If, however, we are stuck with replay in baseball forever, and I’m certain we are, replay must replace all discussions between managers and umpires on reviewable plays. There was an unnecessary stroll from the dugout to second base by Baltimore manager Buck Showalter in the third inning of today’s Yankees-Orioles game, and the intent of it was so obvious it was sad.
Ivan Nova picked off Steve Lombardozzi on a very close play at second base. Showalter walked out to second in a way that, from 1839 up through last season, indicated an intent to argue with the umpire (a gambit that has never served any purpose but entertainment for the fans or motivation for the manager’s team, but whatever).
With replay now in effect, of course, there is nothing for Showalter to argue. Instead, as Orioles play-by-play man Gary Thorne narrated in real time, Showalter was stalling for time to allow the coaches in the dugout to get word to determine whether the Orioles should challenge the play. Showalter, when he got to the umpire, actually turned to face the Baltimore dugout while conversing with the umpire.
What possibly could he have said to the umpire? Whatever it was, it was complete nonsense, unless it was, “I have nothing to say to you; I’m just looking at my coaches to see if they think you’re wrong. OK, they don’t think so.”
Can we just dispense with the charade of managers walking out to say nothing to umpires? Not only does it look stupid, it stalls the game, because then we have to wait for the manager to walk back. If there’s any chance of a challenge, just have the next batter stop right before reaching the batter’s box and tell the home-plate umpire, “Just give us a second; we might challenge.” The rule should be this: if the manager comes out of the dugout, it is either A) a visit to the pitcher’s mound (meaning the next such visit means the pitcher is gone; or B) he is challenging the call, and if he’s wrong, he loses a challenge.
But replay still has to go. Again: another column, another time.
