John Gibbons believes expanding instant replay will be good for Major League Baseball.
On Thursday the MLB announced plans to expand instant replay next season to considerably increase the number of reviewable plays, which at this point are limited to boundary calls involving home runs.
As early as next season, managers will be able to challenge once in the first six innings and two more times if they choose from the seventh on.
The Toronto Blue Jays’ skipper doesn’t feel that the challenges will impact the duration of the game in a negative way.
“Yeah, I think it’ll be good. I’m sure they’ll put a limit on what you can actually question,” Gibbons said. “At least if you get it right… the game is long now anyways, what’s an extra 20 minutes?”
The proposal must receive the approval of 75 per cent of MLB owners in November.
“You don’t know what they’re going to allow, but I think you look at some of the bang-bang plays at the bases in a crucial part of the game,” he continued. “The already have the home runs and stuff. It’s hard to say, it really is. I think the magnitude of the game, the situation, will dictate when you argue. You’re in the middle of the rally, you’re trailing and there’s a big play you disagree with.”
Gibbons added that critics who think expanded replay could slow down the game should take a wait-and-see approach.
“I don’t think you’ll know until they implement it,” he said. “If they do it, then see how it goes.”
