K-Zone Replay
A Huge Mistake
On June second 2010, history was on the brink of being made in major league baseball. With two outs already in the ninth inning, Armando Garlarraga was on his way to a perfect game, the highest accolade for a pitcher. The final out was a close play, but umpire Jim Joyce called the runner safe at first base. Back then, there was no way they could go to instant replay to change the call. However, if they did, upon review, one can easily see that the runner was out, and Garlarraga deserved the perfect game. This is just one big example of why the replay was eventually expanded. Read more
Homerun Reviews
First Time Used
September 3, 2008, history in Major League Baseball was made. This marked the first time instant replay was used in the over a century old game. It came in the ninth inning in just the seventh day this technology was permitted in the game. Rays manager Joe Madden persuaded the umpires to take a second look at a disputable homerun. The officials met and, after taking a closer look, upheld the original call on the field. Read more
About the Video
This represents how the replay system worked from the 2008 season to the end of the playoffs in 2013. Alex Rodriguez hit what was originally ruled a double on the field. After taking a closer look at the play, umpires overturned the call and Rodriguez was awarded a homerun.
Replay is Expanded
Now coaches can challenge calls that deal with force plays, tag plays, fair or foul, and others scenarios. This “challenge” means the umpires will review the play again and determine the correct ruling. There were 1,274 replays used taking an average time of one minute and fifty seconds during the 2014 regular season.
Read more on the specific rules.
About the Video
The Pirates turned a double play with a close play at first base. Then the Chicago Cubs' manager comes out and informs the umpire crew that he wants them to take another look at that ruling. The officials meet and they listen to what the replay officials in New York have to say about the play.