Australian Foul - Runner's Interference with Catcher

A runner's batted ball interference with a catcher during Game 1 of Baseball South Australia's Grand Final between Goodwood and Sturt prompted our latest Ask the UEFL Rules Review feature, as we consider several possible outcomes for a peculiar play at the plate.

Play: With two out and runners on first and third base, Goodwood's batter-runner hits a fly ball hear home plate. As Sturt's catcher attempts to field the batted ball near home plate, Goodwood baserunner R3 attempts to score and touch home plate, resulting in the catcher dropping the fly ball as the two players interact. After the home plate umpire calls the runner out for interference to end the inning, the umpires meet to discuss the play.

Question: Does it matter whether the ball was fair or foul? And if the ball was indeed foul, which batter will lead off the next inning? The broadcasters asked for help on this play, and we're here with an answer.

Analysis: Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(10) states that a runner is out for interference when "he fails to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball...if the base runner's interference is adjudged not to be intentional, the batter-runner shall be awarded first base."

Thus, in this situation, fair/foul does not matter: the rule specifically makes reference to "batted ball" and not specifically fair or foul ball. Instead, the primary drive of judgment relate to whether the runner's interference was intentional. Here, R3 appears to be primarily concerned with touching home plate: his only offense appears to be failing to avoid F2. Thus, with the interference declared unintentional, R3 is out, BR is awarded first base (albeit, the third out ends the inning), and the following inning will begin with the next batter in the lineup at bat.

Video as follows:

ABL Ejections - Greg Howard's Happy New Year

Australian Baseball League umpire Greg Howard closed out 2019 with a pair of Canberra Cavalry ejections prior to Geelong-Korea's year-ending, come-from-behind, walk-off victory and following a profane rant from an aggravated pitcher.

HP Umpire Greg Howard ejected Cavalry pitcher Steven Kent and Manager Keith Ward (ball four call) in the top of the 9th inning of the Cavalry-GK game. With none out and none on, Geelong-Korea batter Seung-Hyun Baek took 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, and 3-1 pitches for called balls, upon which Kent was warned then ejected for arguing balls and strikes; his manager followed shortly thereafter.

At the time of the ejections, the game was tied, 3-3 (Canberra had been leading 3-1 prior to the bottom of the 8th). Geelong-Korea ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

Wrap: Canberra Cavalry vs Geelong-Korea (ABL), 12/28/19 | Video as follows:

ABL Ejection - Joshua Weschler Ejects Two Tuatara

Australian Baseball League HP Umpire Joshua Wechsler ejected Auckland SS Josh Morgan and Manager Steve Mintz (strike three call) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Cavalry-Tuatara game. With one out and two on (R2, R3), Morgan took three consecutive pitches from Cavalry pitcher Steven Kent for called first, second, and third strikes. At the time of the ejections, the game was tied, 5-5. The Cavalry ultimately won the contest, 7-5.

Notice anything about the difference in commentary quality between the local vs American broadcasters?

Umpires were Josh Wechsler (as Joshua Weschler) (HP), Warren Van Rooyen (1B), and Travis Watson (3B).

Wrap: Canberra Cavalry vs. Auckland Tuatara, 12/5/19 | Video as follows:

ABL Ejections - Stewart Howe (Bite-Aces x4)

Saturday's Adelaide-Melbourne game in the Australian Baseball League produced four ejections of Bite and Aces personnel as HP Umpire Stewart Howe ejected Adelaide RF Michael Gettys and Pitching Coach Luke Prokopec in the 5th inning (both balls/strikes); Bite Manager Chris Adamson (HBP no-call) and Aces catcher Jake Romanski (Unsportsmanlike/NEC toward opposing dugout) in the 7th—all on separate incidents.

With one out and one on (R2) in the top of the 5th, Gettys took a 2-1 pitch from Aces pitcher Dushan Ruzic for a called second strike before subsequently flying out on a subsequent pitch; Gettys was ejected after returning from first base following the fly-out. Replays indicate the pitch was located near the outer edge of home plate (QOCU). At the time of Gettys' ejection, Adelaide was leading, 3-1.

With two out in the bottom of the 5th, Prokopec was ejected during a mound visit with pitcher Michael Gahan following a single by Aces batter Allan de San Miguel. At the time of Prokopec's ejection, Adelaide was leading, 3-1.

With none out and none on in the top of the 7th, Bite batter Stefan Welch took a 0-0 pitch from Aces pitcher Harrison Cooney for a called ball, having initially shown bunt. Replays indicate batter Welch did not attempt to strike the pitch, but do not conclusively indicate whether the batter was struck by the pitch; Manager Adamson was ejected arguing for a HBP call. At the time of Adamson's ejection, the game was tied, 4-4.

With one out and one on (R2), Bite batter Landon Hernandez hit a fly ball to Aces right fielder Garrison Schwartz, who caught the batted ball and threw to third base as Bite baserunner R2 Curtis Mead attempted to tag-up and advance from second, Schwartz's throw bouncing out of play and awarding Mead home plate. During the ensuing dead ball, Aces catcher Romanski became engaged with the Bite's third base dugout, after which Romanski was ejected. At the time of Romanski's ejection, Adelaide was leading, 5-4. Melbourne ultimately won the contest, 6-5.

Wrap: Adelaide Bite vs. Melbourne Aces (ABL, Gm 2), 1/12/19 | Video as follows:

ABL Ejection - Greg Howard (Luke Hughes)

After setting an Australian Baseball League record by hitting two grand slams in one game against Geelong-Korea, Melbourne Aces DH Luke Hughes was ejected by 2B Umpire Greg Howard during an incident with the Korean bench in the 9th inning of an 8-1 ballgame.

2B Umpire Greg Howard ejected Aces DH Luke Hughes (Unsportsmanlike-NEC) in the middle of the 9th inning of the Aces-Korea game. After popping out to first baseman Yong-Wook Lee to conclude the top of the inning, an incident transpired between the Geelong-Korea bench and Aces fielders, resulting in Hughes' ejection from the game; Hughes set a league record by clubbing two grand slams and tied the ABL's single game RBI record (8) during Melbourne's preceding game against Geelong-Korea. At the time of the ejection, the Aces were leading, 8-1. The Aces ultimately won the contest, 8-1.

Wrap: Melbourne Aces vs. Geelong-Korea (ABL), 12/29/18 | Video as follows:

ABL Ejection - Stewart Howe (Lim/Korea [HP Collision])

HP Umpire Stewart Howe ejected Geelong-Korea 2B Jong-Hyuk Lim (home plate collision/illegal contact; QOCU) in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the Auckland Tuatara-Geelong-Korea game. With one out and two on (R1, R3), baserunner R3 Lim attempted to steal home on throw from Tuatara catcher Taka Kaneko's to shortstop Taylor Snyder, Snyder catching Kaneko's throw in front of second base and returning the ball to F2 Kaneko as R3 Lim arrived at home plate. Replays indicate Kaneko tagged the runner well in advance of home plate and, in doing so, legally blocked the runner's access to home plate by virtue of Kaneko possessing the baseball prior to the runner's arrival, and that R3 Lim ran into the catcher, resulting in injury.* At the time of the ejection, Geelong-Korea was leading, 1-0. Geelong-Korea ultimately won the contest, 3-0.

*Rule 6.01(i)(1) pertains to the baserunner's responsibility during a home plate collision situation and states, "A runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate), or otherwise initiate an avoidable collision." 6.01(i)(1) comment states, in part, "The failure by the runner to make an effort to touch the plate, the runner’s lowering of the shoulder, or the runner’s pushing through with his hands, elbows or arms, would support a determination that the runner deviated from the pathway in order to initiate contact with the catcher in violation of Rule 6.01(i), or otherwise initiated a collision that could have been avoided...

"If a catcher blocks the pathway of the runner, the umpire shall not find that the runner initiated an avoidable collision in violation of this Rule 6.01(i)(1)."

Is R3 legitimately trying to reach the plate?

Replays indicate R3 ran toward the foul territory side of the baseline and remained rather upright such that he did not lower his shoulder or push through the catcher, as in 6.01(i)(l) Comment. R3 also stepped on home plate, or by his actions, indicated an attempt to reach home plate.

Gil's Call: I don't believe the runner has deviated from his direct pathway to to the plate to initiate an avoidable collision. The runner has made an effort to touch the plate, kept his shoulder upright, and has not pushed through with his arms, hands, or elbows. The catcher legally blocks the runner's path by virtue of possessing the baseball. This is a legal collision and the runner is out for having been tagged while off his base.

To review, under OBR, this likely is not a 6.01(i)(1) violation on the runner's behalf and, even if it were, is not an automatic ejection using the code under which MLB/MiLB abides. ABL guidelines may vary, which may explain the basis for this ejection.

NFHS/NCAA Rules Differences: That said, this may be deemed malicious contact under the NFHS/high school ruleset, which does carry the penalty of ejection. Obviously, the Force Play Slide Rule (FPSR) does not apply here as this was not a force play. NCAA/college Rule 8-7 pertains to collisions and states, in part, "If the defensive player blocks the base (plate) or base line with clear possession of the ball, the runner may make contact, slide into or make contact with a fielder as long as the runner is making a legitimate attempt to reach the base (plate). Contact above the waist that was initiated by the base runner shall not be judged as an attempt to reach the base or plate." If the contact is flagrant or malicious, the runner is ejected from the game.

Wrap: Auckland Tuatara vs. Geelong-Korea (ABL DH Game 2), 12/15/18 | Video as follows:

ABL - Bench Clearing After Home Run Taunt, Gesture

Benches cleared after a 9th inning go-ahead home run by Sydney Blue Sox batter Gift Ngoepe, who yelled at Sydney Bandits pitcher Loek Van Mil, who responded with a lewd gesture similar to that which Joe West ejected Jonathan Papelbon for in Philadelphia during the 2014 MLB season.

With two out and none on—Van Mil having already surrendered a game-tying home run to Sydney's Dwayne Kemp—Ngoepe hit a home run to left field. While rounding second base, Ngoepe appeared to repeatedly look toward the pitcher's mound before yelling in that direction as he rounded third base. In turn, Van Mil made a lewd gesture that somewhat resembled the crotch-grabbing maneuver ex-Phillies pitcher Jonathan Papelbon made toward the fans of Philadelphia as he exited a game in September 2014, leading to an ejection care of Crew Chief Joe West.
Related Post: MLB Ejection 189: Joe West (3; Jonathan Papelbon) (9/14/14).

No one was ejected this time around in Brisbane, as HP Umpire Paul Latta and crew herded the Blue Sox and Bandits back toward their respective dugouts.

Wrap: Sydney Blue Sox vs. Brisbane Bandits (ABL), 12/2/18 | Video as follows:

ABL Ejection - Greg Howard (Luke Hughes [Again])

HP Umpire Greg Howard ejected Melbourne Aces DH Luke Hughes (strike three call) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Geelong-Korea vs Aces game. With none out and the bases loaded, Hughes took a 2-2 pitch from Korea pitcher Byeong-Geun Kim for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located near the inner edge of home plate, an uncaught third strike (no PFX/TrackMan). At the time of the ejection, the Aces were leading, 3-1. The Aces ultimately won the contest, 11-1.

This is Hughes' second ejection in as many days; umpire Stewart Howe ejected him on Saturday.
Related Post: ABL Ejection - Stewart Howe (Luke Hughes) (12/1/18).

Wrap: Geelong-Korea vs. Melbourne Aces (ABL), 12/2/18 | Video as follows:

ABL Ejection - Stewart Howe (Luke Hughes)

1B Umpire Stewart Howe ejected Melbourne Aces 1B Luke Hughes (safe call; QOCN) in the top of the 4th inning of the Aces-Geelong-Korea game. With two out and none on, Korea batter Yong-Wook Lee hit a ground ball to Aces second baseman Ryan Dale, whose throw to Hughes pulled the first baseman off the bag such that he attempted to re-tag first base after catching the ball, as the runner arrived. Replays indicate Hughes' left foot made contact with the inner edge of first base prior to Lee's left foot arriving at the front edge of the base, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Aces were leading, 6-5. The Aces ultimately won the contest, 18-12.

Wrap: Geelong-Korea vs. Melbourne Aces (ABL), 12/1/18 | Video as follows:

ABL Ejections - Geelong-Korea's Dirty Slide Allegation

Dirty slide? Australian Baseball League HP Umpire Michael Lyons ejected Geelong-Korea Manager Dae-Sung Koo and 3B Umpire Stewart Howe ejected pitcher Jin-Woo Kim (interference no call; QOCY) in the top of the 2nd inning of Saturday's Heat-Korea game. With two out and the bases loaded, Perth Heat batter Chris Betts hit a ground ball to Geelong-Korea right fielder Kwang-Min Kwon, who threw to catcher Sun-Gu Han, to shortstop Hwi-Yeon Park as batter-runner Betts slid into second base, resulting in a collision with the shortstop, who failed to catch the ball, ruled legal by 3B Umpire Howe, as Betts continued to advance, winding up at third base on the play, ruled a missed catch error at shortstop. Replays indicate Betts did not appear to intentionally interfere with a thrown ball (OBR 6.01(a)(10)), the throw appeared to sail into the runner, and, because no potential for a double play existed in regard to the play at second base, the bona fide slide rule interference provision (6.01(j)) does not apply, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejections, the Heat were leading, 5-0. The Heat ultimately won the contest, 15-2, in seven innings.

Betts runs past the injured Geelong-Korea SS.

*OBR 6.01(a)(10) states, "It is interference by a batter or a runner when—He fails to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball, or intentionally interferes with a thrown ball."
*OBR 6.01(j) does not apply ("for the purpose of breaking up a double play" is a chief criterion). Nonetheless, if 6.01(j) was applicable, the rule requires that a runner "begins his slide (i.e., makes contact with the ground) before reaching the base" and that "interference shall not be called where a runner’s contact with the fielder was caused by the fielder being positioned in (or moving into) the runner’s legal pathway to the base." The question for the umpire would then rest with whether the runner's slide was in front of the base and contact occurred due to the fielder's position in front of the base.

The runner's right leg is on the ground.

OBR 6.01(j) also states, "a slide shall not be a 'bona fide slide' if a runner engages in a 'roll block,' or intentionally initiates (or attempts to initiate) contact with the fielder by elevating and kicking his leg above the fielder’s knee or throwing his arm or his upper body." So, again, assuming this had been potential double play situation, the question is whether the runner intentionally elevated and kicked his leg above the fielder's knee. Naturally, with the fielder's knee on the ground and in front of the base, any contact would naturally be a kick above the knee. Thus, the question is whether the runner's action was 1) intentional and 2) elevated. From this video clip, though the slide looks late and high, I believe the runner would have contacted the ground at, but not necessarily in front of, the base; nonetheless, the contact would not have occurred (in this fashion) had the fielder not blocked the base.

SIDEBAR: Whose Right is it Anyway? This wasn't a collision during an attempt to field a batted ball (it was a thrown ball), so the right-of-way here belongs to the runner. There is no obstruction here (if there was, note that it would be type A--play being made on the runner...dead ball award, etc.), because the runner was not impeded in his attempt to run the bases (he successfully advanced to second, and then third, on this play).

Pitcher Jim-Woo Kim also was ejected.

Accordingly, had there been a potential double play that would have made 6.01(j) relevant, I would have had no interference (QOC for the umpires' INT no-call = Correct) simply because the fielder's act in blocking the runner's pathway to the base, which was necessitated by the throw into the runner, prevented further judgment relative to the runner's slide legality, since the slide was interrupted prior to the base...lest we forget, the fielder did not have the ball (and, anyhow, the fielder's positioning likely would have precluded his realistic opportunity to turn a double play, had there been a trailing runner; the throw could have ended up retiring the sliding runner, but would be very unlikely to afford a realistic opportunity to make a play on a runner at a different base).

Gil's Call: Notwithstanding the legality of the slide in front of the base in the runner's sliding lane such that no elevated kick would have occurred had the fielder stood at or behind the base, I'd expect the League to issue a Heads Up alert for these two teams in the future for a potentially intentional retaliatory hit-by-pitch on this runner's return to the batter's box, if such an officiating warning program exists in the ABL.

Wrap: Perth Heat vs. Geelong-Korea (Australian Baseball League), 11/24/18 | Video as follows:

ABL - Korea Pulls Team off Field After Manager Ejection

During an Australian Baseball League game against the Sydney Blue Sox, Geelong-Korea Manager Dae-Sung Koo pulled his team off the field in protest of a first-inning ejection by Australian Baseball League HP Umpire Ben Nash related to a ball/strike call. After a five-minute delay, the Korean team returned to the field and the game resumed, with Sydney's squad going on to win in regulation.

Geelong-Korea plays in the Southwest Division of the ABL.

HP Umpire Ben Nash ejected Geelong-Korea Baseball Manager Dae-Sung Koo (ball calls; QOCU*) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the Korea-Blue Sox game. With one out and the bases loaded, Blue Sox batter Trent D'Antonio took four called balls from Korea pitcher Jae-Gon Lee, including a 3-2 pitch ruled inside for ball four, upon which, Dae-Sung Koo was ejected for arguing balls and strikes, pulling his team off the field in protest and causing a suspension of play. At the time of the ejection, the Blue Sox were leading, 1-0. The Blue Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-2.

Rules Discussion: As we discussed following the 18-inning Game 3 of the 2018 World Series, Official Baseball Rule 7.03(b) states that "a game shall be forfeited to the opposing team when a team is unable or refuses to place nine players on the field." OBR 7.03(a)(3) is also relevant ("Refuses to continue play during a game unless the game has been suspended or terminated by the umpire-in-chief").

The team should generally be afforded the opportunity to correct the error, or should otherwise be warned of the possibility of a forfeit before the game is terminated. The MLB Umpire Manual (not in Australia) states a public address announcement shall additionally be made to advise the possibility of a forfeit before one is declared.
Related Post: World Series Forfeit? Unable to Field Nine Players (10/27/18).

Timetable: No time limit/timeline is set for a 7.03(a)(3) or 7.03(b) forfeit, though here is a quick table of forfeit time limits for other provisions of the rule:
7.03(a)(1) (Beginning of the game forfeits): Must be ready to play within five minutes of umpire's "Play" call.
7.03(a)(4) (After a suspension of play): Must resume play within one minute of umpire's "Play" call.
7.03(a)(6) (Refusing to leave after ejection): Must obey umpire's order "within a reasonable time."
7.03(a)(7) (Start of doubleheader Game 2): Must be ready within 20 minutes if straight DH.^

^Most often, the intermission between doubleheader games is extended by the umpires by more than 20 minutes, so 7.03(a)(7) rarely comes into play.
*QOC not available for ball/strike ejections where pitch-tracking technology is not in use.

Wrap: Geelong-Korea vs. Sydney Blue Sox (ABL), 11/16/18 | Video as follows:

2017 Australian Baseball Championship Umpires

Umpires for the 2017 Australian Baseball League Championship Series watched Brisbane defeat Melbourne two games to none earlier this month, with the following officials selected work the ABLCS:

Game 1 Assignment - Game 2 Assignment: Umpire Name.
HP - 3B: Takahito Matsuda.
1B - HP: Mal Mackay
2B - 1B: Trent Thomas.
3B - 2B: Tom West.

> Matsuda also presided as Crew Chief during the 2016-17 ABL All-Star Game in Melbourne, and officiates in the Minor League Baseball system.
> Mackay and Thomas officiated the exhibition series between the Diamondbacks, Dodgers, and Team Australia during MLB's 2014 Opening Series festivities in Sydney.
> West, like Matsuda, officiates MiLB ball.

Umpires who officiated the postseason's semifinal round/play-in series included (*ABLCS Umpire):
Blake Halligan (U3 [Gm 1] at Adelaide)
Paul Latta (U2 [Gm 2] & U2 [Gm 3] at Brisbane)
Takahito Matsuda* (PU [Gm 1] at Adelaide)
Mal Mackay* (U3 [Gm 2] & PU [Gm 3] at Brisbane)
Ian Reval (U2 [Gm 1] at Adelaide)
James Shields (U1 [Gm 2] & U3 [Gm 3] at Brisbane)
Payne Sowter (U1 [Gm 1] at Adelaide)
Tom West* (PU [Gm 2] & U1 [Gm 3] at Brisbane)

ABL - Halligan Ejects Heat's Hughes for Punch

Australian Baseball League Umpire Blake Halligan ejected Heat 2B Luke Hughes for punching an opponent and player-manager Matt Kennelly for arguing Hughes' ejection.

With two out and one on (R2), Heat batter Kennelly hit a ground ball to Bite third baseman Jordan McArdle, who threw poorly to first baseman Jordan McArdle, to catcher Bas Nooij as baserunner R2 Derek Peterson attempted to score on McArdle's throwing error. Replays indicate that Nooij tagged Peterson prior to Peterson's touch of home plate, that Peterson's slide potentially violated the home plate collision rule (Rule 6.01(i)(1) Comment: "A slide shall be deemed appropriate, in the case of a feet first slide, if the runner’s buttocks and legs should hit the ground before contact with the catcher"; Peterson's knee appeared to make contact with Nooij's upper thigh prior to Peterson's buttocks and legs touching the ground), that Nooij subsequently shoved Peterson, and that Hughes (who was not involved in the play) ran from the dugout area to deliver a strike upon Nooij's head, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Bite were leading, 2-0. The Bite ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

As a result of the misconduct, Hughes received a three-game suspension and undisclosed fine.

Wrap/Log: Perth Heat vs. Adelaide Bite (Australian Baseball), 1/15/17 | Video via "Read More"

ABL - Bell Ejects River Stevens for Obscene Bird

HP Umpire Andrew Bell ejected Cavalry 2B River Stevens for flipping off the crowd in Adelaide during his 2 RBI double in the top of the 6th inning of the ABL's Cavalry-Bite game. With two out and two on, Stevens hit a fastball from Bite pitcher Matthew Williams down the right field line for a double, scoring two runs for Canberra. Replays indicate that as Stevens ran down the first base line, he raised his right arm and extended his middle finger while looking at either the Adelaide dugout and/or the "Shark Tank" fan section directly behind the dugout, resulting in an ejection for an unsporting obscene gesture, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Cavalry were leading, 4-1. The Cavalry ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

Related: MLB Ejection 189 (Joe West/Jonathan Papelbon; Lewd Gesture, 9/14/14)
Wrap: Canberra Cavalry vs. Adelaide Bite (Australian Baseball), 1/8/17 | Video via "Read More"

ABL All-Star Game Umpires - Taka Leads Off

MiLB and veteran ABL umpire Takahito Matsuda served as All-Star Game crew chief in the Australian Baseball League's Summer (our Winter) Classic on Thursday, where he was joined by fellow ABL umpires Stewart Howe at first base, David Milton at second base, and Greg Howard at third base for the sixth annual World vs Team Australia All-Star Game at Melbourne Ballpark.

Streamed live on YouTube and simulcast on MLB Network, this season it was Team Australia that prevailed against a World All-Star Cast as the home team walked off for the second year in a row, drawing its historical record to 4-2 over the World.

Due to ABL's unique configuration as an international offseason league in partnership with Major League Baseball, the ABL All-Star Game features a World vs Australians matchup without regard to team affiliation (for instance, Aces pitcher Jeremy Guthrie played for the World squad while teammate Allan de San Miguel fielded the catcher's position for Team Australia).

The 2016 ABL All-Star Game is available on demand from ABL.TV on YouTube.

Non-Video ABL Ejections; Clark Ejected Twice

Melbourne's 11-inning victory in Game 1 of the Aces-Bite doubleheader wasn't televised, but featured two ejections, including one we would have especially liked to see. Adelaide also logged one ejection two games later, which we would really liked to have seen, in which Rangers prospect LeDarious Clark allegedly charged an opposing ABL player after Clark's time at bat.

Click here for the ABL homepage.

In the top of the 2nd inning, with one out and two on (R2, R3), Aces batter Josh Davies hit a ground ball toward shortstop Bite Josh Altmann, who was hindered in his ability to field the batted ball due to interference by Aces baserunner R2 Mike Walker. As the penalty for this brand of interference is a dead ball out, B1 Davies' award of first base due to the fielder's choice out, and the return of runner R3 Allan de San Miguel to third base, Aces Assistant Coach Damian Shanahan was ejected by Field Umpire Blake Halligan for arguing the interference call. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0.

In the bottom of the 11th inning, with one out and none on, Bite batter LeDarious Clark was ejected by HP Umpire Ian Reval for arguing a strike two call: Clark drew a line in the dirt following the call. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 2-2. The Bite ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

During Adelaide's subsequent game against Canberra, Clark was ejected once again, this time by 1B Umpire Takahito Matsuda in the middle of the 6th inning after flying out to Cavalry first baseman Boss Moanaroa. According to the Cavalry, Clark was ejected for "charging down" Moanaroa as he attempted to field the pop fly. At the time of the ejection, the Cavalry were leading, 5-4. The Cavalry ultimately won the contest, 8-4.

The 2016/17 ABLTV schedule features one televised/streamed game per time slot, meaning that some ejections, such as those above, may not be available via video.

Wrap: Melbourne Aces vs. Adelaide Bite (Australian Baseball League), 11/26/16
Wrap: Adelaide Bite vs. Canberra Cavalry (Australian Baseball League), 12/2/16

ABL - Trent Thomas Ejects Grattan in 32-Run Game

Australian Baseball League Umpire Trent Thomas ejected Sydney P Todd Grattan for throwing at Canberra batter David Kandilas in the midst of a 32-run ballgame at the maiden Wollongong Classic: that would be 21 runs for Canberra and 11 for Sydney; Blue Sox relief pitcher Grattan was thrown out of Sunday's game in the 8th inning, when the score was only 17-11.

With none out and none on in the top of the 8th inning, Cavalry lead-off hitter David Kandilas took a 3-0 pitch from Grattan for a called fourth ball, resulting in Grattan's ejection as the offending pitch sailed over Kandilas' head, after which the benches half-heartedly cleared. Grattan, who only faced batter Kandilas, was charged with one earned run when Kandilas subsequently scored on teammate Kyle Perkins' double off of emergency reliever Michael Campbell (position player pitching). At the time of the ejection, the Cavalry were leading, 17-11. The Cavalry ultimately won the contest, 21-11.

Trent Thomas previously ejected Blue Sox DH Trent D'Antonio in January for arguing a ball call.

Wrap: Sydney Blue Sox vs. Canberra Cavalry (ABL), 11/27/16 | Video via "Read More"

2016-17 Winter League MiLB Umpire Rosters

Each year as part of the Minor League Baseball Umpire Development program, MiLBUD (formerly PBUC) supports certain umpires to develop and officiate in off-season professional leagues.

In October, Minor League Baseball assigned 12 umpires (nine PCL, three IL) to the 2016 Arizona Fall League (roster available via this link). AFL assignments have recently featured mid-to-high level Triple-A umpires on track for work at the Major League level (e.g., four 2016 AFL umpires also officiated MLB games in 2016).

Before getting that coveted AFL assignment and informal domestic tryout, many umpires—especially those from other parts of the globe—take the international route by officiating one of pro baseball's Winter Leagues. The following is a roster of the 2016-17 Winter League umpires and regular season dates. Our Minor League Scout MLBumpireobserver has additionally identified which of these officials also served in Minor League Baseball this past season; they are identified at the top of their respective league in bold text with their 2016 MiLB league in parentheses. Minor League Baseball officiating is most strongly represented this winter in the Venezuelan League with six umpires officiating that league's games:

Australian Baseball League (ABL, 11/17/16 - 1/29/17) - Two 2016 Minor League Umpires
Takahito Matsuda (Single-A, California League) - From Seiyo Ehime, Japan
Tom West (Single-A, South Atlantic League) - From Queensland, Australia
Barry Barnes
Riley Barrington
Andrew Bell
Lou Bonomi
Peter Bowie
Gavin Carson
Bob Crawford
Michael Cumming
Blake Halligan
Geoff Hallmann
Ryan Harder
Greg Howard
Stewart Howe
Paul Hyham
Greg Kent
Paul Latta
Michael Lyons
Mal Mackay
David Milton
Ian Reval
Brett Robson
James Shields
Payne Sowter
Jordan Taylor
Trent Thomas

Dominican Winter League (10/20 - 12/21/16) - One 2016 Minor League Umpire
Hardlen Acosta (Rookie Short, Gulf Coast League) - From Sanchez, Dominican Republic
Santo Castillo
Nelson De La Cruz
Juan Diaz
Felix Leguisamo
Verman Mejia
Miguel Mercedes
Domingo Paulino
Edward Pinales
Domingo Polanco
Juan Manuel Rodriguez
Santos Silvestre
Felix Tejada
Simeon Vasquez
Mariano Vizcaino

Puerto Rican / Roberto Clemente League (10/27 - 12/30/16) - Two 2016 Minor League Umpires
Jean JC Velez-Morales (Single-A, Carolina League) - From San Juan, Puerto Rico
Kelvis Velez Caminero (Rookie Short, Gulf Coast League) - From Ensenada, Puerto Rico
Kelvin Bultron
Delfin Colon* (Former MiLB and MLB Fill-In Umpire)
Jorge Davilla
Edwin Hernandez
William Lopez
Ivan Mercado
Vincent Morales
Carlos Rey
Charlie Rivera

Venezuelan Winter League (10/6 - 12/29/16) - Six 2016 Minor League Umpires
David Arrieta Quintero (Double-A, Southern League) - From Maracaibo Zulia, Venezuela
Gabriel Alfonzo (Rookie Short, Gulf Coast League) - From Guacara, Venezuela
Jhonatan Biarreta (Rookie Short, Gulf Coast League) - From Barquisimeto, Lara, Venezuela
Roberto Moreno (Triple-A, International League) - From Cumana, Venezuela
Jonathan Parra (Single-A, Carolina League) - From Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela
Jorge Teran (Double-A, Eastern League) - From Barquisimeto, Venezuela
Manolo Alejandro
Heriberto Diaz
Mayhue Edwards
Luis Gonzalez
Juan Gomez
Edwin Jimenez
Emil Jimenez
Carlos Leal
Yosman Mendez
Jose Navas
Leo Nieves
Edward Pacheco
Osmel Pimentel
Jesus Santiago
Rainiero Valero

Mexican Pacific League (10/11 - 12/30/16)
Ulises Dominguez
Eliseo Favela
Jair Fernandez
Jaime Gutierrez
Demian Hernandez
Abraham Lopez
Jesus Lopez
Orlando Lopez
Roberto La Madrid
Socrates Marin
Oswaldo Meza
Marco Nava
Felipe Romero
Daniel Rubio
Michael Salazar
Pablo Soto

Hometown information is from REFEREE.com

ABL Ejection - Jordan Taylor (Nathan Wright)

Australian Baseball 3B Umpire Jordan Taylor ejected Sydney Blue Sox Coach Nathan Wright for arguing an out (catch/transfer, reversed from safe/no catch) call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Aces-Blue Sox game. With one out and one on, Blue Sox batter Joshua Dean hit a 2-1 fastball from Aces pitcher Sam Street on a fly ball to left fielder Josh Davies, who attempted to catch the ball. Replays indicate Davies appeared to catch the baseball and subsequently drop the ball while attempting to transfer it to his throwing hand from his glove, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Aces were leading, 6-3. The Aces ultimately won the contest, 6-3.

Wrap: Melbourne Aces vs. Sydney Blue Sox (Australian Baseball League), 1/23/16
[Video posted below, via 'read more']

ABL Ejections - Takahito Matsuda (Dave Nilsson, E Green)

Australian Baseball 1B Umpire Takahito Matsuda ejected Brisbane Bandits Manager Dave Nilsson and pitcher Eric Green for arguing a foul ball call (reversed fair call) by HP Umpire James Shields in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Blue Sox-Bandits game. With one out and none on, Bandits batter Mitch Nilsson hit a 2-2 fastball from Blue Sox pitcher Keiji Uezono in the air between home plate and third base. Replays indicate Blue Sox third baseman Joshua Dean attempted to catch the fly ball, but are inconclusive as to whether Dean made contact with the baseball prior to it bouncing into foul territory, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 7-7. The Bandits ultimately won the contest 8-7, in 11 innings.

This is Dave Nilsson's first ejection since December 20, 2015 (Gavin Carson; QOC = U [Fighting]).
This is Takahito Matsuda's first ejection since November 28, 2015 (2 x Vavra; QOC = Y [HBP/Ball]).

Wrap: Sydney Blue Sox vs. Brisbane Bandits (Australian Baseball League), 1/9/16
[Video posted below, via 'read more']