What Calls Are Reviewable in Baseball?
Baseball is a game of skill, strategy, and finesse. Umpires make judgment calls throughout the course of the game, and while they do their best to be accurate, they can sometimes make mistakes. This is why Major League Baseball has implemented reviewable calls, giving teams the opportunity to challenge any call they don’t agree with.
Types of Reviewable Calls
Reviewable calls fall into five main categories: home runs, force plays, tag plays, fair/foul balls, and traps.
- Home Runs: Home runs can be reviewed to determine whether the ball left the field of play or not. They can also be checked to see whether the umpire correctly ruled a home run or a ground rule double.
- Force Plays: Force plays can be reviewed to determine whether the runner was forced out or safe. This includes plays at first base and plays at other bases, such as double plays.
- Tag Plays: Tag plays can be reviewed to determine whether the runner was tagged out or safe. This includes plays at all bases, including plays at first base.
- Fair/Foul Balls: Fair/foul balls can be reviewed to determine whether the ball was fair or foul. They can also be checked to see whether the ball was hit in the air or on the ground.
- Traps: Trapped balls can be reviewed to determine whether the ball was trapped or not. This includes plays at all bases, including plays at first base.
Review Process
The review process begins when the manager of either team decides to challenge a call. The manager will then go to the umpire and indicate that they want to challenge the call. At this point, the umpire will contact the Replay Operations Center in New York and will explain the situation and the challenge.
The Replay Operations Center will then review the play using video footage from the game, as well as any other evidence that is available. After reviewing the evidence, the Replay Operations Center will make a ruling and inform the umpire of the ruling.
The umpire will then inform the manager of the ruling and the game will continue with the ruling in place. If the ruling is in favor of the team that challenged the call, then the manager will be credited with a successful challenge.
Challenge Limitations
There are several limitations when it comes to challenging calls. First, teams are only allowed two successful challenges per game. If a team is successful with two challenges, they are no longer allowed to challenge any other calls during the game.
Second, teams are only allowed to challenge calls during certain parts of the game. They are not allowed to challenge calls during the middle of an inning, or during an at-bat. They are only allowed to challenge calls before the next pitch is thrown, or before the next batter steps into the box.
Finally, teams are only allowed to challenge calls that fall into one of the five reviewable categories. They are not allowed to challenge calls that are not reviewable.
Replay Officials
The Replay Operations Center is staffed by replay officials who are responsible for making the rulings on reviewable calls. These replay officials are trained and certified by Major League Baseball and are highly knowledgeable about the rules and regulations of the game.
Replay officials have access to multiple video feeds of the game, as well as audio and other evidence. They are responsible for reviewing the evidence and making a ruling within a certain amount of time.
Impact of Reviewable Calls
Reviewable calls have had a major impact on the game of baseball. Prior to the implementation of reviewable calls, teams had to rely on the judgment of the umpires, which could be flawed at times.
Now, teams have the ability to challenge calls they don’t agree with, and they can be confident that the ruling will be correct. This has allowed teams to be more strategic in their approach to the game, as they can challenge calls they don’t agree with and use the evidence to their advantage.
Benefits of Reviewable Calls
Reviewable calls have many benefits for the game of baseball. First, they have allowed for a more fair and accurate game. Teams can now challenge calls they don’t agree with and can be confident that the ruling will be correct.
Second, reviewable calls have made the game more exciting. There is now an element of strategy involved in challenging calls, as teams can use the evidence to their advantage. This has added an additional layer of excitement to the game.
Third, reviewable calls have allowed for a more efficient game. Umpires no longer have to spend time discussing calls with the managers and can move on to the next play much quicker. This has helped to speed up the game and make it more enjoyable for fans.
Conclusion
Reviewable calls have had a major impact on the game of baseball, and they have allowed for a more fair and accurate game. Teams can now challenge calls they don’t agree with and can be confident that the ruling will be correct. Reviewable calls have also added an additional layer of excitement to the game, as teams can use the evidence to their advantage. Finally, reviewable calls have allowed for a more efficient game, as umpires can move on to the next play much quicker.