CPBL Managers Question TV Replay System After On-Field Protests

CTBC Brothers manager Hirano Keichi voiced his frustration with the Chinese Professional Baseball (CPBL) league's TV replay system following a contentious game against the Uni-President Lions. Hirano's protest stemmed from a call at first base in the fourth inning, where a runner was ruled out. He engaged in a lengthy discussion with home plate umpire Chang Chan-jung about the decision.

Later in the same inning, Lions' manager Lin Yueh-ping also came onto the field to protest a call involving a runner at first base. Hirano noted the shared dissatisfaction, stating, "I think they must feel the same as us." He elaborated that players give their all in games, and the TV replay system, intended to ensure fairness, often fails to provide clear or satisfactory answers.

Hirano specifically pointed out that his issue was not with the initial call by the first base umpire but with the television umpire's review. "The purpose of the auxiliary judgment is to provide a system that satisfies both sides, but currently, there are often situations where there seems to be no good answer," Hirano explained. He contrasted the current situation with his playing days, when he accepted more on-field errors as simply part of the game.

When asked about Lin Yueh-ping's comment that the Brothers' protest in the fourth inning was too long, Hirano offered no specific comment, indicating he had no strong opinions on that particular aspect. The shared frustration among managers highlights ongoing concerns about the consistency and transparency of the CPBL's video review process.