MLB approves expanded replay starting this season, still working on plate collision ban

Major League Baseball will greatly expand instant replay to review close calls starting this season. MLB announced Thursday that owners, players and umpires have approved the new system. Each manager will be allowed to challenge at least one call per game. If he’s right, he gets another challenge. After the seventh inning, a crew chief can request a review on his own. All reviews will be done by current MLB umpires at a New York office. Also, owners and the players’ union remain at work on drafting a rule that would ban home-plate collisions. Joe Torre says that the rule, in essence, will “make sure a baserunner can’t purposely bowl over” a catcher. – AP