Usage of the Replay System

 

2008 (7 times; 2 changed, 5 upheld)

08/28 Instituted

There are only three situations in which the replay can be used: (1) Was the potential homer fair or foul? (2) Did a fan interfere with a potential homer? (3) Did a potential homer go over the fence?  It is up to the crew chief to decide whether or not to use the replay system. A team cannot request or demand that it be used. Once the replay has been viewed and the umpires make their decision, no appeals are allowed and teams are not allowed to argue the call. This system was put in place because of a series of calls in a 10-day period earlier that season which drew a lot of attention.

 

(1) 09/03 NYA @ TBA

In the top of the ninth, Alex Rodriguez hit a ball down the left field line that cleared the fence just fair but higher than the top of the pole. After it was ruled a home run, Rays manager Joe Maddon asked about the ruling. The umpires huddled and crew chief Charlie Reliford then watched a replay. The call stood.

(2) 09/09 PIT @ HOU

In the bottom of the sixth, Hunter Pence hit a ball that struck the top of the wall in right field and was called in play. Pence ran to second for a double. After a video review by crew chief Tim Welke, the call stood.

(3) 09/19 MIN @ TBA

In the bottom of the fourth, Carlos Pena hit a ball to right center that a fan tried to catch but did not and the ball was ruled in play. After a review by crew chief Gerry Davis, the call was changed to a home run. This play did not involve the catwalks suspended above the field, which are covered by ground rules and not subject to review by replay.

(4) 09/23 CIN @ HOU

In the top of the seventh, Joey Votto’s fly ball hit the top of the wall on the yellow line and bounced back onto the field. The Reds argued that it was over the fence into the seats instead of off the wall. After an on-field discussion, the umpires used the replay system. The call stood as ruled on the field, crew chief Gary Darling saying that there was not convincing evidence that the ball went over the wall. The process took six minutes.

(5) 09/24 ANA @ SEA

In the top of the fifth, Vladimir Guerrero hit a ball down the left field line that hit just to the foul side of the pole and bounced back onto the field. Third base umpire Chuck Meriwether called it foul but Angels manager Mike Scioscia came onto the field to talk about the call with crew chief Tim Welke. The umpires huddled and then all but plate umpire Mike Muchlinski went in to review the play. The call stood as ruled on the field; this was the fifth use or replay, which took 2 minutes and 28 seconds.

(6) 09/26 WAS @ PHI

In the top of the sixth, Kory Casto hit a line drive to right that a fan touched and dropped. It was called a home run but, after the Phillies complained, the umpires (led by crew chief Mike Reilly) looked at the replay. The call stood.

(7) 09/26 LAN @ SFN

In the bottom of the sixth, Bengie Molina's fly ball hit a few feet to the left of the 'Splash Hits' sign in right field. Molina held at first while Pablo Sandoval ran from first to third. Giants manager Bruce Bochy had told Emmanuel Burriss to run for Molina if he got on base, so Burriss immediately popped out of the dugout and replaced Molina. Then Omar Vizquel said he thought the ball hit the green metal awning along the right field wall, which is a home run; Bochy saw a baseball with green paint on it and went out to the field to show it to the umpires and asked them to discuss the play. Crew chief Tim Welke decided to use the replay system and reversed the call from ball in play to home run; however, he would not allow the Giants to put Molina back in to run out his homer; Bochy protested the game, which became moot because the Giants won the contest; Molina was given credit for a home run and two RBI but no run scored; Burriss ran out the homer and was given credit for the run scored; when he returned to the dugout, Molina greeted him by saying 'Good Swing!' The total delay was 12 minutes.

 

 

2009 (59 times; 21 changed, 38 upheld, including one incorrect use)

 

(1) 04/19 CLE @ NYA

Jorge Posada pinch hit for Jose Molina in the seventh inning in the fourth game at the new Yankee Stadium. Posada hit a fly ball to right where Trevor Crowe leaped in an attempt to catch the ball. However, a fan touched the ball, which then bounced off the top of the wall and Crowe’s glove before landing on the warning track. The umpires called it a home run but the Indians disputed the call, saying that the fan had interfered with the play. After an 8-1/2 minute delay to review the play, crew chief Jerry Crawford confirmed the original call.

(2) 04/22 OAK @ NYA

Kurt Suzuki hit a fly ball to left that was caught by a fan. The Yankees complained that the fan interfered with Johnny Damon’s ability to catch the ball. Crew chief Gerry Davis looked at the replay and confirmed the original call of home run.

