Do MLB Managers Still Have the Ability to Proest Games? Baseball, often called “America’s pastime,” has a rich tradition of unwritten rules, emotional disputes, and controversial calls. Historically, one of the tools Major League Baseball (MLB) managers had in their arsenal during disagreements with umpires was the ability to protest a game. This formal process allowed a manager to challenge specific types of decisions made during gameplay that they believed were violations of the official rules. However, with recent changes in MLB regulations and the rise of instant replay, many fans and even players are left asking: Do MLB managers still have the ability to protest games?
This article explores the history, evolution, and current status of protests in Major League Baseball, and provides clarity on how disputes are handled today.
Table of Contents
What Is a Game Protest in Baseball?
Before addressing the current status, it’s important to define what protesting a game actually means in baseball terms.
A protest occurs when a manager believes that an umpire has misapplied or misinterpreted a rule, not simply made a bad judgment call. The protest must be declared immediately after the disputed play, and it must be clearly stated to the umpire that the game is being played under protest.
It’s crucial to note that judgment calls, like balls and strikes or safe/out decisions (unless related to replay reviews), were never eligible for protest under the rules. Only rule misapplications were protestable.
For example:
- If an umpire improperly applies a substitution rule,
- Or mishandles an infield fly rule incorrectly,
The manager could file a formal protest for the league office to review after the game.
Historical Use of Game Protests
Protests were not common, but they did occur periodically throughout MLB history. One of the most famous protested games was the “Pine Tar Game” in 1983 when Kansas City Royals’ George Brett hit a home run that was overturned due to excessive pine tar on his bat. The Royals protested, and the league later upheld it, allowing the home run to stand and the game to resume from that point at a later date.
Historically, managers used this tactic more as a statement than an expectation of reversal. In fact, out of the hundreds of protests filed over the decades, only a handful were upheld, which illustrates the difficulty in successfully proving a misapplication of the rules.
So, Do MLB Managers Still Have the Ability to Protest Games?
As of the 2020 MLB season, no. Managers can no longer protest games.
In a significant yet relatively quiet rule change, MLB eliminated the formal protest rule in 2019, and the change took effect in the 2020 season.
Official Change:
According to MLB’s updated rulebook, Rule 7.04 (formerly 4.19), which outlined how to protest a game, was removed entirely. The removal of this rule means that there is no longer a mechanism for officially protesting a game—not even in cases of alleged rule misapplications.
This change marked a turning point in how MLB handles on-field disputes and corrections.
Why Was the Protest Rule Removed?
There were several reasons behind the decision to eliminate game protests:
1. Introduction and Expansion of Instant Replay
One of the biggest influences was the rise of the MLB Replay Review System, which was expanded in 2014. Managers were given one challenge per game, which could be used to review plays involving judgment—something protests could never do.
With replay handling more disputes in real-time, protests became largely redundant.
2. Low Success Rate of Protests
Protests were rarely upheld. The bar for overturning a game’s outcome based on a misapplied rule was very high, and MLB preferred to allow umpire discretion to stand in most cases.
3. Desire for Game Flow and Simplification
MLB has focused in recent years on speeding up gameplay and reducing unnecessary delays. Eliminating the protest process helps reduce interruptions and focuses decision-making on what can be corrected in real time (i.e., via replay).
What Can Managers Do Now?
While formal protests are no longer part of the game, MLB managers still have tools at their disposal when disputing decisions:
1. Challenge System
Each manager can challenge specific plays (tag outs, force plays, boundary calls, fair/foul balls, etc.) using instant replay. If the challenge is successful, the manager retains the ability to challenge again.
2. Umpire-Initiated Reviews
Even without a challenge, umpires themselves can initiate reviews during certain parts of the game, especially late innings or on home run decisions.
3. Discussion with Umpiring Crew
Managers can still argue or request explanations about calls. While this won’t change the ruling, it allows them to express concerns or clarify situations for future reference.
However, once a rule is misapplied and the play proceeds without a challenge or intervention, there is no post-game avenue to have the game reviewed or reversed.
Implications for the Game
The elimination of formal protests represents a shift in how MLB handles accountability and dispute resolution:
- More emphasis on real-time correction via technology
- Less post-game administrative review
- Cleaner rule enforcement driven by live communication and replay
This also puts pressure on managers and coaching staff to act quickly during games, as once a play continues and isn’t reviewed immediately, the window for correction closes.
Conclusion
To directly answer the question: Do MLB managers still have the ability to protest games? The answer is no—the protest rule was eliminated in 2020, and managers can no longer file formal protests, even for rule misapplications.
In place of protests, Major League Baseball has embraced instant replay and in-game correction, placing the burden of decision-making and challenges on the real-time judgment of the manager and umpiring crew. While some traditionalists may miss the symbolic protest, the modern system prioritizes clarity, fairness, and game flow.
For managers today, understanding the challenge rules and acting swiftly is more important than ever—because there’s no longer a second chance after the final out.
FAQs
Q1: Can MLB managers still protest games?
No. MLB removed the formal protest rule starting in the 2020 season. Managers can no longer file official protests after a game.
Q2: Why did MLB eliminate game protests?
MLB removed the protest rule due to the rise of the instant replay system, the very low success rate of past protests, and a broader push to streamline and modernize the game.
Q3: What happens now if a manager believes a rule was misapplied?
The manager must address the issue immediately during the game. If eligible, they may use their challenge to trigger a replay review. Otherwise, the call stands with no post-game remedy.
Q4: Were any protests ever successful in MLB history?
Yes, but very few. One notable case is the Pine Tar Game in 1983. Overall, most protests were denied.
Q5: Can umpires initiate a review without a manager’s challenge?
Yes. Umpires can initiate their own reviews in specific scenarios, especially in the late innings or on home run or boundary-related calls.
Q6: Are all plays eligible for replay review?
No. Only specific types of plays (e.g., force outs, home runs, fair/foul balls) can be reviewed. Judgment calls like balls and strikes remain non-reviewable.
