New York will be the proving ground for replay in baseball.
MLB owners have agreed to test two separate replay systems starting next week at Citi Field and Yankee Stadium and, if accurate, the sport’s replay system could be overhauled next season, according to a report by Yahoo!.
Baseball will analyze a radar-based system and a camera-based system, both similar to the replay format used in tennis. The use of the system next week in New York will be just for study and will not be applied during games. MLB wants to ensure the accuracy is up to standard before moving forward and debuting it in the rest of the 28 ballparks.
Right now, baseball only uses replay for home run and fan interference calls. The new collective bargaining agreement does mandate expanded replay on fair-or-foul calls and trapped balls by fielders.
Commissioner Bud Selig said at the All-Star Game “nobody is anxious for replay.” But Yahoo! says there is support by owners who fear the perception is that baseball is ignoring available technology.