Close Call Sports & Umpire Ejection Fantasy League

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Tuesday, July 21, 2026

MiLB Ejection on Non-Interference with 2 Outs in 9th

An interference no-call when a runner collided with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball with 2 outs in the 9th allowed Double-A's Senators to tie its game with the Eerie SeaWolves, resulting in ejection and extending the minor league game that was ultimately decided in the 10th inning.

3B Umpire Brandon Spevak ejected SeaWolves manager Tony Cappuccilli for arguing the non-interference call when Senators batter Johnathon Thomas singled on a ground ball past third base. Senators baserunner R2 Maxwell Romero Jr, running into third base, collided with SeaWolves third baseman EJ Exposito, allowing the ball to trickle by while Romero scored and Thomas advanced to second base. At the time of the ejection, the Senators had just tied the game at 2-2. The SeaWolves ultimately won the contest, 3-2, in 10 innings.

The relevant rule is Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(10): "Any runner is out when—they fail to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball, or intentionally interfere with a thrown ball."

Is there an exception, however, to this rule when a runner is either in contact with or running toward a base?

The answer is no. On a batted ball, the fielder has the right to field it.

At any other time, the runner has the right to run the bases.

Bear in mind, only one fielder is deemed 'protected' during a batted ball, which is an umpire's determination as to which fielder is entitled to field the ball. A non-protected fielder may be guilty of obstruction if they impede the runner.

There is one exception during which the base is a safe space when it comes to questions of batted ball interference: "If a runner is touching their base when touched by an Infield Fly, they are not out, although the batter is out" (OBR 5.07(b)(7)).

Other than that, however, the base is not a safe space and this is interference. Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 072 - Dan Iassogna (2; Oliver Marmol)

3B Umpire Dan Iassogna ejected Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (Replay Review decision that confirmed HP Umpire Adam Beck's HBP call to Michael Harris; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Cardinals-#Braves game. With two out and one on, Braves batter Harris took a 0-2 sinker from Cardinals pitcher JoJo Romero, ruled a hit-by-pitch by HP Umpire Beck and confirmed via Replay Review as the result of a manager's challenge by Cardinals manager Marmol. Replays indicate the pitch touched the batter, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Dan Iassogna (58)'s 2nd ejection of 2026.

This is the 72nd ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 38th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 38 Managers, 14 Coaches, 20 Players.

This is St Louis' 2nd ejection of 2026, 2nd in the NL Central (PIT 5; CHC 3; CIN, STL 2; MIL 0).

This is Oliver Marmol's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since June 13 (Adam Beck; QOC = Y [ABS Call]).

This is Dan Iassogna's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since May 5 (Framber Valdez; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

Wrap: Atlanta Braves vs St Louis Cardinals, 7/12/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 071 - Adam Hamari (1; Steven Souza)

3B Umpire Adam Hamari ejected Padres hitting coach Steven Souza (ABS challenge denial by HP Umpire Jen Pawol to Sung-Mun Song; QOCN) in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the #BlueJays-#Padres game. With one out and the bases loaded, Padres batter Song took a 3-0 fastball from Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman for a called first strike. Song then attempted to challenge the call, but the request was denied by HP Umpire Pawol. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and at the hollow beneath the knee (px -0.15, pz 1.58 [sz_bot 1.61 / RAD 1.49]), but that the challenge was timely, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Padres were leading, 2-1. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Adam Hamari (78)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

*The strike call was correct, but the decision to deny the challenge request was incorrect.

One batter later, Pawol called a balk on Blue Jays pitcher Gausman for taking a second step during delivery in Set Position. Gausman had failed to declare he was pitching in Windup Position (feet were in 'Hybrid' and parallel to the rubber) prior to that particular at-bat, meaning he was presumed to be pitching in Set Position, making the second step (the step back) illegal.

This is the 71st ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 14th coach ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 37 Managers, 14 Coaches, 20 Players.

This is San Diego's 6th ejection of 2026, 3rd in the NL West (SD 6; SF 4; ARI 1; COL, LAD 0).

This is Steven Sousa's 1st ejection since Sept 6, 2018 (Mark Ripperger; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Adam Hamari's 1st ejection since July 6, 2025 (John Mallee; QOC = N [Out of Base Path]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs San Diego Padres, 7/12/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 070 - Lance Barksdale (1; Tony Vitello)

HP Umpire Lance Barksdale ejected Giants manager Tony Vitello (balk call; QOCY) in the top of the 3rd inning of the #Rockies-#Giants game. With none out and one on, Giants pitcher Tyler Mahle was called for a balk, resulting in Rockies baserunner R3 Brett Sullivan being awarded home. Replays indicate Mahle took a second step toward home plate while appearing to pitch from Set Position without declaring his intent to use Hybrid and pitch from Windup Position, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Rockies were leading, 1-0. the Giants ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is Lance Barksdale (23)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

*Official Baseball Rule 5.07(a)(2): "With a runner or runners on base, a pitcher will be presumed to be pitching from the Set Position if they stand with their pivot foot in contact with and parallel to the pitcher’s plate, and their other foot in front of the pitcher’s plate, unless they notify the umpire that they will be pitching from the Windup Position under such circumstances prior to the beginning of an at-bat."

OBR 5.07(a): "The pitcher may not take a second step toward home plate with either foot or otherwise reset their pivot foot in their delivery of the pitch. If there is a runner, or runners, on base it is a balk under Rule 6.02(a); if the bases are unoccupied it should be treated as an illegal pitch under Rule 6.02(b)."

This is the 70th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 37th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 37 Managers, 13 Coaches, 20 Players.

This is San Francisco's 4th ejection of 2026, 3rd in the NL West (SD 5; SF 4; ARI 1; COL, LAD 0).

This is Tony Vitello's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since April 5 (David Rackley; QOC = Y-c [Run Lane INT]).

This is Lance Barksdale's 1st ejection since June 18, 2024 (Bud Black; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Colorado Rockies vs San Francisco Giants, 7/11/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 069 - Willie Traynor (1; Torey Lovullo)

HP Umpire Willie Traynor ejected Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (step balk call on Jose Cabrera; QOCY) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Diamondbacks-#Padres game. With one out and two on, with Xander Bogaerts at bat, Diamondbacks pitcher Cabrera was called for a balk, advancing baserunner Fernando Tatis to 3B and Jackson Merrill to 2B. Replays indicate Cabrera failed to step toward second base before throwing to the base, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Padres were leading, 2-1. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 10-4.

This is Willie Traynor (45)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

*Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(3): "If there is a runner or runners it is a balk when the pitcher, while touching their plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base."

This is the 69th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 36th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 36 Managers, 13 Coaches, 20 Players.

This is Arizona's 1st ejection of 2026, 3rd in the NL West (SD 5; SF 3; ARI 1; COL, LAD 0).

This is Torey Lovullo's 1st ejection since August 12, 2025 (Nate Tomlinson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Willie Traynor's 1st ejection since August 26, 2025 (Jesús Luzardo; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Diego Padres, 7/8/26 | Video as follows:

HP Umpire Doug Eddings ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone and bench coach Brad Ausmus (Replay Review denial because New York took too long to challenge; QOCY) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Yankees-#Rays game. With none out and one on, Yankees batter Paul Goldschmidt swung and missed at a 2-2 changeup from Rays pitcher Shane McLanahan as Yankees baserunner R1 José Caballero attempted to steal second base, thrown out by Rays catcher Nick Fortes to 2B Ben Williamson, ruled out by 2B Umpire Emil Jimenez. Crew Chief Eddings then denied Boone's request to file a manager's challenge, ruling that Boone exceeded the allotted time limit to initiate a challenge. Replays indicate Boone signaled for the challenge by placing his hands on his ears approximately 17 seconds after the conclusion of 2B Umpire Jimenez's out call, the denial call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 2-0. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 3-0.

These are Doug Eddings (88)'s 1st and 2nd ejections of 2026.

*Replay Review Time Limit to Invoke Manager Challenge: "15 seconds to challenge."

These are the 67th and 68th ejection reports of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 35th manager ejection of 2026.

This is the 13th coach ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 35 Managers, 13 Coaches, 20 Players.

This is New York's 5/6th ejection of 2026, 1st in the AL East (BOS, NYY 6; TB, TOR 3; BAL 2).

This is Brad Ausmus' 1st ejection since Sept 1, 2019 (David Rackley; QOC = Y [Balk]).

This is Aaron Boone's 3rd ejection of 2026, 1st since May 19 (Brennan Miller; QOC = Y-c [Catch/Trap]).

This is Doug Eddings' 1st ejection since June 22, 2025 (Alex Cora; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays, 7/8/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 065-6 - Barrett/Moore (PHI Overrun of 2B)

3B Umpire Lance Barrett ejected Phillies infield coach Bobby Dickerson and HP Umpire Malachi Moore ejected pitching coach Caleb Cotham (Replay Review decision that confirmed 2B Umpire Mike Estabrook's safe / no abandonment call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Phillies-#Reds game. With one out and two on, Reds batter Sal Stewart hit a 3-2 sinker from Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering on the ground to 3B Alec Bohm, who threw to 2B Bryson Stott, to 1B Bryce Harper, as Reds baserunner R1 Elly De La Cruz arrived at second base, ruled safe by 2B Umpire Estabrook and confirmed via Replay Review as the result of a manager's challenge by Phillies manager Don Mattingly. Replays indicate De La Cruz beat the throw to second base, overran second base, was not tagged, and returned to second base immediately after overrunning it, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Phillies were leading, 4-1. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

This is Lance Barrett (94)'s 4th ejection of 2026.

