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"

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.

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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 Ejections - Blake Halligan, Andrew Bell (2 Vavras)

Australian Baseball 3B Umpire Blake Halligan ejected Aces 1B Trey Vavra and HP Umpire Andrew Bell ejected Aces Manager Joe Vavra for arguing Bell's foul ball call (reversed HR call) in the top of the 8th inning of the Aces-Bite game. With two out and one on, Vavra hit a 3-2 fastball from Bite pitcher Nick Talbot in the air to left field and out of the playing field. Replays indicate the ball appeared to leave the field in foul territory, the call was correct. At the time of the ejections, the Bite were leading, 11-2. The Bite ultimately won the contest, 11-2.

This is Joe Vavra's first ejection since November 28, 2015 (Takahito Matsuda; QOC = Y [HBP/Ball]).
This is Blake Halligan's first ejection since December 26, 2015 (Steve Mintz; QOC = U [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Melbourne Aces vs. Adelaide Bite (Australian Baseball League), 1/8/16
[Video posted below, via 'read more']

Australian Ejection - Blake Halligan (Steve Mintz)

Australian HP Umpire Blake Halligan ejected Adelaide Bite Manager Steve Mintz for Unsportsmanlike-NEC in the top of the 8th inning of the Cavalry-Bite game. With one out and one on, Cavalry batter Derrick Loveless took walk from Bite pitcher Takuro Ito; Mintz was ejected for unsporting conduct during an ensuing mound visit when Halligan asked for the pitching change/substitution information, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Bite were leading, 5-4. The Cavalry ultimately won the contest, 7-5.

Wrap: Canberra Cavalry vs. Adelaide Bite (Australian Baseball League), 12/26/15
[Video posted below, via 'read more']