Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesMLB replay covers specific categories of calls, not every disputed play. It can review certain boundary, fair/foul, force and tag, outfield-catch, baserunning, hit-by-pitch, home-plate-collision and double-play-interference rulings, subject to limits within each category. Whether a call is eligible is also different from whether a manager still has a challenge available. In 2026, eligible players can challenge certain ball-strike calls through a separate ABS system—not ordinary manager replay.
Which MLB plays can be reviewed?
MLB’s Replay Review glossary lists eligible calls and gives important boundaries. A broad label such as “force play” or “fair/foul” does not, by itself, settle whether a particular ruling qualifies.
- Home runs and other boundary calls: Review can determine whether a ball left the field, struck an object or fence, stayed in play after hitting a fence top or other obstacle, was touched by a fan reaching over the fence, or was caught near a stadium boundary. Certain questions about a live ball bouncing out of play or becoming dead after leaving the field are also reviewable. Runner placement following a boundary call can be reviewed.
- Fair or foul: A foul call is reviewable only if the batted ball first lands at or beyond the set positions of the first- or third-base umpire. If it first lands in front of those positions, that call is outside this category.
- Force and tag plays: Review can address an attempt to retire a runner by tagging the runner or touching a base, including whether the runner acquired the base. The middle infielder must touch second while possessing the ball for a force out; the old claim that the “neighborhood play” is categorically unreviewable is outdated.
- Catch or trap in the outfield: Whether a fly ball or line drive was caught or trapped by an outfielder is reviewable. The same question about a ball fielded by an infielder is expressly excluded.
- Specified baserunning calls: Review can determine whether a runner passed a preceding runner, scored before a third out, or touched a base. Tag-up reviews can address whether a runner left early or properly retouched a base after a fly-ball catch.
- Hit by pitch: Review can determine whether the pitch hit the batter, clothing or bat. It does not decide whether the pitch was in the strike zone when it touched the batter or whether the batter tried to avoid being hit.
- Specified home-plate collisions: Review covers a runner deviating from the path to initiate contact with the catcher, and a catcher blocking the runner’s path without possessing the ball. It is not a general review of every contact or home-plate judgment.
- Intentional interference on a double play: Review can determine whether a runner intentionally interfered with a fielder while trying to break up a double play. This narrow category does not make interference generally reviewable.
What is not reviewable?
Some specific exclusions are clear, but MLB’s current glossary is a positive list of eligible calls, not an exhaustive list of every call that cannot be reviewed. Treat these as established examples rather than a complete negative list.
- Infield catch-or-trap calls: The catch-versus-ground question is reviewable for a ball fielded in the outfield, but expressly excluded for a ball fielded by a defender in the infield.
- Some fair/foul calls: A ball that first lands in front of the set positions of the first- or third-base umpire does not meet the glossary’s location condition for review.
- Base obstruction: MLB’s 2024 rules explainer says base-obstruction calls remain non-reviewable.
- Some parts of a hit-by-pitch ruling: Review may settle whether contact occurred, but not the pitch’s strike-zone location at contact or whether the batter tried to avoid it.
Do not rely on MLB’s 2014 FAQ as a current list of exclusions. That historical FAQ named checked swings, balks, infield flies, balls and strikes, the neighborhood play and tag-ups to score on a fly ball as not reviewable under the system at that time. The rules have since changed: the neighborhood play became reviewable in 2016, and current replay rules include tag-up questions. For 2026 ball-strike challenges, see the separate ABS process below.
#1 Best Overall
Who can start an ordinary replay review?
Ordinary replay can begin through a manager’s challenge or, in specified circumstances, a crew chief’s decision. A request does not make an otherwise ineligible call reviewable.
Manager challenge
Each club starts a regular game with one challenge and an All-Star or postseason game with two, under MLB’s Manager Challenge glossary. A club keeps its challenge if at least one challenged call is overturned; it loses the challenge if none is. A manager can include multiple reviewable calls from one play in a single challenge but must identify the calls being challenged.
Rank #2
- The manager signals immediately that a challenge is being considered.
- An umpire starts a 15-second timer for the manager’s final decision.
- If challenges are exhausted, the club cannot challenge another play.
Crew-chief initiation
A crew chief may initiate a potential-home-run review at any time. Beginning in the eighth inning, the crew chief may initiate review of other eligible calls on their own initiative or at a manager’s request when that club has no challenges remaining. The manager’s request does not consume a challenge when the crew chief initiates the review.
How does the replay decision work?
Full-time Major League umpires at MLB’s Replay Command Center review only calls included in a manager’s challenge or accepted for crew-chief review. They can change the call, confirm it, or let it stand if there is not clear and convincing evidence to change it. If a call changes, the replay official uses discretion to place both clubs as they would have been had the correct call been made. The decision is final and cannot be reviewed or revised again. On-field personnel who keep arguing after review is initiated may be ejected.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
How are ball-strike challenges different in 2026?
MLB’s March 24, 2026 ABS Challenge System explainer describes a separate way for eligible players to challenge certain ball-strike judgments. A player—not the manager using an ordinary replay challenge—must request it promptly after the pitch. If a play follows, such as a checked-swing appeal or runner play, the request may be made when that play concludes.
MLB says ABS challenges are unavailable when a position player is pitching and after a replay review. The system does not make every ball-strike or checked-swing ruling reviewable through ordinary replay; the ABS process is limited to eligible ball-strike judgments.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
