I originally posted this on minorleagueball.com, which is why I explained the whole play and it is a little more generalized. I am not sure how many who post here also post over there, so I will repost it here.
This afternoon, I am watching the Dodgers-Giants game where Lincecum is dominating the Dodgers. In the top of the 5th, the Giants had runners on first and second with no one out. The batter hit a fly ball down the LF line that he originally caught, only for it to roll out of his glove. The ump called the batter out, but when the ball was rolling in foul territory, called off his original call. The Giants runners were confused, and went to tag up at 2nd and 1st. Garrett Anderson picked up the live ball and threw it back to the infield. Belliard stepped on 3rd for the force out and threw to 2nd. The umpire did not see DeWitt step on 2nd, and allowed the Giants runner to get to 2nd base safely. Therefore, what should have been a double play, and almost a triple play, was just a force out. There was a lengthy delay on the field, as each manager needed an explanation. The replay showed DeWitt clearly stepped on 2nd, but the umpire did not see it.
Now, this had little to no effect on the game, except the pitcher had to get two additional guys out. However, had this been game #162, it could have easily been a playoff-changing call.
So, my question. What should be done with replay? Should teams be given an NFL-like challenge system? Something along the lines of, you get two challenges a game. If you use both and are correct, you get one more. If you are incorrect, you lose a mound visit, either that inning, or if you have already used it that inning, the next one? The NFL uses a loss of a timeout, but MLB does not have timeouts. Any other suggestions of what could be taken away if you are wrong? Or do you like the current system of only fair/foul homeruns? Or should it be taken out all together?
Vote in the poll and leave your thoughts in the comments.
Poll
What should be done with replay?
Keep as is(Fair/Foul homeruns) (6 votes)
Give coaches an NFL-like challenge system (3 votes)
get rid of it altogether.. it isn't old fashioned baseball (2 votes)
11 total votes




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