MLB owners today are "scheduled to be presented with a proposal that would expand instant replay into virtually every phase of the game," according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY. Under the new plan, each play "would be open to review, with the exception of the calls of balls and strikes." Former Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa yesterday said, "Arguments will be still part of the game. We're not going to eliminate that. But I think if (instant replay) is done carefully, and recognizing how it can be done effectively and efficiently, it will be good for the game." MLB if the owners approve will "begin the process of negotiating the plan's implementation" with the MLBPA and the umpires union for the '14 season. Nightengale notes, "Elaborate cameras will need to be set up at every ballpark, particularly on the outfield walls." Additionally, a monitoring system will "need to be established so umpiring crews can check replays with the New York office -- likely with a major league umpiring crew standing by -- to determine whether the call on the field will stand." It has "yet to be settled whether managers will be allowed to issue replay challenges, like in the NFL." A source said that the "start-up fee" for replay expansion will be $25-40M. Nightengale: "Do the owners want to cough up that much money, especially when MLB studies reveal there's an average of three missed calls a night but precious few that impact a game's outcome?" The "biggest issue with expanded replay is the delays it could create." MLB Exec VP/Baseball Operations Joe Torre said, "One of the decisions we have to make is how much do we want to do without really disrupting and putting people to sleep?" (USA TODAY, 8/14).
