What is MLB Replay?

MLB instant replay is the process in which umpires and league officials can review plays in question during MLB games. Team managers or the umpires can call for a review, in which the MLB league office in New York City will review the play and call down to the umpires with the final decision.

History

MLB first instituted instant replay in 2008, making it the last of the major North American sports leagues to install a system of review. Under this initial replay system, only umpires could initiate a review and they would review challenged calls on-site in a video room near the clubhouse. Additionally, only home run calls could be reviewed. 

The first instance that MLB replay was used occurred on September 3, 2008, in a game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankee’s Alex Rodriguez hit a home run around the left field foul pole and the Tampa Bay manager, Joe Maddon argued that it was foul. Umpires reviewed the play and determined the call on the field was correct. 

In 2021, more plays are eligible for review and all replays are communicated through the league’s “Replay Center” in New York City.

Eligible Plays / Process

Under the current MLB replay system, each manager is issued one challenge at the start of the game. They are able to retain their challenge if their prior challenge is successful. 

Starting in the 8^th inning umpires are also allowed to request a “Crew Chief Review” on their own. This means all calls on the field can be reviewed from the 8^th inning and on, regardless if a manager has lost his challenge or not.

Please see below for the plays that are eligible for MLB instant replay review:

• Home run or boundary calls, including placement of runners
• Fair/foul calls on balls hit into the outfield
• Force plays and tag plays
• Catch/trap calls on balls hit into the outfield, i.e., whether an outfielder cleanly caught a ball on the fly or trapped it against his body
• Whether a runner passed a preceding runner
• Time plays, i.e., whether or not a run scored prior to the third out
• Missed bases
• Scorekeeping issues, including the count, number of outs, score, or substitutions
• Whether a batter was hit by a pitch
• Collisions at home plate (Rule 6.01(i))
• Tag-ups
• Interference on double plays
• Spectator interference

Additionally, these specific plays can be reviewed through a “Crew Chief Review” by the umpires during the entire game, and do not require a manager challenge:

• The count, the number of outs, and the score
• Substitutions
• Batting out of turn
• Rules check

After a questionable call is made, a manager must initiate a challenge via verbal communication or signal from his dugout. This must take place within about 15 seconds from the end of the play in question. 

Teams are permitted to have a replay assistant, who will review the play and call the manager with a summary of the play or a recommendation on whether to challenge.

Once the manager has signaled for a challenge, an on-site technician, who has a communication line to the league office in New York, will join the umpires near home plate and assist with the communication between the league office and the on-site umpires. 

Either the play is confirmed, stands, or the play is overturned. To be overturned, clear and convincing video evidence must be found to change the call. If no such definitive evidence is determined then the play will “stand” as originally called. Lastly, if there is clear proof that the call on the field was correct, the play will be “confirmed.”

The entire replay process usually lasts less than two minutes, from the end of the play to the manager’s challenge, to the review and final determination.

Summary

MLB Replay is a system that allows for mistakes to be corrected and helps ensure competition is fair. The process can delay the game for short periods of time but the tradeoff is that the integrity of the calls on the field and the outcomes of professional baseball games are held to the highest standard.