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MLB: Instant Replay in Need of Time Saving Changes

By Conner Grant

Sep 8, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Officials wait for final word on a instant replay call as the Baltimore Orioles take on the Boston Red Sox in the ninth inning at Fenway Park. The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Boston Red Sox 4-0. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 8, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Officials wait for final word on a instant replay call as the Baltimore Orioles take on the Boston Red Sox in the ninth inning at Fenway Park. The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Boston Red Sox 4-0. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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 Is it time for the MLB to re-exam their replay system and change the amount of time allowed for challenges?

In a sport with a well known time issue, and making a big push to improve “pace of play,” it is important for the league to not extend games longer than they need to be.

For that reason, it is shocking how long it takes for the “coaches challenge” to take at times.

According to MLB Replay Stats, the average review length was 2:30 in 2014. Now that may not sound long, but when you compare it to the 2:30 allotted between innings, it sure seems like a while. The Blue Jays even had a 10:55 challenge in 2014.

Remember, if a team challenges and is successful, they don’t lose their challenge. On top of that, umpires can call for an official review if they can’t conclude on a call on the field.

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When talking about times of challenges, the time it takes for the manager to decide whether or not they want to challenge, and then arguing the call after when it doesn’t go their way is not included.

Obviously, it doesn’t happen every game, but it does slow down the game when these instances occur..

The most recent statistics reported by ESPN have the usage of instant replay in baseball up 35% at the end of April. With that pace, around 1,665 plays would be decided by replay this season. That would be up from 1,331 reviews from last year.

Most recently and what trigged this article, was the situation in the recent Red Sox game against the Angels. The game was being shown at the game of the week on Fox.

Bottom of the first inning, Red Sox OF Mookie Betts crushed a shot to centerfield that was interfered with by a fan. Angels manager Mike Scioscia went out to argue about the placement of Betts at third base and called for a challenge. After 3:43 in challenge time, the call was reversed and put Betts on second, which then triggered manager John Farrell to come out and argue the challenge.

After it was all said and done and play continued, the time wasted was very clear.

Fox analyst Tom Verducci talked about his desire for 90-second challenges during the broadcast. Verducci explained that you’d see what you’d need to see in that time to make a judgement on the play. It would require a decision, and keep the game moving.

Verducci is absolutely right, baseball games are long enough as is for their to be long, drawn out challenges.

Umpires need a time limit to look closely at the first couple angles and then make a decision. We all know looking at the replays at home we make our decision in a minute.

It’s not just on umpires, the MLB Replay Office in New York needs to make sure they can make a decision swiftly as well.

The MLB certainly is moving in the right direction, using replay to make sure calls are made correctly. It is

Next: John Gibbons keeps hectic ejection pace

So, what do you think of the current MLB replay rules? Do the replays take too long, or are you happy with the current system? Let me know what you think on Twitter @ConnerGrant5 / @CallToThePen

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