The MLBPA visited with the Mets yesterday in Port St. Lucie, and "all corners of the clubhouse seemed to share a sentiment: roll back some -- but not too much -- of the in-game technology available to players," according to Tim Healey of NEWSDAY. During the discussion, Mets RF and player rep Michael Conforto said that the "easy fix" is to "limit access to live feeds to a team's video replay coordinator." Conforto said, "We don't want to go back too far in terms of technology. We think that the line is pretty clear, the live feeds, There is no reason for them aside from the replay guys." Healey notes the MLBPA and league are "negotiating how to regulate in-game access to video rooms." What the MLBPA pitches in those talks "will be determined in part by the player opinions" gathered by Exec Dir Tony Clark during these in-person check-ins during Spring Training (NEWSDAY, 2/20). Conforto said Mets players agreed that live feeds "looking to get the camera view zoomed on the catcher's signs" were unnecessary. In New Jersey, Justin Toscano notes Clark and the team also spoke about "use of the video room, which is where this might get tricky with some clubs." Conforto: "There are some guys who really like to go in (the video room) and see where they're at with their timing, where they're at with their swing" (Bergen RECORD, 2/20).
TIME IS RUNNING OUT: In Toronto, Gregor Chisholm writes as the regular season starts next month, the illegal use of video "needs to stop," and the league and the MLBPA "don't have much time left to agree on a solution." Blue Jays P and player rep Matt Shoemaker said, "We're trying to figure out what's the best way to go about it." Chisholm notes in more than a dozen interviews with players, coaches and front office execs in Florida, almost everyone "had an idea on how to fix the problem." Some wanted the video center "moved to the press box," others "focused on the need for players to maintain access to video for the sake of in-game adjustments." One person "suggested locking the clubhouse doors after first pitch (TORONTO STAR, 2/20).
