Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
A's Melvin: Expanded replay 'ultimately good for the game'
Share This Post
Comments
Saturday, January 18, 2014 - 10:30am
Follow @joestiglich

Expanded instant replay has arrived in the major leagues, and that adds a new layer of decision-making for managers.

Under new rules announced Thursday, managers will be allowed one challenge per game to review calls on controversial plays. Those reviewable scenarios include: out/safe calls on the bases, force plays, fair/foul calls in the outfield, trap plays in the outfield and whether a batter was hit by a pitch.

If the challenging manager is correct in getting a call overturned, he receives a second challenge that can be used later in the game.

You know that image of the NFL head coach holding his red flag, looking back and forth and wondering whether to throw it and challenge a play? We’ll see similar snapshots in Major League dugouts starting with the upcoming season.

[RELATED: 20 questions (and answers) on MLB's expanded replay rules]

A’s manager Bob Melvin said he’s watched that scenario play out lots of times in NFL games, and he’s wondered what it would be like if he were granted the same authority to challenge.

“I’ve thought, I’m glad that’s not me (making the decision),” Melvin joked Friday. “But in any industry, if things go right, if another sport tries something out and it works, other sports are going to look to that.”

In actuality, Melvin has long voiced his hope that Major League Baseball would expand replay beyond the review of borderline home run calls, introduced in 2008. And like the other 29 managers, he’ll use the early part of the season to hone his strategy for when to exercise his new power. He’s hoping teams will get a chance to experiment with challenges during spring training.

“Like anything new, you feel it out and see how it plays out,” Melvin said. “Do you go out and argue? Do you wait for confirmation from the bench (on whether to challenge)? Do you use the challenge now or save it for later? A lot of things … it’s wait and see how it plays out. Ultimately, I think it’s good for the game.”

Umpires will be allowed to initiate reviews only from the seventh inning on. Plays will be reviewed from a New York-based headquarters, with a rotating crew of umpires staffing the replay center, reviewing the plays, issuing the decisions and relaying them back to the ballparks. Baseball officials say reviews should be completed in approximately one minute to 90 seconds.

According to espn.com, teams will be allowed to station a “video specialist” in the clubhouse to target reviewable plays, and that person will be allowed contact with the dugout via phone. But teams will only have so much time to decide whether to challenge. The challenge must be declared before the pitcher and hitter “are ready to go” for the next pitch, according to MLB executive vice president Joe Torre.

That’s where strategy will come in. Melvin said half-jokingly that a little “filibustering” might take place, where a manager goes out to argue in order to buy time in making a decision on whether to challenge. But if an argument goes on too long, umpires reportedly will be instructed to ask the manager if he wants to challenge on the spot, and the manager won’t have the luxury of returning to the dugout to seek input.

According to Atlanta Braves president John Schuerholz, who served on the committee that developed the expanded replay, adjustments and fine-tuning will be made over a three-year period of trial and error.

“I think they realize there could be some tweaks potentially down the road, and we’ll see how it works,” Melvin said.

 

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Lee on Team USA invite: 'I can't wait to go compete for a spot'
Jackson: 'When you chase team goals, individual goals will fall'
Curry: It's a big deal putting on that USA jersey
In the Crease: Battle of teams on four-game win streaks

Giants

Source: Giants hand multi-year deal to valuable bench piece
Report: Matt Garza agrees to deal with Brewers
Lasorda: 'A-Rod ruined the game'
Matt Kemp unlikely to be ready for Opening Day
Read More

Athletics

Report: Grant Balfour picks Rays over Mets
No logos on HOF plaques for Maddux, La Russa
AP source: Players wanted A-Rod out of union
Steinbrenner: 'We're going to do what we've got to do to win'
Read More

Sharks

Sharks' Stalock gets the call vs. Jets
In the Crease: Jets visit Sharks for first time since '95
Sharks mailbag: Return of Ray Whitney?
Sharks continue to avoid being shorthanded
Read More

49ers

Goodell wants Sherman to present himself in positive way
Seahawks' Percy Harvin returns to practice
Richard Sherman surprised by public reaction
Beat reporters honor Whitner's professionalism
Read More

Raiders

Note to Mark Davis: Pay the women, now, in full
Clowney meeting with teams at Senior Bowl; Raiders on list?
Raiders facing class action lawsuit from cheerleaders
Raiders on short list for 'Hard Knocks'
Read More

Warriors

Curry named first Warriors All-Star starter since 1995
Durant calls Curry 'best shooter to ever play'
Streak continues: Durant's 36 helps Thunder drop Spurs
Four Warriors added to Team USA roster
Read More

NCAA

Hewitt, Coleman trying to make name at Senior Bowl
Stanford's Murphy torments passers from two positions
Spartans QB David Fales trying to impress at Senior Bowl
Randle's career night lifts Stanford past Washington
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G.
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

Source: Giants hand multi-year deal to valuable bench piece
(7)
Andrew Baggarly

More Stories

Report: Matt Garza agrees to deal with Brewers
(1)
Lasorda: 'A-Rod ruined the game'
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

