New Instant Replay Rules

[Bench]

MLB has adopted its very own challenge system.  Unfortunately, it doesn't involve throwing red flags.  

The basics: Each manager will be permitted one challenge in a game. If the challenge is upheld in any portion, he will retain the right to challenge one more play. A manager will not be allowed to challenge more than two plays in a game.

If a manager has exhausted his challenges, the umpiring crew chief may initiate a review on any close play from the seventh inning forward.

All reviews will be conducted at the Replay Command Center at MLBAM headquarters in New York.

Approximately 90 percent of all plays will be subject to review, including calls involving home runs, ground-rule doubles, fan interference, boundary calls, force plays, tag plays, fair-foul and trap plays in the outfield, hit by pitches, timing plays, touching bases, passing runners and any dispute involving ball-strike counts, outs, score or substitutions. All other plays, including obstruction and force plays at second base, will not be reviewable.

So the "vicinity play" when turning a double play at second base is not reviewable which makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. 

Also:  Clubs will now have the right to show replays of all close plays on its ballpark scoreboard, regardless of whether the play is reviewed.

[Ty in Tampa]

I don't really have a problem with the way the "neighborhood" play has been called historically. If they were to put them under review, it would give cause to try and take out fielders more often. I see why they left it off the list.

[NeilT]

I don't really have a problem with the way the "neighborhood" play has been called historically. If they were to put them under review, it would give cause to try and take out fielders more often. I see why they left it off the list.

I agree.  Plus it would slow down double plays for no good reason.  Why obstruction though?

[Limey]

I agree.  Plus it would slow down double plays for no good reason. 

Well, making them actually get the first out of a double play would seem to be pivotal (get it?) to the whole two outs thing.

[Fredia]

will it change the game to a point it becomes something else

[Navin R Johnson]

Also:  Clubs will now have the right to show replays of all close plays on its ballpark scoreboard, regardless of whether the play is reviewed.

Excellent news.  The urban legend(?) around teams not showing replays was because the umpires or their unions didn't want them shown. Is that the reason or does anyone know the real reason why they wouldn't show close plays on the jumbotron?

[HudsonHawk]

I agree.  Plus it would slow down double plays for no good reason.  Why obstruction though?

Because obstruction is completely subjective, like balls and strikes. 

[Uncle Charlie]

What is a timing play?

[HudsonHawk]

What is a timing play?

A timing play refers to whether or not a run scores before the third out is made (not forced, obviously).  For example, a runner on 1B and 3B, 1 out...runner on 1B runs on the pitch, and the ball is hit in the air.  Runner on 3B tags, but the outfielder catches the ball and throws to double off the runner at 1B.  Whether or not the run counts depends on the timing of when he crosses the plate and when the runner at 1B is out.

[BUWebguy]

Excellent news.  The urban legend(?) around teams not showing replays was because the umpires or their unions didn't want them shown. Is that the reason or does anyone know the real reason why they wouldn't show close plays on the jumbotron?

According to MASN, it dates to a 1976 Yankees-Orioles game that led to a ruling by the league president:
http://www.masnsports.com/orioles_buzz/2014/01/the-orioles-and-the-1976-incident-that-got-scoreboard-replays-banned.html

Seems like even through the 1980s, though, I remember teams running a lot more replays on the board than they do now. Didn't the Astros used to replay virtually every play at one time?

[NeilT]

Because obstruction is completely subjective, like balls and strikes. 

That makes sense.  You either tag or don't tag.  Obstruction is somewhat in the eye of the beholder.

[HudsonHawk]

That makes sense.  You either tag or don't tag.  Obstruction is somewhat in the eye of the beholder.

Yeah, obstruction requires the umpire to judge a hypothetical...where would the runner have ended up if not for the contact.  Not that umpires are brilliant in there calls already, but it's not a "yes/no" question.

[Jacksonian]

So now will managers come out of the dugout to talk to umpires on every close play until they get the "replay yes or no" signal from the dugout?

[HudsonHawk]

So now will managers come out of the dugout to talk to umpires on every close play until they get the "replay yes or no" signal from the dugout?

My guess is they will be allowed to challenge it or not. They could simply say "you step out of the dugout to argue, that's your challenge."  You do it again after your challenge is gone, you're ejected. Period. The league could also institute penalties and fines for manager ejections.

[Mr. Happy]

My guess is they will be allowed to challenge it or not. They could simply say "you step out of the dugout to argue, that's your challenge."  You do it again after your challenge is gone, you're ejected. Period. The league could also institute penalties and fines for manager ejections.

I hope that you are wrong about that. I love to see managers come unglued with anger and outrage out on the field.

[HudsonHawk]

I hope that you are wrong about that. I love to see managers come unglued with anger and outrage out on the field.

Not me. It's the worst part of the game, IMO.

[Fredia]

makes me think of bobby cox

[geezerdonk]

did you ever ware them?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Hopefully this will prevent guys like Jim Joyce and Don Denkinger from putting their unfortunate and lasting imprints on the game.

[Navin R Johnson]

So has Vegas set odds on which ump gets the most calls overturned?   Seeing someone like Angel Hernandez have to admit he F'd up is nice side plot to the season.

[Limey]

So has Vegas set odds on which ump gets the most calls overturned?   Seeing someone like Angel Hernandez have to admit he F'd up is nice side plot to the season.

Four times a game, every game.

[Navin R Johnson]

According to MASN, it dates to a 1976 Yankees-Orioles game that led to a ruling by the league president:
http://www.masnsports.com/orioles_buzz/2014/01/the-orioles-and-the-1976-incident-that-got-scoreboard-replays-banned.html

Seems like even through the 1980s, though, I remember teams running a lot more replays on the board than they do now. Didn't the Astros used to replay virtually every play at one time?

Thanks for the link, I had never heard that story.  Interesting stuff.

[Fredia]

how many f ups are allowed per ump before something is said

[Bench]

Hopefully this will prevent guys like Jim Joyce and Don Denkinger from putting their unfortunate and lasting imprints on the game.

Oh the humanity.

[chuck]

I intensely dislike the expansion of video challenges in Major League Baseball but I do relish the idea that these previously untouchable, smug pricks will now frequently be upbraided publicly and certainly mocked for their frequently horrible calls.

[Mr. Happy]

So has Vegas set odds on which ump gets the most calls overturned?   Seeing someone like Angel Hernandez have to admit he F'd up is nice side plot to the season.

Say no more than C.B. Bucknor.