Major League Baseball announced that umpires will be equipped with microphones on the field to inform the crowd of replay reviews, which will begin with exhibition games at stadiums this weekend.
Crew chiefs will carry a microphone through a beltpack and they will move to one of the baselines to initiate a replay. They will then face the media box to make the announcement. After the review is complete, they’ll announce who is challenging them and what is being challenged.
“I believe opening up communication to the fans is an important step in the right directions.” Detroit TigersManager AJ Hinch stated Friday morning. It will be mainstream very quickly.
Hinch said that umpires are often nervous about speaking out publicly, even though it’s not part of their job.
Hinch stated that they think the children are a bit uncomfortable with the process until they actually do it.
The umpires have been practicing this spring, but not during games. It will happen this Sunday, when the AngelsThe host DodgersAnaheim Angels Stadium
Major League Baseball was set to inform fans about replays in this fashion in 2020. However, the pandemic delayed its rollout.