Saturday, April 13, 2019

MLB Ejection 019 - Jeremie Rehak (1; Russell Martin)

HP Umpire Jeremie Rehak ejected Dodgers injured list/C Russell Martin (strike three call; QOCU) in the bottom of the 4th inning of the Brewers-Dodgers game. With two out and two on (R2, R3), Dodgers batter Austin Barnes took a 3-2 fastball from Brewers pitcher Zach Davies for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and waist-high (px 1.11, pz 2.1), the call was irrecusable.*^ At the time of the ejection, the Brewers were leading, 2-1. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

This is Jeremie Rehak (35)'s first ejection of 2019.
Jeremie Rehak now has 2 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 AAA + 0 Irrecusable Call = 2).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has 0 points in Crew Division (-1 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 0).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-5 states that all ejections of players/coaches not on the active roster shall be associated with the UEFL rule concerning Irrecusable Quality of Correctness. Therefore, this ejection is QOCU for the purposes of UEFL league play.
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
*The pitch was located 2.352 horizontal inches from the outer limit of borderline px range.

This is the 19th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 12th player ejection of 2019. Prior to ejection, Martin did not play (Injured List).
This is Los Angeles' 1st ejection of 2019, T-1st in the NL West (ARI, LAD, SD 1; COL, SF 0).
This is Russell Martin's first ejection since July 27, 2017 (Will Little; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Jeremie Rehak's first ejection since September 9, 2018 (Brett Gardner; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 4/13/19 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 018 - Alfonso Marquez (1; Mickey Callaway)

HP Umpire Alfonso Marquez ejected Mets Manager Mickey Callaway (balls/strikes; QOCY) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the Mets-Braves game. With one out and the bases loaded, Braves batter Dansby Swanson took a 3-2 fastball from Mets pitcher Jason Vargas for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate of the 19 ball calls preceding the pitching change during which Callaway was ejected, Marquez properly officiated 18 of them (94.7%), the call was correct.* At the time of Callaway's ejection, the Braves were leading, 2-0. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 11-7.

This is Alfonso Marquez (72)'s first ejection of 2019.
Alfonso Marquez now has 5 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 5).
Crew Chief Alfonso Marquez now has 1 point in Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).
*A UEFL Rule 6-5-c-2-a Pitching Change Exemption has been applied.

This is the 18th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the sixth Manager ejection of 2019.
This is New York's 1st ejection of 2019, 2nd in the NL East (ATL 2; NYM 1; MIA, PHI, WAS 0).
This is Mickey Callaway's first ejection since Sept 20, 2018 (DJ Reyburn; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).
This is Alfonso Marquez's first ejection since March 19, 2019 (Carl Edwards; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves, 4/13/19 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 017 - Gabe Morales (1; Kyle Schwarber)

3B Umpire Gabe Morales ejected Cubs LF Kyle Schwarber (strike three swinging call) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Angels-Cubs game. With two out and two on (R2, R3), Schwarber attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 knuckle curve from Angels pitcher Cody Allen, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Jerry Meals and a swinging third strike on appeal by 3B Umpire Morales. Play was reviewed and adjudicated by the UEFL Appeals Board (9-0-0), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was over. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 6-5.

This is Gabe Morales (47)'s first ejection of 2019.
Gabe Morales now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (-4 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 0).
Crew Chief Jerry Meals now has -5 points in Crew Division (-6 Previous + 1 Correct Call = -5).

This is the 17th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 11th player ejection of 2019. Prior to ejection, Schwarber was 0-4 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is Chicago's 2nd ejection of 2019, T-2nd in the NL Central (CIN 4; CHC, PIT 2; MIL, STL 1).
This is Kyle Schwarber's first ejection since May 20, 2018 (John Tumpane; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Gabe Morales' first ejection since Sept 3, 2018 (Joe Maddon; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Chicago Cubs, 4/13/19 | Video as follows:

Knocked Down by Pitch, Hamari Stays to Call Play

After a wild pitch knocked HP Umpire Adam Hamari to the ground in Seattle, the hobbled Hammer stuck around to observe a play at the plate, ruling the runner safe at home using his non-injured arm.