(3) 04/24 SFN @ ARI

Eric Byrnes hit a ball off the top of the left field wall that bounced back onto the field. DBacks manager Bob Melvin thought it hit the pole behind the wall. The umpires reviewed the play and crew chief Jerry Crawford upheld the call as a ball in play for a double.

(4) 04/25 SEA @ ANA

In the bottom of the third inning, Gary Matthews, Jr. hit a ball to the 18-foot wall in right center. A fan reached out and caught the ball and second base umpire Greg Gibson immediately signaled fan interference and awarded Matthews second base. The Angels argued that it was a homer and crew chief Tim McClelland watched a replay and upheld the original call.

(5) 04/29 FLO @ NYN

In the bottom of the sixth, Fernando Tatis hit a ball to the top of the wall that was touched by a fan. Crew chief Dale Scott at 2B ruled it a home run but the Marlins objected, so three of the crew went inside to watch the replay. Scott upheld the call after seeing three different views of the play.

(6) 05/13 SLN @ PIT

In the bottom of the first, Adam LaRoche hit a ball to right that hit either a railing or a screen above the 21-foot wall. Both objects are in play but first base umpire Lance Barksdale ruled it a home run. LaRoche had stopped at second but continued on to score. After crew chief Randy Marsh and two other members of the crew watched the replay, Marsh reversed the call from homer to in play and awarded LaRoche a double. This was the first homer that was reviewed and reversed.

(7) 05/13 FLO @ MIL

About two and a half hours after the LeRoche review, Ross Gload of the Marlins hit a ball in the top of the sixth in Milwaukee into the right field corner. The ball cleared the 8-foot wall and was ruled a homer by first base umpire Bruce Dreckman. The Brewers complained about the call. Crew chief Gary Darling took about two minutes to watch the replay and reversed the call from homer to foul.

(8) 05/23 NYN @ BOS

Mets catcher Omir Santos hit the ball to the top of the LF wall at Fenway Park and it was called in play by 3B umpire Paul Nauert. The umpires watch the replay and crew chief Joe West reversed the call to a home run. The hit came off Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon and turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 victory for the Mets. This was the first overturned call in an Interleague game.

(9) 05/23 TEX @ HOU

Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada’s homer to right field in the first inning was at the top of the wall. Rangers manager Ron Washington complained that the ball was interfered with by a fan. Crew chief Gary Cederstrom upheld the call after watching the replay.

(10) 05/24 NYN @ BOS

For the second time in two days, crew chief Joe West used a replay to finalize a call. Kevin Youkilis hit a fly ball down the LF line that was called foul by West, who was umpiring at 3B. After watching the replay, the call was upheld.

(11) 05/25 WAS @ NYN

For the third consecutive day, the Mets were in involved in a replay. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Gary Sheffield hit a fly ball to LF. A fan with a glove reached over the railing and tried to catch the ball but it hit his glove, the wall and then the ground. Third base umpire Adrian Johnson called it a homer. Acting crew chief Larry Vanover (in the absence of chief Charlie Reliford) watched a replay and upheld the original call after an eight-minute delay. It was Sheffield’s 503^rd career homer.

(12) 05/27 WAS @ NYN

For the second time in the series and fourth time in five days for the Mets, a replay was used. With the game tied 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Daniel Murphy of the Mets hit a fly ball that struck a yellow advertising sign on the façade of the second deck. Nationals’ RF Adam Dunn picked up the ball on the warning track and started a relay that threw out Gary Sheffield at the plate. However, acting crew chief Larry Vanover (in the absence of chief Charlie Reliford) watched a replay and reversed the call to a home run. There was a four-minute delay for the replay.

(13) 05/28 TBA @ CLE

In the top of the sixth inning, Willy Aybar's fly ball hit the glass above the yellow line in the RF corner; it was called a homer but crew chief Tim Welke decided to watch a replay to verify the call; Welke upheld the call after a 90-second review.

(14) 06/03 BAL @ SEA

In the top of the first, Aubrey Huff hit a fly down the RF line near the pole that was ruled a home run. The umpires huddled and changed the call to a foul ball and Orioles manager Dave Trembley came out to discuss the ruling. Acting crew chief Mike Winters decided to watch the replay and upheld the foul call after a two-minute review.

(15) 06/04 BOS @ DET

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Jeff Larish hit a fly ball down the RF line near the pole that was called foul. Crew chief Tim Tschida watched the replay and upheld the call. Larish then grounded into a double play.

(16) 06/06 TEX @ BOS

Mike Lowell hit a fly ball down the LF line in the bottom of second inning that hit just over the wall off the facing of the first row of Monster Seats. The ball was ruled in play by 3B umpire (and acting crew chief) Jeff Kellogg. After, a discussion with 3B coach DeMarlo Hale and manager Terry Francona, Kellogg watched the replay and reversed the call to a home run.

(17) 06/09 ANA @ TBA

In the top of the fifth inning, Howie Kendrick's fly ball hit the yellow stripe at the top of the right field wall and bounced back towards the infield. Angels manager Mike Scioscia went out to discuss the play with acting crew chief Jeff Kellogg, who decided to watch the replay. After a 2:40 delay, the play was upheld, with Kendrick legging out a triple.

(18) 06/09 SEA @ BAL

Endy Chavez jumped in an attempt to catch Melvin Mora's fly at the wall in LF in the bottom of the first inning. A fan touched the ball and the play was ruled a home run. The Mariners objected to the call, so crew chief Gary Cederstrom watched the replay. The call was reversed from a home run to an out because the fan interfered with Chavez's chance to catch the ball.

(19) 06/10 PIT @ ATL

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Brian McCann's fly to CF hit the top of the yellow line on the wall and bounced back onto the field. Crew chief Dana DeMuth watched the replay and upheld the call on the field that the ball was in play.

(20) 06/13 CIN @ KCA

In the bottom of the fourth, on the fourth pitch to Billy Butler, he hit a fly ball down the LF line that was called foul. KC manager Trey Hillman asked about the call, so acting crew chief Jerry Layne watched the replay and, after 3 minutes, upheld the call.

(21) 06/19 MIL @ DET

In the bottom of the third inning, Miguel Cabrera's hit went over the top of the fence, hit the roof of the bullpen dugout and came back on the field. It was ruled in play but the Tigers argued the call so crew chief Dale Scott looked at the replay and overturned the call to a home run.

(22) 06/19 MIL @ DET

For the first time, two calls were reviewed in the same game. Dusty Ryan's line drive down the LF line in the bottom of the fourth was ruled a home run. Brewers manager Ken Macha objected to the call, so crew chief Dale Scott watched the replay and reversed the call to in play, awarding Ryan a double.

(23) 06/21 LAN @ ANA

In the top of the eighth inning, James Loney's fly ball hit the top of the wall over the scoreboard and was ruled a home run. Angels manager Mike Scioscia objected to the call, so crew chief Tim Tschida watched the replay and upheld the call.

(24) 07/01 SEA @ NYA

In the bottom of the fifth at Yankee Stadium, the fly ball by Melky Cabrera was right at the LF pole. Crew chief Dale Scott watched the replay and upheld the original call of home run.

(25) 07/03 HOU @ SFN

In the bottom of the second inning, Travis Ishikawa's fly ball to right center hit at the top of the wall and was ruled in play for a double. Giants manager Bruce Bochy talked to crew chief and plate umpire Randy Marsh about the play; the umpires huddled and then watched the replay. The play was reversed to a home run for Ishikawa since the ball hit the protective railing on top of the wall.

(26) 07/06 PIT @ HOU

In the bottom of the first inning, Geoff Blum's liner down the right field line hit the top of the wall and then bounced off right fielder Garrett Jones' outstretched right arm and into the corner. After the play, Astros manager Cecil Cooper talked with 1B umpire Brian Gorman. The umpires huddled, crew chief Gerry Davis watched the replay and upheld the call of ball in play for a triple.

(27) 07/06 WAS @ HOU

In the bottom of the fourth, Carlos Lee hit a high drive to left center that hit just below the yellow line. He and Lance Berkman thought it was a homer, but the ball was ruled in play. Lee ended up with a double, but Berkman was thrown out at home. The Astros claimed the ball hit above the line. After the replay, acting crew chief Brian O'Nora upheld the orginal call.

(28) 07/17 ANA @ OAK

In the top of the second inning, Kendry Morales' fly to left hit the TV camera behind the wall and caromed back to LF Matt Holiday. Athletics manager Bob Geren talked with acting crew chief Jerry Layne, who watched the replay and upheld his own call of home run.

(29) 07/19 MIN @ TEX

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Andruw Jones hit a fly ball down the left field line that was called a home run. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire immediately came out to talk with 3B umpire Brian O’Nora. O’Nora went to crew chief (and plate umpire) Gary Cederstrom to talk. Cederstrom watched the replay and reversed the call to a foul ball.

(30) 07/20 CIN @ LAN

The first batter of the game, Willy Taveras, hit a ball at the top of the fence, which was ruled in play. Reds manager Dusty Baker argued that it should be a home run. Acting crew chief Jerry Layne watched the replay and upheld the call.

(31) 07/22 MIL @ PIT

In the bottom of the third inning, Ryan Doumit's fly ball to right was touched by a fan and was ruled in play. Acting crew chief Wally Bell watched the replay and reversed the call to a home run.

(32) 07/29 PHI @ ARI

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Gerardo Parra’s fly ball hit the top of the RF fence on the yellow padding and bounced up and back onto the field. The ball was ruled in play but Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch asked about it. Crew chief Derryl Cousins watched the replay and confirmed the call as a double.

(33) 07/29 WAS @ MIL

In the bottom of the third inning, Ryan Braun's fly to deep CF hit the glove of Nationals centerfielder Nyjer Morgan. It then went behind the glove, striking the yellow stripe at the top of the wall. It was ruled a home run; the umpires huddled and then crew chief Joe West watched the replay and reversed the call to ball in play. West ruled that Counsell scored and Braun was at third.

(34) 07/31 BOS @ BAL

In the bottom of the third, Nolan Reimold hit a ball that struck the top of the out-of-town scoreboard in RF and landed on the field. The Red Sox contended that the ball was in play. Acting crew chief Jeff Kellogg looked at the replay and upheld the call of home run.

(35) 08/02 ANA @ MIN

In the bottom of the eighth, Joe Mauer's fly ball hit the top of the wall in LF and came back on the field. It was called as in play. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire asked about it, the umpires talked and then crew chief Gerry Davis watched the replay and upheld the call.

(36) 08/10 CHN @ COL

With the bases loaded in the second inning, Troy Tulowitzki hit a very high fly ball down the LF line. It was ruled foul by 3B umpire Bill Welke but Rockies manager Jim Tracy asked the crew to review the play. Acting crew chief Bob Davidson took 4:10 to look at it but there was not enough evidence to change the play, perhaps because the ball was so high above the pole.

(37) 08/11 PHI @ CHN

In the top of the ninth, a fly ball by Carlos Ruiz down the LF line was called fair and a home run. Crew chief (and 3B umpire) Dale Scott huddled with the crew and then watched the replay. Scott reversed the call to a foul ball.

(38) 08/11 TOR @ NYA

In the bottom of the eighth, Jorge Posada's fly barely cleared the RF wall over the glove of Joe Inglett. Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston thought that a fan interfered with Inglett's ability to catch the ball. Crew chief Joe West watched the replay and upheld the call because the fan clearly did not reach out over the fence.

(39) 08/14 NYA @ SEA

In the top of the second inning, Jorge Posada's fly ball hit the top of the wall in right center and bounced back onto the field. It was ruled in play but Posada claimed that it was touched by a fan. Crew chief Gerry Davis watched the replay and upheld the call.

(40) 08/16 HOU @ MIL

In the top of the sixth inning, Geoff Blum hit a three-run homer to right. Astros right fielder Hunter Pence followed with a fly ball down the LF line that was ruled fair and a home run. Crew chief Tim Welke looked at the replay and overturned the call to a foul ball.

(41) 08/20 MIN @ TEX

In the bottom of the sixth, Michael Young's fly hit the top of the wall in left field over the out-of-town scoreboard. It was ruled in play but Rangers' manager Ron Washington asked about the play. Crew chief Dale Scott watched the replay and upheld the call.

(42) 08/25 DET @ ANA

Curtis Granderson led off the top of the seventh inning with a fly ball that hit the top of the out-of-town scoreboard in right field and bounced back onto the field. Acting crew chief Mark Carlson watched the replay and upheld the call of ball in play. Granderson scored on the next pitch as Placido Polanco tripled into the right field corner.

(43) 08/25 TEX @ NYA

Robinson Cano's fly ball in the bottom of the fourth inning was fair by about two feet and cleared the wall by about the same distance. Rangers manager Ron Washington asked 3B umpire Chuck Meriwether about the call, so acting crew chief Bob Davidson watched the replay and upheld the home run call.

(44) 08/26 OAK @ SEA

In the top of the sixth inning, Jack Cust hit the first pitch he saw down the RF line and the ball struck a window at the top of a restaurant. It was called foul by 1B umpire and acting crew chief Mike Winters. Athletics manager Bob Geren asked if it went over the pole. Winters watched the replay and upheld the call as a foul ball.

(45) 08/28 NYN @ CHN

In the bottom of the sixth, Amaris Ramirez hit a fly ball to left that hit the top of the wall in foul territory and then bounced off the pole. It was called foul but Cubs manager Lou Piniella asked about the call. After the umpires huddled, Bill Welke, Mark Carlson and James Hoye watched the replay and upheld the call. Jim Reynolds was the acting crew chief but did not watch the replay.

(46) 08/28 OAK @ ANA

In the bottom of the sixth inning, a fly ball hit by Kendry Morales hit the top of the wall in right center and was called in play. Angels manager Mike Scioscia asked about the call so crew chief Tim McClelland watched the replay and upheld the call.

(47) 08/31 PIT @ CIN

In the bottom of the fifth inning of the second game of a double header, Brandon Phillips hit a towering fly ball down the left field line. It was ruled a home run by third base umpire Dan Iassogna but Pirates manager John Russell objected to the call. Crew chief Rick Reed watched the replay and overturned the call to a foul ball. It took less than two minutes for the replay. Phillips had homered previously in the game.

(48) 09/05 NYA @ TOR

In the bottom of the second inning, Randy Ruiz hit the second pitch down the left field line. It was called fair and a home run but crew chief Tim Tschida watched the replay and overturned the call to a foul ball. Ruiz grounded out but homered in the fourth inning.

(49) 09/10 ATL @ HOU

In the bottom of the third, Lance Berkman hit a fly ball that struck the left center field wall just above the yellow line. Braves manager Bobby Cox asked about the call, so crew chief Gary Darling watched the replay and upheld the call of home run.

(50) 09/10 DET @ KCA

Alberto Callaspo's fly in the bottom of the eighth was touched by a fan just over the padded wall in right center and called a home run. Tigers manager Jim Leyland asked about the call so acting crew chief Wally Bell watched the replay and upheld the call.

(51) 09/12 SEA @ TEX

A fly ball to left center by Chris Davis to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning was ruled a home run. Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu asked about the call so crew chief Gary Cederstrom watched the replay and overturned the call to a ball in play. Davis was awarded second base.

(52) 09/22 SFN @ ARI

In the bottom of the third inning, Gerardo Parra hit a fly ball which struck the chain link portion of the fence in the deepest part of right center field. First base umpire Marty Foster called the ball a home run but the umpires immediately gathered in the infield. Acting crew chief Wally Bell watched the replay and overturned the call to a ball in play. He awarded Parra a double and allowed the runner from first, Miguel Montero, to score.

(53) 09/23 SFN @ ARI

In the bottom of the sixth, the fly ball by Rusty Ryal struck the chain link portion of the fence in the deepest part of right center field - in the same spot as the previous night's hit by Gerardo Parra. The hit was called in play but the umpires huddled and then acting crew chief Wally Bell watched the replay and upheld the call.

(54) 09/27 SDN @ ARI

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Padres center fielder Tony Gwynn leaped for a fly ball hit by Chad Tracy but a fan touched it, preventing Gwynn from attempting the catch. Since the fan did not lean out over the field, it was ruled a home run, even though Gwynn might have been able to catch the ball over the wall. Crew chief Rick Reed watched the replay and upheld the call.

(55) 09/29 ARI @ SFN

In the top of the fourth inning, immediately after a home run by Miguel Montero, Ryan Roberts hit a fly ball to LF that Andres Torres jumped for and caught over the top of the wall. The ball flew up out of the glove as Torres started back to the ground, hit the top of the wall and bounced back onto the field, where Torres, while lying on the ground, caught. Since the ball did not go over the fence, it was still in play. Since it hit the fence it was not a catch. The play was ruled a homer at first but crew chief Dana DeMuth watched the replay and overturned it to a double.

(56) 09/30 HOU @ PHI

In the top of the second inning, J.R. Towles’ fly ball landed in the flower beds in left center and bounced back onto the field and was ruled in play. Astros acting manager Dave Clark asked about the call so crew chief Tim Tschida watched the replay and overturned his own call to a home run.

(57) 09/30 NYN @ WAS

In the top of the second inning, Jeff Francoeur's fly ball to left hit the top of the wall and bounced onto the field for a double. Mets manager Jerry Manuel asked about the call so acting crew chief Wally Bell watched the replay and upheld the call.

(58) 10/31 NYA @ PHI (World Series)

In the top of the fourth inning, Alex Rodriguez hit a fly ball down the right field line that hit just inside the pole. The ball struck a television camera and was called in play by RF umpire Jeff Nelson. Yankees manager Joe Girardi asked about the call, so crew chief Gerry Davis and three of the other five umpires watched the replay and overturned the call to a home run. This was the first use of replay in post-season.