ^ "World Baseball Classic: Umpires don't use replay in Classic". World Baseball Classic. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
- ^ "Instant Replay Debuts at World Baseball Classic", Close Call Sports, March 8, 2013
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "WS 2009 Gm 3: A-Rod is awarded a home run on review". YouTube.
- ^ "Ejections: Brian O'Nora (1)". Close Call Sports/Umpire Ejection Fantasy League. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
- ^ "Ejections: Joe West (7)". Close Call Sports/Umpire Ejection Fantasy League. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
- ^ "Expanded Replay Not on Par for Opening Day 2013", Close Call Sports/Umpire Ejection Fantasy League, February 19, 2013
- ^ "MLB to expand instant replay in 2014". ESPN.com. August 15, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
- ^ "Instant replay testing to be conducted at Arizona Fall League[permanent dead link]." MLB (Press release). November 1, 2013.
- ^ "AFL Instant Replay Update: Umpires Perfect in Game 1." Close Call Sports/Umpire Ejection Fantasy League. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ "AFL Instant Replay Update: Video Reverses Call in Game 2." Close Call Sports/Umpire Ejection Fantasy League. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
- ^ "AFL Instant Replay: 20% of Challenged Calls Overturned." Close Call Sports/Umpire Ejection Fantasy League. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
- ^ Imber, Gil. "Confirmed: MLB Hires 7 New Umpires to Full-Time Staff." Close Call Sports/Umpire Ejection Fantasy League. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
- ^ "MLB clubs unanimously approve expansion of instant replay." Major League Baseball (Press Release). Retrieved January 17, 2014.
- ^ MLB [@MLB] (March 31, 2014). "MLB umpire Larry Vanover (right) & MLBAM technician Timothy Akins handled first review under the new replay system" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Major League Baseball launches expanded replay era". Yahoo Sports. April 1, 2014. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
- ^ "A's lose major league-record 10th straight Opening Day game". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
- ^ a b Paul White, USA TODAY Sports (July 20, 2014). "What are the early returns on MLB instant replay?". USA TODAY. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
- ^ a b "Press Releases". Major League Baseball. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
- ^ Rogers, Anne (June 15, 2023). "The face behind Royals' replay review success". MLB.com. Retrieved September 27, 2023.