Saturday, August 20, 2022

Rules Review - LLWS Flashy Triple Play Turned Foul Ball

The Little League World Series' Italy vs Australia elimination game produced an absolutely wild and wacky sequence that began as a bases-loaded, none-out triple play before umpires corrected it to, and Replay Review confirmed, the ultimate call of a foul ball. From the infield fly rule to fair/foul to interference, we review the Official Baseball Rules to determine what happened and what could have transpired had things turned out differently.

Play: With none out and the bases loaded in the top of the 3rd inning, a batter Team Italy, trailing Australia 5-0, hit a high fly ball along the first baseline, on the infield between home plate and first base. The ball fell untouched and was fielded by Australia's first baseman, who threw to the catcher ahead of Italy's runner. The catcher stepped on home plate before throwing to the third baseman, who tagged Italy's lead runner R3 as he ran back toward third base. Having tagged R3, Australia's third baseman then threw to the second baseman, who stepped on second base and then tagged Italy's trailing runner R1 as R1 ran toward second base. Following this, Italy's middle runner R2 took off for third base and Australia's second baseman threw to the third baseman, who tagged R2 as he slid into third base.

Call: The HP Umpire declared an Infield Fly and a fair ball, the 3B Umpire declared R3 out at third base, the 2B Umpire declared R1 out at second base, and then the 3B Umpire declared R2 out at third base.

Correcting the Fourth Out...and More: After the apparent triple play, the umpires conferred and determined that the batted ball had become foul, thus negating all subsequent action. The play was ruled a foul ball, which was confirmed after manager's challenge by Australia, and Italy's batter returned to bat.

Remember, even with all other criteria satisfied (runners on first and second [or bases loaded] with less than two out, batted ball is a fly ball which is not a line drive  nor bunt that can be caught be an infielder with ordinary effort), it is only an infield fly if the batted ball is fair [it is not an infield fly if the ball is foul], and the umpire's mechanic should be "Infield Fly, if Fair."

What if (Case Play): Although the ball was foul, let us assume for the purpose of discussion it was fair instead. In that case, the batter would be out for the Infield Fly, R3 would be out on the tag while off-base, and R1 would be out on the tag while off-base (R2's apparent out would be irrelevant and superfluous).

In that sense, the umpires officiated the infield fly portion of this play properly in real-time...the portion of the play that occurred after the first baseman fielded the baseball.

A Confounding Variable, Regardless of Fair/Foul: Replays indicate that while the batted ball was in flight, Australia's first baseman and Italy's baserunner R1 made contact while R1 was not touching first base. In this sense, presuming the umpires would have identified the first baseman F3 as the fielder entitled to field the batted ball pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(10), R1 should be declared out for interference ("Fails to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball...if two or more fielders attempt to field a batted ball and the runner comes in contact with one or more of them, the umpire shall determine which fielder is entitled to the benefit of this rule"). The fielder has the right of way in this situation.

This would then activate the Infield Fly Interference rule (from the definition of terms): "If interference is called during an Infield Fly, the ball remains alive until it is determined whether the ball is fair or foul. If fair, both the runner who interfered with the fielder and the batter are out. If foul, even if caught, the runner is out and the batter returns to bat."

Recap: If the umpires protect the pitcher as the fielder entitled to field the ball, foul ball is the correct call.

However, if the umpires identified the first baseman as the fielder entitled to field the ball, the proper call would have been a foul ball, but with the additional declaration that the runner from first base R1 is out for interference.

Under the Case Play scenario wherein the batted ball is fielded in fair territory and the pitcher is the protected fielder, this is a triple play (batter-runner out on the infield fly, R3 out on tag, R1 out on tag).

Under the Case Play scenario wherein the batted ball is fielded in fair territory and the first baseman is the protected fielder, this is a double play (R1 out on interference & batter-runner out on the infield fly).

Video as follows:

Friday, August 19, 2022

MLB Ejections 136-7 - Todd Tichenor (1-2; Bogaerts, Cora)

HP Umpire Todd Tichenor ejected Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts and manager Alex Cora (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 4th inning of the #RedSox-#Orioles game. With two out and one on (R1), Red Sox batter Bogaerts took a 2-2 sinker from Orioles pitcher Jordan Lyles 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 0.02, pz 1.43 [sz_bot 1.60 / RAD 1.47 / MOE 1.39]) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejections, the Orioles were leading, 6-4. The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 15-10.

These are Todd Tichenor (13)'s 1st and 2nd ejections of 2022.
Todd Tichenor now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct Call] = 8).
Crew Chief Todd Tichenor now has 4 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 2 Correct Call = 4).
*This pitch was located 0.52 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

These are the 136th and 137th ejection reports of the 2022 MLB regular season.
This is the 75th manager ejection of 2022.
This is the 42nd player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Bogaerts was 1-3 (2 SO) in the contest.
This Boston's 5/6th ejection of 2022, 3rd in the AL East (NYY 10; TOR 8; BOS 6; BAL 4; TB 3).
This is Xander Bogaerts' 1st ejection since August 31, 2018 (Will Little; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Alex Cora's 4th ejection of 2022, 1st since August 4 (Bill Welke; QOC = N [Replay Review]).
This is Todd Tichenor's 1st ejection since August 26, 2021 (Aaron Boone; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Ask UEFL - Ball Stuck in the Horizontal Dirt Wall

For this Ask the UEFL, we take a look at two similar-yet-different minor league plays featuring batted balls sticking to different surfaces: one embeds itself in an outfield wall and the other sticks to the infield dirt on the ground in front of home plate. What are the rules for these situations?

Two baseballs, both alike in dignity, In fair territory, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil stickiness makes civil hands unclean.

Vertical Stick: The first play takes us to Buffalo (remember, this was used as an MLB venue when Toronto played here during the COVID season) where Bisons batter Gabriel Moreno's drive to deep right traveled over Lehigh Valley IronPigs left fielder Chris Sharpe's head and lodged itself into the padding below the top of the fenceline.

Horizontal Stick: The second play occurred when Columbus Clippers batter Ernie Clement hit a ball directly into the dirt in front of home plate, where it dug itself and stuck in the ground.

Calls
: In Buffalo (ball in wall), umpires ruled the play dead and awarded the batter and runner two bases from time of pitch. In Columbus (ball in ground), play was kept alive, the ball ruled fair when picked up by Toledo's catcher, and the batter-runner out when tagged.

Rule: Official Baseball Rule 5.05(a)(7) describes the ball-stuck-in-wall play: "The batter becomes a runner when any fair ball which, either before or after touching the ground, passes through or under a fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through any opening in the fence or scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery, or vines on the fence, or which sticks in a fence or scoreboard, in which case the batter and the runners shall be entitled to two bases."

As for the ball-in-ground play, the rules aren't as clear, leading us to OBR 8.01(c) or baseball's elastic clause: "Each umpires has the authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules." The MLB Umpire Manual offers the interpretation, "A ball is considered lodged if, in the judgment of the umpire, the natural trajectory of the flight of the ball is interrupted long enough to affect further play," but this was not a ball in flight.

Because OBR 5.05(a)(7) pertains to balls lodged in vertical surfaces, and no other rule specifically covers the case of a batted ball stuck/embedded in the ground, umpires ruled that because the ball remained accessible to the fielder, it remained in play, making it a fair ball and ground out, F2 unassisted.

Video as follows:

Thursday, August 18, 2022

MLB Ejection 135 - Ramon De Jesus (5; Alex Cintron)

HP Umpire Ramon De Jesus ejected Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron in the top of the 1st inning of the #Astros-#WhiteSox game. With two out and one on, Astros batter Alex Bregman took a 3-2 fastball from White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -0.09, pz 1.30 [sz_bot 1.56 / RAD 1.44 / MOE 1.35]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 21-5.

This is Ramon De Jesus (18)'s 5th ejection of 2022.
Ramon De Jesus now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (10 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 8).
Crew Chief Chris Conroy now has 4 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 4).
*This pitch was located 0.60 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 135th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.
This is Houston's 7th ejection of 2022, T-2nd in the AL West (LAA 9; HOU, SEA 7; OAK 4; TEX 2).
This is Alex Cintron's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since June 19 (Cory Blaser; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Ramon De Jesus' 5th ejection of 2022, 1st since July 16 (David Ross; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Houston Astros vs Chicago White Sox, 8/18/22 | Video as follows:

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

MLB Ejection 134 - Will Little (4; Brian Snitker)

HP Umpire Will Little ejected Braves manager Brian Snitker (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the #Mets-#Braves game. With two out and one on (R3), Braves batter Austin Riley attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 fastball from Mets pitcher Max Scherzer, called a strike based on pitch location by HP Umpire Little. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and at the midpoint (px 0.51, pz 3.54 [sz_top 3.47 / RAD 3.60]) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Mets were leading, 4-1. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 9-7.

This is Will Little (93)'s 4th ejection of 2022.
Will Little now has 13 points in the UEFL Standings (9 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 13).
Crew Chief Mike Estabrook now has 3 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 3).
*This pitch was located 1.72 vertical inches from being deemed a correct call.

This is the 134th ejection reports of the 2022 MLB regular season.
This is the 74th manager ejection of 2022.
This is Atlanta's 2nd ejection of 2022, T-3rd in the NL East (MIA 8; WAS 4; ATL, PHI 2; NYM 1).
This is Brian Snitker's 1st ejection since April 11, 2021 (Alfonso Marquez; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).
This is Will Little's 4th ejection of 2022, 1st since August 4 (Corey Ragsdale; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves, 8/17/22 | Video as follows:

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

MLB Ejections 132-133 - Cory Blaser (4-5 ; ARI x2)

HP Umpire Cory Blaser ejected Diamondbacks bench coach Jeff Banister and manager Torey Lovullo (ball two call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Dbacks-#Giants game. With two out and none on, Giants batter Thairo Estrada took a 1-2 fastball from Diamondbacks pitcher Ian Kennedy for a called second ball before tripling to right field. Replays indicate the 1-2 pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px 1.03, pz 1.75 [sz_bot 1.64]), the call was correct. At the time of Banister's ejection, the Diamondbacks were leading, 1-0. Lovullo was ejected after ensuing batter Brandon Crawford's walk-off home run; at the time of Lovullo's ejection, the Giants had won the ballgame, 2-1.

This is Cory Blaser (89)'s 4th ejection of 2022.
Cory Blaser now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (-2 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct Call] = 6).
Crew Chief Dan Bellino now has 6 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 2 Correct Call = 6).
*These ejections were not reported in the official box scores.
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

These are the 132nd and 133rd ejection reports of the 2022 MLB regular season.
This is the 73rd manager ejection of 2022.
This is Arizona's 4/5th ejection of 2022, T-1st in the NL West (ARI, SD 5; SF 4; COL 2; LAD 1).
This is Jeff Banister's 1st ejection since July 8, 2018 (Chris Segal; QOC = Y [Runner Lane Interference]).
This is Torey Lovullo's 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since May 30 (John Libka; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Cory Blaser's 4-5th ejection of 2022, 1st since July 15 (Jonathan Villar; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Francisco Giants, 8/16/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 130-31 - Barksdale, Porter (Francona, Straw)

HP Umpire Lance Barksdale ejected Guardians manager Terry Francona and 3B Umpire Alan Porter ejected Guardians CF Myles Straw (foul ball reversed to foul tip or swinging strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Tigers-#Indians game. With one out and one on (R3), Indians batter Myles Straw attempted to hit a 2-2 slider from Tigers pitcher Joe Jimenez, originally ruled a foul ball by HP Umpire Barksdale, and reversed following crew consultation to a third strike. Replays do not conclusively indicate whether or not Straw's bat made contact with the baseball, but do conclusively show that Tigers catcher Tucker Barnhart ultimately caught the ball prior to the ball touching the ground; whether via foul tip or via swinging strike, the call of strike three/out was correct. At the time of the ejections, the Tigers were leading, 4-3. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Lance Barksdale (23)'s 2nd ejection of 2022.
This is Alan Porter's (64)'s 3rd ejection of 2022.

These are the 130th and 131st ejection reports of the 2022 MLB regular season.
This is the 72nd manager ejection of 2022.
This is the 41st player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Straw was 0-4 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is Cleveland's 2/3rd ejection of 2022, T-3rd in the AL Central (CWS 5; DET 4; CLE, KC, MIN 3).
This is Terry Francona's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since June 9 (Paul Emmel; QOC = Y-c [Obstruction]).
This is Myles Straw's first career MLB ejection.
This is Lance Barksdale's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since April 9 (Keegan Thompson; QOC = U [Throwing At]).
This is Alan Porter's 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since August 7 (Rocco Baldelli; QOC = N-c [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Guardians, 8/16/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 129 - Roberto Ortiz (3; Bryan Reynolds)

HP Umpire Roberto Ortiz ejected Pirates batter Bryan Reynolds (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #RedSox-#Pirates game. With one out and the bases loaded, Reynolds took a 1-2 slider from Red Sox pitcher John Schreiber for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and at the knees (px -0.71, pz 1.72 [sz_bot 1.54 / RAD 1.42]) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Red Sox were leading, 5-0. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Roberto Ortiz (40)'s 3rd ejection of 2022.
Roberto Ortiz now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 6).
Crew Chief Bill Miller 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 2.45 horizontal and 4.60 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 129th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.
This is the 40th player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Reynolds was 0-3 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is Pittsburgh's 5th ejection of 2022, 2nd in the NL Central (CHC 8; PIT 5; MIL, STL 4; CIN 2).
This is Bryan Reynolds' first career MLB ejection.
This is Roberto Ortiz' 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since July 9 (Christian Yelich; QOC = N-c [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs Pittsburgh Pirates, 8/16/22 | Video as follows:

Ask UEFL - Obstruction 2 in Little League Rules Review

Despite Iowa's right fielder appearing to throw out a Missouri baserunner at third base during the Little League World Series Midwest Region Championship, the first base umpire after the play declared the runner safe, awarding the base due to obstruction (type 2). Here's a brief review of baseball's obstruction rule, its two types, and their respective penalties.

Little League's rulebook is based on the Official Baseball Rules used at the professional/MLB/MiLB level, so the following summary refers to OBR-level obstruction calls.

Obstruction (all types) as referenced by OBR 6.01(h) is defined as, "the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner."
More about OBS 1 vs 2 (A vs B)Obstruction 1 or A vs 2 or B - The Difference is Crucial (6/23/17).

Obstruction 1
 (not this play) occurs when a runner is obstructed while a play is being made on said runner or when the batter-runner is obstructed prior to reaching first base even if not being actively played upon. Most cases of this brand of obstruction occurs during rundowns, but every so often Obstruction 1 occurs during an infield ground ball by a fielder not in the act of fielding the ball.
OBS 1 Penalty: Immediate dead ball, obstructed runner awarded at least one base, others placed.


Obstruction 2
(THIS PLAY) occurs when a runner is obstructed while no play is being made on said runner. This can occur at any time, but many cases of obstruction two occur when a batted ball is in the outfield and an absentminded infielder accidentally (or sometimes intentionally) stands in the runner's base path, forcing a collision or otherwise impeding the runner by causing them to stop or change direction; it is obstruction whether or not contact is made.
OBS 2 Penalty: Ball remains live until play's natural conclusion, impose any penalties that in umpire judgment will "nullify the act of obstruction" (OBR 6.01(h)(2)). Important note: This is not a free pass to the next base as the umpire's "nullify the act" ruling does NOT necessarily mean an obstructed runner will get an extra base; thus, attempting to advance too far may put the runner in jeopardy of being put out.


OBS 2 also ended Game 3 of the 2013 World Series when Red Sox fielder Will Middlebrooks remained on the ground and in Cardinals runner Allen Craig's path as an overthrown ball rolled into the outfield. 3B Umpire Jim Joyce and HP Umpire Dana DeMuth both made the call to award Craig home, ruling that had obstruction not occurred, Craig would have scored the winning run.

In the Iowa-Missouri game, obstruction two occurred when the first baseman stood in the runner-from-first's base path. Although Obstruction 1 guarantees the obstructed runner the next base (at least), Obstruction 2 offers no such guarantee. Instead, it is up to the umpire where to place the runners in order to nullify the act and declare what the play's likely outcome would have been had obstruction not occurred.

Video as follows:

Monday, August 15, 2022

Ask UEFL - Yankees' Rizzo Denied HBP by Umpire Reyburn

Yankees manager Aaron Boone fruitlessly argued and Anthony Rizzo bemoaned umpires' lack of accountability after HP Umpire DJ Reyburn denied a hit-by-pitch in New York, despite the pitched ball contacting the batter's leg. But was this the correct call all along?

Official Baseball Rule 5.05(b)(2) governs the case of a pitched ball touching a batter: "The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided they advance to and touch first base) when: They are touched by a pitched ball which they are not attempting to hit unless (A) The ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter [in which event the pitch is deemed a dead ball strike], or (B) The batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball [in which event the pitch is adjudged as a dead ball {called ball} or strike depending on its location as it struck the batter]."

Replays suggest that New York batter Rizzo, during Rays pitcher Ryan Yarbrough's 3rd inning, 1-2 curveball, not only made no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball, but that Rizzo may have furthermore leaned his leg in toward home plate, in a potential attempt to increase the likelihood that he would be struck by the ball.

After the ball touched Rizzo, Umpire Reyburn immediately enforced OBR 5.05(b)(2) by calling "Time" to acknowledge the dead ball that occurs when any pitched ball touches a batter before declaring a dead ball [called ball] and ordering Rizzo to remain at-bat, ruling that Rizzo failed to satisfy the terms of the rule that would have afforded him free passage to first base.

By the by, in 2019, Reds batter Derek Dietrich was hit by a pitch located within the strike zone, but was improperly awarded first base. Most times, batters touched by the ball are awarded first base out of habit, but as OBR 5.05(b)(2) indicates, there are two definitive cases in which a batter should not be given a free base when a pitched ball contacts them.

Sidebar: It is legal for a batter to "crowd the plate," provided that the batter is legally positioned with both feet within the batter's box [including touching the box's lines], and a base awarded should be granted pursuant to OBR 5.05(b)(2) unless either exception A [ball in strike zone] or B [makes no attempt to avoid] applies.

On Monday night in New York, Reyburn ensured the rule's attempt-to-avoid provision was applied.

Video as follows:

Ask UEFL - Batter Awarded 3rd on Ball Kicked Out of Play

Reds batter-runner Jose Barrero wound up at third base on an infield ground ball to Cubs second baseman Zach McKinstry, whose throw evaded pitcher Kervin Castro with the baseball ultimately ending up out of play, leading to our Ask the UEFL question of why umpires awarded Barrero third base instead of second.

The traditional infielder-overthrows-first-baseman situation ordinarily results in the batter-runner being awarded second base, so an award of third might seem peculiar, but upon a review of the rules and play itself, the answer becomes clear.

What happened after McKinstry overthrew Castro (with Castro drawing a fielding error [Barrero credited with a single]) was that Cubs catcher Yan Gomes, in attempting to back up the throw, kicked the ball into the stands and out of play; after initially pointing toward second base, 1B Umpire Ryan Blakney motioned to third base while Crew Chief Marvin Hudson explained the call to both managers.

Official Baseball Rule 5.06(b)(4) is the relevant provision and states, "Each runner including the batter-runner may, without liability to be put out, advance..." OBR 5.06(b)(4)(G) is the relevant rule for this play: "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."

Furthermore, the MLB Umpire Manual provides the following interpretation which is absolutely crucial for this play: "If, in the judgment of the umpire, a fielder intentionally kicks or deflects a batted or thrown ball out of play, the award is two bases from the time the ball was kicked or deflected." The use of intentionally here is similar to its use in other rules/interps in that it does not mean that the fielder must have deliberately tried to kick the ball out of play, but only that the fielder deliberately tried to kick at the ball in order to touch it.

Because in this play, catcher Gomes appears to intentionally kick his feet at the ball, presumably in an attempt to block it from going out of play, this is ruled an intentional kick, even though Gomes' intention wasn't to kick the ball out of play. It is intentional because Gomes deliberately used his feet/legs to play the ball (e.g., it wasn't an inadvertent deflection).

Sidebar: Cincinnati's broadcast noted that Barrero cut across the infield grass during his base award. If Barrero failed to touch second base en route to his final position at third base, Chicago could have appealed at second for a missed base touch. Rule 5.06(b)(4)(I) Comment puts such a runner in jeopardy: "The fact a runner is awarded a base or bases without liability to be put out does not relieve him of the responsibility to touch the base he is awarded and all intervening bases."

Video as follows: