Saturday, August 10, 2013

MLB Ejection 127: Adrian Johnson (2; Clint Hurdle)

2B Umpire Adrian Johnson ejected Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle for arguing a call in the top of the 7th inning of the Pirates-Rockies game. With none out and two on, Pirates batter Neil Walker hit a 0-1 fastball from
Replays confirm Johnson's call.
Rockies pitcher Josh Outman on the ground to Outman who threw to shortstop Troy Tulowitzki at second to first baseman Todd Helton to complete the double play at first. Replays indicate Tulowitzki's left foot remained on second base while he gained possession of the baseball, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Rockies were leading, 6-3. The Rockies ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

This is Adrian Johnson (80)'s second ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
Adrian Johnson now has 8 points in the UEFL (4 + 2 + 2 = 8).
Crew Chief Fieldin Culbreth now has 2 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (1 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 2).

This is the 127th ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 61st Manager ejection of 2013.
This is the Pirates' 8th ejection of 2013, 1st in the NL Central (PIT 8; STL 5; CHC 4; MIL 3; CIN 0).
This is Clint Hurdle's MLB-leading 5th ejection of 2013 and first since July 25 (Laz Diaz; QOC = Correct).
This is Adrian Johnson's first ejection since May 28, 2013 (Terry Collins; QOC = Correct).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Colorado Rockies, 8/10/13
Video: Johnson rules the force out at second as Tulo drags foot, Hurdle tossed disputing the call (PIT)

MLB Ejection 126: Jim Joyce (1; Chris Johnson)

HP Umpire Jim Joyce ejected Braves 3B Chris Johnson for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 1st inning of the Marlins-Braves game. With two out and two on, Johnson took a 0-2 fastball from Marlins pitcher
Joyce ejects Johnson for arguing strike three.
Nathan Eovaldi for a called third strike. Replays indicate the decisive pitch was located thigh high and over the outer edge of home plate (px 0.773), the call was correct. The call is now incorrect as the first strike of the at-bat was located outside of the strike zone (appealed and overturned). At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 0-0. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

This is Jim Joyce (66)'s first ejection of 2013.
Jim Joyce now has -2 points in the UEFL (0 + 2 + -4 = -2).
Crew Chief Jim Joyce now has 0 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (0 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 0).

This is the 126th ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 54th player ejection of 2013. Prior to ejection, Johnson was 0-1 in the contest.
This is the Braves' 7th ejection of 2013, 1st in the NL East (ATL 7; WAS 5; NYM, PHI 4; MIA 2).
This is Chris Johnson's 1st ejection of 2013 and first since May 22, 2012 (Tim Tschida; QOC = Correct).
This is Jim Joyce's first ejection since May 11, 2012 (Brad Mills; QOC = Correct [Crewmate]).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs. Atlanta Braves, 8/10/13
Video: After passionately firing bat and equipment, Johnson continues to bark at Joyce and is tossed (ATL)

MLB Ejection 125: Paul Nauert (1; Tom Foley)

HP Umpire Paul Nauert ejected Rays 3B Coach Tom Foley for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 6th inning of the Rays-Dodgers game. With two out and none on, Rays batter Yunel Escobar took a 3-2 cutter
Foley's choice words earn ejection from Nauert.
from Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located knee high and over the outer half of home plate (sz_bot 1.540, pz 1.566; px 0.478), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Dodgers were leading, 5-0. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 5-0.

This is Paul Nauert (39)'s first ejection of 2013.
Paul Nauert now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 + 2 + 2 = 4).
Crew Chief Dana DeMuth now has 7 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (6 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 7).

This is the 125th ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the Rays' 5th ejection of 2013, T-3rd in the AL East (TOR 8; BOS 7; BAL, TB 5; NYY 2).
This is Tom Foley's 1st ejection of 2013 and first since June 10, 2003 (Ed Rapuano; QOC = N/A).
This is Paul Nauert's first ejection since August 7, 2012 (Dustin Pedroia; QOC = Irrecusable).

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 8/10/13
Video: Escobar, upset, jumps, gestures, throws equipment to earn fine; Foley gets tossed (FOX)

Friday, August 9, 2013

MLB Ejection 124: Dan Bellino (5; Ron Roenicke)

HP Umpire Dan Bellino ejected Brewers Manager Ron Roenicke for arguing a fan interference call in the top of the 4th inning of the Brewers-Mariners game. With one out and one on, Brewers batter Yuniesky Betancourt hit a 0-1 fastball from Mariners pitcher Joe Saunders on the ground to third baseman Kyle Seager, who committed a fielding error resulting in a fan interference call. Replays indicate that as the ball caromed down the left field fence line, a spectator wearing a Yankees jersey and Nets hat reached over the restraining wall and contacted the baseball with his hand while R1 was between second and third base, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 2-2. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 10-5.

