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Ideally this will be a security blanket that is used rarely, notlike the system used in the NFL and NHL, which seems to be instrumental in almost every game. Only umpirecrew chiefs will have the authority to ask for review.

There had been 1,964 regular-season games this season throughMonday, and perhaps 25 questionable home run calls. That's aliberal guess and it gives you a ratio of one instant-replayopportunity every 79 games — barely one a week.

But all it takes is one key call in a big game to justify thesystem. That's the conclusion Selig made after decades ofopposition to replay, yielding to the overwhelming wishes ofgeneral managers to put technology to work. He was right.

In a 162-game regular season, there are few season-turning calls(although it will be interesting to watch the potential impact ofthe Pierzynski-Tampa Bay call Sunday in playoff and home-fieldadvantage races). But the fate of teams can change on one call inOctober — witness the Pierzynski-Angels call in 2005. That'swhy Selig ordered his top on-field lieutenant, Jimmie Lee@tribune.com