THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — As if major league games aren’t long enough already, now there will be replay delays.
Sometime before the end of the regular season, Major League Baseball will start allowing umpires to review video to determine boundary calls on home runs, such as whether they cleared fences or went by the foul pole in fair territory.
"Major League Baseball and the media, they want instant replay, and we’re going to have instant replay, so if it delays the game, then there’s nothing we can do about it," World Umpires Association president John Hirschbeck said.
The average time of a nine-inning game this season is two hours 50 minutes, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. That’s down just a minute from last year despite baseball’s renewed focus on pace-of-game issues.
In the post-season, it’s usually midnight madness. Many games start at 8:30 p.m. ET and nine-inning contests stretch on for an average of 3:26. Because cameras are at playoff games, umpires will have even more angles to review before the crew chief makes his decision on a call.
MLB officials hope replay delays will be offset by a reduction in arguments over disputed calls and the need for umpires to gather for conferences. Jimmie Lee Solomon, executive vice president for baseball operations in the commissioner’s office, said in an e-mail he wouldn’t comment on replay until he returns from the Beijing Olympics.
"Hopefully, they (let) the pitchers have a few pitches just to make sure they’re loose," the Chicago Cubs’ Jason Marquis said.
The commissioner’s office, which started getting replay equipment to ballparks even before Wednesday’s agreement with umpires, isn’t sure when replay will start.
In most cases, umpires will have to leave the field to use the replay equipment.
"I thought it was going to be in the dugout. I thought it was going to be (in) a camera well, but it sounds like it’s just going to be away from the field," Hirschbeck said.
Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon doesn’t fear any delays.
"Taking a quick look on a TV monitor, that can be ruled on in a matter of a couple of seconds," he said.
Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones said even if there’s a little added time, replay is worth it.
"They get the call right — that’s all I’m worried about," he said. "There are too many other things that Major League Baseball can do to shorten games. Instant replay is not going to make that big a deal."
Toronto Blue Jays centre-fielder Vernon Wells doesn’t think it will be used that often.
"It’s one play a week, maybe, where it’s a borderline home run call. It’s not something that’s going to slow down that many games," he said. "There won’t be any argument from either side. You can’t really argue with videotape."
Atlanta manager Bobby Cox, ejected a record 142 times, was asked whether his total would have been cut down had replay been used in the past to determine disputed calls.
"Maybe," he answered.
