Hurdle eager to test new replay rules

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Following Joe Torre's Sunday afternoon presentation of how Major League Baseall will implement expanded replay review, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle is clear on how the process will work and eager for his Pirates to give it some test runs.

"It was a very good day, very informative," Hurdle said of the three-hour meeting led by Torre, MLB's executive vice president of baseball operations. "A lot of research and effort went into this, and we're mindful of the fact this is a historic opportunity for us to continue improving our game.

"Every team has the opportunity to customize its own protocol for deciding to [issue a] challenge," added Hurdle, who offered a synopsis of how the Bucs are likely to proceed. "We'll have a guy stationed in a spot to get information [off the game telecast]. I can go out [on the field] to argue a play, but there will come a time to make a challenge or just go away, so I'll look in for help and he'll either indicate 'Hey, push it, challenge it,' or 'They got it right; get off the field.'"

In addition to what Hurdle called "some in-house practice of our own," the Pirates will play six exhibition games under the expanded review process: Four televised Grapefruit League games, plus the March 28-29 games in Philadelphia.