How's instant replay going?

Note: This was updated at 2:35 PM on Sat. 9/20/14.

Instant replay has seen its ups & downs over the past four-plus months with more ups than downs since the first month. The average time for a replay is 1:45 with some replays taking a hair over four mins. I'd like to see the avg. time to be under 90 secs with a max. time of 3:45, but I'll be willing to sacrifice 15-20 secs so that the call is right. I'm sure that the avg. tie will decrease as more umps become familiar with the new system. So far, a bit less than half of reviewed plays have been overturned with the rest standing pat via confirmation or inconclusive, so it is making an impact on the game. It's not, in the grand scheme of things, severely affecting pace of game (pick-off attempts, managers playing match-ups, meetings on the mound, hitters adjusting gloves, etc. are having more of an impact on pace/ rhythm - MLB acknowledges this & expects to make changes in off-season), but there have been situations in which long replays do/ can have noticeable impacts on pace-of-game. Here's a plausible scenario: a pitcher has retired 7 straight with 24 pitches, and the 2nd out of the inning is safe at 1B. The close play is challenged and the review takes three mins before being ruled inconclusive. The next batter sees 6 pitches and hits a two-run HR on pitch #7 of the AB. One can argue that, despite throwing a few pitches here & there, the long review (and possibly its result) upset the pitcher's momentum, resulting in a long AB & two ER on pitchers record. Now, this doesn't happen often but similar scenarios have occurred. So, far, the review process is smooth time-wise & sound results-wise except when it comes to enforcement of the new catching rule - 7.13: rulings are very inconsistent given the ambiguous wording of the rule. It's complicated by catchers still wanting to block the plate somewhat - "old habits die hard." I like the intent, but I would like to see this rule eliminated or reworded (during the off-season): initially place catchers' left feet just off the top-left corner of the plate. Any collisions after that should be chalked up to "part of the game." Update: MLB has told teams & umps that if the throw arrives well before the runner does, that is usually an out.

I personally would rather have replay than none at all. It has & continues to work in the NCAA, NFL, NHL, & NBA. Plus, I feared that things could turn violent off the field (fans vs. umps) if a blown call affected the result. For instance, Lord knows what could have happened to Jim Joyce if not for Galarraga's courageous public display of forgiveness in July 2010. No one is perfect, but MLB's replay procedures get a "B" from me.

Replay Rules for MLB

Reviews are initiated via umpire's discretion (scoring plays) or managers' challenge (most other plays) and reviewed in the new Replay Center in NY. The crew chief communicates w/ the replay center umps via headsets. There must be indisputable video evidence (similar to NCAAF) & the result of the replay is either "overturned", "stands" (inconclusive), or "confirmed". Each manager gets one challenge & a second if the first results in the "overturned result." If the manager is out of challenges, the umps can review the play at his request after the 7th inning.

How's it going so far? I'd say there are a few bugs with not only replay system, but also with the new catchers' rule. It'll take time, but I'm confident things will smooth out over the coming months. However, I will not hesitate to suggest that changes may be needed if the time comes, but for now, let the umps get used to the new system & catching rule first.

2014 Version of EIR Announced

About a week or two ago, MLB announced (I think it was through media sources) that the owners, players and umpires will vote on an Instant Replay system sometime during the coming off-season.

Once again, it is my hope that all calls except balls and strikes are reviewable. The more important question, as MLB have said over the past few years, is how do they review this without interrupting the pace of the game? I'm curious, but I can wait until the off-season vote for that.

In related news, I believe more public accountability of the umpires is also needed such as making umpires talk to the media (with help from the PR representative(s) of the team(s) involved) and announcing that an umpire was fined an undisclosed amount and/ or suspended. They should also release the mid-year and end-of season evaluations of umpires (with names blacked out) starting with the end of this year.

Quick Update - A Blown Review in May

About a seven weeks ago, Angel Hernandez reviewed a HR hit by Adam Rosales of the A's against the Indians on May 8th. The call was ruled a double and confirmed upon review. However, video evidence shown by both teams' broadcasters showed the ball hit the fence above the yellow HR line, clearly a home run. The umpire crew got it wrong, a fact confirmed by MLB Exec Joe Torre the next day. Torre also said the call will stand, resulting in a 4-3 A's loss to the Indians. The reason: the same as the imperfect game: setting a precedent.

My question is: "If the crew didn't get the call right upon review, then is there still hope that expanded instant replay (EIR) will work like it does in other major sports?" I think there's still hope, but this definitely complicates the debate and the negotiations with the umpires union on instant replay.

In related news, EIR is expected to be ready for the 2014 season.

My Proposal - REVISED

Automatic review: Home runs, scoring plays, fan interference on a play with runners on base – this will not count as a “team-triggered review” (see “Procedure” below)

Confer first, replay later: all other plays except balls and strikes

Challenges Limit: Two (2) intra-umpiring crew conference calls and one (1) replay challenge per manager per game. The challenge flag triggers the conference. Until the manager is unsuccessful in changing the call on two different plays (success once = one more attempt), the umpiring crew will confer each time the manager throws the flag. It must be thrown in view of the HP, 1B, or 3B umpire after the play is complete (less than 12 seconds is the rule). The manager can ask for a conference nicely if he runs out of calls.

Procedure after the flag is thrown:
A) “Team-triggered Review”:
(1) Timeout called
(2) Crew chief notified
(3) Crew chief–team(s) conference (may include players – see “Historical Games”)
(4) Umps will confer. They can decide to reverse the call w/o replay.
(5) If review: the 3 umps go to T.V. room. ALL angles at ANY speed and ONLY video :: no timers.
(6) After review: flag handed back unless that was the 2nd “call confirmed” (see “Challenges Limit”)
B) “Booth Review” during Postseason and All-Star games:
(1) The two OF umps and a supervisor will now be in the booth communicating to the on-field crew somehow.
(2) Counts as “Automatic review” (see above). If booth confirms “we do not request a review,” then the challenge is “team-triggered”.
(3) Follow appropriate steps from “Procedure A”

Historical games: the pitcher tossing the no-hitter, or the player(s) involved in the milestone (see below), will join his manager to discuss the play-in-question with the crew chief. In a no-hitter situation, this occurs from the top of the 6th inning until the 3rd batter after the first hit (giving the official scorer some time to determine a hit from error).

Calls like [unassisted] triple plays, errorless-streak breaking plays, HR milestones (300, 400, 500, 600), and long hitting streaks can also fall under this category. In those cases (and similar ones), the player(s) involved may join the discussion after the crew chief and manager discuss whether to include the player(s). HOWEVER, during no hitters, this clause should be exercised at the pitcher's discretion.

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Checked swings: HP ump MUST appeal to umpires at 1B or 3B

Promotions: Lottery where the better umpires have a better shot at earning a promotion.

Strike-Zone Evaluations: After each game, MLB should look at the ump's biases regarding the strike zone and whether he is misinterpreting the rules. That way, the strike zone can be made fairer to all.

Postseason experience: Must have three (3) yrs. MLB experience to be sent to a postseason or All-Star game… one 1st-timer and one newbie (2nd through 5th time in a postseason series) allowed. Similar to the lottery for promotions.

UPDATE: New CBA

The new CBA allows the expanded use of instant replay pending negotiations with the umpires.

Potential Replay Issue

Pence hit a fly ball to deep right field against the Marlins and it was ruled an out after instant replay (originally ruled a double). Replay and arguing took 10-15 mins. and disrupted the routine. Protest denied. Rule: 3.16

There was also talk, after ESPN's OTL report, of using timers. I don't think that's a good idea - I think seeing will be enough.

What do you think?