MLB Ejection 098 - Tripp Gibson (2; John Schneider)

HP Umpire Tripp Gibson ejected Blue Jays manager John Schneider (Replay Review decision that upheld 3B Umpire Brian Walsh's foul ball [no home run] call) in the top of the 5th inning of the #BlueJays-#Athletics game. With two outs and none on, Blue Jays batter Davis Schneider hit a 0-0 cutter from A's pitcher Jeffrey Springs for a fly ball beyond the left field corner, out of the playing field in air, originally ruled a foul ball by 3B Umpire Walsh and upheld as foul/no HR ("call stands") as a result of a challenge by Blue Jays manager Schneider. Replays do not conclusively present clear and convincing evidence to suggest whether this ball was foul or fair, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the A's were leading, 4-0. The A's ultimately won the contest, 6-3.

  

This is Tripp Gibson (73)'s 2nd ejection of 2025.

*The Replay Official's decision of call stands was correct.

This is the 98th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 53rd manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 53 Managers, 15 Coaches, 30 Players.

This is Toronto's 4th ejection of 2025, 3rd in the AL East (NYY 8; BOS 6; TOR 4; BAL, TB 3).

This is John Schneider's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since April 27 (Chris Conroy; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Tripp Gibson's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since June 17 (Dave Roberts; QOC = U [Warnings]).

Box: Toronto Blue Jays vs Sacramento Athletics, 7/13/25 | Video as follows:

Red Sox Score Tie-Breaking Run on Obstruction vs Rays

3B Umpire Scott Barry's obstruction call on Rays third baseman Junior Caminero for base blocking broke a 0-0 tie, giving Boston a lead when Red Sox runner Marcelo Mayer found himself seemingly picked off by Tampa Bay catcher Matt Thaiss, only for umpire Barry to quickly reverse course and rule that Caminero impeded baserunner Mayer's return to third base due to improper footing.

The Official Baseball Rules define obstruction as "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."

Although Rays fielder Caminero was indeed in the act of fielding at the time of obstruction (by virtue of preparing to receive the throw), umpires ruled that he did not need to block the base in order to do so. Because Caminero blocked the base voluntarily and outside the scope of simply fielding the ball/throw, obstruction was the proper call.

Official Baseball Rule 6.01(h)(1) prescribes the penalty for Type 1 (Type B) obstruction: "If a play is being made on the obstructed runner, or if the batter-runner is obstructed before they touch first base...the obstructed runner shall be awarded at least one base beyond the base they had last legally touched before the obstruction." This is why baserunner R3 Mayer scored, rather than remained at third base.

Umpire Barry initially stated "stay here" in regard to Mayer's slide back into third base, as HP Umpire Adam Beck walked up the line, the umpires ultimately applying the proper ruling in OBR 6.01(h)(1) to award the runner his next base.

Video as follows:

A Balk of Lightning - Umpire's Thunder Jump Scare Call

A surprise lightning strike during Norfolk Tides pitcher Roansy Contreras' delivery resulted in a thunder-scoring balk for Jacksonville as HP Umpire Derek Thomas called Contreras for illegally stopping his pitching motion. Was this the correct call or did Tides manager Tim Federowicz have an argument due to the extreme nature of the inclement weather.

With none out and a runner on third in the bottom of the 1st inning of the Tides vs Jumbo Shrimp game in Triple-A, lightning struck somewhere near Jacksonville's stadium, and the thunder just happened to clap as Contreras was beginning his delivery. Replays indicate that in the wake of the thunder, both the pitcher and batter left their respective positions (pitcher stepping off the rubber and batter exiting the box). HP Umpire Thomas ruled that Contreras balked first and waved home Jacksonville baserunner R3 Jakob Marsee to put Jacksonville on the board.

Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(1) governs the start-stop balk and states, "If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher, while touching their plate, makes any motion naturally associated with their pitch and fails to make such delivery." To that end, the balk call was technically correct.

However, OBR 5.12(b)(1) addresses the case of calling "Time" during inclement weather: "The umpire in chief shall call 'Time' when in their judgment weather, darkness, or similar conditions make immediate further play impossible." This rule would have empowered the umpire to call "Time" during play itself, if the loud thunder clap were to have been deemed a condition making immediate further play impossible.

Finally, OBR 5.04(b)(2) discusses what happens when both a pitcher and batter violate a rule, such as both leaving positions during delivery: "Both the pitcher and batter have violated a rule and the umpire shall call time and both the batter and pitcher start over from 'scratch.'" Under this rule, the play could have been nullified and ruled no-pitch, effectively baseball's version of a do-over.

It should also be noted that in college, NCAA Rule 4-2-b, the lightning rule, addresses what to do in a lightning situation: "In the case of lightning, the game administrator and umpire-in-chief shall follow lightning guidelines..." Under these guidelines, games must come to an immediate halt upon lightning striking within a certain distance of the stadium and the suspended games may not be resumed until at least 30 minutes have elapsed since the last lightning strike within the prescribed radius. High school is similar.

But professional baseball has no such rule, meaning that the entirety of lightning or thunder-related pauses falls into the umpire's hands of judgment.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 097 - Brian Walsh (1; Mike Shildt)

HP Umpire Brian Walsh ejected Padres manager Mike Shildt (ball three call to Ketel Marte; QOCY) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Diamondbacks-#Padres game. With none out and none on, Diamondbacks batter Marte took a 2-2 sweeper from Padres pitcher Nick Pivetta for a called third ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and belt-high (px -0.83, pz 2.67), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

  

This is Brian Walsh (60)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

*This pitch was located 1.00 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 97th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 52nd manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 52 Managers, 15 Coaches, 30 Players.

This is San Diego's 6th ejection of 2025, 1st in the NL West (SD 6; ARI 4; LAD, SF 3; COL 1).

This is Mike Shildt's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since June 19 (Marvin Hudson; QOC = U [Fighting]).

This is Brian Walsh's 1st ejection since August 30, 2024 (Derek Shelton; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Box: Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Diego Padres, 7/8/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 096 - Brock Ballou (1; Ray Montgomery)

HP Umpire Brock Ballou ejected Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery (strike three call to Mike Trout; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Rangers-#Angels game. With two out and none on, Angels batter Trout took a 3-2 fastball from Rangers pitcher Jacob Webb for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and above the hollow beneath the knee (px -0.25, pz 1.63 [sz_bot 1.81 / RAD 1.69 / MOE 1.61]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Angels were leading, 5-4. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 6-5.

  

This is Brock Ballou (41)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

*This pitch was located 0.24 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 96th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 51st manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 51 Managers, 15 Coaches, 30 Players.

This is LA's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st in the AL West (LAA, OAK, TEX 3; SEA, 2; HOU 1).

This is Ray Montgomery's first career MLB ejection.

This is Brock Ballou's 1st ejection since August 21, 2024 (Kevin Cash; QOC = Y [HBP/Ball]).

Box: Texas Rangers vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 7/7/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 095 - Adam Hamari (1; John Mallee)

1B Umpire Adam Hamari ejected Cubs assistant hitting coach John Mallee (out of the base path call on Ian Happ; QOCN) in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the #Cardinals-#Cubs game. With none out and the bases loaded, Cubs batter Happ hit a 0-1 sweeper from Cardinals pitcher Matt Svanson on the ground to first baseman Willson Contreras, who attempted to tag batter-runner Happ in front of first base, ruled out of the base path by 1B Umpire Hamari. Replays indicate that Happ did not run more than three feet away from his base path in order to avoid Contreras' tag, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Cubs were leading, 6-0. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 11-0.

  

This is Adam Hamari (78)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

*Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(1): "Any 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."

This is the 95th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 15th coach ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 50 Managers, 15 Coaches, 30 Players.

This is Chicago's 6th ejection of 2025, 1st in the NL Central (CHC 6; PIT 4; CIN, STL 3; MIL 2).

This is John Mallee's first career MLB ejection.

This is Adam Hamari's 1st ejection since June 25, 2024 (Mike Shildt; QOC = U [USC-NEC]).

Box: St Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs, 7/6/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 094 - John Bacon (3; Carlos Mendoza)

HP Umpire John Bacon ejected Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (strike three call to Luis Torrens; QOCN) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Yankees-#Mets game. With none out and none on, Mets batter Torrens took a 0-2 changeup from Yankees pitcher Devin Williams for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and below the hollow beneath the knee (px 0.61, pz 1.34 [sz_bot 1.57 / RAD 1.45 / MOE 1.38]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 6-4. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

  

This is John Bacon (70)'s 3rd ejection of 2025.

*This pitch was located 0.48 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 94th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 50th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 50 Managers, 14 Coaches, 30 Players.

This is New York's 2nd ejection of 2025, 3rd in the NL East (MIA, WAS 3; NYM 2; ATL, PHI 1).

This is Carlos Mendoza's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since June 28 (Roberto Ortiz; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is John Bacon's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since April 17 (Jazz Chisholm; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Box: New York Yankees vs New York Mets, 7/6/25 | Video as follows:

Runner Prevents Double Play by Fielding Ground Ball - Is That Legal?

Have you ever seen a baserunner field a ground ball? During July 1's La Crosse Loggers vs Duluth Huskies game in the Northwoods League, runner R2 Ethan Surowiec sought to prevent a double play on a bases loaded ground ball, opting to field the batted ball in front of La Crosse's waiting shortstop, resulting in a dead ball, with umpires ruling R2 Surowiec out and awarding batter-runner Reagan Reeder first base (the official scoring put this as a fielder's choice, but by rule this application would be credited as a single for the batter).

But was this the correct call?

This precise scenario is covered by Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(6): "If, in the judgment of the umpire, a base runner willfully and deliberately interferes with a batted ball or a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball with the obvious intent to break up a double play, the ball is dead. The umpire shall call the runner out for interference and also call out the batter-runner because of the action of their teammate. In no event may bases be run or runs scored because of such action by a runner."

College's rule is even stricter, not requiring "obvious intent" but simply intentional interference: "If a double play is likely, and the runner intentionally interferes with the fielder who is attempting to field or throw the ball, both the runner and batter-runner shall be declared out" (NCAA 8-5-d).

High school returns to OBR's "obvious" standard: "The batter-runner is out when any runner or retired runner interferes (2-21-1, 2-30-3) in a way which obviously hinders an obvious double play" (NFHS 8-4-1h).

In sum, this very likely should have been ruled a double play. | Video as follows:

Marlins Lose Run on Umpire Interference as Ball Hits U2

Miami lost its tying run, then the game, vs Minnesota when Kyle Stowers' single hit 2B Umpire Emil Jimenez, positioned inside with Marlins baserunner R2 Jesús Sánchez at second. Although appearing to score on the outfield base hit, an umpire interference call returned runner Sánchez to second base, prompting a brief discussion between Marlins manager Clayton McCullough and Crew Chief James Hoye at home plate.

Official Baseball Rule 6.01(f) defines umpire interference: "Umpire’s interference occurs (1) when a plate umpire hinders, impedes or prevents a catcher’s throw attempting to prevent a stolen base or retire a runner on a pick-off play; or (2) when a fair ball touches an umpire on fair territory before passing a fielder."

It's important to note that the final word of this citation—"fielder"—does not include the pitcher for the purposes of this provision. However, if the pitcher (or any fielder) first touches the fair ball, then it is not umpire's interference even if the ball subsequently strikes an umpire working inside, as U2 Jimenez did here.

OBR 5.06(c)(6) proscribes the penalty for umpire interference: "The ball becomes dead and runners advance one base, or return to their bases, without liability to be put out when a fair ball touches a runner or an umpire on fair territory before it touches an infielder including the pitcher, or touches an umpire before it has passed an infielder other than the pitcher; runners advance, if forced."

This means that all returns return to their base as a result of umpire interference, unless forced to advance by virtue of the batter becoming a runner and assuming occupation of first base (e.g., if there's only a runner on second, that runner returns, but if there were runners at first and second at the start of the play, both runners would advance to accommodate the batter-runner's placement at first base).

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 093 - Quinn Wolcott (1; Bob Melvin)

HP Umpire Quinn Wolcott ejected Giants manager Bob Melvin (strike three call to Heliot Ramos; QOCN, following a Replay Review decision that overturned 2B Umpire Paul Clemons' fan interference/out call to fan int/double) in the 8th inning of the #Giants-#Diamondbacks game. With one out and none on, Giants batter Christian Koss hit a 2-0 fastball from Diamondbacks pitcher John Curtiss on a fly ball to deep left field whereupon left fielder Tim Tawa leapt in an attempt to catch the batted ball, ruled fan interference and an out by 2B Umpire Clemons and overturned to a fan interference two-base award (double) upon Replay Review as the result of a Crew Chief Review by 1B Umpire Adrian Johnson. Later, with two out and one on, Giants batter Ramos took a 1-2 fastball from Diamondbacks pitcher Shelby Miller for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh high (px 0.94, pz 2.62), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Diamondbacks were leading, 4-2. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

  

This is Quinn Wolcott (81)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

This is the 93rd ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 49th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 49 Managers, 14 Coaches, 30 Players.

This is San Francisco's 3rd ejection of 2025, 2nd in the NL West (ARI 4; LAD, SF 3; COL 1).

This is Bob Melvin's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since May 27 (Tony Randazzo; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Quinn Wolcott's 1st ejection since April 24, 2023 (Alex Cora; QOC = Y-c [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks, 6/30/25 | Video as follows: