Major League Baseball's 30 teams unanimously voted on Thursday to expand the use of instant replay. Among the new rules governing the use of replay, managers will be awarded one challenge per game, MLB.com reports.
All of the MLB teams agreed to expand the replay rules, in part to prevent a wrong call or a missed call from impacting the result of a game.
"I am very pleased that instant replay will expand to include additional impactful plays," Commissioner Bud Selig said, via MLB.com. "The new system will give managers valuable recourse in potentially game-changing situations. The opportunity for our fans to see more replays in our ballparks is also an important modification that the clubs and I favored."
One new rule permits managers to use one challenge per game. If any part of the challenged play is overturned, the manager will be allowed to challenge one additional play in the game. A manager cannot challenge more than two plays per game.
If a manager uses up his challenge(s), and if it's after the beginning of the seventh inning, the umpiring crew chief has the option to review any questionable call.
Only the following plays are subject to review (via MLB.com):
Home run
Ground-rule double
Fan interference
Stadium boundary calls (e.g., fielder into stands, ball into stands triggering dead ball)
Force play (except the fielder's touching of second base on a double play)
Tag play (including steals and pickoffs)
Fair/foul in outfield only
Trap play in outfield only
Batter hit by pitch
Timing play (whether a runner scores before a third out)
Touching a base (requires appeal)
Passing runners
Record keeping (ball-strike count to a batter, outs, score, and substitutions)
Personnel in the dugout will be able to communicate with the clubhouse in regard to video reviews. Home run and boundary calls are still reviewable under the rules from last season.
The rules will go into effect for the 2014 season.
For the complete replay rules, including the initiation of the replay, the review process and other details, visit HERE.
