The majority of baseball fans (55%) say there should be more use of instant replay in the sport, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

Thirty percent (30%) disagree and say there should not be any more instant replay used, while another 14% are undecided.

The survey of 632 baseball fans was conducted the day after the final American League Championship series game and before the start of the World Series.

Among avid baseball fans, those who watch baseball at least once a week during the season, 62% want to see instant replay used more.

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Currently, instant replay is only used to determine whether or not home run balls are in fair territory and out of the park. Prior to the 2008 season, instant replay was never used in baseball.

In July, 55% of baseball fans said instant replay should be expanded to more than just a review of home runs.

There have been several highly controversial calls by umpires this post season, but 38% of fans give the umpires’ performance good or excellent ratings. Only 17% say the umpires did a poor job during this year’s playoffs.

Men are less forgiving, with 28% who say the umpires did a poor job, compared to just 7% of women.

The plurality of baseball fans (45%) also support shortening the baseball season to allow the World Series to begin earlier in October. Thirty-one percent (31%) disagree, but another 24% are undecided.

If the Phillies and Yankees play all seven games, this year’s Fall Classic is scheduled to conclude November 5, its latest finish to date.

Avid baseball fans are evenly divided on the question, with 45% who favor shortening the season and 45% who disagree.

Only 30% of fans think more World Series games should be played in the afternoon, while 52% disagree. Another 18% are undecided.

Fans were more evenly divided on this question in July when the question addressed the issue of younger fans. At that time, 41% said more postseason games should be played in the afternoon to appeal to younger viewers, while 39% disagreed.

So far this postseason, inclement weather has already caused one postponement in the American League Championship series. But even with two East Coast teams battling in the World Series into early November, only 31% of fans think the series should be played at a neutral site in warmer weather. Most fans (56%) disagree with this idea and 18% have no opinion.

The plurality of baseball fans (47%) think the Yankees will end up winning their 27th World Series ring this year, but slightly more fans would rather see the Phillies defend their title.

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