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Saturday, May 6, 2023

MLB Ejections 047-48 - Doug Eddings (1-2; BOS-PHI)

3B Umpire Doug Eddings ejected Red Sox pitcher Kutter Crawford and Phillies P Matt Strahm (national anthem standoff delaying start of game) in the top of the 1st inning of the #RedSox-#Phillies game. Prior to the contest, following the traditional performing of the national anthem during pre-game festivities, Crawford and Strahm remained on the field of play in their positions as if the anthem were still occurring, despite it having ended. Because the players refused to leave the field of play so that the game could begin, they were ejected for improperly delaying the game. Replays indicate both players remained on the field even as Phillies starting pitcher Bailey Falter's warmup throws had concluded and the pre-game timing pitch clock had counted down to the scheduled first pitch. At the time of the ejections, the game was tied, 0-0. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-4.

These are Doug Eddings (88)'s 1st and 2nd ejections of 2023.

These are the 47th and 48th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.
This is the 19/20th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 23 Managers, 20 Players, 5 Coaches.
This is Boston's 3rd ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL East (BAL, BOS 3; TB 2; NYY, TOR 1).
This is Philadelphia's 3rd ejection of 2023, T-1st in the NL East (MIA, PHI 3; ATL, NYM 1; WAS 0).
This is Kutter Crawford's first career MLB ejection.
This is Matt Strahm's 1st ejection since June 15, 2019 (Bill Welke; QOC = U [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Doug Eddings' 1st ejection since June 21, 2022 (Pete Walker; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs Philadelphia Phillies, 5/6/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 046 - Carlos Torres (1; Brandon Belt)

HP Umpire Carlos Torres ejected Blue Jays DH Brandon Belt (strike one, two, and three calls; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #BlueJays-#Pirates game. With two out and one on (R3), Belt took 1-0, 1-1, and 2-2 sweepers from Pirates pitcher Yohan Ramirez for called first, second, and third strikes, respectively. Replays indicate that strikes one was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.90, pz 1.96 [sz_bot 1.55]), strike two was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (pz -0.87, pz 1.79 [sz_bot 1.50]), and that strike three was located over the heart of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.19, pz 1.47 [sz_bot 1.40]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 8-2. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 8-2.

This is Carlos Torres (37)'s 1st ejection of 2023.
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
Strike one was located 0.17 and strike two was 0.53 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 46th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.
This is the 18th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 23 Managers, 18 Players, 5 Coaches.
This is Toronto's 1st ejection of 2023, T-4th in the AL East (BAL 3; BOS, TB 2; NYY, TOR 1).
This is Brandon Belt's 1st ejection since April 18, 2019 (Ryan Additon; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Carlos Torres' 1st ejection since Sept 6, 2022 (David Bell; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs Pittsburgh Pirates, 5/6/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 045 - Chris Guccione (1; Craig Counsell)

3B Umpire Chris Guccione ejected Brewers manager Craig Counsell (pitcher timer/disengagement limit violation no-call) in the top of the 4th inning of the #Brewers-#Giants game. With none out and none on, Brewers batter Willy Adames singled. During batter Rowdy Tellez's plate appearance, Giants pitcher Alex Cobb, sensing the pitch clock was nearing expiration, disengaged the pitcher's plate and was visited on the mound by catcher Joey Bart. Cobb subsequently attempted two pick off throws where baserunner R1 Adames was safe at first, initially ruled a third disengagement by 1B Umpire Jeremy Riggs, resulting in the automatic advancement of the runner to second base, before consultation with the other umpires, upon which the call was reversed to ruling Cobbs' latest pickoff attempt his second—not third—disengagement, thus returning runner Adames to first base. Replays indicate Cobbs' first disengagement was a mound visit, which is excluded by the pitch timer rules from being counted as a free disengagement, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Giants were leading, 3-0. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

This is Chris Guccione (68)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

This is the 45th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.
This is the 23rd manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 23 Managers, 17 Players, 5 Coaches.
This is Milwaukee's 3rd ejection of 2023, 2nd in the NL Central (STL 4; MIL 3; PIT 2, CIN 1; CHC 0).
This is Craig Counsell's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 29 (Adam Beck; QOC = Y [Pitch Clock]).
This is Chris Guccione's 1st ejection since June 6, 2022 (Scott Servais; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs San Francisco Giants, 5/6/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 044 - Dan Iassogna (2; Rocco Baldelli)

3B Umpire Dan Iassogna ejected Twins manager Rocco Baldelli (out of base path no call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 4th inning of the #Twins-#Guardians game. With none out and two on (R1, R3), Guardians batter Josh Naylor hit a ground ball to Twins third baseman Jose Miranda, who committed an error, prompting Guardians baserunner R1 Jose Ramirez to try for third base. As the return throw arrived between second and third base, Ramirez moved to his right to successfully avoid the tag, ruled not to have violated the base path rule. Replays indicate runner Ramirez did not run more than three feet away from his base path established at the time of the tag attempt to avoid being tagged, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Guardians were leading, 1-0. The Guardians ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This Dan Iassogna (58)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.
Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(1) states: "Any runner is out when they run more than three feet away from their base path to avoid being tagged unless their action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball. A runner’s base path is established when the tag attempt occurs and is a straight line from the runner to the base they are attempting to reach safely."

This is the 44th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.
This is the 22nd manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 22 Managers, 17 Players, 5 Coaches.
This is Minnesota's 2nd ejection of 2023, 2nd in the AL Central (CWS 3; MIN 2; KC 1; CLE, DET 0).
This is Rocco Baldelli's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 15 (James Hoye; QOC = U [Illegal Substance]).
This is Dan Iassogna's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 23 (Willson Contreras; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Friday, May 5, 2023

MLB Ejection 043 - Hunter Wendelstedt (1; Kyle Freeland)

3B Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ejected Rockies bench player/pitcher Kyle Freeland (check swing call during Francisco Lindor's at-bat) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Rockies-#Mets game. With two out and one on, Lindor attempted to check his swing on a 1-2 sweeper from Rockies pitcher Justin Lawrence, ruled a ball by HP Umpire John Tumpane and called no swing on appeal by 3B Umpire Wendelstedt. At the time of the ejection, the Mets were leading, 1-0. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

This is Hunter Wendelstedt (21)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

This is the 43rd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.
This is the 17th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 21 Managers, 17 Players, 5 Coaches.
This is Colorado's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL West (COL 3; LAD 2; ARI, SD 1; SF 0).
This is Kyle Freeland's 1st ejection since July 24, 2019 (John Libka; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Hunter Wendelstedt's 1st ejection since Sept 10, 2022 (Torey Lovullo; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Colorado Rockies vs New York Mets, 5/5/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 042 - Paul Emmel (1; Brent Rooker)

HP Umpire Paul Emmel ejected Athletics DH Brent Rooker (check swing call; QOCN) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Athletics-#Royals game. With one out and one on, Rooker took a first-pitch fastball from Royals pitcher Carlos Hernandez for a called first ball before striking out on a check swing on a 2-2 knuckle curve, ruled a swinging strike by HP Umpire Emmel. Because the first pitch, ruled strike one, was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px 0.97, pz 2.18), the call was incorrect.*

This is Paul Emmel (50)'s 1st ejection of 2023.
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| ≤ STRIKE < |.748| ≤ BORDERLINE ≤ |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 0.67 horizontal inches from being deemed correct.
The pitch location QOCN supercedes the check swing because the location call was incorrect.

This is the 42nd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.
This is the 16th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 21 Managers, 16 Players, 5 Coaches.
This is Oakland's 2nd ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL West (OAK, SEA 2; HOU, LAA, TEX 1).
This is Brent Rooker's first career MLB ejection.
This is Paul Emmel's 1st ejection since August 13, 2022 (Bob Melvin; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs Kansas City Royals, 5/5/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 040-41 - Junior Valentine (2-3; STL x2)

HP Umpire Junior Valentine ejected Cardinals bench coach Joe McEwing and manager Oliver Marmol (strike one call to Dylan Carlson; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Tigers-#Cardinals game. With two out and one on (R2), Cardinals batter Carlson took a first-pitch curveball from Tigers pitcher Alex Lange for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -0.63, pz 1.46 [sz_bot 1.65 / RAD 1.53 / MOE 1.45]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejections, the Tigers were leading, 5-4. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

These are Junior Valentine (25)'s 2nd and 3rd ejections of 2023.
*This pitch was located 0.12 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

These are the 40th and 41st ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.
This is the 21st manager ejection of 2023.
This is the 5th coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 21 Managers, 15 Players, 5 Coaches.
This is St Louis' 3/4th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL Central (STL 4; MIL, PIT 2; CIN 1; CHC 0).
This is Oliver Marmol's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 15 (Will Little; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Joe McEwing's first career MLB ejection.
This is Junior Valentine's 2/3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 24 (Pete Fatse; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Detroit Tigers vs St Louis Cardinals, 5/5/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 039 - Shane Livensparger (1; Scott Servais)

HP Umpire Shane Livensparger ejected Mariners manager Scott Servais (ball three call; QOCN) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Astros-#Mariners game. With one out and one on (R1), Astros batter Kyle Tucker took a 2-2 slider from Mariners pitcher Matt Brash for a called third ball. Servais was ejected during the first mound visit/pitching change following the subject call, as in UEFL Rule 6-5-d-2. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.71, pz 2.46), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Astros were leading, 6-4. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

This is Shane Livensparger (43)'s 1st ejection of 2023.
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| ≤ STRIKE < |.748| ≤ BORDERLINE ≤ |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 0.46 horizontal inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 39th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.
This is the 20th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 20 Managers, 15 Players, 4 Coaches.
This is Seattle's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL West (SEA 2; HOU, LAA, OAK, TEX 1).
This is Scott Servais' 1st ejection since August 26, 2022 (Dan Merzel; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Shane Livensparger's 1st ejection since Aug 27, 2022 (John Schneider; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Houston Astros vs Seattle Mariners, 5/5/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 038 - Lance Barksdale (1; Kevin Cash)

1B Umpire Lance Barksdale ejected Rays manager Kevin Cash (warnings after Randy Arozarena HBP) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Yankees-#Rays game. With one out and none on, Arozarena took a 0-1 sinker from Yankees pitcher Albert Abreu for a hit-by-pitch, Arozarena's second HBP of the game. Prior to his first HBP, Arozarena had hit a home run. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Arozarena on the ribs, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 4-0. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Lance Barksdale (23)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

This is the 38th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.
This is the 19th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 19 Managers, 15 Players, 4 Coaches.
This is Tampa Bay's 2nd ejection of 2023, T-2nd in the AL East (BAL 3; BOS, TB 2; NYY 1; TOR 0).
This is Kevin Cash's 1st ejection since June 1, 2022 (Vic Carapazza; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).
This is Lance Barksdale's 1st ejection since August 16, 2022 (Terry Francona; QOC = Y [Foul/Strike]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays, 5/5/23 | Video as follows:

Nick Pivetta Called for Balk Despite Declaring Hybrid

You asked us to look at Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta's balk that allowed Blue Jays baserunner R3 Kevin Kiermaier to score. With Pivetta clearly declaring hybrid (full windup) prior to Bo Bichette's at-bat, why did umpires call Pivetta for a balk on his third pitch?

With Pivetta, Boston manager Alex Cora, and others still confused on the call after the game, we move beyond the simplest explanation of umpires calling a balk for taking a step back (as in windup) without declaring hybrid (as opposed to Set Position), because it simply wouldn't make any sense for the umpire crew to suddenly disregard Pivetta's hybrid declaration on the third pitch of the Bichette at-bat.

Instead, it appears Pivetta was called for buckling his free knee ("knee pop") prior to lifting his foot to step back in windup position. We usually see knee pop balks occur prior to jump turns on pickoff attempts, not on actual pitches, but the rules do allow balks to be called whenever a runner is on base, whether or not a pickoff is actually attempted.

In conclusion, this appears to be a balk call due to a knee pop which, your mileage may vary, was quite minor.

Video as follows:

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Umpires Order Pitcher to Remove Wedding Ring - Rule ?

On the last day of a series featuring two umpire arguments from Pirates manager Derek Shelton, Chief Adrian Johnson's crew on Thursday ordered Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Zach Eflin to remove a wedding ring from his finger. Where does that rule come from and what is the umpire's role. You asked, we have an answer.

Official Baseball Rule 6.02(c)(7), entitled Pitching Prohibitions states, "The pitcher shall not have on their person, or in their possession, any foreign substance. 
Comment: The pitcher may not attach anything to either hand, any finger or either wrist (e.g., Band-Aid, tape, Super Glue, bracelet, etc.). The umpire shall determine if such attachment is indeed a foreign substance for the purpose of Rule 6.02(c)(7), but in no case may the pitcher be allowed to pitch with such
 attachment to their hand, finger or wrist."

Accordingly, it is within the umpire's duties to require a pitcher remove a violative attachment prior to pitching or at any time during their pitching appearance, regardless of which hand the attachment is on or what material it is made out of (e.g., rubber vs metal).

Video as follows:

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

MLB Ejection 037 - Nestor Ceja (1; Jarred Kelenic)

HP Umpire Nestor Ceja ejected Mariners CF Jarred Kelenic (strike one call; QOCN) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Mariners-#Athletics game. With none out and none on, Kelenic took a first-pitch fastball from A's pitcher JP Sears for a called first strike before striking out swinging on the at-bat's third pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and belt-high (px -0.97, pz 2.86), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 7-2, in 10 innings.

This is Nestor Ceja (33)'s 1st ejection of 2023.
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 0.67 horizontal inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 37th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.
This is the 15th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 18 Managers, 15 Players, 4 Coaches.
This is Seattle's 1st ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL West (HOU, LAA, OAK, SEA, TEX 1).
This is Jarred Kelenic's 1st ejection since Aug 8, 2021 (Lance Barrett; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Nestor Ceja's 1st ejection since June 26, 2022 (David Bell; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

MLB Ejection 036 - Adrian Johnson (2; Derek Shelton)

3B Umpire Adrian Johnson ejected Pirates manager Derek Shelton (pitch clock timer operation by HP Umpire Quinn Wolcott; QOCU) in the top of the 4th inning of the #Pirates-#Rays game. With two out and none on, Pirates batter Ji Hwan Bae singled on a 1-0 fastball from Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan. Following this play, Shelton alleged to Wolcott that the 30-second between batters pitch clock did not start properly, resulting in an argument that Shelton eventually directed to 3B Umpire and Crew Chief Johnson when Wolcott proceeded with the game and prepared for McClanahan's first pitch to ensuing batter Austin Hedges. Shelton was ejected as McClanahan delivered to Hedges, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 3-1. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 8-1.

This is Adrian Johnson (80)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

This is the 36th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.
This is the 18th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 18 Managers, 14 Players, 4 Coaches.
This is Pittsburgh's 2nd ejection of 2023, T-1st in the NL Central (MIL, PIT, STL 2; CIN 1; CHC 0).
This is Derek Shelton's 1st ejection since Sept 11, 2022 (Clint Vondrak; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).
This is Adrian Johnson's 1st ejection since Sept 25, 2022 (Luke Weaver; QOC = U [Anthem Standoff]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Tampa Bay Rays, 5/3/23 | Video as follows:

Checking in with Triple-A's Ball/Strike Challenge System

We join a Sacramento River Cats vs Oklahoma City Dodgers game to check in on Triple-A's ball/strike challenge system, similar to that we first proposed in 2019. 3B Umpire Tom Hanahan's ejection of River Cats manager Dave Brundage and yet-another-balk make an appearance as well.

Over the weekend, the Triple-A Dodgers tested MiLB's challenge system in its stadium. Several River Cats players challenged a handful of pitches throughout the game.
RelatedFixing the Strike Zone - Pitch Challenge Proposal (10/28/19).

To review, the challenge system being tested in the minor leagues as follows:
> Teams receive three ball/strike pitch location challenges per game.
> Offense: The batter may challenge a called strike (looking). No other person may challenge a strike.
> Defense: The pitcher or catcher may challenge a called ball. No other person may challenge a ball.
> Challenges from these three players must occur immediately after the pitch.
> If the offense/defense wins the challenge and the umpire's on-field ruling is overturned, that team retains the challenge expended. If the offense/defense loses the challenge and the umpire's on-field ruling is upheld, that team loses the challenge.

Video as follows:

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Braves Fail to Challenge Bona Fide Slide Rule Play - Was it Interference?

Atlanta failed to challenge a 7th inning play in New York when Mets baserunner R1 Jeff McNeil slid into Braves shortstop Vaughn Grissom, resulting in a wild throw to first base that allowed batter-runner Daniel Vogelbach to reach and R2 Pete Alonso to score. However, with MLB's bona fide slide rule in effect, was this interference on a force play at second base? Was 2B Umpire Adrian Johnson's interference no-call correct? We investigate.

Recall that Official Baseball Rule 6.01(j) is defined as: "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."

The four criteria with which to evaluate potential violations of the bona fide slide rule are as follows. They are written such that a failure to satisfy any one of the criteria means the slide was not bona fide:
1) The runner begins their slide (makes contact with the ground) before reaching the base;
2) Is able and attempts to reach the base with their hand or foot;
3) Is able and attempts to remain on the base (except home plate) after completion of the slide; and
4) Slides within reach of the base without changing their pathway for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder.

Upon our review of the play, it appears baserunner R1 Jeff McNeil failed to satisfy criterion four (and may have failed to satisfy #2 and #3 as well...the camera angle available isn't as conclusive), meaning this is not a bona fide slide. Thus, had Replay Review been invoked, the proper outcome would have been to overturn the call by declaring both R1 (on the force play) and the batter-runner out (on the interference by R1), and return R2 and R3 to their bases occupied at time of pitch, thus negating the two runs that scored.

Video as follows:

Monday, May 1, 2023

April 2023 Call of the Month - Quinn Wolcott

Our April 2023 Call of the Month takes us to Chicago vs Seattle, where 2B Umpire Quinn Wolcott officiates a stolen base attempt, ruling Cubs baserunner Nick Madrigal out on Mariners second baseman Kolten Wong's tag attempt.

Wolcott reads the play and sticks with the feet-first slide to rule the runner out based on a tag on the back of the runner's leg, a call confirmed via Replay Review as a result of a Cubs challenge.

Video as follows:

Secret Balk in Toronto Nullifies Merrifield's Apparent Walk

In the bottom of the 4th inning of Toronto's 10-8 loss to Seattle, Blue Jays batter Whit Merrifield with a 3-2 count appeared to take ball four from Mariners pitcher Penn Murfee...except he didn't walk and struck out on the very next pitch. It turns out umpires called a balk and HP Umpire Mark Carlson's mechanics proved insufficient for both teams' broadcasts, which were equally confused as to why Merrifield continued his at-bat having received four balls.

Upon review, with Toronto baserunner Vlad Guerrero, Jr on first base, Murfee committed a no-stop balk—he failed to stop while in Set Position before delivering to home plate, as in Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(13), which states, "The pitcher delivers the pitch from Set Position without coming to a stop"—and subsequently threw a pitch outside for what Merrifield and the teams alike initially thought was ball four.

Instead, Carlson's crew called a balk, the penalty for which is to award the baserunners one base from their time-of-pitch occupied bases: for Guerrero, that would mean second base (effectively nullifying his stolen base).

But was this the correct call? Although in high school (NFHS), the ball becomes dead immediately upon a balk, it remains live in pro (OBR) and college (NCAA) until the pitch is delivered. Afterward, the umpire may call "Time" and enforce the balk penalty, if applicable.

Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a) Penalty indicates what happens when a balk occurs: "The ball is dead, and each runner shall advance one base without liability to be put out, unless the batter reaches first on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter, or otherwise, and all other runners advance at least one base, in which case the play proceeds without reference to the balk."

With a 3-2 count, the pitch thrown to Merrifield—ball four—resulted in a base on balls, which in turn forced the only baserunner (R1 Guerrero) to advance...so why didn't the latter part of the penalty apply, wherein play would proceed without reference to the balk? Why did Merrifield return to bat to strikeout on a 3-2 do-over pitch instead of being awarded first (and Guerrero forced to advance to second)?

The only way this works out from a rules enforcement standpoint is if HP Umpire Carlson would have called the pitch a strike if not for the balk. Because a strike here would result in a strikeout (e.g., the batter would not have reached first base anyway), the balk penalty would appropriately be enforced...but only if the pitch was a strike. Thus, the most likely explanation is that Carlson simply missed the pitch.

Video as follows:

Sunday, April 30, 2023

MLB Ejection 035 - John Tumpane (1; Harold Ramirez)

HP Umpire John Tumpane ejected Rays DH Harold Ramirez (strike two call; QOCN) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Rays-#WhiteSox game. With two out and one on (R2), Ramirez took 3-0 and 3-1 sinkers from White Sox pitcher Kendall Graveman for called first and second strikes. Replays indicate the pitches were located over the heart of home plate and (strike one: px -0.01, pz 3.52; strike two: px 0.22, pz 3.53 [sz_top 3.11 / RAD 3.23 / MOE 3.32]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 7-4. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 12-9.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s 1st ejection of 2023.
*K1 was located 2.40 and K2 was located 2.52 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 35th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.
This is the 14th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 17 Managers, 14 Players, 4 Coaches.
This is Tampa Bay's 1st ejection of 2023, T-3rd in the AL East (BAL 3; BOS 2; NYY, TB 1; TOR 0).
This is Harold Ramirez's first career MLB ejection.
This is John Tumpane's 1st ejection since August 2, 2022 (Bud Black; QOC = N-c [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs Chicago White Sox, 4/30/23 | Video as follows: