By SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
Communications Division
August 11, 2009

Here is the Video Replay Rule:
Video Replay: At the Little League Baseball World Series level only, video replays may be used to reverse the decision made on the field, provided each of the following situations are in place:

1. The game is being televised or recorded for televised replay.

2. The Replay Team must be at the replay facility, and must be able to review replays of the play in question from all camera angles available, through voice contact with the television producer.

3. The decision whether to use video replay rests solely with the Umpire-in-Chief.

4. After the play in question (and after the ball is dead or “time” is called), the umpire who made the call may invoke his/her traditional ability to call a conference of other umpires if he/she believes for any reason that another umpire might have been in a better position to make the call. Such a conference will involve all umpires on the field.

A. If, during that conference, another umpire is convinced that his/her view of the play would result in making the correct call, and if the Umpire-in-Chief and Umpire that made the call agrees, the Umpire-in-Chief will announce that call (and video replay will NOT be used).

B. If, during that conference, another umpire is convinced that his/her view of the play would result in making the correct call, but the Umpire-in-Chief disagrees, the Umpire-in-Chief will announce that video replay WILL be used. The decision then rests with the Game Operations Replay Official.

C. If, during that conference, no other umpire is convinced that his/her view of the play would result in making the correct call, the Umpire-in-Chief will announce that video replay WILL be used. The decision then rests with the Game Operations Replay Official.

5. In no event will any umpire’s call be overturned or reversed without that umpire first calling for a conference of all umpires.

6. If another pitch or play takes place before the umpires’ conference, the call will stand as it was originally made by the umpire, and video replay cannot be used.

7. For the purposes of this rule, the play in question will be considered as one continuous play, which may actually consist of multiple actions by players on defense and offense.

8. To reverse the decision on the field, the Game Operations Replay Official must determine that there is clear and convincing evidence to overturn the original call that was made on the field of play. In the absence of clear and convincing evidence, the original decision of the umpire on the field stands.

9. The only plays for which video replay may be used are the following, each of which pertain only to the position of the ball as a “live ball,” a “foul ball” or a “dead ball”:

A. Those plays in which a batted ball leaves the field of play over the outfield fence, or if the Umpire-in-Chief believes there is a possibility that the ball should have been ruled that it left the field of play over the outfield fence, but is ruled otherwise in the original call on the field.

B.Those plays in which the Umpire-in-Chief believes there is a possibility that a batted or thrown ball should have been ruled that it left the field of play, but is ruled otherwise in the original call on the field.

C.Those plays in which the Umpire-in-Chief believes there is a possibility that a batted ball should have been ruled “foul,” but is ruled “fair” in the original call on the field.

10. The outfield fence at both stadiums is defined as the fence or wall (including padding and signage) that extends in an arc from the end of the stadium in foul territory on one side of the field, into fair territory, then to the other side of the field in foul territory at the end of the stadium.

Example 1: A fly ball near the foul pole is nearly caught by the right fielder, and the ball falls to the ground in the field of play. The umpire erroneously rules that the ball is in play. After calling “time” if necessary, the umpire who made the decision calls for a conference of all umpires, and the decision is to refer the call to the Game Operations Replay Official. Upon reviewing the video replay(s), the Game Operations Replay Official determines that there is clear and convincing video evidence that the ball struck the foul pole before touching the ground, and before it returned to the field of play.

Ruling – The Game Operations Replay Official, through a Little League Time Out Coordinator at the field, instructs the Umpire-in-Chief that the call is reversed. The Umpire-in-Chief then awards a home run to the batter.

Example 2: A fly ball near the foul line is nearly caught by the right fielder, and the ball falls to the ground in the field of play. The umpire erroneously rules that the ball is fair, and in play. After calling “time” if necessary, the umpire who made the decision calls for a conference of all umpires, and the decision is to refer the call to the Game Operations Replay Official. Upon reviewing the video replay(s), it is determined by the Game Operations Replay Official that the ball was actually foul.

Ruling – The Game Operations Replay Official, through a Little League Time Out Coordinator at the field, instructs the Umpire-in-Chief that the call is reversed. The Umpire-in-Chief then declares a foul ball.

Example 3: A fly ball lands untouched near the foul line beyond third base. The umpire erroneously rules that the ball is “foul.” After calling “time” if necessary, the umpire who made the decision calls for a conference of all umpires. Another umpire is convinced (or video evidence shows) that the ball was actually “fair.”

Ruling – Because the ball was ruled “foul” on the field of play, it cannot be reversed and made “live.” The “foul” call stands.

