Bryan Price Will Test New Replay Rules Against Angels

The Reds and new manager Bryan Price will have the first of five tests of the new instant replay system today.

Video feeds will be set up in a truck outside the ballpark at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Unlike the live version there will not be a feed to New York for decision making.  A manager can challenge eligible plays on the field during the exhibition game to work out the logistics about how it is done.

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Many teams have hired a video replay "coach" to watch replays to determine if a play is worth challenging.  Each manager gets one challenge in the first six innings.  If that first challenge is successful, they are awarded a second challenge.  The Reds are still discussing who will handle that job.

As for today, Price will make the determination.

"I'm as prepared as I can be for having never had the opportunity before," Price said. "MLB has done a nice job of giving us information, putting us in a panel with Joe Torre, Tony La Russa and Peter Wolfolk.  For all of us, including the umpires, we have to work with the process during the replay games this spring."

Price is actually looking for a call to question.

"You hope there is an opportunity to go out and utilize it," Price said.

Price will not hesitate to challenge a call, perhaps even one that he wouldn't challenge if this were the regular season.

"Absolutely, this is spring training," Price said. "There is a reason why teams continue to run down 6-0. During the season, you wouldn't risk an out down 6-0 but here you don't want to quit playing.  With the instant replay you might not get another chance to challenge the call.  I think here you have to challenge it just to get acclimated to the process."

As Price interprets the rules, the manager only has one challenge but the umpires have the discretion to
use it anytime.  Without a challenge the manager can still argue a call to see if the umpire will use replay on his own.

Will the replay rules eliminate the heated arguments; the Lou Piniella base toss, the hat kicking of Earl Weaver?

"I don't think those are going to work," Price said. "The passion will be there if you feel they need to review the play, come hell or high water and you're going to be held hostage if you've already burned your challenge.  You try to influence but in the end the umpires hold all the cards.  You have to decide on diplomacy first, rant and rave second."