MLB Ejection 174 - John Bacon (6; Mark Kotsay)

HP Umpire John Bacon ejected A's manager Mark Kotsay (foul ball call to Bobby Witt Jr; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Royals-#Athletics game. With one out and one on, Royals batter Witt Jr swung at a 1-2 curveball from A's pitcher Hogan Harris, ruled a foul ball by HP Umpire Bacon. Replays indicate that the bat appeared to make slight contact with the pitched ball during the swing before the ball fell into the dirt behind home plate, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 4-2. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is John Bacon (70)'s 6th ejection of 2025.

This is the 174th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 91st manager ejection of 2025.Ejection Tally: 91 Managers, 28 Coaches, 55 Players.

This is Sacramento's 5th ejection of 2025, 3rd in the AL West (LAA 8; HOU, OAK 5; SEA, TEX 4).

This is Mark Kotsay's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since August 2 (John Bacon; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is John Bacon's 6th ejection of 2025, 1st since August 14 (Rocco Baldelli; QOC = Y [Foul Tip]).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals vs No City Athletics, 9/27/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 126 - John Bacon (5; Rocco Baldelli)

HP Umpire John Bacon ejected Twins manager Rocco Baldelli (foul tip/out catch call on Ryan Jeffers; QOCY) in the bottom of the 11th inning of the #Tigers-#Twins game. With none out and one on, Twins batter Jeffers swung at a 0-2 splitter from Tigers pitcher Rafael Montero, ruled a foul tip (caught) by HP Umpire Bacon. Replays indicate the pitch after contacting the batter's bat and traveling sharply toward Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler's mitt, the ball appeared to glance off the mitt's lip before ultimately being held by the catcher, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Tigers were leading, 4-3. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 4-3, in 11 innings.

This is John Bacon (70)'s 5th ejection of 2025.

*Official Baseball Rules Definition: "A FOUL TIP is a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught, and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play."

This is the 126th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 67th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 67 Managers, 21 Coaches, 38 Players.

This is Minnesota's 6th ejection of 2025, 2nd in the AL Central (MIN 6; CWS 4; DET, KC 2; CLE 0).

This is Rocco Baldelli's 4th ejection of 2025, 1st since May 31 (Austin Jones; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is John Bacon's 5th ejection of 2025, 1st since August 2 (Mark Kotsay; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Box: Detroit Tigers vs Minnesota Twins, 8/14/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 115 - John Bacon (4; Mark Kotsay)

HP Umpire John Bacon ejected Athletics manager Mark Kotsay (ball one call to Lourdes Gurriel; QOCN) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Diamondbacks-#Athletics game. With none out and one on, Diamondbacks batter Gurriel took a 0-0 changeup from Athletics pitcher Ben Bowden for a called first ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and at the hollow beneath the knee (px -0.06, pz 1.83 [sz_bot 1.64 / RAD 1.52 / MOE 1.60]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Diamondbacks were leading, 5-2. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 7-2.

This is John Bacon (70)'s 4th ejection of 2025.

*This pitch was located 2.76 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 115th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 62nd manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 62 Managers, 19 Coaches, 34 Players.

This is ATH's 4th ejection of 2025, 2nd in the AL West (LAA 5; OAK 4; TEX 3; SEA, 2; HOU 1).

This is Mark Kotsay's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since May 25 (Roberto Ortiz; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is John Bacon's 4th ejection of 2025, 1st since July 6 (Carlos Mendoza; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Box: Arizona Diamondbacks vs 404 City Not Found Athletics, 8/2/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 094 - John Bacon (3; Carlos Mendoza)

HP Umpire John Bacon ejected Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (strike three call to Luis Torrens; QOCN) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Yankees-#Mets game. With none out and none on, Mets batter Torrens took a 0-2 changeup from Yankees pitcher Devin Williams for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and below the hollow beneath the knee (px 0.61, pz 1.34 [sz_bot 1.57 / RAD 1.45 / MOE 1.38]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 6-4. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

  

This is John Bacon (70)'s 3rd ejection of 2025.

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

This is the 94th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 50th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 50 Managers, 14 Coaches, 30 Players.

This is New York's 2nd ejection of 2025, 3rd in the NL East (MIA, WAS 3; NYM 2; ATL, PHI 1).

