Major League Baseball ( MLB ) is getting an expanded video review process for the 2014 season. With the new program, team managers will have more opportunity than ever to challenge bad play calling from MLB umpires.
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, during a press conference on Thursday, announced the new plan with representatives from the leagues 30 franchises.
Team owners are likely to vote yes for the measure when it arrives in November 2013.
Under MLB’s new proposal, managers will be given two challenges over the first six innings of games and one challenge after the seventh inning. When a call is challenged, it is reviewed b MLB headquarters in New York City and a final decision is handed down from that remote location.
MLB Vice President Joe Torre showed off the new system to representatives on Thursday morning.
In order for an MLB rule change to be granted 75 percent of all owners (23 out of 30) must agree with the plan. Umpires and the MLB players association must also agree on any changes proposed by the MLB’s front office.
Getting the umpires on board shouldn’t be too hard. Atlanta Braves President John Schuerholz, a member of the replay committee, says the umpires are ready for a change.
Umpires often end up the product of public shaming when they make incorrect and sometimes boneheaded calls that can cost a game. With 89 percent of incorrect calls being made reviewable under the system, an umpire may not blow a big win and therefore will not be the product of nearly as much public outcry.
Do you think MLB officials have the right idea in extending reviewable play calling to ensure a fair outcome for every single game?
