Uh-oh.
The little guys are getting a taste of big-boy technology Ñ and could it be just around the corner, with Davis Little League embracing some of the ideas in place in the national organizationÕs premiere event?
Will we see DLL information officer Sandy Borden huddling with chief umpire Brian Riley to determine if Gabe Murray was tagged out or safe at second? Will photographer Mike Trask be called in to provide hard evidence? Will Davis Little League President Steve Olney ask for an instant-replay booth next to the Snack Shack?
Probably not. And whew…
But managers at the 2010 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., will be able to challenge certain calls under a revised instant replay system.
The two-year-old system also will be expanded to include more plays, including force outs, tags on base paths, missed bases and hit batters.
Reviews previously were limited to plays that should have resulted in a dead ball, but were called otherwise by the umpire, such as questionable home runs and other close plays at the outfield fence.
Little League announced the latest guidelines Monday. Umpires still will have the option to call for a replay, though managers will now be allowed to challenge calls or request a replay if umpires donÕt ask for one.
Managers would be limited to one unsuccessful replay challenge in the first six innings, and one unsuccessful challenge in extra innings.
A replay team Ñ an umpire who is not on the field and a Little League official Ñ would review up to 12 camera angles provided by ESPN and decide whether to reverse the call.
Umpires are volunteers and can officiate the World Series just once.
ÒSo we let them know this is just another tool to help them do their job,Ó Little League president Stephen Keener said. ÒThis retains not only the human element in the process, but the volunteer element.Ó
Replay reviews were used twice in each of the systemÕs first two seasons, and no calls were reversed.
The World Series starts Aug. 20.
LetÕs hope the World Series doesnÕt give District 64 officials any ideas.
Ñ The Associated Press contributed to this story.