Instant-replay test no help on controversy

Now isn't that a coincidence?

The first night Major League Baseball tested instant-replay equipment at Citizens Bank Park, it had a controversial home-run ball in the seventh inning in the Phillies' 8-2 loss to the Florida Marlins.

Shane Victorino's two-run homer off Renyel Pinto looked foul on instant replay. Third base umpire Dale Scott called the ball fair and the umpires conferred after the Marlins protested. But the call stood, cutting the Marlins' lead to 4-2. Scott acknowledged after the game that the ball was foul.

Unfortunately for the Marlins, MLB was testing the equipment it could use in the future only to see how it works. In other words, umpires had no opportunity to run to a TV screen to check it out.

It's unclear if the stadium is the only experimental site where MLB is checking instant-replay equipment, and it's unclear how long the testing will last. But baseball is considering instant replay, which could happen before the end of the season.

If implemented, instant replay likely would be limited to home runs and fair or four calls. Safe or out calls would remain in the hands of umpires.