Major League Baseball readies for massive expansion of instant replay

Major League Baseball managers will be able to challenge virtually any umpire’s call aside from balls and strikes under a proposal for the expanded use of instant replay technology presented to owners Thursday.

“It’s a historic day,” Commissioner Bud Selig said at the owners’ meetings in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Owners are expected to formally approve the replay expansion in November. Assuming agreements with players and umpires can be reached, the new system would take effect next season.

Under the proposal, managers would be able to challenge three calls per game -- one in the first six innings, two more in the final three innings. The challenged calls would be reviewed by officials at league offices in New York, not by the umpires on site at the game.

Atlanta Braves President John Schuerholz said 89% of missed calls would be reviewable under the new system, according to an Associated Press report.

Selig has long resisted a significant replay expansion because of the time that replay reviews might add to the game. However, missed calls during last fall’s playoffs prompted MLB to delay an incremental expansion this year in favor of a more comprehensive replay expansion next year.

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