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Friday, April 01, 2022

MLB umpires to announce replay review decisions to fans

Umpires will now be equipped with on-field microphones to inform the crowd and television audience of instant replay reviews beginning with exhibition games at stadiums this weekend, Major League Baseball announced Friday.

Crew chiefs will wear a microphone, via a belt pack, and will proceed to one of the baselines when a replay is initiated and face the press box to make the announcement. They’ll announce who is making the challenge, what is being challenged and then announce the verdict after the review is completed.

“I think opening up communication with the fans is a step in the right direction,” Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch said Friday morning. “It’ll become mainstream, very fast.”

Hinch indicated several umpires expressed nervousness about speaking publicly in that manner, since it’s never been part of their job.

They waited til Joe West retired to put a mic in an umpire’s hands.

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: April 01, 2022 at 10:33 AM | 13 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
  Tags: umpires

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   1. Jobu is silent on the changeup Posted: April 01, 2022 at 10:59 AM (#6069926)
Thank goodness! I frequently find myself wondering whether the umpires emerging from their huddle are calling a runner safe or declaring that the earth is flat.
   2. Bret Sabermatrician Posted: April 01, 2022 at 11:08 AM (#6069928)
They should do it like they do in cricket. Exaggerated hand signals and flash the call on the jumbotron in big letters. And the refs don't huddle, they stand patiently and wait for replay to tell them the call.

I wish they'd do like in cricket where the tv audience can hear the replay official during the review and get the replay exactly as they're seeing it.
   3. An Athletic in Powderhorn, Silly Posted: April 01, 2022 at 11:48 AM (#6069931)
They already do this in the NBA. I can see a reasonable person disagreeing, but I find it a waste of time. While the officials are huddling the announcers have already been re-running the footage and explaining the rule being reviewed. Hearing it a second time adds nothing. Fans at the game may feel differently. Watching on TV, it's redundant.
   4. The Duke Posted: April 01, 2022 at 12:18 PM (#6069938)
Can't wait until we hear all the other umps griping about Angel Hernandez

And to the extent their unfiltered discussions are available Jomboy will have a field day
   5. Tin Angel Posted: April 01, 2022 at 12:28 PM (#6069940)
Have them sing the result and put a little autotune on it. Might draw more kids to baseball.
   6. winnipegwhip Posted: April 01, 2022 at 12:33 PM (#6069942)
It is April 1 isn't it.
   7. Jose is Absurdly Correct but not Helpful Posted: April 01, 2022 at 01:32 PM (#6069970)
I think this is a good idea. For the most part it will be nothing but there are times where it's not clear what was reviewed or what the call was.
   8. Benji Gil Gamesh VII - The Opt-Out Awakens Posted: April 01, 2022 at 02:01 PM (#6069981)
I'm in the waste of time camp. (With the occasional exception that involves a complicated play or rules interpretation.)

Just another opportunity for the home team yahoos to boo and scream if the call doesn't go their team's way.
   9. Zach Posted: April 01, 2022 at 04:48 PM (#6070013)
“I think opening up communication with the fans is a step in the right direction,” Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch said Friday morning.

No, umpiring should be in the background as much as possible.

The hometown fans will cheer if they get the call, boo if they don't. It's not a dialogue. Just tell us the result and move on to the next play.
   10. Jay Seaver Posted: April 01, 2022 at 05:09 PM (#6070019)
Doesn't seem like a big deal, although I've spent enough time in the bleachers wondering just what I'm waiting on, exactly, that I figure it can't hurt.
   11. JRVJ Posted: April 02, 2022 at 09:44 PM (#6070154)
In Rugby Union, the whole conversation between the referee and the technical assistant is public and can be heard in the stadium and on the tv transmission.

I am convinced this will be good for all involved.
   12. The Yankee Clapper Posted: April 03, 2022 at 12:36 AM (#6070172)
Umpires will now be equipped with on-field microphones . . .
Overdue - the NFL miked its refs in 1975 - but MLB had to wait until Joe West retired.
   13. Cris E Posted: April 04, 2022 at 01:45 AM (#6070270)
"First word, sounds like, uh, leg, foot, no, gout? Gout! Out! He's out!"

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