Outside The Lines researched 184 MLB games from June 29 to July 11 and determined that of all the plays close enough to require replay, umpires blew those calls 20.4 percent of the time.
The study was conducted less than a month after umpire Jim Joyce blew a call that cost Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game.
According to the report, representatives of MLB declined to comment on the study.
Outside The Lines says that requests to interview Frank Robinson, recently named as MLB’s senior vice president of major league operations, and commissioner Bud Selig or any other MLB official were declined as well.
Selig has stated that none of his “core group of advisers” have given him any indication that an expansion of MLB’s current replay use was needed.
ESPN also conducted a survey of 40 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, finding that 42.5 percent were in favor of using replay to correct calls on the bases and foul lines.
Outside The Lines also attempted to speak to umpire Tim McClelland about the results of the study.
McClelland has had more than his share of blown calls throughout his career, the most glaring coming during last year’s ALCS.
But McClelland told Outside The Lines that he was no longer allowed to discuss the possibility of expanding instant replay after receiving a directive from MLB.
That directive came as a result of McClelland’s interview on ESPN’s “Mike & Mike in the Morning” the day after Joyce’s blown call, saying he was more receptive to an expanded use of replay.
