Fansided

MLB To Have Expanded Instant Replay “In Place” by 2014

By Brad Rowland

Apr 5, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; MLB executive vice president of baseball operations Joe Torre talks with MLB umpire Dan Iassogna before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; MLB executive vice president of baseball operations Joe Torre talks with MLB umpire Dan Iassogna before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 5, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; MLB executive vice president of baseball operations Joe Torre talks with MLB umpire Dan Iassogna before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; MLB executive vice president of baseball operations Joe Torre talks with MLB umpire Dan Iassogna before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

In a speech to the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, Joe Torre inadvertently broke some news on Tuesday.

"“We’re pretty confident we’ll have it in place for 2014.”"

With just 10 words, Torre provided hope to all of the MLB faithful who are craving more instant replay, and he did it in a public form. Because he is the executive vice president of the league, Torre’s comments, though admittedly vague, do bring value, and he was also quoted as saying that MLB was “not limiting (themselves)” in the depth of expansion of replay going forward.

Obviously, this won’t satisfy the desires of anyone who wants replay today, but it is a bone thrown to the fans at the very least. We’ve been down this road before, as Bud Selig wanted to add fair/foul calls (among other things) before the 2013 season, but Torre seems to be the new “face” of replay, and he seems fairly believable in his presentation.

For me, there are far too many calls being blown during this season that are easily avoidable. There are more extreme camps that would favor mechanical calling of balls and strikes, but I am simply in favor of fixing the easier judgment calls of fair/foul, and out/safe on the basepaths. Either way, we will know more in the off-season.

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