This is Malachi Moore (44)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

*Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(2): "Any runner is out when after touching first base, they leave the base path, obviously abandoning their effort to touch the next base."

MLB’s 2015 Change: "If a runner runs through 2B or 3B on a potential force play and is ruled out on the field, they can be called out for abandonment if they are ruled safe on instant replay but do not attempt to hold the base or advance to the next base."

Enforcement: "Call may only be made by the Replay Official when a force out at second or third is overturned."

Time Play: "If a time play occurs with a runner attempting to score from third base, the Replay Official will determine if the runner going home touched home plate before the abandoning runner passed the base (i.e., when their second foot touched the ground beyond the base)."

These are the 64th and 65th ejection reports of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 11/12th coach ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 34 Managers, 12 Coaches, 20 Players.

This is Philadelphia's 3/4th ejection of 2026, 1st in the NL East (PHI 4; MIA 3; NYM 2; ATL, WAS 1).

This is Bobby Dickerson's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since June 30 (Cory Blaser; QOC = Y [Replay]).

This is Caleb Cotham's first career MLB ejection.

This is Lance Barrett's 4th ejection of 2026, 1st since May 30 (Brent Suter; QOC = U [Anthem Standoff]).

This is Malachi Moore's 1st ejection since July 13, 2024 (Marcus Thames; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Philadelphia Phillies vs Cincinnati Reds, 7/7/26 | Video as follows:

HP Umpire Nick Mahrley ejected Padres infield coach Ryan Goins and manager Craig Stammen (check swing strike two call by 1B Umpire Ben May on Fernando Tatis) in the top of the 1st inning of the #Padres-#Dodgers game. With none out and none on, Padres batter Tatis attempted to check his swing on a 0-1 fastball from Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Mahrley and a swinging strike by 1B Umpire May. At the time of the ejections the game was tied, 0-0. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 5-2.

These are Nick Mahrley (48)'s 1st and 2nd ejections of 2026.

These are the 62nd and 63rd ejection reports of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 34th manager ejection of 2026.

This is the 10th coach ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 34 Managers, 10 Coaches, 19 Players.

This is San Diego's 4/5th ejection of 2026, 1st in the NL West (SD 5; SF 3; ARI, COL, LAD 0).

This is Ryan Goins' 1st ejection since Sept 10, 2025 (Junior Valentine; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Craig Stammen's 3rd ejection of 2026, 1st since June 13 (Chris Conroy; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

This is Nick Mahrley's 1st ejection since July 29, 2025 (David Popkins; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: San Diego Padres vs Los Angeles Dodgers, 7/5/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 064 - Alan Porter (4; Kyle Schwarber)

HP Umpire Alan Porter ejected Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber (check swing strike three call by 3B Umpire Roberto Ortiz) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Phillies-#Royals game. With one out and one on, Phillies batter Schwarber attempted to check his swing on a 1-2 cutter from Royals pitcher Steven Cruz, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Porter and called a swinging strike on appeal by 3B Umpire Roberto Ortiz. At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 10-1. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 15-1.

This is Alan Porter (64)'s 4th ejection of 2026.

This is the 64th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 20th player ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 34 Managers, 10 Coaches, 20 Players.

This is Philadelphia's 2nd ejection of 2026, 2nd in the NL East (MIA 3; NYM, PHI 2; ATL, WAS 1).

This Kyle Schwarber's 1st ejection since April 24, 2022 (Angel Hernandez; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Alan Porter's 4th ejection of 2026, 1st since May 23 (Don Kelly; QOC = Y [ABS Challenge]).

Wrap: Philadelphia Phillies vs Kansas City Royals, 7/6/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 061 - Cory Blaser (2; Bobby Dickerson)

1B Umpire Cory Blaser ejected Phillies infield coach Bobby Dickerson (Replay Review decision that benefited Philadelphia, overturned Blaser's safe call to out; QOCY) in the top of the 5th inning of the #Phillies-#Pirates game. With two out and one on, Pirates batter Konnor Griffin hit a 2-2 changeup from Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sánchez on the ground to 3B Alec Bohm, who threw to 1B Bryce Harper as Pirates batter-runner Griffin arrived at first base, ruled safe by 1B Umpire Blaser and overturned via Replay Review as the result of a manager's challenge by Phillies manager Don Mattingly, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Phillies were leading, 2-0. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 8-0.