This is Carlos Mendoza's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since June 28 (Roberto Ortiz; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is John Bacon's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since April 17 (Jazz Chisholm; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Box: New York Yankees vs New York Mets, 7/6/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 010 - John Bacon (2; Jazz Chisholm)

HP Umpire John Bacon ejected Yankees 2B Jazz Chisholm (strike three call; QOCN) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Yankees-#Rays game. With one out and one on, Yankees batter Chisholm took a 3-2 fastball from Rays pitcher Mason Montgomery for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and below of the hollow of the knee (px -0.60, pz 1.47 [sz_bot 1.68 / RAD 1.56 / MOE 1.48]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 6-3. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 6-3.

This is John Bacon (70)'s 2nd ejection of 2025.

*This pitch was located 0.12 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 10th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 5th player ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 3 Managers, 2 Coach, 5 Players.

This is New York's 1st ejection of 2025, 1st in the AL East (BAL, NYY, TB 1; BOS, TOR 0).

This is Jazz Chisholm's 1st ejection since April 30, 2024 (Jansen Visconti; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is John Bacon's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since April 13 (Brandon Hyde; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays, 4/17/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 007 - John Bacon (1; Brandon Hyde)

HP Umpire John Bacon ejected Orioles manager Brandon Hyde (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the #BlueJays-#Orioles game. With one out and one on, Orioles batter Jordan Westburg took a 3-2 sinker from Blue Jays pitcher José Berríos for a called strike, as Orioles baserunner R1 Ryan O'Hearn stole second base. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -0.50, pz 1.46 [sz_bot 1.61 / RAD 1.49 / MOE 1.41]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Orioles were leading, 3-2. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 7-6, in 10 innings.

This is John Bacon (70)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

*This pitch was located 0.60 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 7th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 3rd manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 3 Managers, 1 Coach, 3 Players.

This is Baltimore's 1st ejection, T-1st in the AL East (BAL, TB 1; BOS, NYY, TOR 0).

This is Brandon Hyde's 1st ejection since August 7, 2024 (Larry Vanover; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is John Bacon's 1st ejection since April 10, 2024 (Aaron Boone; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles, 4/13/25 | Video as follows:

No, You Can't Hug Manny Machado - Interference at 3B

Hugging Padres 3B Manny Machado turned into an interference-aided double play for Guardians baserunner Gabriel Arias, as 3B Umpire John Bacon ruled that Arias prevented Machado from making a potential play on trailing Cleveland runner Austin Hedges.

With none out and runners on first and second base (R1, R2), Guardians runner R2 Arias took off for third base, drawing a throw from Padres pitcher Kyle Hart to Machado, who waited to tag Arias. But instead of giving himself up, Arias wrapped up Machado, who mimed a fake throw to second base where following runner Hedges was advancing.

Umpire Bacon, ruling that Arias' actions prevented Machado from making a potential play on another runner, ruled now-retired baserunner Arias guilty of interference pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(5): "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."

Broadcasters also erroneously alleged that pitcher Hart balked in making his initial throw to third base, which was unoccupied to begin the play, and without first disengaging the rubber. 

While a pitcher is generally prohibited from throwing to an unoccupied base from the rubber, OBR 6.02(a)(4) makes one key exception that is relevant here: "If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher, while touching their plate, throws, or feints a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play."

Because R2 Arias was attempting to advance to third base, Hart's throw to third qualifies for the purpose-of-making-a-play exception to the balk rule and is therefore legal.

Video as follows:

Boston's Infield Fly Interference Play - Part 3 of Ongoing Saga

After umpires called an inning-ending double play due to runner Tyler O'Neill's interference during Rafael Devers' infield fly in Boston, Red Sox manager Alex Cora argued with 1B Umpire John Bacon and 2B Umpire Andy Fletcher—who both called the infraction–to no avail, now the third time infield fly interference has occurred in baseball this season after remaining largely dormant for the past decade.

With one out and runners at first and second base in the bottom of the 7th inning, Boston batter Devers hit a first-pitch sweeper from Mariners pitcher Tayler Saucedo for a fly ball somewhat near first base. While attempting to field the fly ball, Seattle first baseman Justin Turner collided with Boston baserunner R1 O'Neill, off his base, resulting in an interference call from the two closest umpires as the runner hindered and impeded Turner's ability to make a play.

At the conclusion of play, umpires declared O'Neill out for interference and Devers out on the infield fly rule, thus ending the inning.

Recall baseball's right of way rules relative to baserunning, interference, and obstruction:

On a batted ball, the FIELDER has the right to field the ball.

At any other time, the RUNNER has the right to run the bases.

Accordingly, on Devers' batted ball, the fielding team—Seattle—had right of way privileges. Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(10) puts a runner out for interference when "they fail to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball, or intentionally interfere with a thrown ball, provided that if two or more fielders attempt to field a batted ball, and the runner comes in contact with one or more of them, the umpire shall determine which fielder is entitled to the benefit of this rule, and shall not declare the runner out for coming in contact with a fielder other than the one the umpire determines to be entitled to field such a ball."

The tricky part is on baserunner interference, the ball is ordinarily dead at the moment of interference. When interference occurs during an infield fly, however, "the ball remains alive until it is determined whether the ball is fair or foul. If fair, both the runner who interfered with the fielder and the batter are out. If foul, even if caught, the runner is out and the batter returns to bat."

Because the ball in this situation remains alive solely for the purpose of determining fair/foul status, the umpire must decide which fielder to protect—who may ordinarily be expected to try for the fly—while the ball is still in the air and before any fielder is camped under it. For this reason, it does not matter that Mariners second baseman Jorge Polanco ultimately caught the ball—it was dead before the catch even happened.

Based on the timing requirement, Turner was deemed the protected fielder and, thus, O'Neill's interference resulted in an infield fly-aided inning-ending double play.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 007 - John Bacon (1; Aaron Boone)

HP Umpire John Bacon ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone (strike two call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Marlins-#Yankees game. With none out and none on, Yankees batter Alex Verdugo took a 1-1 slider from Marlins pitcher Andrew Nardi for a called second strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.88, pz 1.45 [sz_bot 1.57 / RAD 1.45]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Marlins were leading, 4-1. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 5-2.

This is John Bacon (70)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

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

This pitch was located 0.41 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 7th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 2nd manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 2 Managers, 2 Coaches, 3 Players.

This is New York's 1st ejection of 2024, T-1st in the AL East (NYY, TOR 1; BAL, BOS, TB 0).

This is Aaron Boone's 1st ejection since Sept 20, 2023 (Lance Barrett; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is John Bacon's 1st ejection since July 16, 2022 (Mike Matheny; QOC = Y [Interference]).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs New York Yankees, 4/10/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 105 - John Bacon (7; Mike Matheny)

HP Umpire John Bacon ejected Royals manager Mike Matheny (batter's interference out call; QOCY) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Royals-#BlueJays game. With two out and two on (R1, R2), Royals batter Michael Massey swung at and missed a 2-0 cutter from Blue Jays pitcher David Phelps as catcher Danny Jansen attempted to throw to second base to play on Royals baserunner R2 Edward Olivares, ruled interference by HP Umpire Bacon as batter Massey stepped across home plate as Jansen threw. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 6-5, in 10 innings.

This is John Bacon (70)'s 7th ejection of 2022.

John Bacon now has 14 points in the the UEFL Standings (10 Previous + 2 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 14).

Crew Chief Brian O'Nora now has 1 point in Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).

*Official Baseball Rule 6.03(a)(3): "A batter is out for illegal action when—they interfere with the catcher's fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter's box or making any other movement that hinders the catcher's play at home plate...If the batter interferes with the catcher, the plate umpire shall call 'interference.' The batter is out and the ball dead."

This is the 105th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 55th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Kansas City's 3rd ejection of 2022, T-1st in the AL Central (CWS, DET, KC 3; MIN 2; CLE 1).

This is Mike Matheny's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since April 29 (Manny Gonzalez; QOC = Y [Out Call]).

This is John Bacon's 7th ejection of 2022, 1st since June 26 (Raisel Iglesias; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals of Missouri vs. Toronto Blue Jays of Ontario, 7/16/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 077-84 - Bacon, Johnson (SEA-LAA Brawl)

HP Umpire John Bacon ejected Angels pitcher Andrew Wantz and manager Phil Nevin (throwing at Mariners batter Jesse Winker), 3B Umpire Adrian Johnson ejected Mariners LF Winker, manager Scott Servais (fighting), and HP Umpire Bacon ejected Mariners SS JP Crawford, CF Julio Rodriguez, and Angels pitcher Ryan Tepera and pitcher Raisel Iglesias (fighting) in the top of the 2nd inning of the #Mariners-#Angels game. With one out and none on in the top of the 1st inning, Mariners batter Julio Rodriguez took a first-pitch fastball from Wantz for a called first ball, resulting in warnings. In the top of the 2nd, with none out and none on, leadoff batter Winker took a first-pitch fastball from Wantz for a hit-by-pitch, resulting in the ejections of Wantz and Nevin for throwing at Winker after warnings were issued, and inciting a benches-clearing brawl. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Winker on the hip, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejections, the game was tied, 0-0. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

These are John Bacon (70)'s 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th ejections of 2022.

These are Adrian Johnson (80)'s 2nd and 3rd ejections of 2022.

John Bacon now has 12 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 6*[2 AAA + 0 Irrecusable] = 12).

Adrian Johnson now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable] = 8).

Crew Chief Adrian Johnson now has 11 points in Crew Division (3 Prev + 8 Irrecusable Call = 11).

These are the 77th, 78th, 79th, 80th, 81st, 82nd, 83rd, and 84th ejections of the 2022 MLB regular season.

These are the 39th and 40th manager ejections of 2022.

These are the 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th player ejections of 2022.

This is Los Angeles' 4-7th ejection of 2022, T-1st in the AL West (LAA, SEA 7; HOU 5; OAK 3; TEX 0).

This is Seattle's 4-7th ejection of 2022, T-1st in the AL West (LAA, SEA 7; HOU 5; OAK 3; TEX 0).

This is Andrew Wantz's first career MLB ejection.

This is Phil Nevin's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since June 21 (Nestor Ceja; QOC = N-c [Balk]).

This is Jesse Winker's 1st ejection since August 29, 2020 (Dan Bellino; QOC = U [Fighting]).

This is Scott Servais' 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since June 6 (Chris Guccione; QOC = U [Fighting]).

This is JP Crawford's first career MLB ejection.

This is Julio Rodriguez's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since May 31 (Lance Barrett; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ryan Tepera's 1st ejection since August 7, 2018 (Ed Hickox; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Raisel Iglesias' first career MLB ejection.

These are John Bacon's 1st ejections since August 27, 2020 (Craig Counsell; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

These are Adrian Johnson's 2-3rd ejections of 2022, 1st since May 3 (Torey Lovullo; QOC = Y-c [Fair/Foul]).

Wrap: Seattle Mariners vs. Los Angeles Angels of WWE, 6/26/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 067 - Dan Iassogna (1; Dave Martinez)

2B Umpire Dan Iassogna ejected Nationals manager Dave Martinez (obstruction call by 3B Umpire John Bacon; QOCN) in the top of the 10th inning of the #Phillies-#Nationals game. With one out and two on (R2, R3), Phillies batter JT Realmuto hit a 1-1 sinker from Nationals pitcher Steve Cishek for a ground ball up the middle scoring both Nationals baserunners after a collision beyond second base between Phillies baserunner R2 Rhys Hoskins and Nationals shortstop Luis Garcia, ruled obstruction (type 2) by 3B Umpire Bacon, who awarded R2 Hoskins home plate, scoring a run. Replays indicate the collision occurred as shortstop Garcia dove for, and was in the act of fielding, the batted ball; therefore, the right-of-way rules give fielder Garcia priority consideration pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(10). This is interference by the runner, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Phillies were leading, 8-6. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 8-7, in 10 innings.

This is Dan Iassogna (58)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

Dan Iassogna now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB - 2 Incorrect-Crewmate = 0).

Crew Chief Dan Iassogna now has 2 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 0 Incorrect = 2).

OBR 6.01(a)(10): "It is interference by a batter or runner when—He fails to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball, or intentionally interferes with a thrown ball."

This is the 67th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 35th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Washington's 4th ejection of 2022, 1st in the NL East (WAS 4; MIA 3; PHI 2; ATL, NYM 1).

This is Dave Martinez's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since June 4 (Gabe Morales; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Dan Iassogna's 1st ejection since July 2, 2021 (Don Mattingly; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

Wrap: Philadelphia Phillies vs Washington Nationals, 6/17/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 38 - John Bacon (1; Craig Counsell)

HP Umpire John Bacon ejected Brewers Manager Craig Counsell (ball four call; QOCY) in the top of the 5th inning of the #Reds-#Brewers game. With two out and one on (R2), Reds batter Mike Moustakas took a 3-2 fastball from Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and above the midpoint (px 0.60, pz 3.53 [sz_top 3.43 / RAD 3.55 / MOE 3.47]) and that all other callable pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 4-0. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 6-0, in 7 innings.

This is John Bacon (70)'s first ejection of 2020.
John Bacon now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Tim Timmons now has 4 points in Crew Division (3 Previous + 1 Correct = 4).
This pitch was located 0.72 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 38th ejection report of the 2020 MLB regular season.
This is the 16th Manager ejection of 2020.
This is Milwaukee's 1st ejection of 2020, T-3rd in the NL Central (CIN, PIT 3; CHC, MIL 1; STL 0).
This is Craig Counsell's 1st ejection since Sept 28, 2019 (Mark Carlson; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).
This is John Bacon's 1st ejection since Aug 25, 2019 (Doug Brocail; QOC = N [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers (Gm 2), 8/27/20 | Video as follows:

John Bacon Ejects Derek Hill Over AFL Auto-Strike

Another week produced another ejection in the Arizona Fall League, as HP Umpire John Bacon ejected Tigers prospect Derek Hill for arguing an automatic strike during Saturday, October 19's Javelinas vs. Solar Sox game in Mesa.

Hill fell victim to the auto-K to lead off his at-bat in the bottom of the 8th inning of the contest, as Bacon enforced the AFL's pitch clock rule that has been in place since the 2014 AFL season, and, in its current form, specifies that the penalty for a batter who fails to be in the batter's box and alert to the pitcher with seven seconds (or less) remaining on the timer shall be penalized with an automatic strike.

Bacon ejected Hill following a post-at-bat argument, which had ended in a swinging strikeout. The crew assigned to Peoria-Mesa on Saturday was quite the experienced group of AFL umpires: HP Umpire Bacon (MLB fill-in #70), 1B Umpire Jose Navas (ejected Jacon Heyward for arguing a computer strike call last Wednesday), 2B Umpire Jansen Visconti (MLB fill-in #52), and 3B Umpire Brennan Miller (MLB fill-in #55).
Related Post: Computer Strike Call Prompts Navas' AFL Ejection (10/16/19).

Summary of Penalties for Pitch Clock Violations:
Batter not in box & ready at 7-seconds: Auto-Strike.
Pitcher not in motion at 0-seconds: Auto-Ball.

We previously analyzed baseball's Pace-of-Play automatic strike in 2018. See the following article for a video example of an umpire enforcing the pitch clock rule with an automatic strike in Minor League Baseball during the 2018 season.
Related Post: Pitch Clock? Anatomy of a Pace-of-Play Auto-Strike (8/27/18).

The AFL's present pitch clock rule most nearly resembles MiLB's pace of play initiatives as introduced prior to the 2018 season. Pitch clocks debuted for the first time at the MLB level during 2019's Spring Training.
Related Post: Minor League Baseball Issues 2018 Pace of Play Rules (3/14/18).
Related Post: Manfred: Pitch Clock WILL Debut at Spring Training (2/18/19).

Clock-averse Official Baseball Rule 5.04(b)(1) states, "The batter shall take his position in the batter’s box promptly when it is his time at bat," while Rule 5.04(b)(4)(A)'s penalty states, "In National Association [e.g., Minor League Baseball] play, for a batter’s second or subsequent violations of this Rule in a game, the umpire shall award a strike without the pitcher having to deliver the pitch. The ball is dead, and no runners may advance."

The pitch clock rule prescribes a strict interpretation as to OBR 5.04(b) violations.

Wrap: Peoria Javelinas vs. Mesa Solar Sox, 10/19/19 | Video unavailable.

MLB Ejection 172 - John Bacon (1; Doug Brocail)

1B Umpire John Bacon ejected Orioles Pitching Coach Doug Brocail (check swing ball one call) in the top of the 5th inning of the #Rays-#Orioles game. With two out and one on (R1), Rays batter Avisail Garcia attempted to check his swing on a 0-1 slider from Orioles pitcher Dylan Bundy, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Lance Barksdale and affirmed as no swing on appeal by 1B Umpire Bacon. Play was reviewed and adjudicated by the UEFL Appeals Board (0-8), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Orioles were leading, 6-3. The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 8-3.

This is John Bacon (70)'s first ejection of 2019.
John Bacon now has -4 points in the UEFL Standings (-2 Prev + 2 AAA - 4 Incorrect Call = -4).
Crew Chief Ted Barrett now has 14 points in Crew Division (14 Previous + 0 QOCN = 14).

This is the 172nd ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is Baltimore's 5th ejection of 2019, T-2nd in the AL East (NYY 7; BAL, BOS 5; TOR 4; TB 2).
This is Doug Brocail's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since April 14 (Stu Scheurwater; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).
This is John Bacon's first career MLB ejection.

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Baltimore Orioles, 8/25/19 | Video as follows:

John Tumpane's Late-Inning Rotation

To get in the mood for an upcoming Tump & Ted Teachable, we're highlighting a crucial rotation by HP Umpire John Tumpane in the bottom of the 9th inning of Sunday's Braves-Marlins game on a critical out call at first base as Atlanta's Ronald Acuna retired batter-runner Isan Diaz on a wide turn at the bag.

The analysis here is rather simple. With none out and none on, 1B Umpire Lance Barksdale ran down the right field line after watching 2B Umpire John Bacon move into the infield on a fly ball down the right field line that fell untouched in front of outfielder Acuna.

With Barksdale jogging into the outfield to signal the play fair and 2B Umpire Bacon hustling into the infield with Crew Chief Ted Barrett remaining at third, that left first base uncovered, which meant that, with Diaz the only baserunner to account for, HP Umpire Tumpane had play-calling responsibility for the batter-runner back into first base in the event that the defense attempted to make a play at the bag...which is precisely what happened.

Nonverbal communication is vital for U1 & 2.

This is a perfect example of a crew executing standard responsibilities on a play that develops into something where textbook rotation—something as relatively ordinary and common as U1 following a fly ball into his primary outfield coverage area as the right fielder moves to his left, U2 moving into the infield, U3 staying put, and the plate umpire taking U1's vacant first base—is absolutely vital to officiate this play correctly. Not to mention Tumpane having to gently guide Marlins first base coach Trey Hillman out of the way as MLBU #74 took a knee to make his call. Video as follows:

Major League Debut of Umpire John Bacon (70)

Umpire John Bacon made his MLB debut during Thursday's Reds-Mets game in New York, joining Acting Chief Ron Kulpa's crew as the second base umpire, alongside HP Umpire Marty Foster, 1B Umpire Gabe Morales, and 3B Umpire Kulpa. He replaced Jerry Meals, who officiated Wednesday's game at Citi Field.

Bacon is a crew chief on the 2019 International League umpire roster, which is his fourth year in Triple-A. After his graduation from the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring and stint in the Coastal Plain League, Bacon officiated the Gulf Coast (2008), Appalachian ('09-'10), Midwest ('10), Carolina ('11-'12), Southern ('12), Eastern ('13-'15), and Arizona Instructional ('13) before joining the International League in 2016.

He officiated the 2018 Arizona Fall League Championship Game, 2018 Triple-A National Championship Game, 2017 International League Postseason, and his first MLB Spring Training in 2017.

Bacon wears the sleeve number 70, which was last worn at the Major League level by DJ Reyburn, who switched to #17 one year after previous 17-wearer John Hirschbeck's retirement in 2016.

Bacon is the second rookie fill-in umpire to make his MLB debut during the 2019 regular season.
Related Post: Major League Debut of Umpire Brennan Miller (55) (4/20/19).

Bacon's most recent MiLB assignment was the May 1 Louisville-Toledo game at Toledo, where Bacon had the plate alongside crewmates Mike Wiseman and Richard Riley.