Example 4: A fly ball near the foul line is nearly caught by the right fielder, and the ball falls to the ground in the field of play. The umpire erroneously rules that the ball touched the foul pole in flight, and awards a home run (which is a dead ball) to the batter. After calling “time” if necessary, the umpire who made the decision calls for a conference of all umpires. Another umpire is convinced (or video evidence shows) that the right fielder deflected the ball, and it did not touch the foul pole. As such, the ball should have been ruled in play.

Ruling – Because there is no way to assume how the play might have progressed had the correct call been made, the call cannot be reversed, even if video evidence shows that the incorrect call was made. The home run stands.

Example 5: A fair fly ball in the outfield appears to have been caught by the outfielder, and the umpire erroneously rules the batter is out. After calling “time” if necessary, the umpire who made the decision calls for a conference of all umpires. Another umpire is convinced (or video evidence shows) that the outfielder trapped the ball against the ground, and the batter should have been permitted to continue running at his/her own risk.

Ruling – Because this scenario is not reviewable under this rule, it cannot be referred to the Game Operations Replay Official.

Example 6: A fair fly ball near the right field fence at Lamade Stadium appears to have been caught by the outfielder, who reaches over the fence and returns with the ball in his/her possession. The umpire erroneously rules the batter is out. After calling “time” if necessary, the umpire who made the decision calls for a conference of all umpires. Another umpire is convinced (or video evidence shows) that the outfielder trapped the ball against the ground just beyond the outfield fence, and the batter should have been awarded a home run.

Ruling – The Game Operations Replay Official, through a Little League Time Out Coordinator at the field, instructs the Umpire-in-Chief that the call is reversed. The Umpire-in-Chief then awards a home run to the batter.

Example 7: A fly ball near the right field foul pole clearly travels over the fence, and is erroneously ruled a foul ball by the umpire. After calling “time” if necessary, the umpire who made the decision calls for a conference of all umpires. Another umpire is convinced (or video evidence shows) that the ball should have been called fair, and the batter should have been awarded a home run.

Ruling – The Game Operations Replay Official, through a Little League Time Out Coordinator at the field, instructs the Umpire-in-Chief that the call is reversed. The Umpire-in-Chief then awards a home run to the batter.

Example 8: A fly ball near the right field foul pole clearly travels over the fence, and is erroneously ruled a fair ball (home run) by the umpire. After calling “time” if necessary, the umpire who made the decision calls for a conference of all umpires. Another umpire is convinced (or video evidence shows) that the ball should have been called foul.

Ruling – The Game Operations Replay Official, through a Little League Time Out Coordinator at the field, instructs the Umpire-in-Chief that the call is reversed. The Umpire-in-Chief then calls the play a foul ball and instructs the batter to return to the batter’s box.

Example 9: A fly ball near the backstop is erroneously ruled by the umpire as a catch by the catcher. After calling “time” if necessary, the umpire who made the decision calls for a conference of all umpires. Another umpire is convinced (or video evidence shows) that the ball hit a part of the backstop before being caught by the catcher, and it is clear that it should have been ruled a foul ball.

Ruling – The Game Operations Replay Official, through a Little League Time Out Coordinator at the field, instructs the Umpire-in-Chief that the call is reversed. The Umpire-in-Chief then calls the play a foul ball and instructs the batter to return to the batter’s box.

Example 10: A ground ball on the infield is fielded and thrown to first base. The batter-runner is ruled safe. After calling “time” if necessary, the umpire who made the decision calls for a conference of all umpires. Another umpire is convinced (or video evidence shows) that the runner should have been ruled out.

Ruling – Because this scenario is not reviewable using video under this rule, it cannot be referred to the Game Operations Replay Official.

Example 11: A ball is overthrown and is ruled “in play” by the umpire. After calling “time” if necessary, the umpire who made the decision calls for a conference of all umpires. Another umpire is convinced (or video evidence shows) that the ball entered a dead-ball area and should have been ruled “dead.”

Ruling – The Game Operations Replay Official, through a Little League Time Out Coordinator at the field, instructs the Umpire-in-Chief that the call is reversed. The Umpire-in-Chief then rules the ball was “dead” on the overthrow, and places the runner(s) on base(s) accordingly.

Example 12: A ball is overthrown and is ruled “dead” by the umpire. After calling “time” if necessary, the umpire who made the decision calls for a conference of all umpires. Another umpire is convinced (or video evidence shows) that the ball never entered a dead-ball area and should have been ruled “in play.”

Ruling – Because the ball was ruled “dead” on the field of play, it cannot be reversed and made “live.”