Why didn't Giants re-sign Gaudin?
Why didn't Giants re-sign Gaudin?
See more >

GIANTS TALK

Matt Kemp unlikely to be ready for Opening Day
Former Giants P Clay Hensley agrees with Nats

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Judge rejects San Jose antitrust claims against MLB
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Report: Grant Balfour picks Rays over Mets
(2)
HardballTalk.com

More Stories

No logos on HOF plaques for Maddux, La Russa
(3)
AP source: Players wanted A-Rod out of union
(1)
See more >

A's VIDEO

Melvin faces tough decisions at second base and catcher
Melvin faces tough decisions at second base and catcher
See more >

A's TALK

Steinbrenner: 'We're going to do what we've got to do to win'
Tanaka contract: Don’t look at the money, look at the years
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

Sharks' Stalock gets the call vs. Jets
(2)
Kevin Kurz

More Stories

In the Crease: Jets visit Sharks for first time since '95
(6)
Sharks mailbag: Return of Ray Whitney?
(6)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

In the Crease: Battle of teams on four-game win streaks
In the Crease: Battle of teams on four-game win streaks
See more >

Features

Sharks continue to avoid being shorthanded
Sharks recall defenseman Doherty

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Tigers ride Verlander to shutout win, avoid ALDS collapse
  • Leyland 'slept great' after Game 4 loss
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Curry named first Warriors All-Star starter since 1995
(3)
Monte Poole

More Stories

Durant calls Curry 'best shooter to ever play'
(8)
Streak continues: Durant's 36 helps Thunder drop Spurs
(1)
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

Lee on Team USA invite: 'I can't wait to go compete for a spot'
Lee on Team USA invite: 'I can't wait to go compete for a spot'
See more >

Features

Four Warriors added to Team USA roster
Thursday figures to be special day for Curry, Warriors

WARRIORS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Gay, Cousins 'day-to-day' with left leg injuries
Associated Press

More Stories

DeMarcus Cousins among Team USA roster pool
(1)
Cousins, Gay leave with injuries, Kings fall in Houston
(1)
See more >

Watch

Malone talks Gay, Cousins injuries, loss to Rockets
Malone talks Gay, Cousins injuries, loss to Rockets
See more >

Features

Kings look to make it three straight wins vs. Rockets
Kings could change the way you see the game

Fantasy Hoops

  • The Daily Dose: Dose: Durant's Triple-double
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy 49ers Tickets
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Insider Matt Maiocco

Latest News

Goodell wants Sherman to present himself in positive way
ProFootballTalk

More Stories

Seahawks' Percy Harvin returns to practice
(1)
Richard Sherman surprised by public reaction
(6)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

49ers, Comcast embark on 10-year agreement
49ers, Comcast embark on 10-year agreement
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Rewind: 49ers just 'an inch or two' away from Super Bowl
(58)
Matt Maiocco

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy Raiders Tickets
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Insider Scott Bair

Latest News

Note to Mark Davis: Pay the women, now, in full
(14)
Ray Ratto

More Stories

Clowney meeting with teams at Senior Bowl; Raiders on list?
(4)
Raiders facing class action lawsuit from cheerleaders
(48)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

Raiderettes sue Raiders, claim unfair employment practices
Raiderettes sue Raiders, claim unfair employment practices
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Raiders Rewind: Overmatched vs. Broncos
(29)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Earthquakes sign French midfielder Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi
(1)
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Wondolowski, Goodson join United States camp
(1)
Who got off easy in the World Cup draw?
See more >

Watch

Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Source: Giants hand multi-year deal to valuable bench piece
(7)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Curry named first Warriors All-Star starter since 1995
(3)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Beat reporters honor Whitner's professionalism
(17)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Hewitt, Coleman trying to make name at Senior Bowl
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks' Stalock gets the call vs. Jets
(2)
See more >

CASEY PRATT

RAY RATTO

Note to Mark Davis: Pay the women, now, in full

TOP STORIES

  • Report: Grant Balfour picks Rays over Mets
  • No logos on HOF plaques for Maddux, La Russa
  • Tanaka contract: Don’t look at the money, look at the years

AFF

Enter here for the chance to win a pair of tickets to Authentic Fan Friday!

FOLLOW @CSNAUTHENTIC

@CSNAuthentic on Twitter

Facebook.com/CSNBayArea

CSN on Instagram

ALL-STAR TEACHER

Nominate your favorite All-Star Teacher today!

NCAA

Randle's career night lifts Stanford past Washington
Hot shooting BYU blows past Santa Clara

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Preps
  • Biz Ball
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Lee on Team USA invite: 'I can't wait to go compete for a spot'
Lee on Team USA invite: 'I can't wait to go compete for a spot'
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Romo's Relief
  • Humm BB
  • Diamond Girls
  • Bullshootin'
  • Amy G.’s Exclusives
  • Learning with the Pros

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live
  • CSN Talent

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Casey Pratt - Field of Teams
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California