MLB Ejection 065 - Ryan Wills (2; Jose Siri)

HP Umpire Ryan Wills ejected Rays CF Jose Siri (strike one & two calls; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Rays-#Orioles game. With none out and none on, Rays batter Siri took 3-0 and 3-1 fastballs from Orioles pitcher Craig Kimbrel for strikes one and two, before striking out swinging. Replays indicate strike one was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px 0.66, pz 2.57) and the pitch ruled strike two was located over the inner edge of home plate and belt-high (px -0.68, pz 2.83), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Orioles were leading, 3-1. The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 3-1.

This is Ryan Wills (20)'s 2nd ejection of 2024.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

Strike one was located 3.05 and strike two was 2.81 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 65th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 27th player ejection of 2024. Prior to ejection, Siri was 0-2 (2 SO) in the contest.

Ejection Tally: 28 Managers, 10 Coaches, 27 Players.

This is Tampa Bay's 2nd ejection of 2024, T-3rd in the AL East (NYY 5; TOR 4; BAL, TB 2; BOS 1).

This is Jose Siri's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 30 (Chris Guccione; QOC = U [Fighting]).

This is Ryan Wills' 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 17 (John Schneider; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles, 5/31/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 064 - Brennan Miller (2; Craig Counsell)

HP Umpire Brennan Miller ejected Cubs manager Craig Counsell (foul ball call confirmed via Replay Review; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Reds-#Cubs game. With none out and two on, Cubs batter Nick Madrigal attempted to take a 1-1 fastball from Reds pitcher Alexis Díaz for a called foul ball, as HP Umpire Miller ruled the pitched ball first struck Madrigal's bat. Before challenging the call, Counsell began arguing Miller's call and was ejected for continuing to argue during the Replay Review, which confirmed Miller's foul ball call (knob of bat), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 5-3. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Brennan Miller (55)'s 2nd ejection of 2024.

This is the 64th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 28th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 28 Managers, 10 Coaches, 26 Players.

This is Chicago's 3rd ejection of 2024, 2nd in the NL Central (MIL, PIT, STL 4; CHC 3; CIN 1).

This is Craig Counsell's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since May 13 (Junior Valentine; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Brennan Miller's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 6 (David Popkins; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs Chicago Cubs, 5/31/24 | Video as follows:

Super Fast Center Fielder Tags Out Runner at Home Analysis

In a viral video, a lightning-quick center fielder sprints to tag a batter-runner out at the plate on a play in which the defense left third base and home uncovered. Although most attention focuses on the fast outfielder, umpires noticed a key yet ignored aspect of this play that, if called, would have resulted in the batter-runner being declared safe.

As the batter-runner's fly ball falls in shallow center field, it draws both the shortstop and second baseman to the outfield, which entices the third baseman to cover second base as the batter-runner tries to stretch his blooper into a double. As this in turn leaves third base uncovered, the batter-runner continues onto third, drawing the catcher to third base as the batter-runner arrives. This in turn leaves home plate uncovered, and the batter-runner soon sprints for home, only to be run down by the pursuing center fielder for an out.

But as we rewind the tape to the batter-runner rounding third base, we notice a very distinct interaction between him and the catcher. As the runner approaches third base, he looks up and sees the catcher charging up the foul line. The batter-runner then stutter-steps to get around the catcher and runs home, tagged out by fractions of a second.

This stutter-step at third base slowed the batter down just enough to enable the center fielder to timely tag him at home, and because that slowdown was caused by the catcher standing in the runner's way, we must consider obstruction: "OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner."

Because a play was being made on the batter-runner at the time of the obstruction (the center fielder was running with the ball toward him), this is OBR Rule 6.01(h)(1) Type 1 obstruction in professional and college baseball, the penalty for which is to award the obstructed runner "at least one base beyond the base they had last legally touched." The at least one part of this rule allows the plate award, even if the batter-runner may not have technically touched third base yet when obstruction occurred (it's really close). NCAA college is similar to the pro rule in this regard.

In high school's NFHS 8-3-1-2, obstruction is treated a little differently but results in the same outcome on this specific play: "the umpire shall award the obstructed runner a minimum of one base beyond the runner's position on base when the obstruction occurred." All levels allow additional base awards to nullify the act of obstruction.

Had obstruction been called, the batter-runner would have scored...and perhaps the internet deprived of its opportunity to praise a speedy fielder who covered more than 100 feet to make an impressive play.

Video as follows:

Was Cody Bellinger Out of the Base Path or Did Arenado Obstruct?

When Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray's pickoff throw behind Cubs baserunner Cody Bellinger caught the Chicago runner in a rundown, Bellinger lunged to his right to avoid St Louis 3B Nolan Arenado's tag. 3B Umpire Cory Blaser called Bellinger out for running more than three feet away from his base path to avoid the tag, but was he? Or did Arenado obstruct Belli instead?

Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(1) states that a runner is out when "they run more than three feet away from their base path to avoid being tagged unless their action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball. A runner’s base path is established when the tag attempt occurs and is a straight line from the runner to the base they are attempting to reach safely."

Remember, the base path is established only when the tag attempt begins, meaning that while the ball is still in flight, no such line can be drawn.

Meanwhile, we have the issue of potential obstruction. OBR's Definition of Terms states, "OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner" while OBR 6.01(h)(1) pertaining to Type 1 Obstruction specifies that when obstruction occurs while a play is being made on the obstructed runner, the runner is awarded the next base ("The obstructed runner shall be awarded at least one base beyond the base they had last legally touched before the obstruction").

In a similar token to when to begin a base path, we need to address when to begin considering a fielder to be "in the act of fielding," while noting the pre-season point of emphasis declaring that a fielder who blocks the runner's path should be called for obstruction if they do not legitimately need to occupy that space to field the baseball.

By virtue of fielder Arenado running at Bellinger—and into his path to third base—prior to teammate Masyn Winn even releasing the baseball, we know Arenado cannot be considered in the act of fielding when he initially impedes Bellinger and this play, thus, becomes a candidate for Obstruction Type 1 (Type A), effectively cancelling the later base path issue since play is dead at the moment of Obstruction 1 (had it been OBS 2, then "nullify the act" would get involved after the play's natural conclusion).

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 063 - Vic Carapazza (3; Aaron Boone)

2B Umpire Vic Carapazza ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone (infield fly interference double play; QOCY) in the top of the 1st inning of the #Yankees-#Angels game. With none out and the bases loaded, Yankees batter Giancarlo Stanton hit a 0-0 changeup from Angels pitcher Tyler Anderson for a fly ball on the infield, ruled an infield fly. As Angels shortstop Zach Neto attempted to catch the fly ball, he and Yankees baserunner R2 Juan Soto made contact behind second base, resulting in an interference call by 2B Umpire Vic Carapazza. Because the interference occurred during an infield fly, both Soto (interference) and batter Stanton (infield fly rule) were called out for a double play. Replays indicate Soto, while not in contact with second base, interfered with Neto's fielding of a batted ball, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

This is Vic Carapazza (19)'s 3rd ejection of 2024.

OBR Definition of Infield Fly: "If interference is called during an Infield Fly, the ball remains alive until it is determined whether the ball is fair or foul. If fair, both the runner who interfered with the fielder and the batter are out."

This is the 63rd ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 27th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 27 Managers, 10 Coaches, 26 Players.

This is New York's 5th ejection of 2024, 1st in the AL East (NYY 5; TOR 4; BAL 2; BOS, TB 1).

This is Aaron Boone's 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 22 (Hunter Wendelstedt; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Vic Carapazza's 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st since May 11 (Alex Cintron; QOC = Y-c [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Los Angeles Angels, 4/29/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 062 - Ramon De Jesus (1; Jorge López)

3B Umpire Ramon De Jesus ejected Mets pitcher Jorge López (check swing ball three call to Freddie Freeman) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Dodgers-#Mets game. With two out and none on, Dodgers batter Freeman attempted to check his swing on a 2-1 slider from Mets pitcher López, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Adrian Johnson and affirmed as no swing (ball) by 3B Umpire De Jesus. After his ejection, López threw his glove into the stands, went on a postgame rant criticizing New York, and was designated for assignment by the team. At the time of the ejection, the Dodgers were leading, 9-3. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 10-3.

This is Ramon De Jesus (18)'s 3rd ejection of 2024.

This is the 62nd ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 26th player ejection of 2024. Prior to ejection, López's line was 0.1 IP, 2 ER, HR.

Ejection Tally: 26 Managers, 10 Coaches, 26 Players.

This is New York's 3rd ejection of 2024, T-1st in the NL East (MIA, NYM 3; WAS 2; PHI 1; ATL 0).

This is Jorge López's first career MLB ejection.

This is Ramon De Jesus' 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 20 (Mike Shildt; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs New York Mets, 5/29/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 061 - Nick Mahrley (1; Garrett Crochet)

HP Umpire Nick Mahrley ejected White Sox bench player/pitcher Garrett Crochet (rain delay call) in the top of the 9th inning of the #BlueJays-#WhiteSox game. With two out and two on, White Sox pitcher John Brebbia threw a wild pitch before inducing an inning-ending groundout from Vladimir Guerrero. At the conclusion of the top of the 9th, Crew Chief Marvin Hudson elected to stop play temporarily due to inclement weather and heavy rain. Crochet was ejected at the beginning of this rain delay for arguing the umpires' decision and timing on calling the delay. At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 7-2. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 7-2.

This is Nick Mahrley (48)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

Official Baseball Rule 5.12(b)(1): "The [crew chief] shall call time when in their judgment weather, darkness or similar conditions make immediate further play impossible."

This is the 61st ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 25th player ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 26 Managers, 10 Coaches, 25 Players.

This is Chicago's 5th ejection of 2024, 1st in the AL Central (CWS 5; MIN 1; CLE, DET, KC 0).

This is Garrett Crochet's first career MLB ejection.

This is Nick Mahrley's 1st ejection since July 29, 2022 (Tony La Russa; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs Chicago White Sox, 5/28/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 060 - Tripp Gibson (4; Daniel Moskos)

3B Umpire Tripp Gibson ejected Cubs assistant pitching coach Daniel Moskos (balk call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Cubs-#Brewers game. With two outs and one on, during Brewers batter Willy Adames' at-bat, Cubs pitcher Héctor Neris was called for a balk by 3B Umpire Gibson. Replays indicate Neris failed to come to a stop while in Set Position with runner(s), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 6-3, in 10 innings.

This is Tripp Gibson (73)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

*OBR 6.02(a)(13): With runner(s) on base, it is a balk when "The pitcher delivers the pitch from Set Position without coming to a stop."

This is the 60th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 10th coach ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 26 Managers, 10 Coaches, 24 Players.

This is Chicago's 2nd ejection of 2024, 4th in the NL Central (MIL, PIT, STL 4; CHC 2; CIN 1).

This is Daniel Moskos' first career MLB ejection.

This is Tripp Gibson's 1st ejection since August 15, 2023 (David Ross; QOC = Y [Balk]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs Milwaukee Brewers, 5/28/24 | Video as follows:

Umpire Angel Hernandez Retires After 33 Years of MLB

Longtime MLB umpire Angel Hernandez confirmed he is retiring, telling USA Today he wants to spend more time with his family. The 62-year-old umpire who began his big league career in the National League 33 years ago, in May 1991, winds down his eventful major league on-field experience with over 3,800 regular season games worked, 12 Division Series, eight League Championship Series, and two World Series.

Hernandez drew national ire in 2013 when, as acting crew chief, his crew reviewed and ultimately upheld an Oakland Athletics double off the high left field wall in Cleveland. Although replays indicate the batted ball hit a railing beyond the wall and caromed back into the field—MLB stated it should have been a home run—and A's manager Bob Melvin was ejected arguing that point, we would come to find out that the replay angles the crew had access to on the circa-2013 in-stadium "limited replay" monitor, which was a small screen by today's standards were inconclusive, according to MLB's Terence Moore, who wrote, "I agree with the umpires."

Nonetheless, the national spectacle that followed resulted in the modern Replay Operations Center headquarters in New York we see today, a $30 million project that doesn't include the annual $2+ million salaries of the two additional umpire crews that staff it, added to the then-68 full-time MLB umpires for a modern-day roster of 76 (not including the costs of non-umpire Replay HQ staff).

Hernandez changed baseball in a different way in 2017, filing a lawsuit against the league in which he alleged racially-motivated and national origin-motivated discrimination.

Although this opened Hernandez up to further ridicule—such a reporters facetiously adding accents to the letters "á" in his name despite its spelling never containing accents before, a practice that continues to this day (seriously, look at the MLB Umpire Media Guide where umpires who want accents in their names [such as Alfonso Márquez] have them there, Hernandez is unaccented in all legal proceedings, etc.)—his lawsuit opened the door for other umpires who may have avoided baseball due to an undoubtedly discriminatory past. 

And although Hernandez lost his suit and appeal, uncovering potential problems in baseball spurred the sport to change how it conducts business to include more umpires in its community, as well as perhaps inspired other umpires to speak out against discriminatory practices (note: we have yet to discuss a 2024 discrimination suit recently filed by an umpire who worked in the minor leagues).

After an eventful career, Hernandez walks away from baseball having fundamentally made his mark.

Video as follows:

LSU Catcher's Interference During Steal vs South Carolina

South Carolina scored its 11th run vs LSU on a 10th inning catcher's interference and balk call, umpires ruling that the catcher illegally interfered with the batter by prematurely jumping on home plate prior to a pitch arriving during which a runner attempted to steal home. 

NCAA Rule 8-3-p states, "If, on an attempted squeeze play or steal of home plate, the catcher steps on or in front of home plate without possession of the ball or touches the batter or the bat, the pitcher shall be charged with a balk and the catcher with interference." The equivalent rules throughout the levels are OBR 6.01(g) and NFHS 8-1-1e.1.

Throughout the 15-minute delay as a result of the umpire's call and subsequent LSU protest (yes, college still has protests, no protesting a judgment call still should result in denial), the broadcast focused on the catcher's positioning at home, claiming he was not "on or in front" of home plate.

Rather than engage too much with this argument, we instead turn to a different rule that brings us to the same conclusion. NCAA 8-2-e-2 discusses catcher's interference that occurs when any runner is attempting to steal a base: "[A stealing runner at any base] shall be awarded the base the runner is attempting to reach."

As for the balk component, R3 is awarded home plate either via balk or because of attempting to steal the base when catcher's interference occurs while R1 gets second base because the batter becoming a runner on the catcher's interference award forces R1 to advance.

For reference, defensive interference is defined as "an act by a fielder (usually the catcher) that hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch" and replays indicate this catcher jumped in front of the batter, blocking his access to home plate (and the pitch) prior to the pitch's arrival. The batter had no free choice at this point to swing or not swing (and before arguing the batter must swing, think about it...requiring the batter swing here means catchers will get seriously injured...).

After the play as LSU set up to appeal R3's missed base touch of home plate (ruled "safe"/no miss by the umpire), R2 ran toward third base in an attempt to draw a throw, since all appeals must occur during a live ball (in OBR/NCAA) and be made before any subsequent pitch, play, attempted play.

Drawing a throw to third would thus be a play or attempted play and close the window on the appeal on old R3 at home. Nonetheless, the umpire ruled R3 safe because even though the runner didn't touch home plate during the initial play, the interference and obstruction rules allow umpires to award base touches in order to nullify the act of interference or obstruction.

Video as follows: