MLB Ejection 097 - Jeremy Riggs (1; Gabriel Arias)

HP Umpire Jeremy Riggs ejected Guardians SS Gabriel Arias (strike one/two call; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Guardians-#Orioles game. With one out and none on, Arias took 1-0 and 1-1 fastballs from Orioles pitcher Keegan Akin for called first and second strikes, before striking out swinging on the next pitch. Replays indicate the pitch ruled strike one was located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px 0.31, pz 1.59 [sz_bot 1.65 / RAD 1.53]) and the pitch ruled strike two was located over the outer half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.46, pz 1.63 [sz_bot 1.64 / RAD 1.52]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Guardians were leading, 3-2. The Guardians ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Jeremy Riggs (112)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

*Strike one was located 1.68 and strike two was 2.28 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 97th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 36th player ejection of 2024. Prior to ejection, Arias was 1-4 (2 SO) in the contest.

Ejection Tally: 47 Managers, 14 Coaches, 36 Players.

This is Cleveland's 1st ejection of 2024, T-4th in the AL Central (CWS 5; MIN 2; CLE, KC 1; DET 0).

This is Gabriel Arias' first career MLB ejection.

This is Jeremy Riggs' 1st ejection since May 3, 2022 (Max Scherzer; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cleveland Guardians vs Baltimore Orioles, 6/24/24 | Video as follows:

Dave Martinez's Nats Lose on Walk Off RLI No-Call

In a flashback to the 2019 World Series Nationals manager Dave Martinez argued with a plate umpire in Houston, this time as the Astros walked off Washington on a throwing error and runner's lane interference no-call at first base. So, was the call correct or not?

With one out and the bases loaded, Astros batter Jake Meyers grounded to Nats shortstop CJ Abrams, who threw to catcher Keibert Ruiz to force out Astros R3 Kyle Tucker at home. Nationals catcher Ruiz's throw to first base to attempt an inning-ending double play got away from first baseman Michael Chavis, no-called by HP Umpire Jeremy Riggs...but was this no-call correct?

Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(11) states, "A batter is out when, in running the last half of the distance from home base to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, they run outside (to the right of) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line, and in the umpire’s judgment in so doing interfere with the fielder taking the throw at first base, in which case the ball is dead."

Replays indicate batter-runner Meyers failed to run within the runner's lane and—by virtue of the fielder's mitt making contact with Meyers' helmet as the the fielder attempted to field the catcher's throw—likely interfered pursuant to OBR 5.09(a)(11). Therefore, this appeared to be an incorrect runner's lane interference no-call.

Video as follows:

Is Max Scherzer's Set Position Pitch Clock Strategy Legal?

Mets pitcher Max Scherzer labored into the third inning of New York's Spring Training game against Washington with a peculiar strategy to use the pitch clock to his advantage while throwing batters off their rhythm. But with HP Umpire Jeremy Riggs calling multiple infractions, is Scherzer's gamesmanship legal or a violation of the rules?

One week into Spring Training, Scherzer took the mound with a new approach to pitching to a clock. After surrendering a single to Nationals batter Ildemaro Vargas, Scherzer shifted tactics for ensuing batter Victor Robles, assuming Set Position as soon as possible in an effort to catch Vargas off guard for the ensuing delivery to home plate. HP Umpire Riggs, however, called Scherzer for a balk on his first attempt—the Mets ace had begun his delivery prior to the Nats batter becoming fully set and "alert" in the box.

Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(5) states that it is a balk when a pitcher makes an illegal pitch: "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."

It is of little dispute that beginning one's delivery prior to the batter looking toward the mound constitutes a quick return pitch. With a runner on, this was called a balk.

As the inning progressed, it appeared Scherzer played more and more clock games, including the come-set-before-the-batter-gets-ready race and the make-the-batter-request-"Time"-and-exhaust-their-limit-of-one-"Time"-per-at-bat. If the batter did manage to assume alertness before Scherzer arrived at Set Position, Scherzer would simply hold the ball and wait until the pitch clock neared expiration prior to starting his delivery (Riggs called Scherzer for a time-expired violation once in the inning).

Insofar as a pitcher coming Set prior to the batter's readiness, the rules (namely 5.07(a)(2) regarding Set Position) do not outlaw the move: the rule simply requires the batter come set before delivering to the batter (we're assuming Set Position and not Windup is used). If there are runners, the pitcher must momentarily stop in Set prior to pitching (penalty: no-stop balk).

But there is no restriction in timing of when a pitch is first allowed to come set. Thus, Scherzer's strategy is legal, although the potential cost of messing with one's own timing and cadence (Scherzer's line was 2.2 IP, 7 R) may out-weight the potential benefits.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 022 - Jeremy Riggs (1; Max Scherzer)

HP Umpire Jeremy Riggs ejected Mets bench player/pitcher Max Scherzer (strike three call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Braves-#Mets game. With none out and none on, Mets batter Dominic Smith took a 1-2 curveball from Braves pitcher Kyle Wright for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and waist-high (px -1.12, pz 2.40), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Mets were leading, 3-0. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 3-0.

This is Jeremy Riggs (112)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

Jeremy Riggs now has -3 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 2 AAA - 4 Incorrect Call = -3).

Crew Chief Brian O'Nora now has -1 points in the UEFL Standings (-1 Previous + 0 Incorrect = -1).

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

This pitch was located 2.47 horizontal inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 22nd ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 7th player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Scherzer did not appear in the game.

This is New York's 1st ejection of 2022, T-2nd in the NL East (WAS 2; ATL, MIA, NYM, PHI 1).

This is Max Scherzer's 1st ejection since August 9, 2013 (Will Little; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Jeremy Riggs' 1st ejection since August 28, 2021 (Rowdy Tellez; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets, 5/3/22 | Video as follows:

2021 Ejection of the Year - Tom Hallion & Jeremy Riggs

Tom Hallion and Jeremy Riggs produced 2021's Ejections of the Year [2020: Dan Bellino].

Voting: 160 Hallion (12.0%), 101 Riggs (11.4%), 55 Joe West (9.8%), 103 Cory Blaser (7.4%).

Ejection 160 - Tom Hallion (Andy Green)

Tom Hallion's September 3, 2021 ejection of Chicago Cubs acting manager Andy Green after a correctly officiated bona fide slide rule interference no-call received the most votes for the UEFL Ejection of the Year Award.

During the ensuing argument, Hallion stated to Green, "You don't even know what the f* you're talking about. That's what I'm telling you: You don't always know what the f* you're talking about."

As far as final career ejections are concerned, Hallion's could be near the top of the all-time list.

Ejection 101 - Jeremy Riggs (Luis Rojas)

When Jeremy Riggs ejected Mets manager Luis Rojas as New York visited Pittsburgh on July 18, 2021, it brought into focus several key decisions that had to be made in a very short period of time: Riggs' multiple judgment calls on this play included whether the batted ball hit the batter in the box (no), whether the batted ball touched the lead baserunner along the foul line (no), whether or not the runner interfered with the catcher (no), whether the pitcher first touched the batted ball on the infield in fair or foul territory (fair), whether the third base coach interfered with the defense's play on the trailing runner (no), whether the third baseman obstructed the trailing baserunner (no), and whether the ball left the playing field (no).

Replays indicate Riggs' calls were correct while Rojas, apparently not satisfied with Riggs' response, appeared to assault bump the umpire. Perhaps the ejection accomplished its goal, as the Mets came back from a six-run deficit to defeat the Pirates one day after blowing a six-run lead to lose to Pittsburgh, the first time such an event has occurred in MLB history.

Perhaps best of all, this ejection featured commentary by legendary broadcaster Gary Thorne.

UEFL Awards History, Tom Hallion

Crew Chief of the Year: 2021

UEFL Awards History, Jeremy Riggs

None

The final postseason award, (Best) Umpire of the Year, will be released next | Videos as follows:

MLB Ejections 154-155 - Adrian Johnson, Jeremy Riggs (MIL x2)

2B Umpire Adrian Johnson ejected Brewers bench coach Pat Murphy (Unsportmsanlike-NEC) during the pre-game plate meeting and HP Umpire Jeremy Riggs ejected Brewers 1B Rowdy Tellez (balls/strikes; QOCY) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Brewers-#Twins game. Prior to the game, Murphy began arguing with 3B Umpire Brian Gorman, resulting in an ejection from Johnson for unsportsmanlike conduct. Replays indicate no calls occurred in the game prior to this ejection, the call was irrecusable. At the time of Murphy's ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. In the 6th, Brewers batter Rowdy Tellez struck out swinging after taking a 2-0 slider from Twins pitcher Caleb Thielbar for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.67, pz 1.47 [sz_bot 1.63 / RAD 1.51 / MOE 1.42]), the call was correct. At the time of Tellez's ejection, the game was tied, 4-4. The Twins ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

This is Adrian Johnson (80)'s 2nd ejection of 2021.

This is Jeremy Riggs (112)'s 2nd ejection of 2021.

Adrian Johnson now has -4 points in the UEFL Standings (-6 Prev + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = -4).

Jeremy Riggs now has 3 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 2 AAA + 0 Irrecusable Call = 3).

Crew Chief Brian Gorman now has 9 points in Crew Division (7 Previous + 2 QOCU = 9).

These are the 154th and 155th ejection reports of the 2021 MLB regular season.

This is the 62nd player ejection of 2021. Prior to ejection, Tellez was 1-3 (SO) in the contest.

This is Milwaukee's 13/14th ejection of 2021, 1st in the NL Central (MIL 14; CIN 10; CHC, STL 6; PIT 3).

This is Pat Murphy's 2nd ejection of 2021, 1st since April 28 (Marty Foster; QOC = N [Check Swing]).

This is Rowdy Tellez's 1st ejection since July 29, 2020 (Stu Scheurwater; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Adrian Johnson's 2nd ejection of 2021, 1st since May 23 (Mike Matheny; QOC = N [Check Swing]).

This is Jeremy Riggs' 2nd ejection of 2021, 1st since July 18 (Luis Rojas; QOC = Y [Fair/Foul]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Minnesota Twins, 8/28/21 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 101 - Jeremy Riggs (1; Luis Rojas)

HP Umpire Jeremy Riggs ejected Mets manager Luis Rojas (fair ball call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the #Mets-#Pirates game. With one out and the bases loaded, Pirates batter Kevin Newman hit a 0-1 sinker from Mets pitcher Taijuan Walker softly on the ground up the third base line, where it was touched by Walker, ruled a fair ball by HP Umpire Riggs, before being directed into foul territory between home plate and the third-base dugout, whereupon no fielders attempted to play the ball while Pirates baserunners John Nogowski, Gregory Polanco, and Michael Perez scored. Replays indicate the batted ball was first touched by Walker while on or over fair territory, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 6-0. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 7-6.

This is Jeremy Riggs (112)'s 1st ejection of 2021.

Jeremy Riggs now has 5 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 2 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 5).

Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has 4 points in Crew Division (3 Previous + 1 QOCY = 4).

*The Official Baseball Rules states, "A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that...while on or over fair territory touches the person of an umpire or player."

Related Post: Game of Millimeters & Cuzzi's Cubs-Cardinals Fair Ball (5/22/21).

This is the 101st ejection report of the 2021 MLB regular season.

This is the 49th manager ejection of 2021.

This is New York's 5th ejection of 2021, T-2nd in the NL East (PHI 6; MIA, NYM 5; WAS 2; ATL 0).

This is Luis Rojas' 3rd ejection of 2021, 1st since June 4 (Quinn Wolcott; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Jeremy Riggs' first career MLB ejection.

Wrap: New York Mets vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 7/18/21 | Video as follows:

Non-Foreign Substance - Pitcher Glove Color Legality

With all the recent emphasis on inspecting pitchers for foreign substances, HP Umpire Jeremy Riggs reminded us of existing Rule 3.07(a) in Arizona relative to legal and illegal pitcher glove colors when Brewers starter Freddy Peralta's gray glove was removed from play pursuant to baseball's colour rules, a different kind of inspection-related scrutiny.

According to Official Baseball Rule 3.07(a), "The pitcher’s glove may not, exclusive of piping, be white, gray, nor, in the judgment of an umpire, distracting in any manner. No fielder, regardless of position, may use a fielding glove that falls within a PANTONE® color set lighter than the current 14-series."

Thus, when Peralta ascended the mound with a gray glove, he ran afoul of OBR 3.07, the penalty for which is rather simple, as in 3.07(c): "The umpire-in-chief shall cause a glove that violates Rules 3.07(a) or (b) to be removed from the game, either on their own initiative, at the recommendation of another umpire or upon complaint of the opposing manager that the umpire-in-chief agrees has merit."

Unlike an illegal substance, the glove is simply removed from play, no ejection, no suspension, and the pitcher permitted to continue participating in the game, which is what happened here as Peralta substituted in a blue glove, which is a legal color.

This wouldn't be the first time MLB has seen glove or uniform color issues. For instance, during Players Weekend in 2019, the league-provided all-white uniforms for home teams saw pitchers wearing white hats, which is illegal pursuant to Rule 3.03(g). When then-Cubs manager Joe Maddon complained and had his team wear their traditional Chicago blue caps instead, the League chastised Maddon, instructing teams to "follow the rules," which was rather ironic given Maddon's complaint that by ordering pitchers to wear white hats, MLB had violated Rule 3.03.

MLB then ordered pitchers to wear black hats instead, but this in turn violated Rule 3.03(a) which states that "all players on a team shall wear uniforms identical in color, trim, and style"—all hats must be the same—while 3.03(c) declares, "No player whose uniform does not conform to that of their team-mates shall be permitted to participate in a game." Oops.

Related Post: The Players Weekend Uniform Hiccup (8/26/19).

Video as follows:

Crew Foster Sets Replay Record with Six Upheld Calls

MLB's 2020 season provided its latest trick as Chief Marty Foster's Crew set a new baseball record with six Replay Review calls during Monday's Orioles-Blue Jays game as Foster and umpires Alan Porter, Sean Barber and Jeremy Riggs had all six calls upheld via video review.

Because the Buffalo stadium doesn't have a dedicated major league replay video room, both teams during games at Sahlen Field are afforded two managers challenges. Here's the play-by-play.

Replay Review 1, Bot 4 (TOR Challenge): Out/Safe (Tag) at second base on Orioles pitcher Keegan Akin's pickoff of Blue Jays baserunner R2 Teoscar Hernandez, initially ruled "out" by 2B Umpire Marty Foster. After review, the call was upheld.

Replay Review 2, Bot 6 (BAL Challenge): Out/Safe (Tag) at third base on Orioles catcher Pedro Severino's attempt to throw out Blue Jays baserunner R2 Lourdes Gurriel, Jr on his attempted steal of third base, initially ruled "safe" by 3B Umpire Sean Barber. After review, the call was upheld.

Replay Review 3, Bot 9 (TOR Challenge): Out/Safe (Tag) at second base on Orioles catcher Severino's attempt to throw out Blue Jays baserunner R1 Derek Fisher on his attempted steal of second base, initially ruled "out" by 2B Umpire Marty Foster. After review, the call was upheld.

Replay Review 4, Top 10 (BAL Challenge): Out/Safe ("Force") at first base on Blue Jays pitcher AJ Cole's attempt to throw out Orioles batter-runner Hanser Alberto, initially ruled "out" by 1B Umpire Alan Porter. After review, the call was upheld.

Replay Review 5, Top 10 (Crew Chief Review): Out/Safe (Tag) at home plate on Blue Jays right fielder Hernandez's attempt to throw out Orioles baserunner R3 Mason Williams on his attempted score, initially ruled "out" by HP Umpire Jeremy Riggs. After review the call was upheld.

Replay Review 6, Bot 11 (Crew Chief Review): Out/Safe (Tag) at home plate on Orioles right fielder Anthony Santander/shortstop Jose Iglesias' attempt to throw out Blue Jays baserunner R1 Gurriel on his attempted score, initially ruled "out" by HP Umpire Jeremy Riggs. After review, the call was upheld.

In 2017, the World Baseball Classic broke a then-record for most Replay Reviews in a nine-inning game (five).
Related Post: WBC Game 2 Breaks Replay Review Record (3/22/17).

Video as follows:

MLB Debut of Umpire Jeremy Riggs

Umpire Jeremy Riggs made his MLB debut during Tuesday's White Sox-Indians doubleheader alongside Chief Dan Iassogna and his crew of Ben May and Tripp Gibson.

Riggs, who officiated Game 1 of the double-dip at first base before shifting to third for the nightcap, began his Minor League career in 2009, officiating the Gulf Coast, Appalachian, South Atlantic, Arizona Instructional, Carolina, Southern, and International Leagues, in addition to the Arizona Fall League.

Riggs officiated the 2010 Southern League All-Star Game and 2017 Triple-A All-Star Game.

Riggs is the third rookie umpire to make his MLB debut during the 2020 regular season.
Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Jose Navas (7/24/20)
Related Post: MLB Debut of Umpire Edwin Moscoso (7/23/20).

Stayin' Alive - The Umpire-Aided Triple Play

Knowing when umpire's interference occurs and when it does not can be crucial, especially when baserunners are involved and a ball bounces off the umpire in an unusual and unexpected way.

Ump INT no-call turns into AAA triple play.

Sunday afternoon in Pawtucket, 1B Umpire Jeremy Riggs had to think quickly when a batted ball bounced off him and back toward Red Sox pitcher William Cueves, who stepped on first base to force out Gwinnett batter-runner Rio Ruiz, before throwing to several teammates who tagged out baserunners Ronald Acuna and Ezequiel Carrera, who were wandering off their bases as if the ball had become dead. So what is the correct call?

Answer: Because batter Ruiz's fair batted ball passed Red Sox first baseman Sam Travis before striking umpire Riggs, umpire's interference did not occur, and the ball was properly kept live and in play. This correctly officiated triple play and potential lack of rules knowledge on the bases may have cost Gwinnett the game, as Pawtucket eventually walked off in extra innings.

Official Baseball Rule 6.01(f) Comment concerns two types of umpire's interference, and states:

Umpire’s interference occurs (1) when a plate umpire hinders, impedes or prevents a catcher’s throw attempting to prevent a stolen base or retire a runner on a pick-off play; or (2) when a fair ball touches an umpire on fair territory before passing a fielder. Umpire interference may also occur when an umpire interferes with a catcher returning the ball to the pitcher.

NOTE: The interference shall be disregarded if the catcher's throw retires the runner. (Rule 5.06(c)(2)).

The penalty for umpire's interference is a dead ball and runners return to their bases occupied at the time of the pitch unless forced to advance by virtue of the batter becoming a runner, in which case the forced runners shall be awarded one base.

To review, umpire's interference only exists if the following conditions are met:

Umpire interference during a catcher's throw.

Type 1 Interference) The catcher must possess the baseball and be attempting a throw on a baserunner. There is no interference if the umpire is hit by a pitched ball or becomes entangled with a catcher who is attempting to field a loose ball. There is no interference if the umpire makes contact with the catcher attempting to retire a batter. Type 1 interference cannot occur during a batted or pitched ball, and does not apply to any umpire who is not the plate umpire nor any fielder who is not the catcher.
Note to plate umpires: If you recognize umpire's interference, keep play alive until the baserunner has been successfully thrown out or not. If the runner is thrown out, disregard the interference. If the runner is not thrown out, call the interference and enforce the penalty (dead ball, runners return). This is a de facto delayed dead ball.

Umpire INT can only occur in certain cases.

Type 2 Interference) The umpire must make contact with a) a fair batted ball, which b) has not passed an infielder other than the pitcher or catcher, and which c) has not made contact with any player on the defensive team (including the pitcher or catcher). It is not interference if an umpire does not touch the baseball in the aforementioned manner. Type 2 interference cannot occur during a thrown, deflected, or pitched ball.

The accompanying video discusses the case of umpire's interference with a multitude of video examples elucidating what is and is not eligible for this particular ruling:

2017 Triple-A All-Star Game Umpires Announced

Your 2017 Triple-A All-Star Game umpires are Nick Mahrley, Nic Lentz, Billy Cunha, and Jeremy Riggs.

HP Umpire: Nick Mahrley (PCL, 4th year; MLB #48).
1B Umpire: Nic Lentz (IL, 4th year; MLB #59).
2B Umpire: Billy Cunha (PCL, 3rd year).
3B Umpire: Jeremy Riggs (IL, 2nd year).