ALPB - Inconsistent TrackMan Use Riles Coaches

Since Frank Viola's notable ejection arguing TrackMan's Automated Ball/Strike System in Game 1 of the electronic strike zone experiment, umpires have ejected other Atlantic League managers over balls/strikes concerns.

According to the ALPB / MLB joint press release July 11, 2019, the 2019 Atlantic League Championship Season was to feature new experimental playing rules, including, "Home plate umpire assisted by radar tracking system and an MLB-defined strike zone."

Despite ALPB's efforts, while TrackMan's ABS wasn't ready Opening Day and doesn't appear to be fully functional for the season's second half, either, inaugural TrackMan ejectee Frank Viola sounded off on the electronic strike zone, accusing its handlers of failing to measure players before implementing strike zones on their behalf. Meanwhile, other coaches have been ejected in the new ABS era, with or without the technology in use.

Video reveals two more post-ABS ejections.

New Britain Ejection: New Britain's stadium reportedly hasn't yet used ABS, as York Revolution Manager Mark Mason discovered when he was ejected by HP Umpire William Best following a strike call against Bees batter Isais Tejada in the top of the 7th inning of July 21's Revolution-Bees game in New Britain. York, of course, does have ABS installed.

Somerset Ejection: Another stadium that has seen TrackMan in testing is Somerset's TD Bank Ballpark. On July 16, HP Umpire Matt Criss ejected Patriots RF Justin Pacchioli and Manager Brett Jodie after a strike two ruling in the 6th inning. This would seem to indicate there might be a hiccup or two pertaining to the institution of the automated ball/strike system across the Atlantic League.

MLB Ejection 129 - Mark Ripperger (2; Kevin Pillar)

HP Umpire Mark Ripperger ejected Giants CF Kevin Pillar (strike two call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Mets-Giants game. With two out and one on (R1), Pillar took a 1-1 curveball from Mets pitcher Seth Lugo for a called second strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the midpoint (px -0.2, pz 3.31 [sz_top 3.32]) [strike one is prohibited from consideration pursuant to league rule, decided 2013], the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 2-2. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 3-2, in 12 innings.

This is Mark Ripperger (90)'s second ejection of 2019.
Mark Ripperger now has 7 points in the UEFL Standings (3 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 7).
Crew Chief Brian O'Nora now has 5 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 5).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
*The pitch under QOC consideration is the 1-1 pitch ruled strike two. This is due to UEFL Rule 6-5-c-5-c, as approved by the UEFL membership during the 2013 UEFL Rules Summit concerning the rule's language of, "realistically resulted in a different outcome of the individual at-bat." If you disagree with this regulation, please ACTUALLY SHOW UP TO VOTE in the postseason Rules Summit.
This pitch was located 2.6 vertical inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

This is the 129th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 56th player ejection of 2019. Prior to ejection, Pillar was 0-4 (SO) in the contest.
This is San Francisco's 5th ejection of 2019, T-1st in the NL West (SD, SF 5; COL 4; ARI 3; LAD 2).
This is Kevin Pillar's 1st ejection since August 22, 2017 (Chad Fairchild; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Mark Ripperger's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since June 29 (Ron Gardenhire; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs. San Francisco Giants, 7/21/19 | Video as follows:

Update - TSSAA Upholds Haywood Penalty

Having barred Haywood High School Baseball from the 2020 and 2021 postseasons after head coach Jeff 'Dusty' Rhodes' on-field hysterics complete with kicking at and physically berating an umpire after a balk call, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) entertained an appeal from Haywood HS that the penalty was too harsh.

After Rhodes' exorbitantly unsportsmanlike ejection in May, TSSAA initially referred the matter to Haywood HS to afford the school an opportunity to address its coach's conduct via supplemental discipline. The school responded by proposing a two-game suspension and $250 fines for Rhodes and assistant coach Alex Whitwell.

Rhodes pursued several umpires after the call.

Despite deeming these penalties inadequate, TSSAA noted that its bylaws prohibit the association from suspending school employees, but do allow TSSAA to punish programs. As such, the state association banned the team from two postseasons and institute a two-year probation, citing Haywood principal Latonya Jackson's inadequate response in issuing an underwhelming two-game suspension to Rhodes.

TSSAA Executive Director Bernard Childress wrote about this strong decision: "The administration was given ample opportunity to address this unfortunate incident but chose to only enforce what the bylaws require. Principals and coaches must realize that they have more responsibilities than the general public to understand the purpose of high school athletics and the principals behind the TSSAA rules, and they must maintain that level of understanding and purpose when dealing with the general public and students."
Related Post: TSSAA Sends Message After Coach's Ump Kick (5/31/19).

Haywood appealed that TSSAA's penalty was unfair, and now the West Tennessee TSSAA Board of Control has ruled on the school's appeal: Denied, Sanctions Upheld. TSSAA wrote that Rhodes' behavior is "not appropriate at the high school level," while the umpire's ejection report conflicted with Rhodes' initial statement that he was "never confined to the dugout or warned by the umpire." The game report indicated Rhodes had been restricted to the dugout. And now the team has been restricted from the 2020 and 2021 postseason.

Video of Ejection as follows:

Injury Scout Update - Greg Gibson's Triple-A Plate

Greg Gibson served as the home plate umpire for Saturday's minor league (Triple-A) Memphis-Omaha game. Just like injured players, umpires seeking to rejoin MLB's Third Team after a lengthy absence complete minor league rehab assignments on their way back to the Show, a sign that a return to big league baseball is near.

Gibson, whose last MLB game was in May, officiated the first game of the Redbirds-Storm Chasers series on Friday night as the first base umpire alongside Pacific Coast League umpires Jason Starkovich, Nate Tomlinson, and Alex Ziegler.

To really bring Gibby back to full speed, the teams even got into a bean ball war (presumably in Greg's honor) when Omaha's Heath Fillmyer hit batter Lane Thomas with a pitch, resulting in Fillmyer and Storm Chasers Manager Brian Poldberg's 9th inning ejections, care of HP Umpire Starkovich. Earlier in the game, Starkovich ejected Redbirds pitcher Harold Arauz for drilling opponent Nick Dini, resulting in automatic warnings.

Saturday's Lunar Lady Bobblehead Giveaway night celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing was less eventful from an officiating standpoint as Omaha walked off with the 6-5 victory on an Erick Mejia home-run, though photographic evidence indicates that Gibson issued a postgame warning to Storm Chasers outfielder Brett Phillips and a teammate, whose eyes appeared set on giving the MLB'er a Gatorade shower before Greg Gibson, the home plate umpire, motioning to both players, put an end to the idea of dumping a cooler full of liquid on him as the Storm Chasers celebrated in their dugout (and on the field).

MLB Ejection 128 - Sam Holbrook (1; Ketel Marte)

HP Umpire Sam Holbrook ejected Diamondbacks CF Ketel Marte (strike two call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Brewers-Diamondbacks game. With two out and none on, Marte took a 2-1 changeup from Brewers pitcher Burch Smith for a called second strike before striking out on a subsequent foul tip. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.97, pz 2.69), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Diamondbacks were leading, 10-7. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 10-7.

This is Sam Holbrook (34)'s first ejection of 2019.
Sam Holbrook now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 0).
Crew Chief Sam Holbrook now has 8 points in Crew Division (8 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 8).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 0.672 horizontal inches from being deemed a correct call.

This is the 128th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 55th player ejection of 2019. Prior to ejection, Marte was 2-5 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is Arizona's 3rd ejection of 2019, T-4th in the NL West (SD 5; COL, SF 4; ARI 3; LAD 2).
This is Ketel Marte's 1st ejection since March 30, 2018 (Eric Cooper; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Sam Holbrook's 1st ejection since August 28, 2018 (Mark Reynolds; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 7/19/19 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 127 - Doug Eddings (3; Bud Black)

HP Umpire Doug Eddings ejected Rockies Manager Bud Black (check swing strike three call) in the top of the 9th inning of the Rockies-Yankees game. With none out and none on, Rockies batter Chris Ianetta attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 pitch from Yankees pitcher Stephen Tarpley, ruled a swinging third strike by Eddings. This ruling is under review by the UEFL Appeals Board, the call was *PENDING*. At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 8-2. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 8-2.

This is Doug Eddings (88)'s third ejection of 2019.
Doug Eddings now has X points in the UEFL Standings (7 Prev + 2 MLB + ?  Call = X).
Crew Chief Bill Miller now has X points in Crew Division (9 Previous + ? Call = X).

