The
Major League Baseball (MLB) Instant Replay rule was instituted on August 28, 2008.
Major League Baseball has now implemented a replay system similar to that of other professional sports to handle missed calls by umpires that have been debatable over recent years. The implementation for this replay system in professional baseball began on August 28, 2008 based on a statement issued by commissioner Bud Selig. "I believe that the extraordinary technology that we now have merits the use of instant replay on a very limited basis," Commissioner Selig said. "The system we have in place will ensure that the proper call is made on home run balls and will not cause a significant delay to the game."
MLB is now the last of the four major United States professional sports leagues implementing an instant replay review system.
Instant replay reviews may only be initiated by the umpire crew chief, whose job is also to determine as to whether a call should be reversed. Instant replay reviews, as of now, solely are set to determine:
- Home run calls (fair or foul)
- Whether the ball actually left the playing field
- Whether the ball was subject to spectator interference
All games will be monitored and staffed by an expert technician and either an umpire supervisor or a former umpire at Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLB.com) headquarters in New York. A television monitor and a secure telephone link to MLB.com, placed next to the monitor, have been installed...
