Will replay decision be a home run?

Every major-league ballpark has its quirks, and Wrigley Field is no exception.

It's partly because of those quirks, specifically the ones in the outfield, that Major League Baseball adopted limited use of instant replay starting with Thursday's games.

"Wrigley Field is a tough place to work," umpire supervisor Larry Young said before the Cubs took on the Philadelphia Phillies. "People think because of the basket (in the outfield) that there are no calls, but one of the toughest calls I've personally had to make was on a ball hit to right field that hit in the net and came back. That would be reviewable. We've also had calls here where fans reached over the basket and that would also be reviewable."

Because of its limited use, baseball won't be football or hockey with their countless replay delays. All that can be reviewed in baseball are boundary calls, meaning home runs, spectator interference involving a home run or fair or foul balls at the pole.

Young said Major League Baseball counted only 18 instances in more than 3,900 games played before Thursday where replay likely would have been used.

"We're only talking about home run balls, not plays at third base or balls and strikes," said Cubs manager Lou Piniella, who after having some initial reservations thinks replay is a good idea.

Young is confident this is the extent for the use of replay in baseball.

"I don't think it will go any further," Young said. "The commissioner (Bud Selig) has been adamant that this is limited use."

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry was one of the 25 GMs who voted 25-5 last November to explore the use of replay.

"I voted for what we have now because of all the new stadiums and because it was what the umpires wanted," Hendry said. "In the past I've been one of the biggest purists, but I'm comfortable with it and if the umpires feel they need it how could you possibly vote against it?"

Young said managers are not allowed to demand a review.

"It's strictly up to the crew chief," said Young, who added the umpires still will huddle before deciding if a replay is needed.

As many as three umpires will go off the field to look at the replay after the crew chief calls New York, where a room has been created by MLB to offer as many television feeds as possible.

Unlike in hockey, where decisions on disputed goals are made by National Hockey League personnel in Toronto, MLB officials will not be involved in the decisions.

"There will be staff supervisors or former umpires (in New York), but they will offer no assistance," Young said.

MLB expects no long delays in the review process, which was a Piniella concern.

"We're hoping it can get done within two minutes and 30 seconds, but there is no limit," Young said.

"We want to get the play right, that's the bottom line. Every day we go out and try to be perfect, but that's not possible."

Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa sees the use of replay in the case of home runs as important.

"When you're talking about putting runs on the board or taking them off, I think it should be used," DeRosa said.