Saturday, August 20, 2016

Case Play 2016-8 - Time Goes Out During Play [Solved]

Orlando Arcia ended up on third base after collecting his first career hit when Jean Segura threw the ball into the Brewers dugout as Arcia stood at first base.

Umpires O'Nora, Segal, Tumpane & Kellogg.
The Play: With two out and one (R3) on during Milwaukee's weekend series in Arizona, Arcia hit a line drive into right field, scoring the runner from third. When the ball was subsequently thrown back into the infield with Arcia content and standing at first base with his first career RBI single, Diamondbacks second baseman Jean Segura threw the milestone baseball toward the Brewers dugout, as is MLB tradition, where Scooter Gennett was waiting on the top step, with a foot on the warning track, to retrieve it, while 1B Umpire John Tumpane was waiting to rule on the legality of the play.

Replays indicate that HP Umpire Jeff Kellogg appeared to call "time" before F4 Segura released his throw.

Question: Given the aforementioned play, consider the following variations relative to when the plate umpire called "Time" and state where batter-runner Arcia should be placed for each scenario.
(A) Umpire calls "Time" before Segura throws the ball (as occurred during the aforementioned play).
(B) Umpire calls "Time" after Segura throws the ball, but before it arrives at the dugout (is in the air).
(C) Umpire calls "Time" after Segura's throw is caught by Gennett, who is still outside the dugout.
(D) Umpire calls "Time" after Segura's throw is caught by Gennett, who is back inside the dugout.

Solution: In general, play is suspended at the moment an umpire calls "Time" [5.12(a)]; however, ensuing action such as the departure from the playing field of a ball that had been thrown before "Time" was called, may determine certain penalties or awards to be applied during the dead ball period [6.01(h) Comment]. As such...
(A) B1 Arcia remains at first base, as "Time" had been called prior to Segura's throw.
(B) B1 Arcia is awarded third base (two bases from the time of the throw).
(C) B1 Arcia is awarded third base.
(D) B1 Arcia is awarded third base.
Final note: Gennett's actions of catching the throw on the lip of the dugout (live ball territory) simply means that the play becomes dead the moment he intentionally grabbed the ball (only applicable to scenarios (C) and (D)). The "nullify the act" portion of the interference rule means that the umpires shall apply their judgment to determine whether, if not for the interference, Segura's throw would have exited the playing field and, thus, entitled Arcia to third base.
Postscript Note: Naturally, common sense would dictate that the throw wasn't "wild" but merely a post-play courtesy for a rookie Major Leaguer who just collected his first career big league hit.

Official Baseball Rules Library
OBR 5.06(b)(4)(G): "Each runner including the batter-runner may, without liability to be put out, advance—Two bases when, with no spectators on the playing field, a thrown ball goes into the stands, or into a bench (whether or not the ball rebounds into the field), or over or under or through a field fence, or on a slanting part of the screen above the backstop, or remains in the meshes of a wire screen protecting spectators. The ball is dead. When such wild throw is the first play by an infielder, the umpire, in awarding such bases, shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the ball was pitched; in all other cases the umpire shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the wild throw was made."
OBR 5.12(a): "When an umpire suspends play, he shall call “Time.” At the umpire-in-chief’s call of “Play,” the suspension is lifted and play resumes. Between the call of “Time” and the call of “Play” the ball is dead."
OBR 5.12(b): "The ball becomes dead when an umpire calls 'Time.'"
OBR 6.01(d): "In case of unintentional interference with play by any person herein authorized to be on the playing field (except members of the team at bat who are participating in the game, or a base coach, any of whom interfere with a fielder attempting to field a batted or thrown ball; or an umpire) the ball is alive and in play. If the interference is intentional, the ball shall be dead at the moment of the interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference."
OBR 6.01(h) Comment: "The ball is immediately dead when this signal ["Time" due to obstruction] is given; however, should a thrown ball be in flight before the obstruction is called by the umpire, the runners are to be awarded such bases on wild throws as they would have been awarded had not obstruction occurred."
Universal Ground Rules: "Ball on the top step (lip) of the dugout is in play."

Video available via "Read more"

Thursday, August 18, 2016

MLB Ejection 140 - Todd Tichenor (3; Dale Sveum)

HP Umpire Todd Tichenor ejected Royals Hitting Coach Dale Sveum for arguing a runner's lane interference call in the bottom of the 1st inning of the Twins-Royals game. With none out and none on, Royals batter Paulo Orlando bunted a 1-0 fastball from Twins pitcher Tyler Duffey to catcher Kurt Suzuki, who threw to first baseman Trevor Plouffe as Orlando arrived at first base. Replays indicate Orlando ran inside (to the left of) the lane line and thus failed to remain within the runner's lane, but that Orlando's actions in running inside the line did not interfere with Plouffe because Suzuki's throw was of poor quality and likely could not have reasonably retired the runner (the throw was to the right/foul territory side of first base), the call was incorrect.* Ruling was challenged and affirmed by the UEFL Appeals Board (7-0-1), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Twins were leading, 1-0. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 8-1.

This is Todd Tichenor (13)'s third ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Todd Tichenor now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (6 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 4).
Crew Chief Bill Miller now has 3 points in Crew Division (3 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 3).
*Wendelstedt: "The determination is not whether the throw is true, but whether it could still reasonably retire the runner." Also, regarding RLI Rule 5.09(a)(11), the following terminology is used (green = compliant):
*RLI Terms: Inside = To the left/in fair territory; Outside = To the right/foul; Within = Between the lane lines.

This is the 140th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is Minnesota's 6th ejection, T-2nd in the AL Central (CWS 7; DET, MIN 6; CLE, KC 5).
This is Dale Sveum's 2nd ejection of 2016, 1st since June 10 (Chris Guccione; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).
This is Todd Tichenor's first ejection since April 27, 2016 (Don Mattingly; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals, 8/18/16 | Video available via "Read more"

MLB Ejection 139 - Scott Barry (3; Brian Butterfield)

HP Umpire Scott Barry ejected Red Sox 3B Coach Brian Butterfield for arguing a ball two call in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the Red Sox-Tigers game. With one out and one on, Tigers batter Jarrod Saltalamacchia took a 1-0 breaking ball from Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz for a called second ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh high (px -1.213, pz 1.737) while the 0-0 pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and above the midpoint (px -.468, pz 3.536 [sz_top 3.48]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Scott Barry (87)'s third ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Scott Barry now has 15 points in the UEFL Standings (11 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 15).
Crew Chief Jerry Layne now has 9 points in Crew Division (8 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 9).
*The overturned Replay Review call during the immediately preceding play (Jerry Layne - Catch/Trap) is considered secondary (or contributory) to the primary argument over balls/strikes.

This is the 139th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is Boston's 6th ejection of 2016, 2nd in the AL East (TOR 14; BOS 6; BAL 3; TB 2; NYY 1).
This is Brian Butterfield's 1st ejection since July 6, 2014 (Hunter Wendelstedt; QOC = Y [Balk]).
This is Scott Barry's first ejection since May 4, 2016 (Paul Molitor; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers, 8/18/16 | Video available via "Read more"

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

MLB Ejection 138 - DJ Reyburn (3; Frank Menechino)

HP Umpire DJ Reyburn ejected Marlins Assistant Hitting Coach Frank Menechino for arguing a strike one call in the top of the 9th inning of the Marlins-Reds game. With none out and none on, Marlins batter Ichiro Suzuki took a 0-0 fastball from Reds pitcher Tony Cingrani for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and below the midpoint (px 0.264, pz 3.206 [sz_top 3.390]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 6-3. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 6-3.

This is DJ Reyburn (70)'s third ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
DJ Reyburn now has 11 points in the UEFL Standings (7 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 11).
Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has 9 points in Crew Division (8 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 9).

This is the 138th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is Miami's 6th ejection of 2016, 2nd in the NL East (ATL 7; MIA 6; NYM 5; WAS 3; PHI 1).
This is Frank Menechino's first career MLB ejection.
This is DJ Reyburn's first ejection since July 7, 2016 (Coco Crisp; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs. Cincinnati Reds, 8/16/16 | Video N/A

Injury - Hunter Wendelstedt Leaves After Hit to Head

Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt was injured by a foul ball to the mask and left Monday's game at Yankee Stadium.

With none out in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the Blue Jays-Yankees game, Yankees batter Brian McCann fouled a 2-2 knuckleball from Jays pitcher R.A. Dickey into HP Umpire Wendelstedt's traditional-style facemask.

Wendelstedt remained in the game in the immediate aftermath of the foul ball, and completed the second inning after which he was replaced for the remainder of the contest behind the plate by 2B Umpire Scott Barry with Crew Chief Jerry Layne and Tripp Gibson holding their positions at first and third base, respectively.

Monday, August 15, 2016

MLB Ejection 137 - Bill Welke (1; Don Mattingly)

HP Umpire Bill Welke ejected Marlins Manager Don Mattingly for arguing a check swing (ball two) call by 3B Umpire Pat Hoberg in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the Marlins-Reds game. With none out and none on, Reds batter Tucker Barnhart attempted to check his swing on a 1-0 changeup from Marlins pitcher David Phelps. Play reviewed and deferred by the UEFL Appeals Board (4-4-1). At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 6-3.

This is Bill Welke (52)'s first ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Bill Welke now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Previous + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 4).
Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has 5 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 5).

This is the 137th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 55th Manager ejection of 2016.
This is Miami's 5th ejection of 2016, T-2nd in the NL East (ATL 7; MIA, NYM 5; WAS 3; PHI 1).
This is Don Mattingly's 3rd ejection of 2016, 1st since April 27 (Todd Tichenor; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Bill Welke's first ejection since September 23, 2015 (Jean Machi; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs. Cincinnati Reds, 8/15/16 | Video available via "Read more"

MLB Ejection 136 - Dan Iassogna (4; Tyler Collins)

HP Umpire Dan Iassogna ejected Tigers LF Tyler Collins for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Royals-Tigers game. With one out and none on, Collins took a 2-2 fastball from Royals pitcher Joakim Soria for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh high (px -.951, pz 2.478), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 2-1. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 3-1.

This is Dan Iassogna (58)'s fourth ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Dan Iassogna now has -11 points in the UEFL Standings (-9 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = -11).
Crew Chief Dale Scott now has -6 points in Crew Division (-6 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = -6).

This is the 136th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 66th player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Collins was 1-4 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is Detroit's 6th ejection, 2nd in the AL Central (CWS 7; DET 6; CLE, KC, MIN 5).
This is Tyler Collins' first career MLB ejection.
This is Dan Iassogna's first ejection since May 15, 2016 (DeMarlo Hale; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers, 8/15/16 | Video N/A

Sunday, August 14, 2016

MLB Ejection 135 - Clint Fagan (1; Albert Pujols)

HP Umpire Clint Fagan ejected Angels DH Albert Pujols for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 8th inning of the Angels-Indians game. With two out and none on, Pujols took a 2-2 fastball from Indians pitcher Andrew Miller for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and knee high (px -.716, pz 1.801 [sz_bot 1.580]) and all other eligible pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Indians were leading, 5-4. The Indians ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Clint Fagan (82)'s first ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Clint Fagan now has 2 points in the UEFL Standings (-3 Previous + 3 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 2).
Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has 9 points in Crew Division (8 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 9).
*The 2-0 pitch ruled strike one is not eligible for consideration pursuant to UEFL Rule 6-5-c-5-c.

This is the 135th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 65th player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Pujols was 0-4 (SO) in the contest.
This is LA-Anaheim's 5th ejection of 2016, T-2nd in the AL West (HOU 6; LAA, OAK 5; TEX 4; SEA 1).
This is Albert Pujols' first ejection since August 21, 2014 (Andy Fletcher; QOC = U [K2/DiMuro]).
This is Clint Fagan's first ejection since May 23, 2015 (Justin Upton; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Angels vs. Cleveland Indians, 8/14/16 | Video available via "Read more"