MLB.com reports that Major League Baseball and the World Umpires Association appear close to an agreement on a new contract.  The current deal expires on December 31 of this year.

MLB wants to have more flexibility in scheduling umpires for the postseason, and more flexibility in expanding instant replay.  Right now, umpires cannot work two consecutive postseason series.  The crews that work in the League Championship Series can’t work in the World Series.

The addition of instant replays to cover boundary calls was negotiated outside of the regular collective bargaining; with instant replay put in place in August 2008.  Commission Bud Selig is considering expanding replay due to missed calls during the postseason.