MLB to "RADICALLY expand" video review

[KSaw]

Well here are the issues. The umpires new contract is coming up and they are getting big raises. That is problem number 1 because both MLB and the umpires prefer the idea of 5 man crews, with 1 in the booth using the 3-D technology they have at Yankee Stadium. Problem 2 is that would require 17 more full time umpires and they only figure that they have about 10 qualified in AAA at this time.

[KSaw]

Couldn't they have designated booth umpires? The rotation tradition doesn't need to be all-encompassing.

 

And do you really think umps like Balkin' Bob Davidson would be able to use YES 3D anyway?

 

They don't even want retired umpires involved, let alone booth umpires. The issue is that a review would look at entire play. Lets say that a runner was called safe at 3b but on review he was actually tagged in time. Lets also say that he was obstructed but the obstruction had been missed. The replay booth reviewer needs to be an umpire to now make the judgement call that the obstruction slowed the runner enough to cause him to be tagged out. Heck, he has to be able to spot and know obstruction rules. That's just one example. A missed balk on a pickoff would be another. And on and on...

[Dirty SlobberKnocker]

I'm happy they're doing something. I'm not happy that they want to have challenges, there is no reason why they can't have a 5th ump who watches the game in a TV room where they can see the replay seconds after the play happens and have every ump wearing a headset so they can all communicate instantly. Challenges are just a waste of time.

[KingKat]

I'm happy they're doing something. I'm not happy that they want to have challenges, there is no reason why they can't have a 5th ump who watches the game in a TV room where they can see the replay seconds after the play happens and have every ump wearing a headset so they can all communicate instantly. Challenges are just a waste of time.

 

Yeah the challenges introduce a lot of problems...

 

The managers don't want the responsibility and who can blame them. They don't see the replays themselves so they can't know that the play was blown. In the NFL, the head coaches have their own video people who can tell them whether something is worth challenging or not. No such luxury in baseball. Managers will base their decisions on the situation. They will make challenges that they can't win because of the importance of the situation and they will refrain from making challenges they would win because the situation doesn't seem important enough (situations that might end up snow-balling). On anything close, the managers will have no way of knowing what's worth challenging. This will greatly reduce the effectiveness of the system. This system isn't designed to maximize the amount of correct calls. It's designed to help get some additional calls right while also creating a lot of built-in friction so that the umpires feel less threatened by the change. Still I want to be clear that I'm not against reviews even in this half-baked form. This is progress and if the cost of progress is compromise, so be it. If they go with this, the flaws will be exposed pretty quickly and it will lead to further improvements. This is way better than the status quo.

[KingKat]

Owners have approved funding of the replay process. Umpires and players still need to approve it, but they are fully expected to. It is slightly different than the proposal:

 

- Managers get two challenges per game, regardless of inning

- Managers forfeit the second challenge if they are incorrect on the first

 

That makes more sense than the initial proposal.

[Sammy225]

Now we can evaluate managers on challenge % rather than win loss record

 

I kind of like the idea that they loose their last challenge if they are wrong so they have to at least be positive of the play and managers don't just challenge all willy nilly.

 

Also did they mention what plays are not challengeable?

[Sammy225]

No but I believe it is foul balls and plays on the bases for sure. Not sure on foul tips or hit batters or interference. Catches as well.

 

I would assume most is reviewable accept Balls and Strikes.

[KingKat]

No but I believe it is foul balls and plays on the bases for sure. Not sure on foul tips or hit batters or interference. Catches as well.

 

Pitches that don't generate swings unlikely to be on the table. Maybe swing/didn't swing on third strikes but even that seems iffy.