This is the 127th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 67th Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Colorado's 4th ejection of 2019, T-2nd in the NL West (SD 5; COL, SF 4; ARI, LAD 2).
This is Bud Black's 1st ejection since Sept 7, 2018 (Andy Fletcher; QOC = Y [Balk]).
This is Doug Eddings' 3rd ejection of 2019, 1st since July 15 (Yacksel Rios; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

Wrap: Colorado Rockies vs. New York Yankees, 7/19/19 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 125-126 - Carlos Torres (2-3; CIN)

HP Umpire Carlos Torres ejected Reds 3B Eugenio Suarez and Manager David Bell (strike three call; QOCY) prior to the top of the 2nd inning of the Cardinals-Reds game. In the 1st, with one out and one on (R1), Suarez took a 0-2 fastball from Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright for called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.42, pz 2.23 [sz_bot 1.61, sz_top 3.44]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejections, the game was tied, 0-0. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 12-11.

These are Carlos Torres (37)'s second and third ejections of 2019.
Carlos Torres now has 13 points in the UEFL Standings (5 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct Call] = 13).
Crew Chief Angel Hernandez now has 7 points in Crew Division (5 Previous + 2*[1 Correct Call] = 7).
*The pitch under QOC consideration is the 0-2 pitch ruled strike three. This is due to UEFL Rule 6-5-c-5-c, as approved by the UEFL membership during the 2013 UEFL Rules Summit concerning the rule's language of, "realistically resulted in a different outcome of the individual at-bat."
The 0-2 pitch was located 5.9 horizontal and 9.9 vertical inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

These are the 125th and 126th ejection reports of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 54th player ejection of 2019. Prior to ejection, Suarez was 0-1 (SO) in the contest.
This is the 66th Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Cincinnati's 14/15th ejection of 2019, 1st in the NL Central (CIN 15; MIL 6; PIT 5; CHC 4; STL 3).
This is Eugenio Suarez's 1st ejection since July 9, 2017 (Brian O'Nora; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is David Bell's 7th ejection of 2019, 1st since June 29 (Mark Wegner; QOC = U [Warnings]).

Wrap: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds, 7/19/19 | Video as follows:

Judgment Call - Podcast Mini with Gil & tmac

A busy week of baseball—with the Atlantic League's electronic strike zone debut (and ejection), more manager/umpire disputes, a brewing Angels-Astros disagreement, a player laughing as an injured umpire is helped off the field, and ongoing MLB-MLBUA contract negotiations—means it's time for a Judgment Call with Gil & tmac.

This Plate Meeting Podcast mini-episode (numbered as Episode 17M) is available as an audio-only podcast via Anchor, Apple Podcasts, and the others, as well as a video-enhanced edition on the CloseCallSports YouTube channel.

Video and Audio links as follows:

Injury Scout - Wolcott Out on Foul to Mask

A foul ball knocked HP Umpire Quinn Wolcott out of Thursday's Athletics-Twins game in Minnesota.

With two out and one on in the bottom of the 4th inning, Twins batter CJ Cron fouled a 93-mph 2-1 fastball from A's pitcher Mike Fiers into the jaw portion of Wolcott's traditional-style facemask; he left the game immediately thereafter.

2B Umpire Bruce Dreckman took over for Wolcott behind home plate as 1B Umpire/Crew Chief Gary Cederstrom and 3B Umpire Adrian Johnson worked the field.

Relevant Injury History: There is no recent history of head trauma for Quinn Wolcott.
Related Post: Did Detroit Throw at Umpire Wolcott? A Visual Analysis (9/14/17).

Last Game: July 18 | Return to Play: TBD | Time Absent: TBD | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 124 - Adam Hamari (2; Rick Renteria)

HP Umpire Adam Hamari ejected White Sox Manager Rick Renteria (strike two call; QOCY) in the top of the 2nd inning of the White Sox-Royals game. With none out and none on, White Sox batter Yolmer Sanchez took a 0-1 fastball from Royals pitcher Keller for a called second strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.60, pz 2.62 [sz_bot 1.54, sz_top 3.22]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the White Sox were leading, 2-0. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 6-5.

This is Adam Hamari (78)'s second ejection of 2019.
Adam Hamari now has 2 points in the UEFL Standings (-2 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 2).
Crew Chief Tom Hallion now has 5 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 5).
*This pitch was located 3.8 horizontal and 9.7 vertical inches from being deemed an incorrect call.
History: MLB Ejection 095 - Adam Hamari (1; Rick Renteria) (6/14/18).

This is the 124th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 65th Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Chicago's 7th ejection of 2019, T-2nd in the AL Central (DET 9; CWS, KC 7; CLE, MIN 1).
This is Rick Renteria's 5th ejection of 2019, 1st since June 15 (Phil Cuzzi; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Adam Hamari's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since May 6 (Charlie Montoyo; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals, 7/18/19 | Video as follows: