MLB Tests Expanded Instant Replay at Arizona Fall League

[ricka56]

Expanded IR experiment starts tonight (Nov 5) on the MLB channel (8 CST)...recorder set.

 

http://www.closecallsports.com/2013/11/mlb-tests-expanded-instant-replay-at.html

 

[Umpire in Chief]

I watched some of it last night.

 

The crew (Including our friend Tripp behind the plate did well with it.

 

They were quick and did what they were supposed to do. The coaches were apparently encouraged to request replays freely. None (that I saw) were overturned, and actually none were even that close IMO. Especially the "disputed" no catch in RF. 

[ricka56]

I haven't run the whole recording yet, but I'm glad to hear that they went without an overturn.

 

I only saw the first challenge, that was a close play, but called correctly.

 

I kinda feel bad for these "guinea pigs". There must be added pressure not to be the first one to have a call overturned.  I can't imagine it being less so at the MLB level. Who would want their name to be the answer to that umpire trivia question. 

 

There's gonna be pressure on the IT guy responsible for the technology working correctly, too. Maybe an unintended benefit is going to be that they BOO the IT guy instead of the umpire..."kill the tech nerd"

 

And I hope that their IT security is good...Headline: 12 y.o. Computer Hacker Overturns Cabrera's Walk-off HR, Indians Win.

[mstaylor]

No IT needed, they have MLB guys in the truck and a headset between the truck and PU. It is a horrible test because it doesn't test the whole linking system between the field and NY, and the time it is going to take. The announcers said the umpires were three for three on correct calls. Personally I prefer to think of it as IR was 0-3 on overturns. 

[Richvee]

1.  a banger at 1st. Close play- right call. 

2.  a 3-1 ground out. Replay to se if F1 touched 1st. Not real close

3. catch/no catch in LF. That was a joke. ball bounced 3 or 4 feet before the golve.

4. a 5-3 ground out. F5 short hopped the throw that looked like maybe F3's foot came off while making the scoop.  It didn't.

 

I don't think any would have been challenged if the managers had a limited number. 

 

maybe 1 or 4

[Haid D' Salaami]

I watched some of it last night.

 

The crew (Including our friend Tripp behind the plate did well with it.

 

They were quick and did what they were supposed to do. The coaches were apparently encouraged to request replays freely. None (that I saw) were overturned, and actually none were even that close IMO. Especially the "disputed" no catch in RF. 

shoot.. the 1st one was really close.. about 1/4 of a step...

[stl_ump]

It will be interesting to see what they start doing with the "phantom tag" at second on a double play.  And when there is a catcher / runner collision at home (a la the World Series) and there is no "real" tag... are they going to call the runner safe in both of those situations?

[ricka56]

It looks like the mechanic is to have calling umpire come to HP to hold PU's mask while PU works the head-phones. I don't mean to nit-pick, and don't have a better solution, but that just doesn't look good to me.

 

Why don't they just hand the head-phones to the calling umpire?  Isn't he the one that has to reverse his call, if need be? Why have a middle man?

 

Can't they wheel a portable hooded booth out there, with a shelf for PU's mask... ...popcorn and a diet coke would be a nice touch.

[Haid D' Salaami]

It looks like the mechanic is to have calling umpire come to HP to hold PU's mask while PU works the head-phones. I don't mean to nit-pick, and don't have a better solution, but that just doesn't look good to me.

 

Why don't they just hand the head-phones to the calling umpire?  Isn't he the one that has to reverse his call, if need be? Why have a middle man?

 

Can't they wheel a portable hooded booth out there, with a shelf for PU's mask... ...popcorn and a diet coke would be a nice touch.

I asked 2 of those guys working... there wasnt a "mechanic" to hold the PU's mask...

 

MLB 10.4a.. calling umpire will hold Pu mask during challenge play...

[ricka56]

 

It looks like the mechanic is to have calling umpire come to HP to hold PU's mask while PU works the head-phones. I don't mean to nit-pick, and don't have a better solution, but that just doesn't look good to me.

 

Why don't they just hand the head-phones to the calling umpire?  Isn't he the one that has to reverse his call, if need be? Why have a middle man?

 

Can't they wheel a portable hooded booth out there, with a shelf for PU's mask... ...popcorn and a diet coke would be a nice touch.

I asked 2 of those guys working... there wasnt a "mechanic" to hold the PU's mask...

 

MLB 10.4a.. calling umpire will hold Pu mask during challenge play...

Not a "mechanic", eh ?...thanks for straightening that out. I still don't like it. I wouldn't trust my partner not to cover my chin pad with black shoe polish when I wasn't looking. Or did they have the foresight to prohibit that in MLB 10.4a also ?

[mstaylor]

Ok, so we have a loooong discussion with several almost stoppages, then a review. They reviewed a tag at third that wasn't close. Manager comes back out and then another review. This time a missed base at second, not even close. Later a review of a missed third on a return to second. In both cases they are getting deadball appeals. If you properly appeal and then ask for a review, that's one thing. To to go straight to replay is crap. 

[ricka56]

I think this is stupid stuff that they want to find before April.

 

Manager: Time

Umpire: Time

Manager: I want a IR review on a missed 3B.

Umpire: Do you want me to review an appeal that you haven't made?

Manager: huh?

[zm1283]

Ok, so we have a loooong discussion with several almost stoppages, then a review. They reviewed a tag at third that wasn't close. Manager comes back out and then another review. This time a missed base at second, not even close. Later a review of a missed third on a return to second. In both cases they are getting deadball appeals. If you properly appeal and then ask for a review, that's one thing. To to go straight to replay is crap. 

 

On the triple where they appealed the BR missing second, the umpires did rule on the appeal first (After the IR on the tag on the BR at third), then they finally used IR to see if the appeal was correct at second.

 

On the retouch at third, I'm sure they appealed it first.  The video wasn't that clear and I didn't listen to the sound.  I could be wrong though.

 

The two-appeal play on the triple was a calamity.  

[mw94]

the other thing still not addresed is the stalling  that will take place at the MLB level. Realistically no manger if allowed to stall will ever lose a challange.  , Banger at 1st ,umpire rules out.  Batter takes his sweet time going to the batter box, mean while someone in the club house has the game on the tv, then  calls the dugout  or  yells down the walk way from the club house to challenge,  or  the manager could go out and argue till he gets the signal from the dugout too challenge.

[mstaylor]

The rule says he can't argue a reviewable play, if he does it is grounds for ejection. The long conversation was to find out if he would lose his right to appeal second. I never saw a live appeal and definitely no later appeal from the mound. If it happened it was horrible TV.<br /><br />Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2<br /><br />

[grayhawk]

The rule says he can't argue a reviewable play, if he does it is grounds for ejection. The long conversation was to find out if he would lose his right to appeal second. I never saw a live appeal and definitely no later appeal from the mound. If it happened it was horrible TV.<br /><br />Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2<br /><br />

 

I saw the appeal on the one after they went to IR for the tag at third.  Sequence of events:

 

LONG conversation.

Went to IR to review tag at third - safe.

Ball put into play.  F1 steps off, checks runner at third, and throws to second for the appeal - safe.

Time called, and coach asks for IR review of touch at second - still safe.

 

EDIT:  Forgot to add the booing from the stands while this was happening.  Be careful what you wish for, fans - you just might get it!

[Mr Umpire]

Here it is:  http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=31207953

[Mr Umpire]

The rule says he can't argue a reviewable play, if he does it is grounds for ejection. The long conversation was to find out if he would lose his right to appeal second. I never saw a live appeal and definitely no later appeal from the mound. If it happened it was horrible TV.<br /><br />Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2<br /><br />

http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=31207991

 

Here is the second appeal if this is the play you are referring to.

[mstaylor]

No the one I was talking about was the triple and they appealed the tag at third and the touch at second. Plus there was a miss of third going back to second. The miss of third was correct but I don't think it was ever appealed, simply reviewed.<br /><br />Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2<br /><br />

[grayhawk]

No the one I was talking about was the triple and they appealed the tag at third and the touch at second. Plus there was a miss of third going back to second. The miss of third was correct but I don't think it was ever appealed, simply reviewed.

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2

Mike, read my response in the other thread. There was an appeal, but it wasn't shown on TV. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dumbdumb]

Why don't they just go set up shop at both TUS/Wendlestedt and set up a bunch of simulated circumstances to get all the kinks out without all the fans in the stands.

[Mr Umpire]

Why don't they just go set up shop at both TUS/Wendlestedt and set up a bunch of simulated circumstances to get all the kinks out without all the fans in the stands.

I wonder if that is to see their reaction to this as well.  It will get worse on a grander scale.  I don't see why there are umpires except for the PU now.  Just review it all and remove the umpire from the game.  What's the point now. 

 

They should all be given a chair and an office to sit back and watch the game now.  You only need 1 BU to watch for INT or OBS now.

[mstaylor]

 

No the one I was talking about was the triple and they appealed the tag at third and the touch at second. Plus there was a miss of third going back to second. The miss of third was correct but I don't think it was ever appealed, simply reviewed.

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2

 

Mike, read my response in the other thread. There was an appeal, but it wasn't shown on TV. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I hit the same link on my phone and I got a steal at second. On my computer it was the right clip and there was an appeal. I guess I should not try to type in chat while watching baseball. 

[grayhawk]

For those wondering, there wasn't a single IR review in last night's game.

[ricka56]

 

Plus there was a miss of third going back to second. The miss of third was correct but I don't think it was ever appealed, simply reviewed.

Mike, read my response in the other thread. There was an appeal, but it wasn't shown on TV.

 

Here is the video of the missed re-touch of 3B play (the most interesting IR play, so far). After you see the original play, fast-forward to 2:45 in the video to see the missed re-touch at 3B.

 

http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=31208053

 

At 2:59 shows the whole field and where everbody was during the play. That crew sure had their hands full on that play. Hard to fault PU missing that one. Even if he's closer to 3B, it would have been hard to see that barely missed re-touch from that angle . He probably was anticipating 2 runs scoring if that catch isn't made (awesome catch).

 

And the video never shows if a proper appeal was made before the IR challenge. I assume there was one.