Cubs PCA Argues Uncalled Balk vs Arizona, Was Chicago Right?

As Chicago baserunner R3 Pete Crow-Armstrong danced down the third base line in Arizona, his distraction prompted Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez to rush his delivery, with PCA upset at the uncalled balk as umpires determined, after crew consultation, that a balk had not occurred. But was it?

The Play: With two out and a runner on third base, Cubs batter Michael Busch stepped in for a 2-1 pitch from Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez as Chicago baserunner R3 Pete Crow-Armstrong danced down the third base line. Rodriguez was pitching from Windup Position, having declared Windup while standing in a Hybrid stance (footwork indicating Set Position, but opting to pitch from the Windup), giving R3 PCA a little more time for baserunning antics near 3B, which pitcher Rodriguez noticed mid-delivery and rushed his motion home, turning the 2-1 pitch into a pitchout of sorts to catcher James McCann, who exited his box to receive the ball.

Chicago campaigned for a balk, while 3B Umpire Malachi Moore gestured for the crew to convene. After consultation with 1B Umpire Mike Estabrook and 2B Umpire Lance Barrett, HP Umpire and Crew Chief Alfonso Márquez explained via public address microphone that the crew deemed there was no balk, drawing Cubs manager Craig Counsell for an argument.

Was This is a Balk? To determine whether this was a balk, we first narrow down the types of balks this could conceivably qualify as. Pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(1), "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"; however, pitcher Rodriguez did fire home.

We next investigate the so-called catcher's balk, aka OBR 5.02(a), which states, "the catcher must stand with both feet within the lines of the catcher's box until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. PENALTY: Balk."

Upon closer inspection, this is a balk pursuant to OBR 6.02(a)(5): "the pitcher makes an illegal pitch" because of Rule 5.07(a) Comment, which states, "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)."

Replays indicate Rodriguez in his rushed delivery reset his pivot foot by stepping off the back of the pitcher's plate/rubber entirely, this disengagement (inadvertent or otherwise) making this an illegal pitch. This was a balk that was not called.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 104 - Ryan Blakney (1; Tony Vitello)

HP Umpire Ryan Blakney ejected Giants manager Tony Vitello (check swing ball call on Eugenio Suárez by 1B Umpire Ben May) in the top of the 1st inning of the #Reds-#Giants game. With two out and two on, Reds batter Eugenio Suarez attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 sweeper from Giants pitcher Logan Webb, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Blakney and affirmed as no swing on appeal by 1B Umpire May. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 10-9.

This is Ryan Blakney (36)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

This is the 104th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 59th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 59 Managers, 20 Coaches, 25 Players.

This is San Francisco's 6th ejection of 2026, 2nd in the NL West (SD 8; SF 6; ARI 1; COL, LAD 0).

This is Tony Vitello's 4th ejection of 2026, 1st since July 22 (Lance Barrett; QOC = N [Out/Safe]).

This is Ryan Blakney's 1st ejection since August 13, 2025 (Alex Cora; QOC = Y [Balk]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs San Francisco Giants, 8/26/26 | Video as follows:

Pirates Balk After the Fact? Pitchers, You've Gotta Declare!

Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft appeared to have induced an inning-ending groundout from Padres batter Jake Cronenworth, but not so fast declared HP Umpire Dan Merzel, who had called a balk to score baserunner Freddy Fermin from third base. It's another Hybrid Stance & failure to declare Windup Position issue. Pitchers, you've gotta declare!

The relevant regulation is Official Baseball Rule 5.07(a)(2) Comment, which states, "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."

Prior to the previous batter Fernando Tatis' at-bat in the bottom of the 6th inning of Tuesday's Pirates-Padres game in San Diego, Pittsburgh pitcher Ashcraft declared to the umpires his intention of delivering from Windup Position while using the hybrid stance as prescribed by OBR 5.07(a)(2) Comment. But after Tatis struck out, Ashcraft did not re-declare his use of Windup prior to the ensuing Cronenworth at-bat.

By rule (presently, until and if MLB ever changes it), the hybrid declaration (to use Windup while footwork is in Set Position [or an ambiguous diagonal angle]) must be made before each new batter the pitcher intends to invoke OBR 5.07(a)(2) Comment.

HP Umpire Merzel made this same call on Braves pitcher Chris Sale, resulting in the ejections of pitcher and manager Walt Weiss on August 12.

Related Post: MLB Ejections 090-1 - Dan Merzel (x2; Weiss & Chris Sale) (8/12/26).

The history of Hybrid is that pitchers sometimes opt to use the stance when there is a runner on third base. The rule allows a pitcher to declare if a runner advances during the middle of a plate appearance (e.g., stolen base): "A pitcher will be permitted to notify the umpire that he is pitching from the Windup Position within an at-bat only in the event of (i) a substitution by the offensive team; or (ii) immediately upon the advancement of one or more runners (i.e., after one or more base runners advance but before the delivery of the next pitch)."

In this case, San Diego batter Dustin Harris' groundout with Fermin at second base allowed the baserunner to advance to third. Pitcher Ashcraft then immediately notified umpires of his intent to pitch out of Windup while standing in Set prior to Tatis' at-bat. Ashcraft just didn't re-declare prior to the Cronenworth at-bat. Pirates manager Don Kelly briefly sought explanation from HP Umpire Merzel, but was not ejected. Managers are allowed to seek explanation but not permitted to argue such a balk.

Because the penalty for failing to declare is a balk (technically a start-stop balk in Set Position for starting the natural motion but failing to deliver the baseball on the first step [OBR 6.02(a)(1)]), there is no penalty for a pitcher who uses Hybrid without declaring it when the bases are empty.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 103 - Chris Guccione (1; Joc Pederson)

HP Umpire Chris Guccione ejected Rangers DH Joc Pederson (ABS challenge denial/strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 2nd inning of the #Rangers-#WhiteSox game. With one out and none on, Rangers batter Pederson took a 1-2 changeup from White Sox pitcher José Urquidy for a called third strike, attempted to challenge the call, but was denied his request; Pederson was later ejected from the dugout after White Sox catcher Drew Romo had several ABS challenge requests allowed. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and below the hollow beneath the knee (px -0.02, pz 1.56 [sz_bot 1.63 / RAD 1.51]) but that Pederson's challenge request was timely, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Rangers were leading, 2-0. The Rangers ultimately won the contest, 11-2.

This is Chris Guccione (68)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

*This pitch was a strike at the front of home plate and fell out of the zone at the middle (ABS) of the plate.

QOC for this ejection is based on the umpire's denial of the timely ABS challenge request.

This is the 103rd ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 25th player ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 58 Managers, 20 Coaches, 25 Players.

This is Texas' 4th ejection of 2026, 5th in the AL West (ASS, LAA, SEA, TEX 4; HOU 2).

This is Joc Pederson's 1st ejection since May 13, 2024 (Mark Carlson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Chris Guccione's 1st ejection since August 2, 2025 (Miguel Cairo; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Texas Rangers vs Chicago White Sox, 8/24/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 102 - Alfonso Márquez (2; Camilo Doval)

HP Umpire Alfonso Márquez ejected Pirates pitcher Camilo Doval (balls/strikes; QOCY) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Pirates-#Dodgers game. With two out and one on, Dodgers batter Mookie Betts took a 0-2 cutter from Pirates pitcher Doval for a called first ball, overturned to strike three upon ABS challenge by Pirates catcher Henry Davis. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and above the hollow beneath the knee (px 0.70, pz 1.90 [sz_bot 1.56]) and that no other pitches during the inning were incorrectly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Dodgers were leading, 4-3. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Alfonso Márquez (72)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

This is the 102nd ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 24th player ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 58 Managers, 20 Coaches, 24 Players.

This is Pittsburgh's 9th ejection of 2026, 2nd in the NL Central (PIT 9; CHC 4; STL 3; CIN 2; MIL 0).

This is Camilo Doval's first career MLB ejection.

This is Alfonso Márquez's 1st ejection since August 3, 2025 (Jordan Beck; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Los Angeles Dodgers, 8/22/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 101 - Brennan Miller (1; Craig Counsell)

HP Umpire Brennan Miller ejected Cubs manager Craig Counsell (step balk call on Matthew Boyd; QOCY) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Cubs-#Mariners game. With none out and one on, during Brendan Donovan's at-bat, HP Umpire Miller called Boyd for a balk during an attempted pickoff throw. Replays indicate the pitcher stepped failed to step directly to first base before throwing to that base, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 4-3. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 6-5, in 10 innings.

This is Brennan Miller (55)'s 2nd 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 101st ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 58th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 58 Managers, 20 Coaches, 23 Players.

This is Chicago's 4th ejection of 2026, 2nd in the NL Central (PIT 8; CHC 4; STL 3; CIN 2; MIL 0).

This is Craig Counsell's 4th ejection of 2026, 1st since June 23 (Jordan Baker; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

This is Brennan Miller's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since May 19 (Aaron Boone; QOC = Y [Catch/Trap]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs Seattle Mariners, 8/21/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 100 - Dillon Wilson (1; Kevin Cash)

3B Umpire Dillon Wilson ejected Rays manager Kevin Cash (check swing ball three call to Jackson Holliday) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Rays-#Orioles game. With one out and two on, Orioles batter Holliday attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 changeup from Rays pitcher Freddy Peralta, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Vic Carapazza and affirmed as no swing on appeal by 3B Umpire Wilson. At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 3-2. The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Dillon Wilson (-)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

This is the 100th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 57th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 57 Managers, 20 Coaches, 23 Players.

This is Baltimore's 3rd ejection of 2026, 4th in the AL East (NYY 8; BOS 6; TOR 5; BAL, TB 3).

This is Kevin Cash's 1st ejection since August 16, 2025 (Dan Iassogna; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Dillon Wilson's first career MLB ejection.

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles, 8/21/26 | Video as follows:

1st WPBL Ejection - Jemile Weeks "Watch Your Mouth"

WPBL Umpire Joelyn Pullano ejected Boston Hunters manager Jemile Weeks for arguing a no catch/safe call in the top of the 6th inning of the Hunters-Heights game. With one out and one on, Heights batter Katherine Murphy hit a 2-0 pitch from Hunters pitcher Denver Bryant on a line drive to short, fielded by shortstop Raine Padgham, who threw to third base in an attempt to double off Heights baserunner R3 Claire O'Sullivan. Following crew consultation between Pullano and HP Umpire Emilie Herpick, umpires determined shortstop Padgham did not catch the ball on the fly, ruling the batter and baserunner R3 safe. At the time of the ejection, the Heights were leading, 8-4. The Heights ultimately won the contest, 9-4.

This is the first ejection in Women's Professional Baseball League history.

Wrap: New York Heights vs Boston Hunters (WPBL), 8/20/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 099 - John Libka (1; Lou Iannotti)

1B Umpire John Libka ejected Blue Jays assistant hitting coach Lou Iannotti (check swing strike call to George Springer) in the top of 7th inning of the #BlueJays-#Rays game. With one out and the bases loaded, Blue Jays batter Springer attempted to check his swing on a 0-0 sinker from Rays pitcher Casey Legumina, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Barber and called a swinging strike on appeal by 1B Umpire Libka. At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 5-1. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 5-1.

This is John Libka (84)'s 2nd ejection of 2026.

This is the 99th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 20th coach ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 56 Managers, 20 Coaches, 23 Players.

This is Toronto's 5th ejection of 2026, 3rd in the AL East (NYY 8; BOS 6; TOR 5; TB 3; BAL 2).

This is Lou Iannotti's first career MLB ejection.

This is John Libka's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since April 29 (Chris Cron; QOC = N [Quick Pitch]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs Tampa Bay Rays, 8/20/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 098 - Lance Barrett (6; Joe Espada)

1B Umpire Lance Barrett ejected Astros manager Joe Espada (check swing ball HBP call to Mike Trout) in the top of the 3rd inning of the #Angels-#Astros game. With one out and none on, Angels batter Mike Trout attempted to check his swing on a 1-0 sinker from Astros pitcher Ethan Pecko as it touched batter Trout, ruled a ball (hit-by-pitch) by HP Umpire Mike Estabrook and affirmed as a no swing HBP by 1B Umpire Barrett. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Lance Barrett (94)'s 6th ejection of 2026.

This is the 98th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 56th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 56 Managers, 19 Coaches, 23 Players.

This is Houston's 2nd ejection of 2026, 5th in the AL West (ASS, LAA, SEA 4; TEX 3; HOU 2).

This is Joe Espada's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since August 5 (Doug Eddings; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

This is Lance Barrett's 6th ejection of 2026, 1st since July 22 (Tony Vitello; QOC = N [Pushed off Base]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Angels vs Houston Astros, 8/19/26 | Video as follows: