Replay reviews likely out as part of umpires’ deal

Nats want to celebrate Series crown ‘with fans’

NEW YORK — Replay reviews could vanish in Major League Baseball in 2020 as part of a deal with umpires that contemplates a possible “monastery setup” in which off-the-field movement is restricted because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The agreement, struck late Thursday night, covers how umpires would be paid for a season shortened or wiped out by the virus outbreak, two people told The Associated Press. They spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement.

Umps are guaranteed 50% of their salaries for May, but would be paid nothing else if no games are played in 2020.

The start of the season has been postponed because of the virus outbreak and there is no timetable for opening day. If baseball is permitted to proceed this year, MLB is considering playing regular-season games at spring training sites in Arizona and Florida that are not wired for replay.

The new agreement gives MLB the right to not use instant replays of umpires’ decisions during the 2020 season. Most calls have been subject to video review since 2014 and it’s become a big part of games, with about half the challenged calls resulting in a reversal.

The controlled environment would include MLB-provided lodging and meals, and it is called a “monastery setup” in the term sheet, according to a copy of the fourpage term sheet obtained by The AP.

MLB has discussed restricting the movement of players, team staff, umpires and broadcast personnel as a method to keep them from being infected. The people in the so-called bubble would be tested for coronavris on a regular basis.

In an environment without MLB-provided lodging and meals, umpires’ per diem would be cut to $400. Umpires would remain responsible for their room cost, but MLB would negotiate preferred hotel rates.

Manager Dave Martinez said Friday his team will wait to properly mark its World Series championship with spectators in the seats.

“We want to hang the banner with fans. We want to get our rings with fans. When? We don’t know. How? We don’t know. But we want them to be involved,” Martinez said from his farm in Tennessee.

CORONAVIRUS DEATH: Former Oakland A’s minor league player Miguel Marte has died from complications related to the coronavirus, the team announced Friday. The A’s did not specify whether Marte was in the United States, his native Dominican Republic, or elsewhere when he died.