This is Dan Bellino (2)'s fifth ejection of 2013.
Dan Bellino now has 16 points in the UEFL (12 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 16).
Crew Chief Tim Welke now has 7 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (6 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 7).

This is the 124th ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 60th Manager ejection of 2013.
This is the Brewers' 3rd ejection of 2013, 4th in the NL Central (PIT 7; STL 5; CHC 4; MIL 3; CIN 0).
This is Ron Roenicke's 2nd ejection of 2013 and first since April 24, 2013 (Gary Darling; QOC = Incorrect).
This is Dan Bellino's first ejection since July 12, 2013 (Mike Matheny; QOC = Irrecusable).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Seattle Mariners, 8/9/13
Video: Roenicke ejected arguing runner placement sending R1 back to third (MIL)

MLB Ejections 122, 123: D Rackley (1, 2; Descalso, Matheny)

HP Umpire David Rackley ejected Cardinals 2B Daniel Descalso and Manager Mike Matheny for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Cubs-Cardinals game. With one out and none on, Descalso took a 3-2 sinker from Cubs pitcher Kevin Gregg for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located thigh high and over the inner edge of home plate (px 0.756), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Cubs were leading, 3-0. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 3-0.

This is David Rackley (86)'s first and second ejections of 2013.
David Rackley now has 10 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2*[3 AAA + 2 Correct Call] = 10).
Crew Chief Brian Gorman now has 10 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (8 Previous + 2 Correct Call = 10).

These are the 122nd and 123rd ejections of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 53rd player ejection of 2013. Prior to ejection, Descalso was 0-1 in the contest.
This is the 59th Manager ejection of 2013.
This is the Cardinals' 4th/5th ejection of 2013, 2nd in the NL Central (PIT 7; STL 5; CHC 4; MIL 2; CIN 0).
This is Mike Matheny's 3rd ejection of 2013 and first since July 12, 2012 (Dan Bellino; QOC = Irrecusable).
This is Daniel Descalso's first career ejection.
This is David Rackley's first ejection since August 26, 2012 (Mawin Gonzalez; QOC = Correct).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 8/9/13
Video: Descalso tossed arguing the decisive 3-2 strike call, Matheny heaved too (STL)

MLB Ejection 121: Will Little (2; Max Scherzer)

HP Umpire Will Little ejected Tigers P Max Scherzer for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 7th inning of the Tigers-Yankees game. With none out and one on, Tigers batter Torii Hunter took a 1-2 fastball from Yankees pitcher Ivan Nova for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located midpoint high and over the inner edge of home plate (sz_top 3.420, pz 3.106; px -0.878), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 2-1. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Will Little (93)'s second ejection of 2013.
Will Little now has 10 points in the UEFL (5 Previous + 3 AAA + = 10).
Crew Chief Paul Emmel now has 1 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).

This is the 121st ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 52nd player ejection of 2013. Prior to ejection, Scherzer did not appear in the game.
This is the Tigers' 6th ejection of 2013, 1st in the AL Central (DET 6; CLE 5; KC 3; MIN 2).
This is Max Scherzer's first career MLB ejection.
This is Will Little's first ejection since June 27, 2013 (Manny Machado; QOC = Correct).

Wrap: Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees, 8/9/13
Video: Scherzer gets thrown out of a game he isn't pitching in after Torii's K (DET)

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

MLB Ejection 120: Greg Gibson (1; Don Cooper)

HP Umpire Greg Gibson ejected White Sox Pitching Coach Don Cooper for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Yankees-White Sox game. With one out and none on, White Sox batter Tyler Flowers took a 3-2 fastball from Yankees pitcher David Robertson for a called third strike. Replays indicate
Video proves the pitch was a strike.
the decisive pitch was located knee high and over the inner half of home plate (sz_bot 1.570, pz 1.640; px 0.246) while the other called strike during at bat—strike one—was located belt high and over the inner half of home plate (pz 2.022; px 0.455); strike two was a foul ball, the entire at-bat was officiated properly and the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 4-3. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 6-5, in 12 innings.

This is Greg Gibson (53)'s first ejection of 2013.
Greg Gibson now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 + 2 + 2 = 4)
Crew Chief Jerry Layne now has 6 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (5 + 1 Correct Call = 6).

This is the 120th ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the White Sox's 3rd ejection of 2013, T-3rd in the AL Central (CLE, DET 5; CWS, KC 3; MIN 2).
This is Don Cooper's 1st ejection of 2013 and first since April 16, 2012 (Lance Barrett; QOC = Incorrect).
This is Greg Gibson's first ejection since June 10, 2012 (Jim Tracy; QOC = Incorrect).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs. Chicago White Sox, 8/7/13
Video: Cooper argues the Flowers strikeout before Alexei digs in and earns a ticket out of the park (CWS)

MLB Ejection 118, 119: Knight, Carlson (4, 1)

3B Umpire Brian Knight ejected Red Sox RF Shane Victorino in the top of the 7th inning and HP Umpire Mark Carlson ejected Astros Manager Bo Porter for arguing a foul tip (strike three) call in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Red Sox-Astros game. In the 7th, with David Ortiz at-bat, Victorino was ejected. In the 9th, with
Fouled into the dirt for strike three.
none out and none on, Astros batter Jason Castro attempted to strike a 0-2 splitter from Red Sox pitcher Koji Uehara. Replays indicate Castro's bat appeared to make contact with the ball before the ball bounced off the dirt and into Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia's glove, the call was incorrect.* At the time of Victorino's ejection, the Astros were leading, 5-2. At the time of Porter's ejection, the Red Sox were leading, 7-5. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-5.

This is Brian Knight (91)'s fourth ejection of 2013.
This is Mark Carlson (6)'s first ejection of 2013.
Brian Knight now has 11 points in the UEFL (9 Previous + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable = 11).
Mark Carlson now has -2 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = -2).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has 6 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (5 + 1 Irrecusable Call = 6).
*Carlson is the calling umpire pursuant to UEFL precedent established in 115, 116: Cederstrom/Carapazza.

These are the 118th and 119th ejections of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 51st player ejection of 2013. Prior to his ejection, Victorino was 1-4 in the contest (K, 3 LOB).
This is the 57th Manager ejection of 2013.
This is the Astros' 1st ejection of 2013, T-4th in the AL West (OAK 5; LAA, TEX 2; HOU, SEA 1).
This is the Red Sox's 7th ejection of 2013, 2nd in the AL East (TOR 8; BOS 7; BAL 5; TB 4; NYY 2).
This is Shane Victorino's 1st ejection since August 5, 2011 (Mike Muchlinski; QOC = Irrecusable [Fighting]).
This is Bo Porter's first career MLB ejection.
This is Brian Knight's first ejection since June 1, 2013 (Don Mattingly; QOC = Correct [Crewmate]).
This is Mark Carlson's first ejection since September 8, 2012 (Mark Parent; QOC = Incorrect).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs. Houston Astros, 8/7/13
Video: Shane Victorino confronts Knight over a call which did not concern him (BOS)
Video: A foul ball vs. tip scenario behind home plate produces Porter's argument and ejection (HOU)

Direct Scott: Dale Scott Departs After Foul Ball to Mask

HP Umpire and crew chief Dale Scott left Wed's Jays-Mariners game after suffering a foul ball to the mask.

With two out and one on in the top of the 2nd inning, Blue Jays batter Jose Bautista fouled a 0-1 fastball back, the baseball deflecting off of Mariners catcher Humberto Quintero before plunging straight into the center of Dale Scott's traditional-style face mask.

Though Scott remained in to complete the at-bat, Bautista flying out to right on the subsequent 0-2 pitch, he left the field and was replaced by 1B Umpire Todd Tichenor as CB Bucknor slid over from second base to assume crew chief duties with Triple-A call-up umpire Quinn Wolcott remaining at third.

Video: Scott takes a deflected foul square in the mask, stays in to complete the AB and exits (SEA)

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

HBP: Manny's Foul to Throat, West Warns in Washington

Plate umpire Manny Gonzalez took a foul bunt to the throat and just below the mask Tuesday during the Rockies-Mets game, resulting in his departure after an anxious delay.

Gonzalez, shaken up, leaves COL-NYM in the 6th.
With none out and one on in the top of the 6th inning, Gonzalez was struck by a first pitch bounced bunt off the dirt and into the throat area underneath the hockey-style mask and above the chest protector. The ball appeared to carom off the ground and lodge between the mask and Gonzalez's neck, only becoming displaced after Gonzalez reached in and grabbed the baseball.

After the umpires convened with the Mets medical staff at home plate, 2B Umpire Larry Vanover left to change into his plate gear as Gonzalez was assisted off and field and into the home training room by the trainer and 1B Umpire Tony Randazzo.

According to the Mets broadcast, the injury delay—from the foul bunt to Vanover's announcement of "play"—lasted approximately 15 minutes.

Video: Gonzalez takes foul to throat, removes lodged ball and walks off woozily (NYM)

Harper jaws with Teheran as West holds back F2.
Meanwhile on the east coast, baseball was abuzz over Atlanta F1 Julio Teheran's hit-by-pitch of Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, who was struck in the thigh by a fifth-inning fastball and ignited a bench-clearing huddle along the infield.

