Major League Baseball Will Test Two Experimental Replay Systems
Officials from Major League Baseball (MLB) announced on Friday that they would test two new experimental replay systems at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field in New York. Officials want to determine if the new systems are capable of quickly and accurately reviewing fair/foul calls.
While the systems will be installed and activated, they will not be used to confirm or reverse calls at this time; instead, the systems will be tested for future viability.
The first piece of technology is known as Hawkeye, and it will be used at Citi Field during Mets games in September. The system is the same one used in tennis.
The second piece of technology is a radar-based system that is used to track shots during gold telecasts. The radar-based technology will be tested at Yankee Stadium in September. The technology being used at Yankee Stadium has never been used to review calls in any sport.
If successful, the technology will than be reviewed further during Arizona Fall League games.
Results from both platforms will be discussed during the leagues November owners’ meetings.
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig recently said he would like to see fair/foul replay systems implemented by next season, although a timetable for the new systems has not yet been announced.
While Major League Baseball could simply rely on traditional human viewed replay technology, the league has been bent on finding more precise technology that is quick and accurate. By using computer systems, a decision can be ruled on immediately without extending already long baseball games with timely replay decisions.
