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Saturday, September 15, 2018

MLB Ejection 166 - Larry Vanover (2; Bob Melvin)

HP Umpire Larry Vanover ejected A's Manager Bob Melvin (strike three call; QOCN) in the top of the 8th inning of the Athletics-Rays game. With one out and the bases loaded, A's batter Marcus Semien took a 2-2 slider from Rays pitcher Vidal Nuno for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and belt-high (px 1.036, pz 2.317), the call was incorrect.* Following the inning, Semien argued the pitch with Vanover, drawing the attention of Melvin, who was subsequently ejected. Pursuant to UEFL Rule 6-2-b-5-b, the reason for ejection is the underlying strike three call that spurred Semien's initial complaint, regardless of the precise nature of Melvin's ejection. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 4-4. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 7-5.

This is Larry Vanover (27)'s second ejection of 2018.
Larry Vanover now has 1point in the UEFL Standings (3 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 1).
Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has 21 points in Crew Division (21 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 21).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 1.464 horizontal inches from being deemed a correct call.

This is the 166th ejection report of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 68th Manager ejection of 2018.
This is Oakland's 2nd ejection of 2018, 5th in the AL West (LAA, HOU, TEX 5; SEA 4; OAK 2).
This is Bob Melvin's 2nd ejection of 2018, 1st since July 10 (David Rackley; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).
This is Larry Vanover's 2nd ejection of 2018, 1st since July 21 (Pat Roessler; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 9/15/18 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 164-165 - Tripp Gibson (5-6; PIT x2)

HP Umpire Tripp Gibson ejected Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli and Manager Clint Hurdle (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 6th inning of the Pirates-Brewers game. With one out and one on (R2), Cervelli took a 2-2 fastball from Brewers pitcher Jacob Barnes for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -.456, pz 1.524 [sz_bot 1.565 / RAD 1.442]), and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejections, the Pirates were leading, 3-1. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 3-1.

These are Tripp Gibson (73)'s fifth and sixth ejections of 2018.
Tripp Gibson now has 22 points in the UEFL Standings (14 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct Call] = 22).
Crew Chief Brian Gorman now has 16 points in Crew Division (14 Previous + 2*[1 Correct] = 16).
*This pitch was located 1.980 vertical inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

This is the 164th, 165th ejection report of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 79th player ejection of 2018. Prior to ejection, Cervelli was 1-3 (SO) in the contest.
This is the 67th Manager ejection of 2018.
This is Pittsburgh's 3/4th ejection of 2018, T-3rd in the NL Central (CHC 10; MIL 8; PIT, STL 4; CIN 3).
This is Francisco Cervelli's first ejection since August 27, 2015 (Alan Porter; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Clint Hurdle's 3rd ejection of 2018, 1st since May 28 (Mark Carlson; QOC = N-C [Replay Review]).
This is Tripp Gibson's 5/6th ejection of 2018, 1st since June 19 (Yasmani Grandal; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 9/15/18 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 162-163 - May, Blaser (2, 4; MIN x2)

HP Umpire Ben May ejected Twins Manager Paul Molitor and 1B Umpire Cory Blaser ejected Twins 3B Coach Gene Glynn (check swing/bunt ball two call) in the top of the 5th inning of the Twins-Royals game. With one out and one on (R3), Royals batter Cam Gallagher aborted his attempt to bunt a 1-0 slider from Twins pitcher Chase De Jong as catcher Willians Astudillo threw to third base to play on Royals baserunner R3 Alcides Escobar, who ran toward home as Twins third baseman Gregorio Petit's return throw hit Escobar in the lower back, ruled no interference by May following the check swing (no swing) call by 1B Umpire Blaser. Play was reviewed and adjudicated by the UEFL Appeals Board (7-0-2), the call was correct. At the time of the ejections, the Royals were leading, 4-1. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 10-3.

This is Ben May (97)'s second ejection of 2018.
This is Cory Blaser (89)'s fourth ejection of 2018.
Ben May now has 1 point in the UEFL Standings (-2 Previous + 2 AAA + 1 Correct-Crewmate = 1).
Cory Blaser now has 12 points in the UEFL Standings (8 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 12).
Crew Chief Gary Cederstrom now has 13 points in Crew Division (11 Prev + 2*[1 Correct Call] = 13).
Related PostAsk UEFL - Foul Bunt or Ball Fouled Away?

This is the 162nd, 163rd ejection report of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 66th Manager ejection of 2018.
This is Minnesota's 7/8th ejection of 2018, 1st in the AL Central (MIN 8; CWS, KC 7; DET 4; CLE 1).
This is Paul Molitor's 2nd ejection of 2018, 1st since June 27 (Pat Hoberg; QOC = N [Balk]).
This is Gene Glynn's 2nd ejection of 2018, 1st since June 27 (Gerry Davis; QOC = U [Balk]).
This is Ben May's 2nd ejection of 2018, 1st since August 17 (Don Mattingly; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Cory Blaser's 4th ejection of 2018, 1st since August 18 (Craig Counsell; QOC = U [Warnings]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals, 9/15/18 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 160-161 - Roberto Ortiz (1-2; TOR x2)

HP Umpire Roberto Ortiz ejected Blue Jays bench player Luke Maile and Manager John Gibbons (ball one call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the Blue Jays-Yankees game. With none out and two on, Yankees batter Gleyber Torres took a 0-0 fastball from Blue Jays pitcher Sean Reid-Foley for a called first ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px .910, pz 2.314), the call was correct [the previous at-bats are ineligible for review due to the intervening mound visit by Toronto; see UEFL Rule 6-5-c-2 and Table 1 (List of QOC Time Frame and Exemptions)].* At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 3-0. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 8-7.

These are Roberto Ortiz (40)'s first and second ejections of 2018.
Roberto Ortiz now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has 9 points in Crew Division (8 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 9).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 1.944 horizontal inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

This is the 160th, 161st ejection report of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 65th Manager ejection of 2018.
This is the 78th player ejection of 2018. Prior to ejection, Maile did not appear in the game whatsoever.
This is Toronto's 9/10th ejection of 2018, 1st in the AL East (TOR 10; NYY 9; BOS 5; BAL 3; TB 2).
This is John Gibbons' 7th ejection of 2018, 1st since August 19 (Jansen Visconti; QOC = N [Out/Safe]).
This is Luke Maile's first career MLB ejection.
This is Roberto Ortiz's first career MLB ejection.

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees, 9/15/18 | Video as follows:

Friday, September 14, 2018

Odd - Harper-Diaz Feud Adds to Hallion-Frazier Mystique

HP Umpire Laz Diaz and Nationals CF Bryce Harper held an hour-long disagreement in Atlanta, the feud between official and player extending from the fifth to seventh inning during Washington's game against the Braves and involving skipper Dave Martinez in the process, as well. It was the second curious umpire-player interaction in as many days, following Tom Hallion's interesting positioning on top of home plate during a walk-off home run trot by New York's Todd Frazier on Thursday afternoon.

Bryce Harper and Laz Diaz had a spat Friday.
Diaz and Harper Carry on a Spat: In the top of the 5th inning, Harper struck out swinging after appearing to take umbrage with a first-pitch fastball Diaz had ruled a strike. The thigh-high pitch was located just off the outer edge of home plate (px -.923). Per UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule), the pitch would have been deemed correctly officiated had its px value been -.914 or closer to zero, which amounts to just over one-tenth of an inch into conclusively "incorrect" territory (-.923 + .914 = .009 * 12 = .108 inches).

The disagreement continued into the bottom of the 5th, when Braves batter Dansby Swanson took a 1-2 fastball outside for a called second ball (px 1.387, or about six inches off the plate) and Harper's purported discontent from his position in center field drew Diaz's attention. For what it's worth, Dansby had taken a called strike earlier in the at-bat which was similarly outside, albeit closer to home plate (the 1-0 pitch, ruled strike one, was off the outer edge of home plate by 2.664 inches; px 1.136).

It was at this time that Diaz informed Nats Manager Martinez, "He needs to cut it out, you need to talk to him...you take care of him or I will."

Relevant History: This should remind ardent Left Field Corner-era UEFL'ers of Ed Rapuano's August 9, 2009 ejection of Shane Victorino in Philadelphia for arguing a ball call from his position in center field. As was the case with Harper's protestation of Diaz's call from the outfield, Victorino likewise was admonished by the umpire for arguing a correctly officiated pitch.
Related PostEjections: Ed Rapuano (4) (8/9/09).

Laz Diaz addresses the Nationals dugout.
In the top of the 7th inning, Diaz called strike two on a 1-2 offering to Harper, drawing further discontent and a brief delay as Martinez exited the dugout to address Diaz. More-so than the fifth inning pitch, this one was located off the plate (px -1.353), 5.268 inches from the Kulpa Rule's .914 outer mark.

Harper grounded out and the game eventually ended without further incident, but Harper let his feelings be known following Washington's loss, telling the press that Diaz made inappropriate comments during the 7th inning disruption, adding: "That's my biggest thing this year is I don't want to get tossed. So I think I go to the edge, then kinda quiet up."

Harper, who as recently as 2016 (and also 2017) was MLB's biggest hothead player, according to ejection statistics and specifically the games-per-ejection (GPE) metric, has greatly simmered down over the past year; his last ejection occurred in July 2017.
Related PostMLB Ejection 107 - Chris Segal (2; Bryce Harper) (7/26/17).
Related PostPassing the Torch - Papi Out, Harper In as Biggest Hothead (5/13/16).

Martinez's summation was more pointed as he appealed to Major League Baseball to investigate the incident:
I'm not going to make any comments on balls and strikes there, but umpires are supposed to be non-confrontational, they're supposed to uphold the peace on the baseball field...For me, I think the MLB needs to take a look at that. That's all I'm going to say. I've known Laz for a very long time, and I'm not going to throw anybody under the bus, but we're in a pivotal moment of the game, and he's saying things to Harp, and I thought that was uncalled for.
And then Martinez commented on balls and strikes: "He called a pitch on him that was pretty ridiculous, but hopefully MLB will take a look at it and decide what to do."

Hallion stands in front of Frazier in New York.
Add in a Mix of Hallion-Frazier and You've Got a Busy Two Days: If MLB does pick up the Harper-Diaz case, it would mark MLB's second investigation of a player-umpire incident in the past few days. Earlier Friday, the New York Post reported that MLB is investigating Tom Hallion's positioning during Todd Frazier's home run to end the first game of New York's doubleheader against Miami on Thursday.

This video of Frazier's walk-off HR shows Hallion standing on the third baseline side of home plate as the Mets' batsman approached home. After the game, Frazier said, "I am not looking too far into it, but at first I was just befuddled," surmising that, "There have been some quirky things going on with me and the umpires and baseballs and home plate incidents and I looked back and saw Tom and he was kind of smirking like he did something."
Related Video: Todd Frazier's walk-off HR ends with umpire obstruction at home plate (NYM)

Frazier's 2018 history includes a recent ejection care of Hallion crewmate Dan Bellino, admitting to willfully fooling 3B Umpire Mark Wegner at Dodger Stadium by pretending to catch a foul ball in the seats, and, earlier this season, calling out the entire MLB umpire staff, saying, "These umpires have got to get better."
Related PostMLB Ejection 158 - Dan Bellino (2; Todd Frazier) (9/11/18).
Related PostReplay Rewind - Hollywood Magic at Dodger Stadium (9/5/18).
Related PostTodd Frazier - "These Umpires Have Got to Get Better" (5/3/18).

Video (Diaz-Harper) as follows:

Case Play 2018-8 - Kick a Ball, Make a Call [Solved]

Boston clinched a playoff berth Tuesday night following an unusual play in the 6th inning with Toronto at bat, when the home plate umpire inadvertently kicked a wild pitch with a runner at third, calling "Time" and sending the Blue Jays baserunners back to their bases of origin.

HP Umpire Jim Wolf searches for a wild pitch.
What is the proper call for an umpire's kicked ball?

The Play: With one out and one on (R3), Red Sox pitcher Nathan Eovaldi's 3-0 pitch to Jays batter Kendrys Morales dove into the dirt and near HP Umpire Jim Wolf, who inadvertently kicked the ball far away from Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon, prompting Blue Jays baserunner R3 Devon Travis to jog toward home plate. Wolf called "Time" and sent Travis back to third (and awarded Morales first base on ball four).

Question: Is this the correct call and were the runners placed properly (R3 Travis sent back to third and batter-runner Morales to first)? If so, is this umpire interference or does some other rule apply?

Answer: The first thing one should notice about the umpire interference rules as portrayed in 5.06(c)(2), 6.01(f), and the Definition of Terms is that Umpire Interference exists under only two scenarios: 1) The plate umpire hinders the catcher's throw (to a base/runner or back to the pitcher), and, 2) a fair [batted] ball touches an umpire on fair territory before passing a fielder other than the pitcher, or before touching any other player.
Related VideoUEFL University: Umpire's Interference - Reviewing its Two Types (4/23/18).
Related PostStayin' Alive - The Umpire-Aided Triple Play (4/23/18).
Related PostRules 2.00 & 6.01(f): Umpire Interference (7/5/12).

Joe West kicks a ball into left field.
Accordingly, this play is not subject to any of the aforementioned rules. Yet during this play, clearly, baserunner R3 has absolutely zero intention of scoring until the plate umpire kicks the ball. What's the resolution?

Look no further than to Joe West for an example of another kicked ball—this one batted past the infield—that led to an extra base when a batter-runner had no intention of advancing beyond first until 2B Umpire West kicked the ball into shallow left field. Like Wolf, West put a new impetus on the ball by accidentally kicking it away from the fielders (or, more accurately, away from the charging outfielders), but unlike Wolf, West kept play alive because he kicked the ball after it had passed the infielders.
Related PostA Rare Off-The-Cowboy-Joe Double - Rule 5.06(c)(6) (8/24/16).

Counterpoint: How about Unintentional Interference, Rule 6.01(d) Comment, which states, "The question of intentional or unintentional interference shall be decided on the basis of the person’s action. For example: a bat boy, ball attendant, policeman, etc., who tries to avoid being touched by a thrown or batted ball but still is touched by the ball would be involved in unintentional interference. If, however, he kicks the ball or picks it up or pushes it, that is considered intentional interference, regardless of what his thought may have been"?

Or how about the MLBUM interpretation of 5.06(b) (ball goes out of play) that differentiates between a fielder deflecting the ball directly out of play, a fielder accidentally kicking the ball out of play, and a fielder intentionally kicking or deflecting the ball out of play?

Is there a way to incorporate 6.01(d) Comment or the MLBUM interpretation of 5.06(b) by using Rule 8.01(c)—umpiring's elastic clause ("Each umpire has authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules")—to invoke common sense and fair play?
Related PostUEFL Case Play 2018-6 - Kicked Out of Play [Solved] (7/23/18).
Related PostMLB Ejection 057 - Fieldin Culbreth (1; Terry Collins) (6/1/17).

The answer, it turns out, is "no." 6.01(d) does specifically cover the application of unintentional interference by exempting the following classes of persons from its purview: "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." [Underlined-bold text added for emphasis.]

Similarly, 5.06(b) very clearly talks about fielders, not umpires.

As 5.06(c)(2), 6.01(f), and Definition of Terms clearly illustrate where precisely umpire interference occurs, it is not within the rules nor within the spirit of the rules to use 8.01(c) to apply discretion to the aforementioned.

This is not umpire interference, the ball shall remain alive, and the runner, unfortunately (for the team that threw the wild pitch, that is), shall be permitted to score. The rules simply don't allow the umpires to correct for a situation caused, initially, by a defensive miscue to begin with. Whether one believes this is fair play or not is, ultimately, irrelevant: the rulebook allows little discretion for choosing when umpire interference does and does not apply.

Silver Lining? Wolf so confidently sold the call from the get-go that there was very little doubt as to what it was and why he made it. Unfortunately, it just wasn't supported by any concrete rule.

The ump giveth and the ump taketh away.
Common Sense and Fair Play: Ruling this play dead and sending the runner back to third base because he had no intention of scoring prior to the umpire's accidental kick might scream out, "that's fair," but it could get you into trouble with a manager who knows the rules real quick.

If Toronto protested the game based on this call (and lost by a reasonable margin, etc.), it stands to reason that the protest would be affirmed based on the rules that dictate this accidental kick by an umpire is not means to call the ball dead and return the runner.

That said, if the explanation was, simply, "I accidentally called time" (which, I don't believe it was...it sure looked like "Time" was purposefully called), it becomes a matter not subject to protest. But knowingly ruling this umpire interference based on the kick is not supported by the rules.

Now if someone could help me out with determining whether Enrico Pallazzo's ejection of Joe West and Hank Robinson had anything to do with umpire interference or not, I'd be much obliged.
Related VideoSEA@LAA: Enrico Pallazzo Ejects Umpires Robinson, Cowboy Joe West (4/1/13).
Related PostEjections 1, 2: Enrico Pallazzo (Joe West, Hank Robinson) (4/1/13).

Official Baseball Rules Library
OBR 5.06(c)(2): "The ball becomes dead and runners advance one base, or return to their bases, without liability to be put out, when—The plate umpire interferes with the catcher’s throw attempting to prevent a stolen base or retire a runner on a pick-off play; runners may not advance."
OBR 5.06(c)(2) Comment: "Umpire interference may also occur when an umpire interferes with a catcher returning the ball to the pitcher."
OBR 6.01(f): "If a thrown ball accidentally touches a base coach, or a pitched or thrown ball touches an umpire, the ball is alive and in play."
OBR 6.01(f) Comment: "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. Umpire interference may also occur when an umpire interferes with a catcher returning the ball to the pitcher."

Video as follows:

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Randazzo Subs Out After Mid-Inning Throw Hits Wrist

Tony Randazzo left Thursday's Mariners-Angels game after being struck by a ball in the wrist, returning half an hour later after receiving medical attention.

An errant throw by Angels 1B Jose Fernandez to teammate David Fletcher after the final out of the top of the 3rd inning careened into the unsuspecting Randazzo's wrist as Randazzo was turned away from Fernandez. Randazzo returned to the game in the 4th, rejoining HP Umpire Lance Barrett, 1B and Crew Chief Bill Welke, and 3B Umpire Ryan Additon.

Relevant Injury History: There is no relevant injury history.

Last Game & Return to Play: September 13 | Time Absent: ½ Inning | Video as follows:

Darius Ghani, Clay Williams Claim Umpire of Year Awards

Named crew chief for the 2018 California League Championship Series, Cal Lg umpire Darius Ghani was also named its 2018 Doug Harvey Award honoree, which celebrates the top umpire of the Class-A league; Clay Williams of the Appalachian League, meanwhile, took home the 2018 Dale Ford Umpire of the Year Award that is given out in that Rookie (Advanced) League.

Ghani becomes the ninth Minor League umpire to receive the Doug Harvey Award, named for the late Hall of Fame umpire Doug "God" Harvey, who officiated in the California League during his minor league career before taking his place in the National League from 1962 through 1992.

Darius Ghani received the 2018 Doug Harvey Award.
Doug Harvey Award Recepients, 2010-18
Year Umpire Name
2018 Darius Ghani
2017 Mike Rains
2016 Patrick Sharshel
2015 Reid Gibbs
2014 Sean Allen
2013 Ronnie Teague
2012 Chris Gonzalez
2011 Ryan Goodman
2010 Blake Davis

Cal League President Charlie Blaney's statement:
Congratulations to Darius Ghani for being the ninth recipient of the Doug Harvey Award. Darius has worked hard all year and has done a tremendous job. We've been very honored to have him in our League this year. The Cal League sincerely thanks the family of Doug Harvey for lending his name once again to this prestigious award.
The California League named Harvey to its Hall of Fame in 2017, following his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Harvey was born in South Gate, California and was the last big league umpire not to have attended umpire school.
Related PostDoug Harvey Set for CAL League Hall of Fame Induction (6/16/17).

Clay Williams is presented with the Dale Ford Award.
On the opposite side of the continent, Appalachian League President Lee Landers named second-year MiLB umpire Clay Williams as that league's Dale Ford Umpire of the Year. Like Harvey, Robert "Dale" Ford served in the league whose umpire of the year award bears his name, going on to officiate in the American League from 1975 through 1999.

Dale Ford Award Recepients, 2015-18
Year Umpire Name
2018 Clay Williams
2017 Steve Hodgins
2016 Matt Brown
2015 Navas Corzo
Ford, who served three terms in the Tennessee House of Representatives after concluding his big league umpiring career, still officiates games from time to time in that league, and elsewhere in the state of Tennessee.

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Stumble - Ems Win Northwest Championship on Balk-Off

The Class-A Short Season Eugene Emeralds won the 2018 Northwest League Championship Series on a walk-off balk against Spokane, the team's second title since 2016.

Ems won a championship on a walk-off balk.
For the crew of HP Umpire Ray Patchen, 1B Umpire Jeff Hamann, 2B Umpire Emma Charlesworth-Seiler, and 3B: A.J. Choc, it was one of the rarest plays in baseball, and a nearly unheard of way to decide the final game of a league championship series.

The Emeralds (Cubs minor league affiliate), for the record, won the series against the Spokane Indians (Cleveland's MiLB affiliate) three games-to-none after finishing the regular season in last place, 14 games under .500.

As we discovered in August when Dodgers pitcher Dylan Floro balked in Mariners baserunner Cameron Maybin for Seattle's walk-off win at Safeco Field, the balkoff—at least at the major league level—is rarer than a perfect game: 22 balk-offs vs 23 perfect games all-time.
Related PostWalk-Off Balk - Dodgers' Floro Does Too Much at Once (8/19/18).

As for Tuesday's Indians-Ems game to decide the Northwest League crown, the analysis is a lot simpler than in the Dodgers-Mariners game.

Eugene's mascot celebrates the win.
The Play: With two out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th inning, Oregon's Emeralds already having scored a run in the frame to tie the game at two, Indians pitcher Emmanuel Clase began his delivery to Emeralds batter Nelson Velazquez, but stumbled off the pitcher's plate while failing to throw a legal pitch, immediately ruled a balk by HP Umpire Patchen.

The Rule: In a similar vein to our Salt Lake Bees pitcher who fell off a mound in 2017, the relevant rule is 6.02(a)'s "It is a balk when—The pitcher, while touching his plate, makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch and fails to make such delivery." In more practical terms, it's a balk because the pitcher stumbled off the mound.
Related PostBalk - Pitcher Blown Off Mound, OBR Adopts Hybrid Rule (5/7/17).

Wrap: Spokane Indians vs. Eugene Emeralds (Northwest League), 9/11/18 | Video as follows:

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

MLB Ejection 159 - Mark Carlson (2; Kevin Cash)

HP Umpire Mark Carlson ejected Rays Manager Kevin Cash (balk call by 3B Umpire Carlos Torres; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the Indians-Rays game. With one out and one on (R1), Rays pitcher Vidal Nuno committed a balk, resulting in an award to baserunner R1 Michael Brantley of second base. Replays indicate Nuno failed to complete delivery after beginning his motion to pitch in an illegal throw and (non-)step to first base, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Indians were leading, 2-0. The Indians ultimately won the contest, 2-0.

This is Mark Carlson (6)'s second ejection of 2018.
Mark Carlson now has 1 point in the UEFL Standings (-2 Prev + 2 MLB + 1 Correct-Crewmate = 1).
Crew Chief Paul Nauert now has 3 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 3).
*OBR 6.02(a)(1) states that it is a balk when—"The pitcher, while touching his plate, makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch and fails to make such delivery."
*OBR 6.02(a)(3) states that it is a balk when—"The pitcher, while touching his plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base."

This is the 159th ejection report of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 64th Manager ejection of 2018.
This is Tampa Bay's 2nd ejection of 2018, 5th in the AL East (NYY 9; TOR 8; BOS 5; BAL 3; TB 2).
This is Kevin Cash's first ejection since July 18, 2017 (Bill Welke; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Mark Carlson's 2nd ejection of 2018, 1st since May 28 (Clint Hurdle; QOC = N-C [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Cleveland Indians vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 9/11/18 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 158 - Dan Bellino (2; Todd Frazier)

HP Umpire Dan Bellino ejected Mets 3B Todd Frazier (strike two call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Marlins-Mets game. With one out and none on, Frazier took 1-0 sliders for called first and second strikes from Marlins pitcher Jose Urena before flying out. Replays indicate the 1-0 pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and above the knees (px .906, pz 1.834 [sz_bot 1.60]) and the 1-1 pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px .940, pz 2.230), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Marlins were leading, 2-1. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Dan Bellino (2)'s second ejection of 2018.
Dan Bellino now has -2  points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 2).
Crew Chief Tom Hallion now has -5 points in Crew Division (-5 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = -5).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
The 1-1 pitch was located .312 horizontal inches from being deemed a correct call.

This is the 158th ejection report of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 77th player ejection of 2018. Prior to ejection, Frazier was 0-3 in the contest
This is New York-NL's 6th ejection of 2018, T-2nd in the NL East (WAS 8; ATL, NYM 6; MIA 5; PHI 0).
This is Todd Frazier's first ejection since June 24, 2017 (Sam Holbrook; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).
This is Dan Bellino's second ejection of 2018, 1st since May 2 (John Gibbons; QOC = Y-C [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs. New York Mets, 9/11/18 | Video as follows:

Hinch Calls for Streamlined Replay in Radio Interview

Speaking on MLB Network Radio, Houston Astros Manager AJ Hinch called for a quicker and more efficient Replay Review process across baseball, expressing concern with the issue of umpires serving as Replay Officials and confusion with the "call stands" outcome for an inconclusive video review.

HOU's AJ Hinch has some replay suggestion.
Hinch concluded his interview on the radio show by answer a question about how he would improve replay, lamenting that the umpires should be subject to a strict time constraint, as teams are when deciding whether or not to challenge a play: "If there's a time constraint on us, there has to be a time constraint on them."

Though Hinch acknowledged that umpires in the Replay Room tended to take more time to review more angles in order to craft a better-informed decision, he also explained that the more time spent reviewing a play tended to suggest an injection of greater doubt, which might lead to a "call stands" determination, which Hinch called "very, very confusing."

Hinch's Astros are near the bottom of the Teams' Replay Review leaderboard, ranking 27th out of 30 MLB teams with 11-out-of-30 total plays resulting in an overturned call (36.7% TSP). The league-average "success rate" in overturned calls is about 49%.
Related PageMLB Umpire Replay Review Statistics and Sabermetrics (UEFL).

Hinch also stated his "curiosity" regarding an umpire reviewing another umpire's call, positing that perhaps the league would be best served to hire specially-trained third parties to make the replay decisions.

Statistical Analysis: Though Hinch is correct that length-of-review is correlated with outcome such that "call stands" reviews tend to take the longest to complete, MLB has taken steps to streamline the replay process, such as installing a two-minute guideline for Replay Officials in New York, beginning with the 2017 season, in an effort to decrease review times.
Related Post2017 Rules Mods, Including IBB Change, Announced (3/2/17).

And it's worked: the average length of review, by year, has decreased since its 2014 debut of one-minute, 46-seconds in 2014, to a high of 1:51 in 2015, and down to 1:36 in 2016 and 1:28 in 2017; earlier in 2018, the average replay duration was even less, at one-minute, 24-seconds.

Replay Review takes time to do.
Pace of Play Sidebar: With 2,430 games in an MLB season and slightly more than half as many reviews, on average (for 2017, 1,336 reviews ÷ 2,430 games = .55 reviews-per-game ), we can surmise than at a rate of .55 and average replay duration of 90 seconds (a nice, round number), we should expect 45 seconds added per game due to replay, or a total of 30 hours, 22 minutes, and 30 seconds of Replay Review time over the course of the entire season.

This 45 seconds-per-game addition does not sufficiently explain why game times rose from 3:00:42 in 2016 to 3:05:11 in 2017 (all else equal, by contrast, an eight-second-per-game decrease in average replay time between '16 and '17 should expectedly correlate with decreased game times, especially because 2016 featured 1,468 reviews in 2,428 games [two cancellations]—132 more reviews than 2017, at an average of eight seconds longer apiece).
Related PostUEFL's MLB Umpire Sabermetrics - 2016 Regular Season (10/3/16).

Gil's Call: We already have discussed how to streamline replay, identifying in 2017 that the biggest waste of time surrounding replay is the amount of time an umpire spends jogging from the field to the replay station and the time it takes to get back to playing baseball after that. Though MLB touts 1:28 (2017) as its average replay time, this simply accounts for headset-to-headset, not "Time"-to-"Play," which could incorporate anything from the infamous manager "hold" to an umpire conference and beyond.
Related PostQueue Theory & Petty Baseball - Streamlining Replay (4/20/17).

Tmac proposed a 90-second limit once the headsets are on—which MLB has unofficially accomplished (kind of) with average replay time less than 1:30—as well as requiring immediate manager challenges, in exchange for giving teams a second challenge each game. Then again, something tells me Hinch wouldn't be too satisfied by losing even more time off his decision-making process.
Related PostTmac's Teachable Moments - Let's Fix Replay (1/19/17).

Monday, September 10, 2018

2018 Triple-A Postseason Rosters - PCL, IL Series

The following umpires were selected to officiate MiLB's 2018 Pacific Coast and International League postseason series. Semifinals information from MiLB; Championship (PCL, IL and Triple-A) information from Ump-Attire.

As we learned from Brian Hertzog in Episode 3 of The Plate Meeting, MLB fill-in umpires will tend not to officite the MiLB postseason so as to retain availability for the major league level throughout the month of September.

Related: 2018 PCL Roster | 2018 IL Roster.

Triple-A National Championship Game
> John Bostwick (PCL) (also worked 2017 PCL Postseason2017 MLB Spring Training)
> John Bacon (IL) (2017 IL Postseason2017 MLB Spring Training)
> Blake Felix (PCL) (2017 PCL Postseason)
> Alex Tosi (IL) (2017 IL Postseason2017 MLB Spring Training)

International League Championship
> John Bacon (2017 IL Postseason2017 MLB Spring Training)
> Dan Merzel (2018 AAA All-Star2017 IL Postseason2017 MLB Spring Training, 2015 Futures Game)
> Jeremy Riggs (2017 IL Postseason, 2017 AAA All-Star2017 MLB Spring Training, 2016 IL Postseason)
> Alex Tosi (2017 AFL2017 IL Postseason2017 MLB Spring Training)

Pacific Coast League Championship
> John Bostwick (2017 PCL Postseason2017 MLB Spring Training)
> Mike Cascioppo (2017 PCL Postseason2017 MLB Spring Training)
> Blake Felix (2017 PCL Postseason)
> JJ January (2018 MLB Spring Training, 2017 AFL2017 PCL Postseason, 2015 Futures Game)

International League Semifinals
> John Bacon (2017 IL Postseason2017 MLB Spring Training)
> Adam Beck (2016 Futures Game)
> Ryan Clark (2018 AAA All-Star Game)
> Chris Graham
> Dan Merzel (2018 AAA All-Star2017 IL Postseason2017 MLB Spring Training2015 Futures Game)
> Brennan Miller (2016 Futures Game)
> Jeremy Riggs (2017 IL Postseason2017 AAA All-Star2017 MLB Spring Training2016 IL Postseason)
> Alex Tosi (2017 AFL2017 IL Postseason2017 MLB Spring Training)

Pacific Coast League Semifinals
> John Bostwick (2017 PCL Postseason2017 MLB Spring Training)
> Mike Cascioppo (2017 PCL Postseason2017 MLB Spring Training)
> Paul Clemons
> Mathew Czajak
> Blake Felix (2017 PCL Postseason)
> Clay Park
> JJ January (2018 MLB Spring Training2017 AFL2017 PCL Postseason2015 Futures Game)
> Junior Valentine (2017 MLB Spring Training, 2015 Futures Game)

Sunday, September 9, 2018

MLB Ejection 157 - Jeremie Rehak (4; Brett Gardner)

HP Umpire Jeremie Rehak ejected Yankees LF Brett Gardner (strike one call; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the Yankees-Mariners game. With one out and none on, Gardner took a 2-0 fastball from Mariners pitcher Edwin Diaz for a called first strike before striking out swinging on a subsequent pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and below the midpoint (px -.853, pz 3.136 [sz_bot 3.32]) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 3-2. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Jeremie Rehak (35)'s fourth ejection of 2018.
Jeremie Rehak now has 15 points in the UEFL Standings (11 Prev + 2 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 15).
Crew Chief Mark Wegner now has 6 points in Crew Division (5 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 6).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located .732 horizontal inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

This is the 157th ejection report of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 76th player ejection of 2018. Prior to ejection, Gardner was 0-3 (SO) in the contest.
This is New York-AL's 9th of 2018, 1st in the AL East (NYY 9; TOR 8; BOS 5; BAL 3; TB 1).
This is Brett Gardner's first ejection since September 2, 2014 (Tim Timmons; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Jeremie Rehak's 4th ejection of 2018, 1st since June 11 (M Bumgarner; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs. Seattle Mariners, 9/9/18 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 154-156 - Tom Hallion (1-3; MIL x3)

HP Umpire Tom Hallion ejected Brewers Manager Craig Counsell, pitcher Wade Miley, and catcher Jacob Nottingham (warnings/non-ejection; QOCU) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Giants-Brewers game. With two out and two on, Brewers batter Ryan Braun took three consecutive fastballs from Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner, the third for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate all three were located above the strike zone, and the first and third pitches of the at-bat were located inside, the third touching Braun's jersey below the shoulder, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejections, the Giants were leading, 2-1. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 6-3.

These are Tom Hallion (20)'s first, second, and third ejections of the 2018 MLB regular season.
Tom Hallion now has 3 points in the UEFL Standings (-3 Prev + 3*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable] = 3).
Crew Chief Tom Hallion now has -5 points in Crew Division (-8 Previous + 3 Irrecusable Call = -5).

This is the 154th, 155th, and 156th ejection report of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 63rd Manager ejection of 2018.
This is the 74th, 75th player ejection of 2018. Prior to ejection, neither player appeared in the game.
This is Milwaukee's 6/7/8th ejection of 2018, 2nd in the NL Central (CHC 10; MIL 8; STL 4; CIN 3; PIT 2).
This is Craig Counsell's first ejection since August 18, 2018 (Cory Blaser; QOC = U [Warnings]).
This is Wade Miley's first career MLB ejection.
This is Jacob Nottingham's first career MLB ejection.
This is Tom Hallion's first ejections since March 22, 2018 (Rob Thomson; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 9/9/18 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 152-153 - Lance Barrett (3-4; STL x2)

HP Umpire Lance Barrett ejected Cardinals DH Matt Carpenter and Manager Mike Shildt (strike three call; QOCN) in the top of the 9th inning of the Cardinals-Tigers game. With two out and none on, Carpenter took a 1-2 fastball from Tigers pitcher Louis Coleman for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and below the midpoint (px -1.060, pz 2.940), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejections, the Cardinals were leading, 5-2. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 5-2.

These are Lance Barrett (94)'s third and fourth ejections of 2018.
Lance Barrett now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (12 Prev + 2*[2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call] = 8).
Crew Chief Bill Welke now has 21 points in Crew Division (21 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 21).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This is the 152nd and 153rd ejection report of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 73rd player ejection of 2018. Prior to ejection, Carpenter was 0-4 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is the 62nd Manager ejection of 2018.
This is St. Louis' 3/4th ejection of 2018, 3rd in the NL Central (CHC 10; MIL 5; STL 4; CIN 3; PIT 2).
This is Matt Carpenter's first ejection since April 23, 2017 (John Tumpane; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Mike Shildt's first career MLB ejection.
This is Lance Barrett's 3/4th ejection of 2018, 1st since July 7 (John Gibbons; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Detroit Tigers, 9/9/18 | Video as follows: