Replay reviews unavailable in Blue Jays-Tigers game after power failure disrupts both broadcasts

DETROIT (AP) — Replay reviews were unavailable to the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers throughout the first few innings of their game Thursday night at Comerica Park because of a technical issue that affected both team broadcasts.

Major League Baseball said the Detroit broadcast compound lost power just before first pitch, rendering both clubs without a broadcast feed. The commissioner's office informed the Blue Jays and Tigers that neither team would be able to challenge any umpires' calls via instant replay until the issue was rectified.

“Should broadcast capabilities return, each club will be afforded its normal Manager’s Challenge, but will have unlimited Crew Chief Reviews for the remainder of the game,” MLB told the teams.

The problem was fixed during the sixth inning, a Tigers spokesperson said, and MLB confirmed the replay system was back up and running beginning in the top of the seventh.

The score was tied 1-all after six innings.

MLB said the issue was not unprecedented at other ballparks, but the same problem occurred last year in Detroit and that game was played without replay review for seven innings.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Toronto Blue Jays' Isiah Kiner-Falefa is greeted in the dugout after his solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Toronto Blue Jays' Isiah Kiner-Falefa looks towards the dugout after his triple to center during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Toronto Blue Jays' Isiah Kiner-Falefa watches his triple to center during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty walks behind the mound as Toronto Blue Jays' Isiah Kiner-Falefa rounds the bases after his solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Toronto Blue Jays' Kevin Kiermaier flips his bat after striking out during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

PHOENIX (AP) — A judge on Friday rejected an effort by GOP lawmakers to use the term “unborn human being” to refer to a fetus in the pamphlet that Arizona voters will use to weigh a ballot measure that would expand abortion access in the state.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Christopher Whitten said the wording the legislative council suggested is “packed with emotion and partisan meaning” and asked for what he called more “neutral” language. The measure aims to expand abortion access from 15 weeks to 24 weeks – the point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb.

It would allow exemptions to save the woman’s life or to protect her physical or mental health. It would also prevent the state from adopting or enforcing laws that would forbid access to the procedure.

Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma, who is a co-chair of the legislative council, said the group will appeal the court’s decision to the state Supreme Court.

“The ruling is just plain wrong and clearly partisan,” said Toma, a Republican.

Aaron Thacker, communications director for Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, noted that the final decision on the ballot itself remains in the air.

“There’s still a lot of scenarios at play," he said. "Even after the secretary certifies the signatures, the courts have to decide if counties can put it on the ballot or not."

Arizona for Abortion Access, the organization leading the ballot measure campaign, sued the council earlier this month over the suggested language and advocated for the term “fetus,” which the council rejected.

Attorney General Kris Mayes wrote in a motion to submit an amicus brief that “fetus" and “pregnancy” are both neutral terms that the council could adopt.

“It’s incredibly important to us that Arizona voters get to learn more about and weigh our measure in objective and accurate terminology,” said Dawn Penich, communications director for the abortion access group.

Democrats have centered abortion rights in their campaigns in this year’s elections. Organizers in five other states have also proposed similar measures that would codify abortion access in their state constitutions: Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada and South Dakota.

Arizona organizers submitted more than double the amount of signatures needed for the measure to appear on the ballot.

FILE - Arizona abortion-rights supporters deliver over 800,000 petition signatures to the capitol to get abortion rights on the November general election ballot July 3, 2024, in Phoenix. A judge on Friday, July 26, rejected an effort by GOP lawmakers to use the term “unborn human being” to refer to a fetus in the pamphlet that Arizona voters will use to decide on a ballot measure that would expand abortion access in the state. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)