MLB umps to announce replay reviews to fans

Jesse joined ESPN Chicago in September 2009 and covers MLB for ESPN.com.

Umpires will now be equipped with on-field microphones to inform the crowd and television audience of instant replay reviews beginning with exhibition games at stadiums this weekend, Major League Baseball announced Friday.

Crew chiefs will wear a microphone, via a belt pack, and will proceed to one of the baselines when a replay is initiated and face the press box to make the announcement. They’ll announce who is making the challenge, what is being challenged and then announce the verdict after the review is completed.

“I think opening up communication with the fans is a step in the right direction,” Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch said Friday morning. “It’ll become mainstream, very fast.”

Hinch indicated several umpires expressed nervousness about speaking publicly in that manner, since it’s never been part of their job.

“I think they’re a little uncomfortable with the mechanics of it until they get to do it,” Hinch said.

Umpires have been rehearsing this spring but not during games. That will come this Sunday when the Angels host the Dodgers at Angels Stadium in Anaheim.

Major League Baseball was going to begin informing fans about replays in this manner in 2020 but the pandemic delayed the rollout.

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