As HP Umpire and veteran crew chief Joe West stepped in front of McCann, preventing him from physically engaging Harper, who yelled as he walked down the first base line, 1B Umpire Sam Holbrook ran in from first base to make sure Harper didn't leave the baseline while 2B Umpire Adam Hamari and 3B Umpire Rob Drake likewise stepped in between the Nationals and Braves, both teams having vacated their respective dugouts and bullpens.

Immediately thereafter, West issued warnings to both squads and the game continued without incident, Washington falling to the Braves on—what else—a Bryce Harper strikeout.

Video: Harper hit by a 5th inning pitch, McCann intercepted by West, whose crew separates the teams (WAS)

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Minor Teague Ball: The One Pitch Strikeout and Ejection

HP Umpire Ron Teague awarded a one-pitch strikeout to MiLB Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks pitcher Nick Tropeano of the Texas League Thursday after Midland RockHounds batter Vinnie Catricala refused to step into the batter's box following a strike call.

Teague calls a strike on Carticala.
With none out and none on in the 6th, Carticala led off the inning by taking a first-pitch Tropeano offering for a called strike. After disagreeing and voicing his displeasure with Umpire Teague, Carticala stepped back out of the right-handed batter's box as Teague motioned for Carticala to return to his hitting position. Carticala balked at the request, uttered more words at Teague and Teague responded by calling strike two. 10 seconds after the batter first stepped out of the box, with Carticala still loitering outside, Teague called a third strike before ejecting Carticala, who broke into uninhibited argument after being called out during an at-bat that featured just one pitch.

In ruling Carticala out on automatic strikes two and three, Teague invoked OBR Rule 6.02(c), which states:
If the batter refuses to take his position in the batter’s box during his time at bat, the umpire shall call a strike on the batter. The ball is dead, and no runners may advance. After the penalty, the batter may take his proper position and the regular ball and strike count shall continue. If the batter does not take his proper position before three strikes have been called, the batter shall be declared out.
Comment: The umpire shall give the batter a reasonable opportunity to take his proper position in the batter’s box after the umpire has called a strike pursuant to Rule 6.02(c) and before the umpire calls a successive strike pursuant to Rule 6.02(c).
In sequence...
1) Pitch #1 (and only) => Strike one call. Carticala argues, steps out of the box. Teague orders him back in.
2) Carticala remains out of the box, interpreted by Teague as a refusal to take his position in the batter's box.
3) Strike Two => Teague enforces the penalty of Rule 6.02(c) and again orders Carticala into the box.
4) Carticala remains out of the box, interpreted by Teague as another refusal to assume his position in the batter's box during his time at bat and after being given a reasonable opportunity to do so.
5) Strike Three => Teague enforces the successive strike penalty of Rule 6.02(c) and Rule 6.02(c) Comment.
6) Ejection => Following the strikeout, Teague ejects Carticala for ensuing unsporting conduct.

The crew at Deadspin drew up the video of the Teague/Tropeano/Carticala saga.

The one pitch-K was a feat first accomplished in 1945 by the New York Tea Totallers, who threw just one pitch to the opposing Gas-House Gorillas that resulted in a total of nine strikes and three outs.

MLB Ejection 117: Larry Vanover (2; Buck Showalter)

HP Umpire Larry Vanover ejected Orioles Manager Buck Showalter for arguing a strike two call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Mariners-Orioles game. With none out and none on, Orioles batter Nick Markakis took
Vanover ejects Showalter for arguing balls/strikes.
a 0-0 fastball followed by a 0-1 changeup from Mariners pitcher Erasmo Ramirez for called first and second strikes. Replays indicate the strike one pitch was located thigh high and over the outer edge of home plate while the second pitch was located belt high and off the outer edge of home plate (px -1.144), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 6-2. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 8-4.

This is Larry Vanover (27)'s second ejection of 2013.
Larry Vanover now has 3 points in the UEFL (5 + 2 + -4 = 3)
Crew Chief Brian Gorman now has 8 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (8 + 0 Incorrect Call = 8).

This is the 117th ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 56th Manager ejection of 2013.
This is the Orioles' 5th ejection of 2013, 3rd in the AL East (TOR 8; BOS 6; BAL 7; TB 4; NYY 2).
This is Buck Showalter's 2nd ejection of 2013 & first since June 21, 2013 (Angel Hernandez; QOC = Correct).
This is Larry Vanover's first ejection since June 1, 2013 (Fredi Gonzalez; QOC = Correct).

Wrap: Seattle Mariners vs. Baltimore Orioles, 8/3/13
Video: After two called strikes to lead off the 7th, Showalter barks from dugout for his ejection (BAL)