Umpires might begin using microphones to explain replay decisions to the crowd

According to a report, MLB umpires might soon start explaining replay decisions to the crowd

Instant replay decision explanations might soon be coming to a ballpark near you.

According to the Associated Press, Major League Baseball and the umpires will soon begin discussing a plan that will allow crew chiefs to use a microphone to explain replay decisions to the crowd. The NFL and NHL currently have officials explain replay calls.

Here are some more details from the AP:

While nothing is set, Major League Baseball and umps are expected to discuss a plan - most prominently used in the NFL - for crew chiefs to wear a microphone and explain replay rulings.

Under one possible scenario, they would start at the All-Star Game on July 11 in Miami, tweak the process over the season's second half and then go forward with the experiment in the playoffs.

...

The umpires are in the middle of their five-year labor deal and any change would involve negotiations, plus a comfort level on both sides that the system would be efficient, accurate and easy.

This seems completely unnecessary. MLB instant replay is only used for black and white calls like fair or foul, safe or out, that sort of thing. The NFL and NHL use replay in part to make judgment calls, such as whether a ball was caught or a goaltender was interfered with. MLB instant replay isn't used to determine whether, say, the second baseman had control of the ball long enough to record an out before bobbling the transfer on a double play turn.

Umpires might soon use a microphone to explain replay decisions to the crowd. USATSI

If MLB decides to give the crew chief a microphone to explain the replay decision, a decision that is made off-site by MLB's replay crew in New York, it'll go like this:

"Replay has determined the runner beat the throw."

"Replay has determined the ball landed just foul."

"Replay has determined the ball hit above the yellow line for a home run."

How pointless. The replay process takes too long as it is. Giving the crew chief a microphone to explain the decision when a simple hand gesture suffices is only going to drag this process out longer. Baseball doesn't need to be footballized. Work on speeding up the replay system, not slowing it down.