With none out and Mariners baserunner Dee Gordon on second base, Astros pitcher Brad Peacock threw a 92.6-mph fastball that eluded both batter Mallex Smith's bat as well as catcher Robinson Chirinos' mitt, directly striking Hamari's left shoulder for an uncaught third strike and wild pitch that enabled batter-runner Smith to advance to first base and baserunner R2 Gordon to advance to third.

But the speedy Gordon didn't stop there, sliding into home plate as Hamari staggered into position and delivered a one-handed "safe" call as crewmates Jordan Baker (U1), Todd Tichenor (U2), and Phil Cuzzi (U3) ran in from the field to check on their injured colleague.

After medical attention, Hamari remained in the game, having exemplified Rule 8's General Instruction: "Keep your eye everlastingly on the ball while it is in play."

Video as follows:

Friday, April 12, 2019

Injury Scout - Brian Knight Leaves After Foul to Mask

HP Umpire Brian Knight left five pitches into the bottom of the 1st inning of Friday evening's Brewers-Dodgers game after a foul ball off the mask staggered the plate umpire.

With none out and none on, Dodgers lead-off batter Joc Pederson fouled a 93.3-mph 2-2 fastball from Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes into Knight's traditional-style facemask.

Dodgers public address announcer Todd Leitz described Knight's departure thusly: "HP Umpire Brian Knight will be leaving the game and assessed per concussion protocol. 2B Umpire Pat Hoberg will take over behind the plate when play resumes."

1B Umpire Jeremie Rehak and 3B Umpire Gerry Davis remained as the two field umpires.

Relevant Injury History: Knight has a history of head injuries as a home plate umpire.
Knight last left a game due to head injury during a 2018 Cleveland-LA Spring Training matchup.
Related PostInjury Scout - Brian Knight Out on Spring Training Foul Ball (2/28/18).

On September 9, 2016, Knight left a Dodgers-Marlins game due to a ricocheted HBP to the mask.
Related PostInjury - Brian Knight Leaves After Double HBP (9/9/16).

On April 18, 2015, Knight was struck in the mask by a fastball during a Phillies-Nationals game.
Related PostPlate Umpire Brian Knight Leaves Game on Pitch to Head (4/18/15).

Last Game: April 12 | Return to Play: April 23 | Time Absent: 11 Days | Video as follows:

Thursday, April 11, 2019

MLB Ejection 016 - Dan Bellino (1; Brian Snitker)

HP Umpire Dan Bellino ejected Braves Manager Brian Snitker (check swing strike two call) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Mets-Braves game. With one out and none on, Braves batter Charlie Culberson attempted to check his swing on a 0-1 slider from Mets pitcher Jeurys Familia, ruled a swinging second strike by Bellino. Play was reviewed and adjudicated by the UEFL Appeals Board (9-0-0), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Mets were leading, 6-3. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 6-3.

This is Dan Bellino (2)'s first ejection of 2019.
Dan Bellino now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Alfonso Marquez now has 1 point in Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).

This is the 16th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the fifth Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Atlanta's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st in the NL East (ATL 2; MIA, NYM, PHI, WAS 0).
This is Brian Snitker's first ejection since Sept 6, 2018 (Mark Ripperger; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Dan Bellino's first ejection since September 11, 2018 (Todd Frazier; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves, 4/11/19 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 015 - Mike Estabrook (1; Joe Maddon)

HP Umpire Mike Estabrook ejected Cubs Manager Joe Maddon (strike two call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Pirates-Cubs game. With one out and two on (R1, R2), Cubs batter Victor Caratini took a 3-1 slider from Pirates pitcher Joe Musgrove for a called second strike.* Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px 0.16, pz 1.58 [sz_bot 1.56]) and that all pitches during the at-bat were officiated properly, the call was correct.^ At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 2-0.

This is Mike Estabrook (83)'s first ejection of 2019.
Mike Estabrook now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Paul Emmel now has -1 points in Crew Division (-2 Previous + 1 Correct Call = -1).
*The third-inning strike call on the accompanying video is ineligible for QOC consideration pursuant to UEFL Rule 6-5-c and the "at bat immediately preceding ejection" (as well as "realistically resulted in a different outcome of the at-bat"...Caratini doubled on the next pitch).
^This pitch was located 2.232 vertical inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

This is the 15th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the fourth Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Chicago's 1st ejection of 2019, T-3rd in the NL Central (CIN 4; PIT 2; CHC, MIL, STL 1).
This is Joe Maddon's first ejection since September 3, 2018 (Gabe Morales; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Mike Estabrook's first ejection since April 24, 2018 (Rick Renteria; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs, 4/11/19 | Video as follows:

R2 Out Twice in False Triple Play - Crazy College Caper

After a five-minute delay in the wake of Fresno State's apparent inning-ending, bases-loaded triple play against Cal Poly Pomona wherein the batter-runner circled the bases and touched home plate after the defense had left the field, umpires ordered the clubs back onto the field and placed the batter-runner at second base. What happened?

A batter-runner scores with no defense in sight.
The Play: With none out and the bases loaded, Cal Poly batter Connor Gurnik hit a ground ball to Fresno State third baseman Tatum McCarthy, who stepped on third base ahead of baserunner R2 Myles Emmerson's arrival, and threw to second base ahead of baserunner R1 Dylan Doherty. Fresno's subsequent throw to first base to attempt to retire batter-runner Gurnik was wide of the base and eluded first baseman Zach Presno, who retrieved the throw as he spied a runner racing toward home plate, throwing on to catcher Carter Bins, who tagged the runner, mechanized as an out by the plate umpire, for the apparent third out of the inning.

As Fresno State left the field and celebrated the assumed triple play, batter-runner Gurnik continued running the bases, eventually arriving at home plate, after which HP Umpire Hal Simons, 1B Umpire Dwayne Finley, and 3B Umpire Bob Williams met to discuss the play.

Ruling: Let's recap the play by umpiring decisions based on player actions. To begin, we have a bases-loaded, none-out ground ball to third base. Because the batter has become a runner, R1, R2, and R3 are all forced to advance. After fielding the batted ball, F5 steps on third base, forcing out R2 for Out #1. F5 then throws to second base, whereupon baserunner R1 is forced out for Out #2.

When the subsequent throw to first base eludes the first baseman, the batter-runner safely arrives at the base. F3 then spies a runner breaking for the plate and throws home to F2, who instinctively tags this runner. However, this runner is R2, who was previously forced out at third base.

The throw gets away at first base.
Earlier in the play, R3 ran home to score as the double play was occurring behind him, and the batter-runner clearly was not retired at any point during the play. Thus, R1 and R2 turned into Outs #1 and #2, with the inning set to continue

R2 Legally Continued to Run the Bases: NCAA and OBR agree that a recently retired runner is allowed to continue running the bases in the sense that this runner should not be declared out for interference for simply running the bases after being put out.

NCAA Rule 5-3.Note 1: "If the batter or runner continues to advance after being put out, that act alone shall not be considered as confusing, hindering or impeding the fielders."

OBR 6.01(a)(5) Comment: "If the batter or a runner continues to advance or returns or attempts to return to his last legally touched base after he has been put out, he shall not by that act alone be considered as confusing, hindering or impeding the fielders."
Remember that MLB changed the rule to add "or returns" after the following 2017 play at Fenway.
Related PostBoston Files Protest Over Odd Interference No-Call (7/15/17).

Umpire calls R2 out at home plate.
Extra Out Call at Home Plate: Adding to the confusion caused by a retired R2 continuing to run the bases, our plate umpire calls the already-retired runner out at home plate. Obviously, R2 cannot be out twice unless the second out is deemed an act of interference, in which case the trailing batter-runner would have been declared out for the actions of his teammate R2. (This was properly ruled "no interference.")

Thus, we have a potential opportunity to invoke NCAA Appendix E / Getting the Call Right, which allows umpires to convene if an umpire's "view is blocked or positioning prevents him from seeking crucial elements of a play. An umpire is also encouraged to seek help in instances when he has any doubt and a partner has additional information that could lead to the proper ruling" (E-1-b).

This could also be treated as a Rule 3-6-i situation: "When two or more umpires render different decisions on the same play, the umpire-in-chief shall consult with all the umpires away from all players and coaches. The umpire-in-chief shall determine which decision shall be accepted." The two decisions here would be R2 out at second, by U3, and R2 out at home, by UIC.

R3 runs home as F5 throws to second base.
SIDEBAR: How do we know the third baseman tagged third base? Because if he didn't tag third base, and the plate umpire's out call was the only out call on R2, then the batter-runner would have been permitted to score. Instead, it can be said the defense only left the field due to the erroneous third out mechanized by the plate umpire on a runner-already-retired.

In this situation, it's possible our plate umpire didn't see the force out at third, and it's also possible the excitement of a play at the plate after a wild throw to first base caused the umpire to lose sight of R2; alternatively, it's generally instinct to simply punch out a runner tagged out on a very close play.

Whatever the reason, this was an extra "out" call and the defense, also lost as to R2's previous retirement, incorrectly treated the out at home as a third out, and left the field. The only player who seemed to know there were only two outs was the batter-runner, who circled the bases and touched home plate before the umpires convened under the auspices of Appendix E.

F2 celebrates before any call is made on R2.
Placement of Runners: When it comes to runner placement, umpires are afforded great latitude, while Appendix E-1-c.Note, relative to correcting a foul/fair call states, "The Crew Chief and crew should be conservative on their placement of base runners."

E-2-h, which does not directly apply here but whose language is relevant, states, "If the reversing of a call results in the need for decisions on the placement of base runners, the crew chief shall use his best judgment to determine their locations as if the call had been made correctly (with exception to placement prescribed by rule on catch/no catch reversals)."

HOWEVER, notice that F2 begins celebrating and runs off the field before the plate umpire has made a call. Accordingly, it could be argued that had the plate umpire never called R2 out (for a second time), the defense would have still left the field, allowing the batter-runner to score. This, ultimately, is a matter of umpire judgment in the spirit of fair play.

OBR's guideline, per Rule 8.03(c), is somewhat similar: "If different decisions should be made on one play by different umpires, the umpire-in-chief shall call all the umpires into consultation, with no manager or player present. After consultation, the umpire-in-chief (unless another umpire may have been designated by the League President) shall determine which decision shall prevail, based on which umpire was in best position and which decision was most likely correct. Play shall proceed as if only the final decision had been made."

Wrap: Fresno State vs. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (Big West), 4/9/19 | Video as follows:

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

MLB Ejection 014 - Phil Cuzzi (1; Kevan Smith)

HP Umpire Phil Cuzzi ejected Angels catcher Kevan Smith (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Brewers-Angels game. With two out and none on, Smith took a 3-2 fastball from Brewers pitcher Junior Guerra for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px 0.25, pz 1.45 [sz_bot 1.63 / RAD 1.507 / MOE 1.424]) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Angels were leading, 4-2. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is Phil Cuzzi (10)'s first ejection of 2019.
Phil Cuzzi now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Phil Cuzzi now has 1 point in Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).

This is the 14th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 10th player ejection of 2019. Prior to ejection, Smith was 0-2 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is Los Angeles' 1st ejection of 2019, 2nd in the AL West (HOU 2; LAA 1; OAK, SEA, TEX 0).
This is Kevan Smith's first career MLB ejection.
This is Phil Cuzzi's first ejection since September 16, 2018 (Chip Hale; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 4/10/19 | Video as follows:

MLB Delays Atlantic League Robo Ump Experiment

MLB and the Atlantic League will delay implementation of a computerized strike zone for pitch calling and agreed to delay changing the mound distance until 2020, announcing that robot umpires will not call balls and strikes on ALPB Opening Day as previously stated.

Instead, the electronic strike zone, which will take flight as an earpiece given to home plate umpires so they can be informed of the TrackMan computer's determination of whether a pitch is a strike or ball—with the power to override the computer's suggestion—"will be implemented gradually over the course of the 2019 season," with no specific dates announced.

The leagues also said that their proposal to increase the distance from home plate to the pitcher's plate by two feet, from 60'6" to 62'6", won't begin until the second half of the 2020 Atlantic League season. The pitcher's mound/rubber change had initially been slated to begin in mid-2019.
Related PostMLB Taps Atlantic League for Reported Robot Ump Test (2/27/19).
Related PostMLB Posts Atlantic League Rules, Including Robot Ump (3/8/19).

Other rules changes will go forth in the Atlantic League for 2019, including:
> No mound visits other than for pitching changes or medical issues;
> Pitchers must face a minimum of three batters or end an inning, barring injury;
> First, second, and third base will be increased from 15" to 18-inches square.
> Two fielders must position themselves on either side of second base at time-of-pitch (penalty: ball);
> Inning and pitching change breaks are reduced from 2:05 to 1:45.

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Injury Scout - Hallion Out in Anaheim After Hit to Head

HP Umpire Tom Hallion exited Tuesday's Brewers-Angels game in California following a second-inning foul ball to the head.

With two out, Angels batter Andrelton Simmons fouled a 2-0 90.8-mph fastball into Hallion's traditional-style facemask, knocking the mask to the ground; Hallion remained in the game for the next pitch, a force out to end the inning.

During the break, Hallion left the field and was replaced behind home plate by 2B Umpire Todd Tichenor, with 1B Umpire Phil Cuzzi and 3B Umpire Adam Hamari holding their positions in the field. Cuzzi served as acting crew chief.

Relevant Injury History: Hallion has a history of head injuries as a home plate umpire.
Hallion last left a July 24, 2018 game in Philadelphia after a foul ball off the facemask.
Related PostInjury Scout - Tom Hallion Out on Extra Inning Foul to Jaw (7/24/18).

On August 19, 2017, Hallion left a game in Baltimore following a foul ball to the top of his mask.
Related PostInjury Scout - Hallion Exits After Foul to Face Mask (8/19/17).

Hallion remained in an August 2015 game after a direct hit, but left a July game after a foul-to-mask.
Related PostTom Hallion Takes Direct Shot to Mask, Remains in Game (8/14/15).
Related PostTom Hallion Squarely Struck by Foul, Leaves A's Game (7/1/15).

Injury Scout Update: Both Jerry Layne and Scott Barry returned to the field earlier this month.
Related PostInjury Scout - Jerry Layne Exits After Two Head Hits (4/1/19).
Related PostInjury Scout - Scott Barry Hit by Fastball Late in LA (3/29/19).

Last Game: April 9 | Return to Play: April 19 | Time Absent: 10 Days | Video as follows:

Plate Meeting Podcast - Call for ?s - Dave Phillips

The Plate Meeting, a LF Umpire Podcast from CloseCallSports.com announces its next guest, 31-year American and Major League Baseball umpire Dave Phillips, who called three Division Series, six League Championship Series, and four World Series before retiring from MLB in 2002.

Dave concluded his career with 83 ejections, from his first, Reggie Jackson on May 29, 1971, to Larry Rothschild in 1999, including an A's-Brewers brawl on August 24, 1993, started in part because Tony LaRussa wouldn't stop arguing balls and strikes.

Ask Dave your questions here and stay tuned for the show at the end of the month!


The Plate Meeting, a Left Field Umpire Podcast is Close Call Sports & Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's official audio forum for umpiring-related issues, including analysis or other conversation pertaining to plays, ejections, rules, and more.

To subscribe to The Plate Meeting, and to listen to all of our previous episodes and interviews with umpires such as Jim Joyce, Rich Garcia, Jerry Crawford, Gary Darling, Dale Scott, and Bob Davidson, visit our Anchor.fm page, or search for us on Apple Podcasts/iTunes, Spotify, Radio Public, and Google Podcasts.

Follow us on Twitter 🐦 (@UmpireEjections) and like us on Facebook 👍 (/UmpireEjections).

Monday, April 8, 2019

No Time - Pitcher Throws Live Ball Out of Play

Seeking to exchange baseballs, a pitcher in Tennessee threw a ball into the dugout and out of play without first requesting "Time" from the umpire. This was a live ball and because runners were on second and third base at the time, the offense was awarded two runs as a result of the play, the squad's only two runs of a ballgame that the team won, 2-1.

Umpire awards two bases on ball thrown away.
The Play: With none out and two on (R1, R2), the batter from Tennessee bunts to the pitcher from Mississippi State, who throws to first base to complete the sacrifice. After getting the ball back from his first baseman, the pitcher then bounces the ball into the dugout, as fielders often do when they seek a replacement ball from the umpire while time is out.

The only problem here is that time was not out, and the umpire treated the ball thrown out of play as—well, exactly what the rule prescribes for a ball thrown out of play—and awarded the two baserunners two bases from their positions at the time of the throw, effectively scoring two runs for Tennessee in what would turn out to be a 2-1 victory.

A similar play also occurred in 2017.
A similar play occurred during a July 2017 American Association game when Texas AirHogs pitcher Luis De La Cruz threw a baseball out of play without requesting "Time" and while the ball was still live.

In that situation, the pitcher had walked the bases loaded and, after receiving the ball from his catcher in the wake of issuing the walk, threw the baseball in the dugout while the ball was still live.

As a result of this live ball thrown out of play, R1 and R2 scored while the batter-runner was placed at third base.  AirHogs Manager Billy Martin, Jr. was ejected by HP Umpire Kurt Branin for arguing this ruling. Click the link for a full article on the issue.
Related PostCase Play 2017-7 - When Base Awards Overlap [Solved] (7/6/17).

OBR Rule: In professional baseball, the rule is 5.06(b)(4)(G), which states, "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."

NCAA Rule: In college, the rule is 8-3.o.3, which entitles runners to two bases, "If a live thrown ball goes into the stands or dead-ball area, spectators or a players’ bench, lodges in the equipment of an umpire, or sticks in the fence, shrubbery, etc., and provided it is not thrown by a pitcher from the pitching rubber, the ball is dead."

NFHS Rule: In high school, for good measure, the rule is 8-3-3c.2, which gives runners two bases "If a live thrown ball—goes into a stand for spectators, dugout or player’s bench or over or through or
lodges in a fence and it is not thrown by a pitcher from his plate as in 8-3-3d."

The key is the difference between live and dead ball. Remember, a ball remains live unless it becomes dead by rule, or by an umpire's call of "Time," which only can be made under certain circumstances. In general, umpires keep play alive after a base hit, out, or other event when the ball remains on the field and if a fielder wishes to exchange a baseball, that fielder must first ask for and be granted "Time" before throwing the ball out of play, lest the live ball, two-base award apply.

Within all of that, somewhere, is OBR's General Instructions to Umpires, with this relevant sentence: "Keep your eye everlastingly on the ball while it is in play." That's what the umpires did here and that's what enabled them to get this call correct.

Video as follows:

Sunday, April 7, 2019

MLB Ejections 009-013 - Jeff Kellogg (1-5; Puig CIN & PIT)

HP Umpire Jeff Kellogg ejected Reds Manager David Bell (arguing warnings), RF Yasiel Puig and pitcher Amir Garrett (fighting); and Pirates P Keone Kela and P Felipe Vasquez (fighting) in the top of the 4th inning of the Reds-Pirates game. With none out and one on (R1) in the top of the 2nd inning, Reds batter Derek Dietrich hit a home run. His next time at-bat, with none out and none on in the top of the 4th, Dietrich took a first-pitch fastball from Pirates pitcher Chris Archer for a called ball. Replays indicate Dietrich appeared to "admire" his home run in the second inning and that the 0-0 pitch to Dietrich in the fourth inning was thrown behind Dietrich's back and hip-high, resulting in warnings, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejections, the Reds were leading, 3-2. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 7-5.

These are Jeff Kellogg (8)'s first through fifth ejections of the 2019 MLB regular season.
Jeff Kellogg now has 9 points in the UEFL Standings (-1 Prev + 5*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable] = 10).
Crew Chief Jeff Kellogg now has 7 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 5 Irrecusable Calls = 7).

These are the ninth, 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th ejection reports of the 2019 MLB regular season.
These are the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth player ejections of 2019.
This is the third Manager ejection of 2019.
Prior to ejection, Puig was 0-2 in the contest and none of the other players had participated.
This is Cincinnati's 2/3/4th ejection of 2019, 1st in the NL Central (CIN 4; PIT 2; MIL, STL 1; CHC 0).
This is Pittsburgh's 1/2nd ejection of 2019, 2nd in the NL Central (CIN 4; PIT 2; MIL, STL 1; CHC 0).
This is Yasiel Puig's first ejection since August 14, 2018 (Eric Cooper; QOC = U [Fighting]).
This is Amir Garrett's first career MLB ejection.
This is David Bell's first ejection since September 26, 2016 (Tim Tschida; QOC = U [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Keon Kela's first career MLB ejection.
This is Felipe Vasquez's first career MLB ejection.
This is Jeff Kellogg's first ejection since June 16, 2017 (Joe Maddon; QOC = Y-C [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 4/7/19 | Video as follows: