MLB Ejections 091-2 - Carlos Torres (2-3; CIN x2)

HP Umpire Carlos Torres ejected Reds manager David Bell in the bottom of the 5th (strike one call to Tyler Stephenson; QOCY) and pitcher Alex Young (balls/strikes to Mookie Betts; QOCY) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Dodgers-#Reds game. In the 5th, with two out and two on, Reds batter Tyler Stephenson took a first-pitch slider from Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and thigh-high (px 0.52, pz 1.73 [sz_bot 1.51]), the call was correct. At the time of Bell's ejection, the Dodgers were leading, 8-3. In the 6th, with one out and one on, Dodgers batter Mookie Betts took four called balls (and a strike) from Young. Replays indicate all pitches were properly officiated, the call was correct. At the time of Young's ejection, the Dodgers were leading, 8-4. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 9-8.

These are Carlos Torres (37)'s 2nd and 3rd ejections of 2023.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

These are the 91st and 92nd ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 44th manager ejection of 2023.

This is the 38th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 44 Managers, 38 Players, 10 Coaches.

This is Cincinnati's 4/5th ejection of 2023, T-2nd in the NL Central (STL 6; CIN, MIL 5; CHC, PIT 3).

This is David Bell's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 21 (Emil Jimenez; QOC = U [Quick Pitch]).

This is Alex Young's first career MLB ejection.

This is Carlos Torres' 2/3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 6 (Brandon Belt; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Cincinnati Reds, 6/6/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 090 - DJ Reyburn (3; Eric Chavez)

HP Umpire DJ Reyburn ejected Mets bench coach Eric Chavez (strike one call to Brandon Nimmo; QOCY) in the top of the 3rd inning of the #Mets-#Braves game. With one out and one on, Nimmo took a first-pitch fastball for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.32, pz 2.80), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Braves were leading, 1-0. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

This is DJ Reyburn (70)'s 3rd ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 7.13 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 90th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 10th coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 43 Managers, 37 Players, 10 Coaches.

This is New York's 3rd ejection of 2023, 3rd in the NL East (MIA 7; PHI 5; NYM 3; ATL 1; WAS 0).

This is Eric Chavez's first career MLB ejection.

This is DJ Reyburn's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since June 2 (Corbin Burnes; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs Atlanta Braves, 5/6/23 | Video as follows:

There's No Blowing in Baseball - Alek Manoah's Lenny Randle Moment

In his last start before being optioned, Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah got creative trying to thwart Astros batter Jeremy Peña's bunt single along the third base foul line, stooping down to blow the ball foul. Thanks to 1980s Mariners third baseman Lenny Randle, umpires learn this play in their history books and we venture back to 1981 with Seattle playing Kansas City to learn more about blowing in baseball.

On May 27, 1981, Royals batter Amos Otis hit a dribbler up the third base foul line, where Seattle's Randle got down on the ground and successfully blew the ball from fair territory into foul ground. After the play, HP Umpire Larry McCoy awarded Otis first base, ruling that Randle illegally interfered with the course of a ball without touching it—had he touched it, the ball would have been fair, and the logic goes that a fielder shouldn't be able to influence the path of the ball in a situation where they are trying not to touch it.

This gave rise to the MLB Umpire Manual rule interpretation that exists to this day called, "Infielder Interferes with Course of Ball" which states, "When a batted ball is rolling fair down the foul line between home plate and either first or third base and a fielder stoops down over the ball and blows on it or in any other manner does some act that in the judgment of the umpire causes the ball to roll onto foul territory, the umpire shall rule a fair ball. The ball is alive and in play."

Accordingly, HP Umpire Scott Barry called the ball fair as soon as Manoah blew on it, as blowing the ball is strictly prohibited.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 089 - Jansen Visconti (1; Mark Kotsay)

HP Umpire Jansen Visconti ejected Athletics manager Mark Kotsay (strike three call to Ryan Noda; QOCY) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Athletics-Pirates game. With two out and none on, A's batter Noda took a 3-2 fastball from Pirates pitcher Johan Oviedo 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 -0.15, pz 1.50 [sz_bot 1.61 / RAD 1.49]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 4-3. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Jansen Visconti (52)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 1.12 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

A half inning earlier, Pittsburgh took the lead by scoring a run on a time play. With the bases loaded and one out, Pirates batter Jack Suwinski hit a fly ball to right field, caught by A's outfielder Seth Brown, who threw to third base as Pirates baserunners R3 Austin Hedges and R2 Andrew McCutchen tagged up. As Pirates third baseman Jonah Bride caught the thrown ball, McCutchen stopped and got into a brief rundown, providing just a few seconds of extra time to ensure preceding runner R3 Hedges touched home plate and scored a run before the third out was recorded, as signaled by HP Umpire Visconti.

This is the 89th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 43rd manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 43 Managers, 37 Players, 9 Coaches.

This is Oakland's 4th ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL West (OAK, SEA 4; HOU 3; LAA 2; TEX 1).

This is Mark Kotsay's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 14 (Dan Bellino; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Jansen Visconti's 1st ejection since June 19, 2022 (AJ Hinch; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs Pittsburgh Pirates, 6/5/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 088 - Phil Cuzzi (2; David Ross)

HP Umpire Phil Cuzzi ejected Cubs manager David Ross (ball two call to Gary Sanchez; QOCY) in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the #Cubs-#Padres game. With one out and one on, Padres batter Sanchez took a 1-0 sinker from Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks for a called second ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px -0.90, pz 2.00), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 5-0.

This is Phil Cuzzi (10)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 1.82 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 88th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 42nd manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 42 Managers, 37 Players, 9 Coaches.

This is Chicago's 3rd ejection of 2023, T-3rd in the NL Central (STL 6; MIL 5; CHC, CIN, PIT 3).

This is David Ross' 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 13 (Emil Jimenez; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Phil Cuzzi's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 19 (Max Scherzer; QOC = U [Illegal Substance]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs San Diego Padres, 6/5/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 087 - Chris Guccione (2; Alex Cora)

HP Umpire Chris Guccione ejected Red Sox manager Alex Cora (strike three call to Rafael Devers; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Rays-#RedSox game. With two out and one on (R1), Devers took a 3-2 fastball from Rays pitcher Colin Poche for a called third strike after which Rays catcher Francisco Mejia threw out Red Sox baserunner R1 Alex Verdugo for a strikeout-throwout double play to end the inning. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px -0.14, pz 1.56 [sz_bot 1.53 / RAD 1.40]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 4-1. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

This is Chris Guccione (68)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 2.92 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 87th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 41st manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 41 Managers, 37 Players, 9 Coaches.

This is Boston's 4th ejection of 2023, 2nd in the AL East (NYY 6; BOS 4; BAL 3; TOR, TB 2).

This is Alex Cora's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 24 (Quinn Wolcott; QOC = Y-c [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Chris Guccione's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 6 (Craig Counsell; QOC = Y [Pitch Clock]).

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox, 6/5/23 | Video as follows:

Sheldon HS Softball Defeats Oregon City on Obstruction

Although Oregon City High School threw a no-hitter in its state title game, it nonetheless lost to Sheldon HS thanks to a walk-off obstruction call at third base to end the game, with umpires awarding Sheldon's baserunner home on the play, scoring the only run of the contest.

With one out and one on—a runner at first base whose hit-by-pitch broke up Oregon City's perfect game bid—in the bottom of the 7th and final inning of play, the home team's batter bunted the ball, resulting in a throwing error when the drawn-in infielder's throw bounced past first base. The preceding runner R1 rounded third and headed for home as the defense threw to the catcher, who tagged the runner for the apparent second out of the inning, and threw to second base to tag the batter-runner for an inning-ending double play.

However, the home plate umpire, having rotated up the third base line as the third base umpire moved in to take a potential play at second base, signaled a delayed dead ball as baserunner R1 passed third base. Replays indicate the fielder impeded the runner, resulting in an obstruction call and ultimately a base award that allowed R1 to score despite initially appearing to have been thrown out at home.

Video as follows:

Cronenworth Runs Into Umpire, Ruled Out at 2nd Base

Padres baserunner Jake Cronenworth ran into 2B Umpire Ryan Wills on an infield ground ball as he tried to reach second base, falling over and allowing the Cubs plenty of time to get the out. Should this have been umpire interference or is this nothing...and where should an umpire stand on a play at second base?

To begin, this collision is not umpire interference as there are only two forms of umpire interference in the rulebook: one, when the umpire interferes with the catcher's throw to retire a runner (or interferes with the catcher returning the ball to the pitcher); and, two, when the umpire working inside (as Wills did here) gets hit by a batted ball before the ball has passed an infielder, provided it did not first touch the pitcher.

Thus, there is no umpire interference and no reason to declare the ball dead: 2B Umpire Wills is considered part of the field as Cronenworth runs into him and the out call prevails.

As for position, although an initial stance of Deep B along the infield grass is proper, perhaps we can borrow from the wild pitch principle of clearing the catcher to, instead, "clear the base path" (or potential base path, which includes the baseline) and thus avoid the likelihood of a runner running into the back of an umpire preparing to take a play at the action base.

Video as follows:

Aaron Judge's Bullpen Crashing Catch & Carry

After Dodgers batter Max Muncy demonstrated how to legally run within the runner's lane and was therefore safe when hit in the back by Yankees catcher Jose Trevino's throw, New York outfielder Aaron Judge crashed through the bullpen fence and gate in right field while catching JD Martinez's fly ball.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone soon left the dugout to argue as the umpires awarded R1 Muncy second base on the play, and Crew Chief Marvin Hudson had to explain baseball's catch-and-carry rule to the New York skipper, who had originally sought to challenge the boundary and runner placement call. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts chuckled when told Boone was not challenging the play after all.

Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(1) states that a batter is out when their "fair or foul fly ball (other than a foul tip) is legally caught by a fielder." In order for the catch to be legal, the fielder "must have one or both feet on or over the playing surface and neither foot inside the dugout or in any other out-of-play area."

OBR 5.06(b)(3)(C) states that each runner (other than the batter) may advance one base when "A fielder, after catching a fly ball, steps or falls into any out-of-play area." The one base award is made from the runner's "last legally touched base at the time the fielder entered such out of play area."

Accordingly, fielder Judge legally caught the fly ball while still on the playing surface, but then stepped into the bullpen and out of play, resulting in a dead ball. Pursuant to the rules, that meant R1 Muncy—obliged to remain on or go back to first base to tag up on the caught fly ball—was awarded second base on Judge's catch and carry.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 086 - Charlie Ramos (1; John Schneider)

HP Umpire Charlie Ramos ejected Blue Jays manager John Schneider (strike one call to Vlad Guerrero; QOCN) in the top of the 9th inning of the #BlueJays-#Mets game. With two out and one on (R2), Guerrero took a first-pitch cutter from Mets pitcher David Robertson for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -1.18, pz 1.45 [sz_bot 1.68 / RAD 1.56 / MOE 1.48]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

This is Charlie Ramos (111)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 3.19 horizontal and 0.36 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 86th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 40th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 40 Managers, 37 Players, 9 Coaches.

This is Toronto's 2nd ejection of 2023, T-4th in the AL East (NYY 6; BAL, BOS 3; TOR, TB 2).

This is John Schneider's 1st ejection since Sept 6, 2022 (Jeff Nelson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Charlie Ramos' first career MLB ejection.

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs New York Mets, 6/3/23 | Video as follows:

Chicago Walks Off After Wild Pitch Hits Cory Blaser in Head

Chicago defeated Detroit on an extra-inning walk off wild pitch after Tigers pitcher Jose Cisnero’s fastball to Tim Anderson hit HP Umpire Cory Blaser directly and caromed away, allowing White Sox baserunner Yoan Moncada to score from third base. Let’s talk bonus runner, interference, and humanity.

As for a game-ending injury a la a pitch to the mask, there is fortuitously no debate of stay in vs come out: with the game over, there is no doubt the umpire will get immediate medical attention.

Video as follows:

Umpires Forget Count - How To Recover a Lost Number

Baseball is primarily a sport of counting: four balls, three strikes, three outs, and whoever's score is greater than the other team's usually wins. HP Umpire Ryan Additon momentarily lost track of the count in Minnesota after calling a strike and forgot to add it on, Twins batter Royce Lewis remaining at home plate Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee held up three fingers. After crew consultation, the count was fixed and batter Lewis properly declared out on three strikes.

Umpires behind the plate generally use an indicator (sometimes incorrectly termed a "clicker" on TV) to keep track of balls and strikes, but sometimes during the course of a long game or season, it's easy to lose focus. At the MLB (and MiLB) level, and for those NCAA with video replay capability, fortunately, checking the count is a reviewable play—it is a Crew Chief review so no manager has to challenge it.

How do you to count to three? You just Add it on | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 085 - DJ Reyburn (2; Corbin Burnes)

HP Umpire DJ Reyburn ejected Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes (strike one call to Victor Caratini; QOCY) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Brewers-#Reds game. With none out and none on, Caratini took a first-pitch curveball from Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and below the midpoint (px 0.87, pz 3.05 [sz_top 3.28]), the call was correct.*

This is DJ Reyburn (17)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 0.53 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 85th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 37th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 39 Managers, 37 Players, 9 Coaches.

This is Milwaukee's 5th ejection of 2023, 2nd in the NL Central (STL 6; MIL 5; CIN, PIT 3; CHC 2).

This is Corbin Burnes' first career MLB ejection.

This is DJ Reyburn's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 5 (Tim Anderson; QOC = U [Unsporting]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati Reds, 6/2/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 084 - Marvin Hudson (3; Jeff Banister)

HP Umpire Marvin Hudson ejected Diamondbacks bench coach Jeff Banister (strike three call to Pavin Smith; QOCY) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Rockies-#Dbacks game. With two out and none on, Diamondbacks batter Smith took a 2-2 fastball from Rockies pitcher Connor Seabold for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.60, pz 2.65), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rockies were leading, 1-0. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Marvin Hudson (51)'s 3rd ejection of 2023.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 18.17 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 84th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 9th coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 39 Managers, 36 Players, 9 Coaches.

This is Arizona's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL West (ARI 5; COL 4; LAD 3; SD 2; SF 0).

This is Jeff Banister's 1st ejection since August 16, 2022 (Cory Blaser; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Marvin Hudson's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 28 (Pedro Grifol; QOC = U [Warnings]).

Wrap: Colorado Rockies vs Arizona Diamondbacks, 6/1/23| Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 083 - Stu Scheurwater (1; Phil Nevin)

HP Umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected Angels manager Phil Nevin (strike three call; QOCN) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Angels-#Astros game. With one out and the bases loaded, Angels batter Taylor Ward took a 3-2 sinker from Astros pitcher Hector Neris for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -0.69, pz 1.45 [sz_bot 1.69 / RAD 1.57 / MOE 1.49]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Astros were leading, 4-2. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 5-2.

This is Stu Scheurwater (85)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located -0.48 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 83rd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 39th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 39 Managers, 36 Players, 8 Coaches.

This is LA's 2nd ejection of 2023, 4th in the AL West (SEA 4; HOU, OAK 3; LAA 2; TEX 1).

This is Phil Nevin's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 19 (Will Little; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Stu Scheurwater's 1st ejection since August 23, 2022 (Brandon Drury; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Angels vs Houston Astros, 6/1/23 | Video as follows:

Call of the Month - May 2023

Umpires Jansen Visconti and Pat Hoberg combine for May 2023's Calls of the Month as tmac takes us through a fan interference play in Seattle, called by 1B Umpire Visconti, and a tag play in Washington, called by HP Umpire Hoberg.

Both plays feature touches nearly imperceptible in real time (and not necessarily on replay either) and that's why Visconti and Hoberg are our May 2023 co-calls of the month.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 082 - Jordan Baker (1; Dylan Floro)

HP Umpire Jordan Baker ejected Marlins pitcher Dylan Floro (balls/strikes; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Padres-#Marlins game. With none out and none on, Padres batter Fernando Tatis walked, stole second and advanced to third base on a throwing error, Juan Soto walked, Xander Bogaerts singled, Rougned Odor reached on a fielder's choice with a throwing error, and Matt Carpenter doubled. Replays indicate all callable pitches during Floro's appearance in the game were properly officiated, including ball four to Tatis to start the inning, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Padres were leading, 8-4. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 9-4.

This is Jordan Baker (71)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

This is the 82nd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 36th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 38 Managers, 36 Players, 8 Coaches.

This is Miami's 7th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL East (MIA 7; PHI 5; NYM 2; ATL 1; WAS 0).

This is Dylan Floro's first career MLB ejection.

This is Jordan Baker's 1st ejection since August 26, 2021 (John Schneider; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: San Diego Padres vs Miami Marlins, 5/30/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 080-1 - Brian Walsh (1, 2; SEA x2)

HP Umpire Brian Walsh ejected Mariners catcher Tom Murphy and manager Scott Servais (check swing call by 1B Umpire CB Bucknor) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Yankees-#Mariners game. With none out and none on, Mariners batter Murphy attempted to check his swing on a 1-1 sweeper from Yankees pitcher Michael King, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Walsh and a swinging strike on appeal by 1B Umpire Bucknor. At the time of the ejections, the Yankees were leading, 7-2. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 10-2.

These are Brian Walsh (120)'s 1st and 2nd ejections of 2023.

These are the 80th and 81st ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 35th player ejection of 2023.

This is the 38th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 38 Managers, 35 Players, 8 Coaches.

This is Seattle's 3/4th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL West (SEA 4; HOU, OAK 3; LAA, TEX 1).

This is Tom Murphy's first career MLB ejection.

This is Scott Servais' 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 5 (Shane Livensparger; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Brian Walsh's first career MLB ejection.

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Seattle Mariners, 5/30/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 079 - Jerry Layne (2; Alex Cintron)

HP Umpire Jerry Layne ejected Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron (strike one call to Jeremy Peña; QOCY) in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the #Twins-Astros game. With one out and none on, Peña took a 1-0 fastball from Twins pitcher Joe Ryan for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and at the knees (px 0.85, pz 1.93 [sz_bot 1.68]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Astros were leading, 3-0. The Astors ultimately won the contest, 5-1.

This is Jerry Layne (24)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 0.77 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 79th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 8th coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 37 Managers, 34 Players, 8 Coaches.

This is Houston's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL West (HOU, OAK 3; SEA 2; LAA, TEX 1).

This is Alex Cintron's 1st ejection since August 18, 2022 (Ramon De Jesus; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Jerry Layne's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 28 (Matt Quartraro; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs Houston Astros, 5/30/23 | Video as follows:

Base Coach Interference Visits Giants Game

The rarely seen interference: base coach assist call made an appearance during the mammoth 7th inning of San Francisco's lopsided victory over Pittsburgh, with 3B Umpire Laz Diaz ruling Giants baserunner R2 Austin Slater out at third base after a crew conference determination that 3B Coach Mark Hallberg illegally assisted him in returning to third base.

Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(8) governs this play and states that it is interference by a runner when, "in the judgment of the umpire, the base coach at third base, or first base, by touching or holding the runner, physically assists them in returning to or leaving third base or first base."

Diaz originally ruled Slater safe on a close play at third featuring a collision with Pirates third baseman Rodolfo Castro during which the ball popped out of Castro's glove due to the force of the players coming together. After request from Pirates manager Derek Shelton, the crew convened and Slater was ruled out for the coach assist interference (Giants manager Gabe Kapler did not argue).

Video as follows:

Twofer - RLI and Jeff Nelson's Hot Mic Moment in Anaheim

We begin this CCS Twofer with a runner's lane interference call by HP Umpire Charlie Ramos in Detroit and end with Crew Chief Jeff Nelson's hot mic moment in Anaheim as the umpire had to compete with in-stadium music to speak on a Marlins challenge in extra innings.

The runner's lane interference (RLI) play proved rather run of the mill, as all tend to do when you know what to look for: Rangers batter Bubba Thompson failed to run within the runner's lane in the last half of the distance to first base and was called for RLI by the plate umpire as a result. Replays indicate that Thompson, in at least a few strides, was entirely inside (to the left of) the foul line and on the infield grass.

In Anaheim, HP Umpire CB Bucknor ruled an out at home plate on a double play attempt, but Miami sought to challenge it because LA's catcher failed to touch home plate with his foot. Nelson tried three times to inform the stadium the play was under review, but aborted his first two attempts when the music continued to blare.

After Nelson finally got his announcement in, his still-hot mic captured "they've got their heads up their asses." While most commenters believe he was annoyed with the Marlins for challenging the play, I think it had to do with the level of auditory competition at the stadium.

Video as follows:

Late Challenge? Why Umpires Reviewed HR Long After

After a 7th inning Clemson double vs Miami, the offensive head coach didn't ask umpires to review the play until at least 60 seconds after it concluded, which far exceeds the maximum post-play time limit for challenges. Why then did umpires review and overturn the call to a home run?

NCAA and OBR alike specify in replay rules that teams seeking to challenge an umpire's call must first indicate they are considering challenging within 10 seconds of the contested play's conclusion and then must signal a challenge request within a certain amount of time after that (15 seconds after the hold signal in professional baseball / 30 seconds after the play itself in college).

Clemson's coach waited until well past 30 seconds to put his hands to his ears (the challenge signal), so why did umpires review the play?

The answer is that in both NCAA and OBR, home run boundary issues, including spectator interference on a fair fly ball at the outfield wall, are not subject to team challenge, but to Crew Chief or umpire-initiated review.

In turn, the head coach time limit does not apply to HR/boundary reviews and the umpires had until the next play (eg first pitch to the next batter) to invoke a review, which is what they did.

Video as follows:

Team Loses Championship Celebrating Despite Uncaught Third Strike

The Pal-Mac Red Raiders ran the bases to score the tying and winning runs to earn a walk-off New York V-BI championship win over Hornell after an umpire ruled that Hornell's catcher failed to tag the batter-runner following an uncaught third strike with two outs in the final inning of play.

With two on and two out in the bottom of the 7th inning (NFHS/high school plays seven innings to OBR's nine) and visiting Hornell leading Pal-Mac by a one-run margin, Pal-Mac's batter took a two-strike pitch for a called third strike. Hornell's catcher, however, did not catch the pitch and scooped up the uncaught third strike before attempting to tag the batter-runner, who was sprinting to first base.

As the catcher ventured toward the pitcher's mound to celebrate an apparent championship win with his team, he glanced at the home plate umpire momentarily, but didn't watch long enough to see the umpire give a "safe" sign, signifying that the batter-runner had not been retired.

With no third out recorded, Pal-Mac's runners kept running the bases, scoring the tying and winning runs as Hornell jumped up and down, celebrating a premature non-win in the infield.

Video as follows:

Seattle's Slide Rule Interference Confusion On Rule Sets

After Mariners shortstop JP Crawford caught Kolten Wong's throw to force out Pirates runner R1 Jack Suwinski at second base, his throw to try and retire batter-runner Tucupita Marcano hit Suwinski's shoulder and flew into the stands, resulting in a throwing error and extra base for Marcano on the force out.

Seattle manager Scott Servais argued with 2B Umpire Marvin Hudson that Suwinski should have been out for violating MLB's bona fide slide rule 6.01(j) because he failed to slide into second base. With replays indicating that Suwinski didn't slide at all and instead ran directly to and through the base, we have to examine professional baseball's slide interference rule to determine whether Servais was correct or not.

Official Baseball Rule 6.01(j), sliding to bases on double play attempts, states that interference occurs under the following circumstance: "If a runner does not engage in a bona fide slide, and initiates (or attempts to make) contact with the fielder for the purpose of breaking up a double play, they should be called for interference under this Rule 6.01."

However, replays indicate that while baserunner Suwinski didn't slide, neither did he initiate contact with the fielder. Under OBR, a runner is not obligated to slide on force plays. Instead, the only rule to get a double play here would be OBR 6.01(a)(5) and interference for retired runners: "Any batter or runner who has just been put out, or any runner who has just scored, hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of their teammate."

However, the comment to the rule also states, "If the batter or a runner continues to advance or returns or attempts to return to his last legally touched base after they have been put out, he shall not by that act alone be considered as confusing, hindering or impeding the fielders."

Thus, under OBR, Suwinski's shoulder-ball interaction is not illegal and an interference no-call is the correct call.

Under NCAA, however, Suwinski would be guilty of interference and if this was a college game, Marcano declared out for a double play: "On any force play, the runner, in the vicinity of the base, must slide on the ground before the base and in a direct line between the two bases. It is permissible for the slider’s momentum to carry them through the base in the baseline extended."

As for NFHS, the high school rulebook states, "Simply stated, the runner never has to slide," going onto state that if the runner does slide, said runner is bound by the force play slide rule in use under NCAA's ruleset.

Video as follows:

Teachable - Taking Tag Plays While Umpiring 3rd Base

For this Teachable Moment about taking plays at third base, tmac analyzes two similar plays that were positionally different: one called by 3B Umpire Roberto Ortiz and the other by Alan Porter. At the heart of the umpires' positions is where the fielder taking the throw (usually the third baseman) is standing as they prepare to tag the incoming runner. Umpire positioning changes based on whether the fielder is positioned on the infield side of third base, as occurred during the Ortiz play, or is on the outfield side, as was the case in Porter's play.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 078 - Edwin Moscoso (1; Aaron Boone)

HP Umpire Edwin Moscoso ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone (ball two call; QOCN) in the top of the 3rd inning of the #Orioles-#Yankees game. With two out and two on, Orioles batter Gunnar Henderson took a 1-1 sweeper from Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt for a called second ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.74, pz 2.27), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0.

This is Edwin Moscoso (32)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

This is the 78th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 37th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 37 Managers, 34 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is New York's 6th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL East (NYY 6; BAL, BOS 3; TB 2; TOR 1).

This is Aaron Boone's 1st ejection since May 21 (Brian O'Nora; QOC = Y-c [Replay Review]).

This is Edwin Moscoso's 1st ejection since Sept 16, 2022 (Aaron Boone; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs New York Yankees, 5/5/23 | Video as follows:

PitchCom Fails, Causes Balk in Mets-Cubs Game

With Nico Hoerner batting for the Cubs with runners on first and second base, 3B Umpire Rob Drake called Mets pitcher Kodai Senga for a balk when Senga's PitchCom system failed and he tried to reset on the mound with catcher Francisco Alvarez in the dark on Senga's signs.

Beginning in 2023, MLB allows pitchers to tell catchers what pitch they would like to throw by using the PitchCom button input device, which Senga wore on his belt.

The 0-2 pitch to Hoerner began when Senga engaged the pitching rubber with his hands separated. He then started to press PitchCom buttons with his pitching hand (while holding the ball), and with two runners on base, covered his throwing hand with his glove hand, giving the appearance that his hands had been brought together, as in Set Position.

PitchCom malfunctioned and when Senga realized his button-pressing wasn't working, he dropped his hands to his side and was called for a balk for removing a hand (his glove) from the ball after having brought them together, as in Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(10): "The pitcher, after coming to a legal pitching position, removes one hand from the ball other than in an actual pitch, or in throwing to a base."

With two runners on base, this resulted in a balk.

Video as follows:

Pitch Clock Chaos - Introducing The Contreras Rule

Arizona's Josh Rojas tried to cause Phillies pitcher Craig Kimbrel to commit a pitch clock violation in Philadelphia. Instead, HP Umpire Junior Valentine warned Rojas under MLB's new Contreras Rule.

In the top of the 10th inning of the D-Backs-Phillies game, Rojas stepped to the plate and quickly fell into a 0-2 hole. After HP Umpire Valentine called "Time" and warned Kimbrel about coming set before the batter was ready (in the box and alert to the pitcher), Rojas tried taking advantage of the situation by deliberately delaying his return to the batter's box after a pitch, going so far as to initially look at Kimbrel while placing one foot in and one foot out (or touching the line, but certainly not in a hitting stance), before stepping into a hitting stance but keeping his head focused on the dirt near home plate, so as to cause Kimbrel to come set prior to Rojas having both feet in the box and being alert to the pitcher—which is a Scherzer Rule violation.

Instead, HP Umpire Valentine called "Time" and warned Rojas under MLB's new Contreras Rule, so-named after a memo baseball sent to teams in the wake of Willson Contreras' inducement of pitch clock violations by Kenley Jansen, effected by straddling the batter's box and delaying his assumption of "in the box and alert."

The memo declares that from now on, a batter shall be warned and then assessed a strike on subsequent violations if they engage with (look at) the pitcher with one or both feet in the batter's box, and then try to appeal to the umpire that the pitcher has violated the Scherzer Rule.

Immediately thereafter, Kimbrel committed another violation, resulting in an automatic ball penalty, for coming set at the 18-second mark of the 20-second pitch clock and Rojas not in the box or alert.

This led to more arguments and even a brief confrontation between Kimbrel and Rojas before Rojas struck out to end the bizarre at-bat.

Earlier in the game, Philadelphia's Bryce Harper was called for a pitch timer violation for requesting "Time" twice during a single plate appearance (both before the first pitch was thrown!). Harper had alleged the pitcher violated the Scherzer rule for coming set and bringing both hands together before Harper was alert, but the pitcher was actually in hybrid and thus considered to be in Windup Position, which is exempt from the Scherzer Rule.

What will the next new pitch clock rule be? | Video as follows:

A Textbook Ejection with Umpire Patience and Firm Warning

High-A HP Umpire Jaylen Goodman's ejection of Jersey Shore BlueClaws manager Greg Brodzinski for arguing a fair ball call vs Wilmington exemplified patience by allowing the aggrieved skipper time to make his point, a firm warning when it was time to move on, and finally a proper follow-through on the ejection when the manager failed to heed the warning and instead followed the umpire who was walking away (as opposed to an umpire walking toward a player who is walking away).

This ejection serves as a contrast to the umpire-walks-after-player ejection from Cincinnati.

Report: MLB Ejections 076-77 - Will Little (3-4; STL x2) (5/23/23).

The ordinarily-calling umpire on the fair/foul call down the right field line, 1B Umpire Warren Eubanks did not see where a line drive hit over his head landed. After making no call, he pivoted toward second base to take the batter-runner (it's a two-person crew in this High-A game), while HP Umpire Goodman reportedly signaled fair so that someone from the crew had a call on that play.

Brodzinski argued afterward and, after a lengthy discussion, was warned and  ultimately ejected by Goodman. As the non-ejecting umpire, Eubanks stood to the side until the ejection occurred and it was time to escort Brodzinski off the field, but did so in a way where he allowed Brodzinski to speak while making his way back to the dugout.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 076-77 - Will Little (3-4; STL x2)

HP Umpire Will Little ejected Cardinals 3B Nolan Arenado and manager Oliver Marmol (strike one call; QOCN) in the top of the 3rd inning of the #Cardinals-#Reds game. With one out and one on (R1), Cardinals batter Arenado took a 1-0 cutter from Reds pitcher Graham Ashcraft for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and above the midpoint (px -0.42, pz 3.57 [sz_top 3.36 / RAD 3.48 / MOE 3.55]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Cardinals were leading, 4-1. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 8-5.

These are Will Little (93)'s 3rd and 4th ejections of 2023.

*This pitch was located 0.24 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

These are the 76th and 77th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 34th player ejection of 2023.

This is the 36th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 36 Managers, 34 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is St Louis' 5/6th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL Central (STL 6; MIL 4; CIN, PIT 3; CHC 2).

This is Nolan Arenado's 1st ejection since Aug 24, 2022 (John Libka; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

This is Oliver Marmol's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 5 (Junior Valentine; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Will Little's 3/4th ejection of 2023, 1st since April 19 (Phil Nevin; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

Wrap: St Louis Cardinals vs Cincinnati Reds, 5/23/23 | Video as follows:

Ozuna Hits Smith on Backswing - What Can a Catcher Do?

For the second time in less than a year, Braves batter Marcell Ozuna's backswing on a fly ball hit Dodgers catcher Will Smith in the mask. HP Umpire Alan Porter quickly stepped in to guide Smith away while an on-deck batter grabbed Ozuna, but we ask if rules-wise, there was anything illegal or ejectable about the play? What can a catcher do to lessen the likelihood of this contact?

First and foremost, it's important to note that no ejectable action occurred. Ozuna unintentionally made contact with Smith on the backswing—as acknowledged by Smith during postgame comments as unintentional. Had this been deemed an intentional act, it would be an ejection for unsporting conduct in striking an opponent on purpose.

Second, with no runners on base and no play at home plate, this is not backswing interference. The only scenario in which backswing interference occurs is when the catcher is prevented from catching a pitch with runner(s) on base, the catcher is attempting to throw out said runners, the pitch is a third strike, or there is a play to be made at home plate. Note that in high school, the NFHS rule is dead ball, batter out for follow-through interference no matter if a runner is retired or not.

Official Baseball Rule 6.03(a)(4) Comment: "If a batter strikes at a ball and misses and swings so hard they carry the bat all the way around and, in the umpire’s judgment, unintentionally hits the catcher or the ball in back of them on the backswing, it shall be called a strike only (not interference). The ball will be dead, however, and no runner shall advance on the play."

Third, Ozuna is not out for being outside the batter's box and hitting a ball because...his foot was touching the back line of the batter's box, which is considered in. That's found in OBR 6.03(a)(1): "A batter is out for illegal action when they hit a ball with one or both feet on the ground entirely outside the batter's box."

Finally, we mathematically prove that catcher Smith had mere inches to work with in regard to positioning at the back of the catcher's box due to the batter's arm length and bat length, as well as the 5' 8½" catcher's box that just barely evades the Ozuna's arm + bat length...and that would require Smith to crouch on the back line of the catcher's box—because no human being is only 2½" inches thick.

Video as follows:

Challenge Checkup - Umpire Matsuda 6-for-6 w Ejections

We check in on the Triple-A ball/strike challenge system as the Red Wings and Bisons used all six of their combined challenges on HP Umpire Taka Matsuda's ball/strike calls in Buffalo, leading to a later ejection of Rochester pitcher Tyler Danish for arguing balls and strikes when his team was out of challenges. The challenge process takes about 15-20 seconds and, here, upheld all six of Matsuda's calls.

HP Umpire Matsuda also ejected Rochester's manager Matthew LeCroy for arguing a check swing call by 3B Umpire Andrew Koerkel, positioned inside at C in a crew of three.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 075 - Paul Emmel (3; Max Muncy)

3B Umpire Paul Emmel ejected Dodgers 3B Max Muncy (strike three call by HP Umpire Nic Lentz; QOCY) in the top of the 4th inning of the #Dodgers-#Cardinals game. With one out and none on, Muncy took a 2-2 fastball from Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px -0.41, pz 1.55 [sz_bot 1.55 / RAD 1.43]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Cardinals were leading, 3-1. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 10-5.

This is Paul Emmel (50)'s 3rd ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 2.44 vertical inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

^The immediately preceding pitch, ruled ball two, was also located in the strike zone.

This is the 75th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 33rd player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 35 Managers, 33 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is Los Angeles' 3rd ejection of 2023, 3rd in the NL West (ARI, COL 4; LAD 3; SD 2; SF 0).

This is Max Muncy's 1st ejection since Sept 10, 2020 (Doug Eddings; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Paul Emmel's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 16 (Tucupita Marcano; QOC = Y [balls/strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs St Louis Cardinals, 5/21/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 074 - Emil Jimenez (3; David Bell)

HP Umpire Emil Jimenez ejected Reds manager David Bell (quick pitch no-call) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Yankees-#Reds game. With none out and none on, Reds batter Luke Maile took a first-pitch changeup from Yankees pitcher Wandy Peralta for a called first ball. Bell contended that Yankees pitcher Peralta quick pitched not just Maile but preceding batter Kevin Newman. Replays conclusively indicate that Peralta did not quick pitch Maile pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(7)'s "reasonably set" standard, as Maile was reasonably set prior to Peralta starting delivery from Set Position, but do not conclusively indicate whether a quick pitch occurred pursuant to OBR 5.07(a)(2)'s "deliberate effort to catch the batter off guard" judgment standard. At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 4-1. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

This is Emil Jimenez (82)'s 3rd ejection of 2023.

OBR 5.07(a)(2): "With no runners on base, the pitcher is not required to come to a complete stop when using the Set Position. If, however, in the umpire’s judgment, a pitcher delivers the ball in a deliberate effort to catch the batter off guard, this delivery shall be deemed a quick pitch, for which the penalty is a ball."

OBR 6.02(a)(7): "A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpires will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter’s box. With runners on base the penalty is a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous and should not be permitted."

This is the 74th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 35th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 35 Managers, 32 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is Cincinnati's 3rd ejection of 2023, T-3rd in the NL Central (MIL, STL 4; CIN, PIT 3; CHC 2).

This is David Bell's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 19 (Brian O'Nora; QOC = U [Illegal Substance]).

This is Emil Jimenez's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 13 (David Ross; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Cincinnati Reds, 5/21/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 073 - Brian O'Nora (2; Aaron Boone)

2B Umpire Brian O'Nora ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone (overturned Replay Review fair/foul and runner placement call by 1B Umpire Nestor Ceja; QOCY) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the #Yankees-#Reds game. With two out and one on (R1), Reds batter Spencer Steer hit a 2-2 slider from Yankees pitcher Luis Severino on a fly ball to right fielder Jake Bauers, ruled foul by Ceja. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Reds manager David Bell, Ceja's call was overturned to a fair ball and baserunner R1 Jonathan India was placed at home, scoring a run. Replays indicate that with two outs, India was running on the pitch and that Yankees outfielder Bauers dropped the fly ball in fair territory such that India would likely have scored had the correct fair ball call been made as the initial call. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

This is Brian O'Nora (7)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

This is the 73rd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 34th manager ejections of 2023. Ejection Tally: 34 Managers, 32 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is New York's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL East (NYY 5; BAL, BOS 3; TB 2; TOR 1).

This is Aaron Boone's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 15 (Clint Vondrak; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Brian O'Nora's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 19 (David Bell; QOC = U [Illegal Substance]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Cincinnati Reds, 5/21/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 072 - Adam Hamari (3; Jesse Winker)

HP Umpire Adam Hamari ejected Brewers DH Jesse Winker (pitch clock violation—automatic strike call; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Brewers-#Rays game. With two out and one on, Winker was called for a batter's pitch clock violation for failing to be in the batter's box and alert to the pitcher by the eight-second mark on the pitch timer, and was assessed an automatic strike as a result. Replays indicate Winker was not in the batter's box and alert to the pitcher prior to the eight-second mark as required by rule, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 8-4. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 8-4.

This is Adam Hamari (78)'s 3rd ejection of 2023.

This is the 72nd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 32nd player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 33 Managers, 32 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is Milwaukee's 4th ejection of 2023, T-1st in the NL Central (MIL, STL 4; PIT 3; CHC, CIN 2).

This is Jesse Winker's 1st ejection since June 26, 2022 (Adrian Johnson; QOC = U [Fighting]).

This is Adam Hamari's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 19 (Mark Kotsay; QOC = Y [Pitch Clock]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs Tampa Bay Rays, 5/20/23 | Video as follows:

Two Torontonians Tagged on Third Base - Who is Out?

Trapped in a rundown, Blue Jays baserunner R3 Brandon Belt retreated to third base, only to find following runner R2 Matt Chapman standing on the base. Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman tagged both and 3B Umpire Adam Beck called preceding runner R3 Belt out...was this the correct ruling?

Toronto batter Danny Jansen's infield ground ball-turned-fielder's choice brings up the two runners-one-base discussion and reference to Official Baseball Rule 5.06(a)(2), which states, "Two runners may not occupy a base, but if, while the ball is alive, two runners are touching a base, the following runner shall be out when tagged and the preceding runner is entitled to the base, unless Rule 5.06(b)(2) applies."

OBR 5.06(b)(2), in turn states that in the specific case of a force play, it is the following/trail runner who is entitled to the base and not the preceding/lead runner, since the force play, well, forces, the following runner to advance.

The MLB Umpire Manual makes it even easier to understand: "If two runners are touching a base at the same time, the following runner is out when tagged (unless, of course, the lead runner is forced)."

Thus, when U3 Beck called preceding runner R3 Belt out on the tag, on a non-force play, this was the incorrect runner to call out. After the play, HP Umpire Dan Iassogna and crew met to correct the incorrect ruling and properly declare R2 Chapman out, placing R3 Belt back on third base.

A few innings later, HP Umpire Iassogna had to remind Blue Jays manager John Schneider during a mound visit with pitcher Alek Manoah that his pitching coach, Pete Walker, had already made a mound visit to Manoah earlier that inning, requiring Manoah's removal from the game for Schneider's second trip to the same pitcher during the same inning.

To cover all bases, that rule is OBR 5.10(l)(2): "A second trip to the same pitcher in the same inning will cause this pitcher's automatic removal from the game."

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 070-1 - Hunter Wendelstedt (2-3; MIA x2)

1B Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ejected Marlins catcher Jacob Stallings and manager Skip Schumaker (pitch clock violation by HP Umpire Marvin Hudson; QOCN) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Marlins-#Giants game. With none out and none on, Giants batter JD Davis took a 3-2 fastball from Marlins pitcher Bryan Hoeing for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate HP Umpire Hudson signaled "Time" as Hoeing was in the midst of his delivery to home plate and that, prior to that, batter Davis failed to be alert to the pitcher prior to the eight-second mark on the pitch timer; this should have been a pitch timer violation on the batter, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejections, the Giants were leading, 4-3. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

These are Hunter Wendelstedt (21)'s 2nd and 3rd ejections of 2023.

*In postgame comments, Crew Chief Hudson stated, "He [Stallings] stood up and called time with about three seconds left. [He] never mentioned at that point about going to the mound. At that point, it’s a violation on him. It’s Ball 4 for the batter because it was a 3-2 count...When he called time and didn’t tell me right away he was going to the mound, that turned into a violation."

According to Stallings, however, "[1B Umpire Wendelstedt] kept telling me I’m not allowed to call time."

According to Schumaker, "Davis was not engaged for me. Stallings was trying to call timeout to show that he was not engaged and it should be a strike. He’s trying to call timeout. He’s allowed to call timeout to go run out to talk to the pitcher. He wasn’t granted it. And then we saw the umpire call timeout with his hands up. He [Stallings] said he [Hudson] called the timeout. That was the disagreement. It was still Ball 4."

These are the 70th and 71st ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 31st player ejection of 2023.

This is the 33rd manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 33 Managers, 31 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is Miami's 5/6th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL East (MIA 6; PHI 5; NYM 2; ATL 1; WAS 0).

This is Jacob Stallings' 1st ejection since Sept 18, 2020 (Jeremie Rehak; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Skip Schumaker's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 22 (Dan Merzel; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Hunter Wendelstedt's 2/3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 5 (Kyle Freeland; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs San Francisco Giants, 5/19/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 069 - Brian O'Nora (1; David Bell)

HP Umpire Brian O'Nora ejected Reds manager David Bell (illegal substance check/non-ejection of Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt) in the 5th inning of the #Yankees-#Reds game. Earlier in the contest when inspecting Schmidt's hand, 3B Umpire Nestor Ceja appeared to have detected something, but did not appear to advise the pitcher to perform any corrective action. Prior to the bottom of the 5th inning, the entire crew met with pitcher Schmidt with 1B Umpire Pat Hoberg instructing him, "wash it off" pertaining to something on his hand. When Schmidt then returned to the field, HP Umpire O'Nora conducted an inspection and allowed Schmidt to take the mound to resume the game. At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 1-0. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 6-2.

This is Brian O'Nora (7)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

Related Ejection: MLB Ejection 013 - James Hoye (1; Rocco Baldelli) (4/15/23).

Related Ejection: MLB Ejection 017 - Phil Cuzzi (1; Max Scherzer) (4/19/23).

Related Ejection: MLB Ejection 065 - James Hoye (1; Domingo German) (5/16/23).

This it the 69th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 32nd manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 32 Managers, 30 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is Cincinnati's 2nd ejection of 2023, T-4th in the NL Central (STL 4; MIL, PIT 3; CHC, CIN 2).

This is David Bell's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 19 (Erich Bacchus; QOC = U [EJ No-Call]).

This is Brian O'Nora's 1st ejection since May 2, 2021 (Chris Woodward; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Cincinnati Reds, 5/19/23 | Video as follows:

CCS Twofer - Bundy's Sticky Ejection & Intentional Drop ?

The third inning of the Syracuse-Norfolk game proved eventful when Triple-A Mets pitcher Dylan Bundy was ejected by 1B Umpire Robert Nunez for failing a foreign substance inspection. Seconds earlier, Syracuse turned a double play on an intentional drop no-call when 3B Umpire Dillon Wilson ruled that Mets second baseman Ronny Mauricio did not intentionally drop a line drive from Tides batter Daz Cameron, resulting in an inning-ending double play with runners on first and second and one out.

Moments later, the entire crew of three umpires met along the third base dugout to inspect Bundy's glove and hand, with Crew Chief Nunez signaling Bundy's ejection seconds later for violating the illegal substance rule.

Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(12) puts the batter out for a fielder's intentional drop under certain circumstances: "An infielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball or line drive, with first, first and second, first and third, or first, second and third base occupied before two are out. The ball is dead and runner or runners shall return to their original base or bases."

The intentional drop rule is related, but distinct from, the infield fly rule, which is the better-known rule. Here's a quick comparison of the intentional drop rule vs the infield fly rule. The primary differences are an intentional drop rule applies to a runner on first (only) as well as runners on first and second or the bases loaded with less than two out (the infield fly rule is R1 & R2 or the bases loaded, but NOT R1 only), an infield fly is called whether or not the fielder touches the ball (the intentional drop rule requires the fielder touch and drop the ball), and an infield fly keeps the ball alive while the intentional drop rule causes it to become dead.

Infield Fly Rule: R1 & R2 or bases loaded with <2 out

Intentional Drop Rule: R1, R1 & R3, R1 & R2, or loaded w <2 out

Infield Fly: Fair fly ball that can be caught w ordinary effort

Intention Drop: Fair fly or line drive intentionally dropped

Infield Fly: Batter out, ball remains live, runners advance at their own risk.

INT Drop: Batter out, ball is dead, runners return.

Video as follows:

Gardenhire Ejected After MiLB Double Play on Liner to 3B

Following his father's footsteps in the Twins organization, St Paul Saints manager Toby Gardenhire was ejected for arguing a double play in Columbus as umpires ruled that a line drive to third base thought to have been caught was really dropped, enabling the Triple-A Clippers to turn two when the batter-runner failed to run to first base.

With none out and one on (R1) in the top of the 5th inning of the Saints-Clippers game, Saints batter Jose Miranda hit a line drive to third base, where Clippers third baseman Jhonkensy Noel dove in an attempt to catch the ball. With 3B Umpire Jacob Metz working inside at second base due to the runner at first base in a crew of three, that left the home plate umpire with calling responsibility along the left field foul line.

HP Umpire Tanner Dobson ruled that the fair ball was not caught on the fly, signaling "fair" then "safe", but only Clippers catcher Zack Collins seemed to pay attention to his call—third baseman Noel, as well as Saints baserunner R1 Andrew Stevenson and batter-runner Miranda, played without regard to the safe call, enabling the Clippers to turn a double play when Miranda simply didn't run to first base until it was too late. After review, the call stood and 3B Umpire Metz ejected Gardenhire for continuing to argue.

To review, this is the proper mechanic for a crew of three with a runner on first base: the third base umpire is in the middle infield, leaving batted balls to third base and down the left field line for the plate umpire to officiate.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 068 - Dan Iassogna (3; Gavin Sheets)

HP Umpire Dan Iassogna ejected White Sox RF Gavin Sheets (strike three call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Guardians-#WhiteSox game. With two out and none on, Sheets took a 2-2 fastball from Guardians pitcher Xzavion Curry for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -0.45, pz 1.32 [sz_bot 1.64 / RAD 1.52 / MOE 1.44]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the White Sox were leading, 7-2. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-2.
 
This is Dan Iassogna (58)'s 3rd ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 1.44 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 68th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 30th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 31 Managers, 30 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is Chicago's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL Central (CWS 5; MIN 3; KC 2; DET 1; CLE 0).

This is Gavin Sheets' first career MLB ejection.

This is Dan Iassogna's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 6 (Rocco Baldelli; QOC = Y [Out of Base Path]).

Wrap: Cleveland Guardians vs Chicago White Sox, 5/17/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 067 - Nic Lentz (2; AJ Hinch)

HP Umpire Nic Lentz ejected Tigers manager AJ Hinch (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 4th inning of the #Pirates-#Tigers game. With one out and one on (R1), Tigers batter Eric Haase took 2-0 and 2-2 cutters from Pirates pitcher Rich Hill for called first and third strikes. Replays indicate the 2-0 pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and thigh high while the 2-2 pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and below the midpoint (strike one: px -0.78, pz 1.97 [sz_bot 1.50]; strike three: px -0.73, pz 2.84 [sz_top 3.22]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 3-0. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 8-0.

This is Nic Lentz (59)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

K1 was located 1.61 horiz and K3 was located 2.21 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 67th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 31st manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 31 Managers, 29 Players, 7 Coaches.

This is Detroit's 1st ejection of 2023, 4th in the AL Central (CWS 4; MIN 3; KC 2; DET 1; CLE 0).

This is AJ Hinch's 1st ejection since August 13, 2022 (Jerry Layne; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

This is Nic Lentz's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 5 (Kevin Long; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Detroit Tigers, 5/17/23 | Video as follows: