MLB Debuts Instant Replay Tonight, Aided By MLBAM Technology

MLB To Debut Instant Replay Tonight

ALL EYES ARE WATCHING: In N.Y., Jack Curry reports there will be "as many as three people monitoring every game" from MLBAM's offices, and because the facility "has access to every broadcast feed of a game, it will usually have two or three replays of a play from each network that is televising it." Solomon and MLBAM President & CEO Bob Bowman yesterday gave media a behind-the-scenes demonstration on how the operation worked, and when asked about the "possibility that a network would withhold a replay if it showed something that worked against the team it is aligned with," Solomon said, "We don't expect anybody is going to impact the game in that fashion." Solomon added, "I think pretty soon we'll wonder how we get along with it and it won't be noticed" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/28). The AP's Ronald Blum, who was part of yesterday's tour, notes the MLBAM video replay room currently serves as MLB.com's Network Operations Center (NOC). MLB spent $2.5M and two months "installing fiberlink lines, monitors and dedicated telephones to link every ballpark with the NOC." Since the facility collects the video feeds from all 30 MLB ballparks, technicians have the ability to "zoom in on replays [and] run them at any speed" (AP, 8/27). In Philadelphia, Jim Salisbury writes it is "impossible to ignore the technology" at the facility. Installing "video and communication links from each stadium to New York wasn't an oversight process, but it happened fairly quickly," and MLBAM "was a big reason." Since MLB.com streams all games over the Internet, "much of the video-gathering technology was in place" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 8/28). In N.Y., Andy Martino reports while technicians and umpire supervisors at the center "have the ability to freeze and zoom in for the umps," they do not "offer opinions -- the crew chief is left to interpret the multiple camera angles provided." The crew chief, after "viewing the replays, makes a final decision" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/28). In N.Y., Joel Sherman writes the operation "looks duly impressive" (N.Y. POST, 8/28).

START OF SOMETHING BIGGER? USA TODAY's Mike Lopresti writes since MLB "has gotten in such a technology-using mood, why not make a few other modern changes around the park to improve the fans' lot in lives?" Start with the team's "computerized ticket system," and use the video scoreboards in ballparks "for something besides the home team's best moments and the Kiss Cam between innings." Also, "every concession stand ought to have ample television monitors showing the game" (USA TODAY, 8/28).

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