The Baseball Thread

MLB to expand instant replay in 2014

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- Calling it a historic moment, Commissioner Bud Selig said Thursday
that Major League Baseball plans to expand its video review process next season, giving managers
a tool they've never had in an effort to dramatically reduce the number of incorrect calls made in
games.

Selig made the announcement after two days of meetings with representatives of the 30 teams.
The proposal is to be voted on by the owners in November.

"I'm proud of them," Selig said of the replay committee. "It's worked out remarkably well. It's
historic. There's no question about it."

A 75 percent vote by the owners is needed for approval and the players' association and umpires
would have to agree to any changes to the current system.

MLB vice president Joe Torre gave the replay presentation to representatives from all 30 teams
on Wednesday and it was discussed Thursday morning.

Atlanta Braves President John Schuerholz, a member of the replay committee along with Torre
and former manager Tony La Russa, said the umpires were receptive to the change. Schuerholz
said 89 percent of incorrect calls made in the past will be reviewable, but he did not provide a
list.

Umpires have come under increased scrutiny following several missed calls this season.

"We believe this will be very impactful and very, very meaningful and useful for all sides,"
Schuerholz said. "Managers will have a new tool that they'll have to learn how to use."

Managers will be allowed one challenge over the first six innings of a game and two
from the seventh inning until the completion of the game. Calls that are challenged will
be reviewed by a crew in MLB headquarters in New York City, which will make a final ruling.

A manager who sees a call he feels is incorrect can file a challenge with the crew chief or home
plate umpire. Only reviewable plays can be challenged. Non-reviewable plays can still be argued
by managers, who can request that the umpires discuss it to see if another member of the crew
saw the play differently. Reviewable plays cannot be argued by the manager.

Challenges not used in the first six innings will not carry over, and a manager who
wins a challenge will retain it.

The home run replay rules currently in use will be grandfathered in to the new system, Schuerholz
said.

MLB expects to use the new system in the 2014 playoffs, and the system could be enhanced in the
postseason. Training sessions for umpires will start in the Arizona Fall League this winter and
continue into spring training.

"We know we have to prepare people for this," Schuerholz said. "Everyone is embracing it. We
believe managers will in time."

Schuerholz said after the first year MLB will look at what worked and what didn't and make
adjustments for 2015.

Perhaps they could include a reset (zero out and start the count again) when things go into extra innings?

Ryne Dee Sandberg (born September 18, 1959), nicknamed "Ryno," is an American former
Major League Baseball second baseman and current manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.