The Diamondbacks will get their first taste of instant replay in their pivotal series against the Los Angeles Dodgers that starts Friday at Chase Field.
Manager Bob Melvin has long been a proponent, and a good number of his career ejections have come when he argued home run calls. "That's a call you have to get right, and if there's one you are going to do (replay for), the home run call is the right one. It can put runs on the board or take them off," Melvin said.
The D-backs have been affected several times this season.
Mark Reynolds hit a ball that was ruled a double because of fan interference at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on June 9, although TV replays indicated the ball already was out of the field of play when it was touched by a fan in the first row of the right field seats and should have been called a home run.
On Aug. 22, Florida's Josh Willingham hit a flyball that bounced off Conor Jackson's glove and struck a metal railing above the fence at Chase Field before returning to the field of play. The ball was ruled a double, even though replays indicated it was a home run.
"It seems like it's been more of an issue this season, so it's important to get the right calls," outfielder Adam Dunn said. "If the technology is there and people at home can see it plainly, let's get the call right."
Melvin likes the fact that the umpiring crew chief will make the final call.
"Leave it up to the person who is in charge on the field. Get it on video and shorten the delay as much as you can," Melvin said.
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