How Replay Will Work in 2014

Let’s see if we understand the new MLB instant replay rules.

There are 13 type of plays that are reviewable:

  1. Home run
  2. Ground-rule double
  3. Fan interference
  4. Stadium boundary calls (e.g., fielder into stands, ball into stands triggering dead ball)
  5. Force play (except the fielder’s touching of second base on a double play)
  6. Tag play (including steals and pickoffs)
  7. Fair/foul in outfield only
  8. Trap play in outfield only
  9. Batter hit by pitch
  10. Timing play (whether a runner scores before a third out)
  11. Touching a base (requires appeal)
  12. Passing runners
  13. Record keeping (Ball-strike count to a batter, outs, score, and substitutions)

Managers may initiate a replay challenge by requesting one from the umpiring crew chief. If the manager wins the challenge he may call for one more review. If the manager loses the challenge he also loses the ability to call a second challenge that game. Each team’s manager may call no more than 2 reviews.

In addition to manager initiated challenges the umpiring crew chief may initiate a review from the seventh inning until the game’s conclusion. At this point of the game a manager that has exausted his challanges for the game may request a review but the umpiring crew chief has full discretion over if the review will take place. Home run calls are also at the discretion of the umpiring crew chief.

The actual review will take place at MLB headquarters in New York. The umpiring crew will have a place near home plate where he can communicate with the replay umpire who will have access to video from ballpark cameras. The replay umpire will overturn the call if he observes that there is “clear and convincing evidence” in the footage available for review. The replay umpire will also decide issues related to an overturned call such as runner placement, etc. The field umpires have no control over a call under review, will not have a monitor to watch along with with the replay umpire and must abide by the replay umpires call.

Teams may have personel in the clubhouse monitoring video and calling into the dugout with suggested plays to review. Home teams must supply visiting teams with the same clubhouse video technology that exists in the home clubhouse.

So are we clear now?

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