How does video review work in international baseball?
I · Intermediate · Pitching and game management · 9 of 9Each manager has one challenge in a game and keeps it if the call is overturned. Only listed calls can be challenged: force and tag plays, fair or foul down the lines, catches in the outfield, hit by pitch, home runs, collisions and slides. Balls and strikes cannot. A review official decides within two minutes, and the decision is final.
How it works
- One challenge: "one (1) challenge per game, not including extra-innings".
- Extra innings: one challenge for each team.
- Kept or lost: kept if the call is overturned, lost if it is upheld.
- How to ask: the manager has 10 seconds to signal the plate umpire to hold, and 20 more to decide.
- Base running: passing a runner, time plays, missed bases and leaving early on a tag-up.
- Catches: by outfielders, and any fly ball in foul territory. Plays in the infield are not reviewable.
- Fair or foul: only for balls landing at or beyond the first or third base umpire.
- Also: force plays, tag plays, hit by pitch, collisions, the slide rule and balls leaving the field.
- Home runs: may be reviewed at any time by the crew chief without using a challenge.
- Late in the game: the crew chief may review other calls for a manager with no challenge left.
- Two minutes: the review official's time limit for the decision.
- No arguing: anyone who argues a reviewed call is ejected.
The glossary has the umpire, the home run, the fair ball, the force out, the tag out and the appeal play.
Tricky cases
A manager challenges a close play at first and the call is overturned. Do they still have a challenge?
Yes. If the challenged call is overturned, the manager keeps the challenge.
Can a manager challenge a called third strike?
No. Balls and strikes are not among the reviewable calls.
A manager with no challenge left thinks a ball that was ruled in play went over the fence. Is there any review?
Yes. Potential home run calls are reviewable at all times on the crew chief's initiative.
A manager wants to challenge that a runner missed third base. What must happen first?
The defence must appeal on the field. A missed base cannot be reviewed until the umpires have ruled on the appeal.
Why the rule exists
Many baseball calls are decided by inches at full speed, and a wrong one can decide a game. Review corrects the calls a camera can settle. Limiting it to one challenge, and leaving out balls and strikes, keeps the plate umpire's judgement and the pace of the game intact.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation innings | One challenge for each manager | WBSC Baseball Appendix 2, B1.1 |
| Extra innings | One challenge for each team | WBSC Baseball Appendix 2, B1.4 |
| Home runs | Crew chief may review at any time | WBSC Baseball Appendix 2, B1.5; B3 |
| Events without the system | Umpires' decisions stand, with a protest only on a point of rule | WBSC Baseball Rule 7.12 |
From the rule book
World Baseball Softball Confederation, Official Rules of Baseball (2025-2026 edition), Appendix 2 and Rule 7.12. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: WBSC Official Rules of Baseball 2025-2026 (PDF).