Saturday, September 20, 2014

MLB Ejections 196-197: Marty Foster (4, 5; Garza, Roenicke)

HP Umpire Marty Foster ejected Brewers P Matt Garza and Manager Ron Roenicke for throwing at Pirates batter Andrew McCutchen in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Brewers-Pirates game. With two out and none on, McCutchen took a 1-2 fastball from Garza for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and chest-high, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejections, the game was tied, 0-0. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

These are Marty Foster (60)'s fourth and fifth ejections of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
Marty Foster now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 2*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable] = 4).
Crew Chief Joe West now has 23 points in Crew Division (21 Previous + 2 Irrecusable Calls = 23).

These are the 196th and 197th ejections of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 84th player ejection of 2014. Prior to his ejection, Garza's line was 4.2 IP, 0 ER.
This is the 89th Manager ejection of 2014.
This is the Brewers' 7/8th ejection of 2014, T-1st in the NL Central (CHC, MIL, PIT 8; STL 7; CIN 5).
This is Matt Garza's first ejection since Sept 14, 2013 (Joe West; QOC = Y-crewmate [Check Swing]).
This is Ron Roenicke's first ejection since Aug 27, 2014 (Mark Ripperger; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Marty Foster's first ejection since Sept 15, 2014 (Chase Headley; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 9/20/14
Video: After warnings were issued, Garza goes up-and-in on Cutch and is given the boot, Ron too (PIT)
Video: Garza maintains innocence, says "you're just an idiot" if you think it was a purpose pitch (MIL)

Appeals: The Legalese of Reviewable Base Touching

Umpires consulted Replay Review on a base touch appeal play during the Tigers-Royals game. With one out and two on, Royals batter Omar Infante hit a 2-1 fastball from Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer on a line drive to Ian Kinsler, who attempted to double up Royals baserunner R2 Eric Hosmer, throwing the ball away as Royals baserunner R3 Salvador Perez ran through home plate.

Umps Nauert, Vanover, Carapazza & Hernandez.
After the Tigers executed a live ball appeal during which 3B Umpire Larry Vanover ruled Perez legally retouched (or tagged up at) third base, Tigers skipper Brad Ausmus elected to file a Manager's Challenge, Vanover signaled for New York, and joined HP Umpire Angel Hernandez in donning the replay headsets, landline to MLBAM HQ.

So... what happened? Was the play reviewable, was it actually reviewed, and was the correct call made?
Video: Tigers appeal, third out costs Royals a run (FOX)

Question 1: Was the play reviewable? The relevant regulation citation is Replay Review V.F.3.: "Base Running. The following base running calls are reviewable...Upon an appropriate appeal by the defensive Club, whether a base runner touched a base (see Rule 7.10(b) and Comment)." OBR Rule 7.10(a) is the relevant rule: "Any runner shall be called out, on appeal, when—After a fly ball is caught, he fails to retouch his original base before he or his original base is tagged."

Answer 1: YES...but (see 1a), this play is reviewable and may be initiated as the result of a Manager's Challenge (or Crew Chief Review if after the 7th inning and the requesting team has previously unsuccessfully used its Challenge).

Question 1.a: ...But what of Replay Review Regulation V.D.2, which states that "The Umpire's judgment on whether a base runner left early when tagging up" is not subject to review?
Answer 1.a: Depends on Ausmus. The reason V.D.2 may not apply to this play is because Vanover's judgment as to the timing of when R3 Perez left third base did not have to be the subject of Ausmus' inquiry. Replay Review Regulation II.I is Specificity of the Challenge and requires the Manager to "inform the Umpire of the specific calls for which he is seeking Replay Review."

If the specific call Ausmus attempted to challenge was whether R3 Perez touched third base, as in Rule 7.10, which is reviewable pursuant to Replay Review Regulation V.F.3, as specified above in Question 1, the play may be reviewable. If the specific call Ausmus attempted to challenge was whether R3 Perez left third base before the catch (timing), the play is not reviewable. Vanover in post game comments stated that Ausmus challenged that R3 Perez "did not tag properly." This reason for request is too vague to parse whether Ausmus challenged a reviewable or unreviewable part of the play.

Let's get even more technical. Regulation V.F.3 states that "whether a base runner touched a base" is reviewable while V.D.2 states "whether a base runner left early when tagging up" is not reviewable. Thus, the physical act of touching is reviewable and the issue of timing is not reviewable. A retouch, which is "the act of a runner in returning to a base as legally required," is not specifically covered by Replay Review Regulations, but in the tautology of touch/retouch/tag-up/retag, etc., we see that only the extremes of a base touch and leaving a base are covered; the former is reviewable, the latter is not. Retouch falls somewhere in the middle and, therefore, may be technically subject to Replay interpretation.

Question 2: Did the Tigers actually execute an appeal?
Answer 2: YES. Contrary to the broadcast's remarks, the Tigers filed a legal appeal prior to Ausmus' challenge by stepping on third base (the alleged missed base) and appeal to the umpire for a ruling on R3, who had since scored. An appeal must be made before the next pitch, or any play or attempted play, and must be made while the ball is alive. Though it is most common to see an appeal initiated from the pitcher standing on the mound after the umpire has declared "Play" following a dead ball, the rules allow for an appeal to be made during the same play sequence as the alleged offensive violation to be appealed, all while the ball is live. Had the Tigers not filed an appeal, the play would not have been reviewable (until a proper and legal appeal was filed).

I'll say it again. Contrary to the FOX broadcasters' claim, the Tigers did appeal at third base.

Question 3: Was it actually reviewed?
Answer 3: NO. Vanover and Hernandez spent two-and-a-half minutes on the headsets, yet MLB claims the play was not reviewable (and thus was not reviewed by New York). If the play was not actually reviewed (e.g., no decision was rendered by New York), the error is charged to the Replay Officials for not reviewing a play eligible for review via Manager's Challenge. If the play was indeed reviewed and resulted in an overturned call, this decision was proper and correct. Instead, it appears the on-field umpires reversed the original call after on-field conference with Vanover, Hernandez, 1B Umpire Paul Nauert and 2B Umpire Vic Carapazza.

Question 4: Was the correct call ultimately made?
Answer 4: YES. Video evidence is quite clear and convincing that R3 Perez failed to retouch third base.

I'll say that again, too. YES, the on-field umpires got the call right. R3 didn't retouch and was properly declared out on appeal.

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1211-1215: Sept 20, 2014

September 20, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decisions:

TypeR#PosUmpireRU#TeamRT#NameInnPreResult
R12112BGibson, Greg15CHC60Rick Renteria3SafeStands
R12121BDrake, Rob13PIT44Clint Hurdle2OutOverturned
r12131BBarber, Sean13CWS40Robin Ventura2HRStands
R12142BReynolds, Jim20CLE41Terry Francona7SafeOverturned
r1215HPFairchild, Chad8WAS41Matt Williams7OutConfirmed

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1211: LAD@CHC: Safe call at second stands in 3rd inning
Video 1212: MIL@PIT: Out call overturned in the 2nd inning

Video 1213: CWS@TB: Umpires review Franklin's homer in the 2nd, stands
Video 1214: CLE@MIN: Safe call overturned in the 7th inning
Video 1215: WSH@MIA: Out call confirmed at the plate in the 7th

Friday, September 19, 2014

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1204-1210: Sept 19, 2014

September 19, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decision:

TypeR#PosUmpireRU#TeamRT#NameInnPreResult
R12041BGibson, Tripp18CHC59Rick Renteria2OutOverturned
R12051BFoster, Marty16MIL30Ron Roenicke8SafeConfirmed
r1206HPJohnson, Adrian20COL39Walt Weiss5OutStands
R12072BReyburn, DJ24SEA41Lloyd McClendon4OutOverturned
R12081BWendelstedt, Hunter13HOU37Tom Lawless8OutStands
R12092BFagan, Clint17CIN32Bryan Price2OutStands
r1210HPGorman, Brian13LAA45Mike Scioscia7OutConfirmed

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1204: LAD@CHC: Cubs challenge call at first, overturned
Video 1205: MIL@PIT: Safe call at first is confirmed in the 8th
Video 1206: ARI@COL: Umpires review play at the plate in the 5th, stands
Video 1207: SEA@HOU: Out call at second overturned in the 4th
Video 1208: SEA@HOU: Astros challenge play at first in 8th, stands
Video 1209: CIN@STL: Out call stands at second in the 2nd inning
Video 1210: TEX@LAA: Martin's throw home reviewed in the 7th, confirmed

Thursday, September 18, 2014

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1198-1203: Sept 18, 2014

September 18, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decision:

TypeR#PosUmpireRU#TeamRT#NameInnPreResult
R11981BCuzzi, Phil19CHC58Rick Renteria9SafeConfirmed
R11991BVanover, Larry19CLE39Terry Francona1OutOverturned
R12002BHernandez, Angel20HOU36Tom Lawless9LiveOverturned
R12011BVanover, Larry20CLE40Terry Francona9OutOverturned
R12021BCulbreth, Fieldin15STL37Mike Matheny8OutOverturned
R12031BConroy, Chris16LAA44Mike Scioscia5SafeOverturned

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1198: LAD@CHC: Safe call in 9th challenged, confirmed
Video 1199: CLE@HOU: Ramirez's out call overturned in 1st
Video 1200: CLE@HOU: Bourn's hit to left-center overturned in 9th
Video 1201: CLE@HOU: An out call is challenged, overturned in 9th
Video 1202: MIL@STL: Cardinals challenge out at first in the 8th, overturned
Video 1203: SEA@LAA: Angels challenge safe call at first in 5th, overturned

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1192-1197: Sept 17, 2014

September 17, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decision:

TypeR#PosUmpireRU#TeamRT#NameInnPreResult
R11921BDeMuth, Dana13SF42Bruce Bochy6OutStands
R11931BFoster, Marty15TB57Joe Maddon8SafeOverturned
R11942BDiaz, Laz14KC35Ned Yost1SafeOverturned
R11951BJoyce, Jim4MIN38Ron Gardenhire6SafeOverturned
R1196HPRipperger, Mark14OAK40Bob Melvin9SafeStands
R11971BCederstrom, Gary21TEX46Tim Bogar9OutOverturned

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1192: SF@ARI: Double play stands after challenge in 6th
Video 1193: NYY@TB: Safe call at first overturned in the 8th
Video 1194: CWS@KC: Safe call at second overturned in the 1st
Video 1195: DET@MIN: Safe call at first overturned in the 6th
Video 1196: TEX@OAK: A's challenge safe call, stands in 9th
Video 1197: TEX@OAK: Rangers challenge out in 9th, overturned

Suspension: Joe West Suspended for Papelbon Incident

MLB suspended umpire Joe West one game following his ejection of Phillies pitcher Jonathan Papelbon and subsequent actions during the post-ejection confrontation. MLB Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations Joe Torre made the announcement:
Joe West handled himself appropriately in ejecting Papelbon after the player's lewd gesture to the fans. I fully understand that Joe was reacting to a player who was acting aggressively, and can understand his frustration with the situation. However, Joe knows that an umpire cannot initiate physical contact with a player, just as a player cannot initiate physical contact with an umpire. I spoke to Joe about the incident, and he admitted that there was a better way to handle the situation. I consider this matter closed.
The last MLB umpire publicly suspended was Fieldin Culbreth, who served as crew chief during the May 9, 2013 Angels-Astros game during which Culbreth's crew allowed Astros Manager Bo Porter to make consecutive pitching changes during the same at-bat, with Porter's second pitcher permitted to exit the game without throwing a single pitch. Angels Manager Mike Scioscia protested that game claiming the umpires neglected to apply Rule 3.05(b) which requires substitute pitchers to face at least one batter or record the third out of an inning, but the Angels came from behind to win the game so the protest was dropped.

In 2012, MLB suspended Bob Davidson for repeated violations of the Office of the Commissioner's standards for situation handling related to his ejection of Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel on 5/15/12.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

MLB Ejections 193-195: Rob Drake (1-3; Yankees x3)

HP Umpire Rob Drake ejected Yankees Manager Joe Girardi for arguing warnings (Unsportsmanlike-NEC) in the top of the 8th and Yankees P David Phelps and Bench Coach (Acting Manager) Tony Pena for throwing at Rays batter Kevin Kiermaier in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Yankees-Rays game. In the top of the 8th, with none out and none on, Yankees batter Derek Jeter took a 0-2 fastball from Rays pitcher Steve Geltz for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and shoulder high, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 6-1.

In the bottom of the 8th, with none out and none on, Rays batter Kiermaier took a 0-0 cutter from Yankees pitcher Phelps for a called first ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and chest high, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejections, the Rays were leading, 6-1. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 6-1.

These are Rob Drake (30)'s first, second and third ejections of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
Rob Drake now has 10 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Previous + 3*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable] = 10).
Crew Chief Joe West now has 20 points in Crew Division (17 Previous + 3 Irrecusable Calls = 20).

These are the 193rd, 194th and 195th ejections of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 83rd player ejection of 2014. Prior to his ejection, Phelps' line was 0.2 IP, 1 BB.
This is the 88th Manager ejection of 2014.
This is the Yankees' 10-12th ejection of 2014, 2nd in the AL East (BOS 13; NYY 12; TB 11; TOR 5; BAL 3).
This is Joe Girardi's first ejection since August 13, 2014 (Gerry Davis; QOC = N [Interference]).
This is David Phelps' first career MLB ejection.
This is Tony Pena's first ejection since April 15, 2005 (CB Bucknor; QOC = U [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Rob Drake's first ejection since August 15, 2012 (Joe Maddon; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 9/16/14
Video: After leadoff batter Jeter is hit and warnings are issued, Girardi gets tossed and yells at Geltz (NYY)
Video: When Phelps throws his first pitch of the inning up-and-in, benches clear (NYY)

Fan Ejection: Tim Welke Calls for Removal of Harper Heckler

HP Umpire Tim Welke called for the ejection of a Bryce Harper heckler in the Nationals-Braves game. After Nats batter Harper fouled off a first pitch fastball in the top of the 6th inning, Welke removed his mask and ordered Turner Field security to remove an unruly fan seated next to the Braves dugout. Reports from the stadium suggest the offending fan had exhibited persistent vulgar verbal behavior infused with profanity.

In 2010, Bob Davidson ejected a fan at Milwaukee's Miller Park for allegedly using a homophobic slur aimed at Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina.

Video: Welke halts play to order the removal of a spectator whose actions were out of line (ATL)

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1186-1191: Sept 16, 2014

September 16, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decision:

TypeR#PosUmpireRU#TeamRT#NameInnPreResult
R11863BFoster, Marty14TB56Joe Maddon6OutOverturned
R11872BHickox, Ed15ATL36Fredi Gonzalez8SafeOverturned
R11882BMiller, Bill13CHC57Rick Renteria4SafeOverturned
R11892BNelson, Jeff14CWS39Robin Ventura2OutConfirmed
r1190HPReyburn, DJ23LAD44Don Mattingly6OutConfirmed
R11911BMeals, Jerry15LAA43Mike Scioscia5SafeOverturned

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1186: NYY@TB: Out call at third is overturned in the 6th
Video 1187: WSH@ATL: Safe call at second overturned in the 8th
Video 1188: CIN@CHC: Safe call at second overturned in 4th
Video 1189: CWS@KC: Out call on Viciedo confirmed in 2nd inning
Video 1190: LAD@COL: Review confirms out at home in the 6th
Video 1191: SEA@LAA: Safe call at first is overturned in the 5th