Alonso Strikes Out on Pitch Clock Violation, Orioles Argue

After striking out on a pitch clock violation, Orioles 1B Pete Alonso argued HP Umpire John Tumpane's automatic strike call, claiming that because Diamondbacks pitcher Kevin Ginkel wasn't looking at him at the timer's eight-second mark, he shouldn't be called for a batter violation for not looking at the pitcher. O's manager Craig Albernaz briefly discussed the call with Tumpane before returning to the dugout.

Let's clear up the pitch clock confusion.

When Major League Baseball introduced the pitch clock prior to the 2023 season, the league released a set of procedures outlining the pitcher, catcher, and batter's responsibilities. Because we are concerned with a timer-specific violation, let's review the timer-specific requirements:

At 9 seconds remaining on the timer, the catcher must be in the catcher's box.

At 8 seconds on the clock, the batter must be in the batter's box and alert to the pitcher.

Prior to 0 seconds on the clock, the pitcher must begin delivery (or disengage if there are runner(s)).

HP Umpire Tumpane called batter Alonso for failing to be alert to pitcher Ginkel at the eight-second mark, but Alonso's (and the Baltimore broadcasters') argument that he shouldn't have been called for a violation because pitcher Ginkel wasn't similarly alert to (or looking at) the batter doesn't have any basis in the pitch clock rules or procedures.

To be clear, the batter is required to be alert to the pitcher by eight seconds remaining on the clock, but the pitcher is not required to be alert to the batter: the pitcher's only obligation is to deliver the pitch (or disengage the rubber [e.g., attempt a pickoff] if there are runners) prior to the expiration of time.

The pitcher is not required to be alert to the batter at eight seconds; the batter is required to be alert to the pitcher at eight seconds, and thus, HP Umpire Tumpane called a batter violation when Alonso wasn't alert at eight seconds.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 166 - John Tumpane (2; Mark Vientos)

HP Umpire John Tumpane ejected Mets DH Mark Vientos (check swing strike three call by 1B Umpire Chris Conroy) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Nationals-#Mets game. With two out and two on, Mets batter Vientos attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 curveball from Nationals pitcher Mitchell Parker, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Tumpane and called a swinging strike on appeal by 1B Umpire Conroy. At the time of the ejection, the Nationals were leading, 3-2. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s 2nd ejection of 2025.

*This pitch was located 0.53 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 166th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 53rd player ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 86 Managers, 27 Coaches, 53 Players.

This is New York's 5th ejection of 2025, 2nd in the NL East (WAS 9; NYM 5; MIA 4; PHI 3; ATL 2).

This is Mark Vientos' first career MLB ejection.

This is John Tumpane's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since June 13 (Aaron Boone; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Washington Nationals vs New York Mets, 9/21/25 | Video as follows:

Balk or Ball? When An Umpire Should Ignore a Balk

When is a balk not a balk? Umpires correctly called A's pitcher Jeffrey Springs for a no-stop balk during a 3-2 pitch to Mariners batter Julio Rodríguez, but awarding baserunner R1 Ben Williamson second base was only half of the equation. Instead of Rodríguez awarded first base on ball four (the pitch was low), the crew returned the batter to the plate, where he proceeded to strike out swinging on the next pitch.

We first note Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(13) pertaining to balks, which states, "If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher delivers the pitch from Set Position without coming to a stop."

Because pitcher Springs failed to come to a complete stop while in Set Position, as in OBR 5.07(a)(2), 1B Umpire John Tumpane was correct to call out "balk" when the infraction occurred.

OBR 6.02(a) continues, specifying the penalty for a balk violation: "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."

Although the ball ultimately becomes dead on a balk, if the pitcher pitches, that pitch may still count, as long as it results in the batter-runner reaching first base and all other runners advancing at least one base.

In this situation, the pitch missed low for ball four, which meant that runner R1 Williamson would have been forced to advance to second base, by virtue of batter Rodríguez becoming a runner on the base-on-balls.

But instead of applying the "play proceeds without reference to the balk" portion of the penalty due to both batter and runner advancing at least one base, the umpires enforced the base award for the runner and returned the batter to home plate, where he proceeded to strike out instead of taking his base.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 070-1 - Tumpane/Rehak (NYY x2)

HP Umpire John Tumpane ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone and 1B Umpire Jeremie Rehak ejected Yankees 2B DJ LeMahieu (Replay Review decision upholding 1B Umpire Rehak's foul ball call; QOCY) in the top of the 10th inning of the #RedSox-#Yankees game. With two out and none on, Yankees batter LeMahieu hit a 0-0 sinker from Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock on a line drive past first base, ruled foul by 1B Umpire Rehak. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Yankees manager Boone, the foul ball call stood. Replays indicate the batted ball first contacted the ground in right field to the foul territory side of the foul line for a foul ball, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 2-1, in 10 innings.

  

This is John Tumpane (74)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

This is Jeremie Rehak (35)'s 2nd ejection of 2025.

These are the 70th and 71st ejection reports of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 36th manager & 22nd player ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 36 Managers, 13 Coaches, 22 Players.

This is New York's 5/6th ejection of 2025, 4th in the AL East (NYY 6; BAL, BOS, TB, TOR 3).

This is Aaron Boone's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since May 13 (Mark Wegner; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is DJ LeMahieu's 1st career MLB ejection.

This is John Tumpane's 1st ejection since August 26, 2024 (Carl Willis; QOC = Y [Fair/Foul]).

This is Jeremie Rehak's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since May 9 (Mark Prior; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox, 6/13/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 160 - John Tumpane (4; Carl Willis)

HP Umpire John Tumpane ejected Guardians pitching coach Carl Willis (foul ball call to Garrett Hampson; QOCY) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Royals-#Guardians game. With one out and none on, Royals batter Hampson swung at a 1-2 changeup from Guardians pitcher Pedro Avila, ruled a foul ball by HP Umpire Tumpane. Replays indicate Hampson's bat made contact with the baseball before it touched the ground, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 5-4. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 9-4.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s 4th ejection of 2024.

This is the 160th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 26th coach ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 80 Managers, 26 Coaches, 54 Players.

This is Cleveland's 3rd ejection of 2024, 2nd in the AL Central (CWS 8; CLE 3; KC, MIN 2; DET 1).

This is Carl Willis' 1st ejection since Sept 3, 2017 (Sam Holbrook; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is John Tumpane's 4th ejection of 2024, 1st since July 6 (Derek Shelton; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals vs Cleveland Guardians (Game 2), 8/26/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 107 - John Tumpane (3; Derek Shelton)

HP Umpire John Tumpane ejected Pirates manager Derek Shelton (strike call to Jack Suwinski; QOCN) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Mets-#Pirates game. With two out and the bases loaded, Pirates batter Suwinski took a 3-1 sinker from Mets pitcher Reed Garrett for a called second strike, before striking out swinging. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -0.73, pz 1.33 [sz_bot 1.69 / RAD 1.57 / MOE 1.49]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Mets were leading, 5-2. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 5-2.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s 3rd ejection of 2024.

This pitch was located 1.92 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 107th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 54th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 54 Managers, 14 Coaches, 39 Players.

This is Pittsburgh's 5th ejection of 2024, 2nd in the NL Central (MIL 6; PIT 5; CHC, STL 4; CIN 3).

This is Derek Shelton's 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 20 (DJ Reyburn; QOC = Y [Pitch Clock]).

This is John Tumpane's 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 24 (Alex Wood; QOC = Y [Balk]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs Pittsburgh Pirates, 7/6/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 027 - John Tumpane (2; Alex Wood)

3B Umpire John Tumpane ejected Athletics bench player Alex Wood (no stop balk call on pitcher Joe Boyle; QOCY) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the #Athletics-#Yankees game. With one out and one on, Tumpane called A's pitcher Joe Boyle for a balk during his 1-2 delivery to Yankees batter Aaron Judge. Replays indicate Boyle did not entirely stop prior to delivering to Judge, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 7-3.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s 2nd ejection of 2024.

*Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a) states it is a balk when the pitcher "delivers from Set Position without coming to a stop."

This is the 27th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 11th player ejection of 2024. Prior to ejection, Wood did not participate in the game.

Ejection Tally: 12 Managers, 4 Coaches, 11 Players.

This is Oakland's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st in the AL West (OAK 2; LAA, SEA, TEX 1; HOU 0).

This is Alex Wood's 1st ejection since May 5, 2021 (Tony Randazzo; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

This is John Tumpane's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 23 (Lawrence Butler; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs New York Yankees, 4/24/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 026 - John Tumpane (1; Lawrence Butler)

HP Umpire John Tumpane ejected Athletics RF Lawrence Butler (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Athletics-#Yankees game. With none out and none on, A's batter Butler took a 1-2 sinker from Yankees pitcher Clay Holmes for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the midpoint (px 0.15, pz 3.57 [sz_top 3.41 / RAD 3.54 / MOE 3.62]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 4-3. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

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

This is the 26th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 10th player ejection of 2024. Prior to ejection, Butler was 1-4 (2 SO) in the contest.

Ejection Tally: 12 Managers, 4 Coaches, 10 Players.

This is Oakland's 1st ejection of 2024, T-1st in the AL West (LAA, OAK, SEA, TEX 1; HOU 0).

This is Lawrence Butler's 1st career MLB ejection.

This is John Tumpane's 1st ejection since July 17, 2023 (Matt Thaiss; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs New York Yankees, 4/23/24 | Video as follows:

Bassitt's Balk by Disengagement Scores Run After 3rd Step Off

Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt balked home a run after stepping off for a third time with Rangers runner Mitch Garver dancing off third base, resulting in a disengagement violation that was immediately called by the umpires. Toronto played batter Josh Smith to pull toward right field and 'shifted' third baseman Cavan Biggio toward the shortstop position, leaving third base unguarded, allowing baserunner R3 Garver to take a sizeable lead.

Pitcher Bassitt attempted to keep the baserunner at bay by disengaging from the pitcher's plate and feigning to third base (pitchers are allowed to fake to third or first, but must disengage before starting the faking motion). Bassitt did this twice toward the end of Smith's at-bat, with R3 Garver and R2 Leody Taveras (who had stolen second earlier in the AB) returning to their bases safely each time.

When Garver strayed far down the foul line, Bassitt not only disengaged the rubber, but ran toward third base in an unsuccessful attempt to tag Garver. With Bassitt's attempt having failed, HP Umpire John Tumpane and 3B Umpire Mike Muchlinski simultaneously called "Time" and signaled Bassitt for a disengagement violation (third step-off), awarding the runners an extra base as a result.

Pitchers are allowed a maximum of two free disengagements per plate appearance. The "free disengagements remaining" counter resets back to two if any runner advances during the at-bat (e.g., due to a stolen base, error, balk, etc.) and a pitcher is allowed a third disengagement without penalty only if that third disengagement results in the retirement of a runner. If the runner is safe on the third disengagement, however, it is a balk and the runner(s) advance a base.

Video as follows:

Royals Win on Balk-Off as Mets Claim PitchCom Issue

The Kansas City Royals walked off the Mets Tuesday as umpires called New York pitcher Josh Walker for a start-stop balk, with 1B Umpire and Crew Chief Marvin Hudson came together with 3B Umpire John Tumpane to award the game-ending base award as Royals baserunner R3 MJ Melendez delivered the game-winning run in the 10th inning.

Fresh into the game to face Royals batter Michael Massey, Mets pitcher Walker and catcher Francisco Alvarez appeared to experience communication problems as PitchCom suffered a mechanical failure. Walker made this discovery while engaged (foot on rubber) and before he could properly disengage—and before catcher Alvarez could request "Time"—Walker balked by starting and stopping his pivot leg/foot without disengaging.

HP Umpire Blakney signaled a disengagement and appeared to honor Alvarez's "Time" request, but 3B Umpire John Tumpane and 1B Umpire and Crew Chief Marvin Hudson met and after brief confirmation that they had both seem the leg pump signaled the balk and base award, all while HP Umpire Blakney stood near the mound with his lineup card out, as if he were preparing to document a charged mound visit.

In sum, the call—a start-stop balk for the pitcher failing to go from Stretch to Set Position in one continuous and uninterrupted motion—appeared proper, but mechanically...it could have been a disaster.

*The start-stop is ordinarily balked under Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(1) for a pitcher who "makes any motion naturally associated with their pitch and fails to make such delivery," but over the years OBR 5.07(a)(2), requiring pitchers to go from Stretch to Set "without interruption and in one continuous motion," has been colloquially deemed a balk in practice as well as opposed to a "don't do that" instruction alone.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 151 - John Tumpane (5; Matt Thaiss)

HP Umpire John Tumpane ejected Angels catcher Matt Thaiss (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Yankees-#Angels game. With two out and two on, Thaiss took a 2-2 changeup from Yankees pitcher Nick Ramirez for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px -0.73, pz 1.64 [sz_bot 1.57 / RAD 1.45]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 4-3, in 10 innings.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s 5th ejection of 2023.

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

This pitch was located 2.21 horizontal and 3.24 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 151st ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 63rd player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 70 Managers, 63 Players, 18 Coaches.

This is Los Angeles' 6th ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL West (LAA, OAK, SEA, TEX 6; HOU 3).

This is Matt Thaiss' first career MLB ejection.

This is John Tumpane's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since July 8 (Craig Counsell; QOC = N [Balk]).

Wrap: New York Yankees of New York vs Los Angeles Angels of California, 7/17/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 142-3 - Tumpane, Blakney (Counsell + 1 MIL)

HP Umpire John Tumpane ejected Brewers manager Craig Counsell and 3B Umpire Ryan Blakney ejected 3B Brian Anderson (no stop balk; QOCN) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Reds-#Brewers game. With none out and one on, Brewers pitcher Abner Uribe was called for a no-stop balk with Reds batter Matt McLain at the plate and baserunner RJ Friedl at first base. Replays indicate the pitcher appeared to come to a complete stop before delivering to the batter, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 7-5. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 8-5.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s 4th ejection of 2023.

This is Ryan Blakney (36)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

*Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(13) states "it is a balk when The pitcher delivers the pitch from Set Position without coming to a stop."

These are the 142nd and 143rd ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 67th manager ejection of 2023.

This is the 59th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 67 Managers, 59 Players, 17 Coaches.

This is Craig Counsell's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 6 (Chris Guccione; QOC = U [Pitch Clock]).

This is Brian Anderson's 1st ejection since August 27, 2022 (DJ Reyburn; QOC = N [Out/Safe]).

This is John Tumpane's 4th ejection of 2023, 1st since June 29 (Gabe Kapler; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ryan Blakney's 1st ejection since August 31, 2022 (Brandon Crawford; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs Milwaukee Brewers, 7/8/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 127-8 - John Tumpane (2-3; SF x2)

HP Umpire John Tumpane ejected Giants 3B JD Davis and manager Gabe Kapler (strike three call to Davis; QOCY) in the top of the 3rd inning of the #Giants-#BlueJays game. With two out and two on, Davis took a 3-2 sinker from Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.26, pz 1.57 [sz_bot 1.68 / RAD 1.56 / MOE 1.48]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

These are John Tumpane (74)'s 2nd and 3rd ejections of 2023.

*This pitch was located 1.08 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

These are the 127th and 128th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 53rd player ejection of 2023.

This is the 62nd manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 62 Managers, 63 Players, 13 Coaches.

This is San Francisco's 1/2nd ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL West (ARI, SD 7; COL 4; LAD 3; SF 2).

This is JD Davis' first career MLB ejection.

This is Gabe Kapler's 1st ejection since August 4, 2022 (Phil Cuzzi; QOC = U [Unsportsmanlike-NEC]).

This is John Tumpane's 2/3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 30 (Harold Ramirez; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs Toronto Blue Jays, 6/29/23 | Video as follows:

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:

Teachable - A Base Touch Rotation with John Tumpane

For this Teachable, we watch an umpiring rotation during Tigers batter Riley Greene's triple as Detroit hosted Minnesota. After 2B Umpire Marvin Hudson goes out on a fly ball to the gap, 3B Umpire John Tumpane runs to fill in the vacated second base position, watching for batter-runner Greene's touch of second base.

Behind the play, HP Umpire Ryan Blakney has also rotated up the foul line to prepare for a play into third base and 1B Umpire Charlie Ramos is prepared to rotate to home plate if need be.

With no runners, the 2B Umpire is obliged to go out on any ball the umpire senses may become a "trouble" ball—which is those that may be subject to interference, catch/no catch issues, or stadium boundary questions such as a ball getting stuck in a wall or bounding out of play.

Sidebar: The following Mets-Marlins play from September 11, 2022 is an example of what might transpire if a 2B Umpire opts not to pursue a ball into the outfield that does indeed become a trouble ball, creating an umpiring coverage vacuum in the outfield that ultimately sees the home plate umpire make a lodged ball call.

Related Post: Angel Hernandez's Stuck Ball Ruling in Mets-Marlins (9/11/22).

Thus, it is important that all umpires on the field be prepared to rotate to new positions for new responsibilities as play develops, as Hudson's crew does in Detroit—Tumpane becoming the umpire in the middle as the Twins unsuccessfully appealed a missed base, ruled safe by Tumpane, and upheld via Replay Review.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 173-74 - Ryan Blakney (2-3; Mattingly, Bleier)

HP Umpire Ryan Blakney ejected Marlins manager Don Mattingly and pitcher Richard Bleier (three no-stop balk calls by 1B Umpire John Tumpane; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Marlins-#Mets game. With two out and none on, Mets batter Jeff McNeil hit a 0-2 slider from Marlins relief pitcher Bleier on the ground for a single to become the first baserunner during Bleier's appearance. With two out and one on (R1), 1B Umpire Tumpane called Mets pitcher Bleier for three balks during Pete Alonso's at-bat, the penalty for which advanced the runner McNeil to second, third, and home bases respectively. Replays indicate Bleier failed to come to a stop while delivering from Set Position with runner McNeil on base, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejections, the Marlins were leading, 6-4. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

These are Ryan Blakney (36)'s 2nd and 3rd ejections of 2022.

*Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(13) states, "If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when—the pitcher delivers the pitch from Set Position without coming to a stop."

These are the 173rd and 174th ejection reports of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 93rd manager ejection of 2022.

This is the 59th player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Bleier's line was 1.0 IP, H, 3 Balks, ER.

This is Miami's 10/11th ejection of 2022, 1st in the NL East (MIA 11; WAS 4; PHI 3; ATL, NYM 2).

This is Don Mattingly's 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since July 9 (Mark Ripperger; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Richard Bleier's 1st ejection since July 20, 2021 (Cory Blaser; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

This is Ryan Blakney's 2/3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since Aug 31 (Brandon Crawford; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs New York Mets, 9/27/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 114 - John Tumpane (4; Bud Black)

3B Umpire John Tumpane ejected Rockies manager Bud Black (Replay Review decision that overturned HP Umpire Marvin Hudson's out call/home plate collision no-call to safe/violation; QOCN) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Rockies-#Padres game. With two out and two on (R1, R2), Padres batter Ha-Seong Kim hit a 0-0 sinker from Rockies pitcher Jake Bird on a ground ball to left fielder Connor Joe, who threw to catcher Brian Serven as Padres baserunner R2 Wil Myers arrived at home plate, ruled out by HP Umpire Hudson. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Padres manager Bob Melvin, Hudson's call was overturned to safe with the Replay Official ruling that Serven violated baseball's home plate collision rule by improperly blocking the runner's access to home plate. Replays indicate catcher Serven appeared to initially position himself to the front and side of home plate, giving runner Myers a path, before shuffling to his left in response to the trajectory of LF Joe's throw, which is legal, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Padres were leading, 4-3. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 13-5.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s 4th ejection of 2022.

John Tumpane now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 2 MLB - 2 Incorrect-Crewmate = 4).

Crew Chief Marvin Hudson now has 3 points in Crew Division (3 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 3).

*Official Baseball Rule 6.01(i)(2): "Unless the catcher is in possession of the ball, the catcher cannot block the pathway of the runner as they are attempting to score...Not withstanding the above, it shall not be considered a violation of this Rule 6.01(i)(2) if the catcher blocks the pathway of the runner in a legitimate attempt to field the throw (e.g., in reaction to the direction, trajectory or the hop of the incoming throw, or in reaction to a throw that originates from a pitcher or drawn-in infielder)."

This is the 114th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 61st manager ejection of 2022.

This is Colorado's 2nd ejection of 2022, T-3rd in the NL West (SD 4; ARI 3; COL, SF 2; LAD 1).

This is Bud Black's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since July 14 (Malachi Moore; QOC = N [Out/Safe]).

This is John Tumpane's 4th ejection of 2022, 1st since July 16 (Ian Happ; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres, 8/2/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 106 - John Tumpane (3; Ian Happ)

HP Umpire John Tumpane ejected Cubs batter Ian Happ (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the #Mets-#Cubs game. With none out and none on, Cubs batter Happ took a 2-2 fastball from Mets pitcher Max Scherzer for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.81, pz 1.54 [sz_bot 1.64 / RAD 1.52 / MOE 1.43]) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 4-3, in 10 innings.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s 3rd ejection of 2022.

John Tumpane now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 8).

Crew Chief Marvin Hudson now has 6 points in Crew Division (5 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 6).

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

This pitch was located 1.25 horizontal and 1.32 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 106th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 35th player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Happ was 0-2 (SO) in the contest.

This is Chicago's 7th ejection of 2022, 1st in the NL Central (CHC 7; PIT, STL 3; CIN, MIL 2).

This is Ian Happ's 1st ejection since August 24, 2019 (Vic Carapazza; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is John Tumpane's 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since July 14 (David Ross; QOC = N [Balk No-Call]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs. Chicago Cubs (Doubleheader Game 2), 7/16/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 101 - John Tumpane (2; David Ross)

3B Umpire John Tumpane ejected Cubs manager David Ross (balk no-call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 4th inning of the #Mets-#Cubs game. With two out and one on (R1), Cubs batter Patrick Wisdom took a 1-2 slider from Mets pitcher Carlos Carrasco for a called second ball by HP Umpire Brennan Miller, affirmed as no swing on appeal by 1B Umpire Marvin Hudson. Replays indicate that during Carrasco's pitch sequence, Carrasco engaged in a double-set by coming set with his hands together in front of his body, approximately waist-high, followed by coming set again with his hands together in front of his body, approximately shoulder/neck-high; also called a start-stop balk, the no-call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Mets were leading, 4-0. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 8-0.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s 2nd ejection of 2022.

John Tumpane now has 2 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 2).

Crew Chief Marvin Hudson now has 2 points in Crew Division (2 Prev + 0 Incorrect Call = 2).

Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(1): "If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when—The pitcher, while touching their plate, makes any motion naturally associated with their pitch and fails to make such delivery."

This is the 101st ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 52nd manager ejection of 2022.

This is Chicago's 5th ejection of 2022, 1st in the NL Central (CHC 5; PIT, STL 3; CIN, MIL 2).

This is David Ross' 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since May 26 (Will Little; QOC = U [Throwing At NC]).

This is John Tumpane's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since May 14 (Rocco Baldelli; QOC = Y-c [Obstruction]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs. Chicago Cubs, 7/15/22 | Video as follows:

Quickie - Tumpane's Play at the Plate Positioning

In this short video, Lin traces the path of HP Umpire John Tumpane on an infield ground ball-turned-play at home plate, who calls Orioles baserunner Cedric Mullins out after Rangers catcher Meibrys Viloria's timely tag.

A play that starts, develops, and finishes in a span of mere seconds, we see Tumpane begin the play at the point of plate before moving to his right to keep pace with catcher Viloria's inside hip, which allows Tumpane to move into the best position to see the crucial keyhole angle between the players, using that slot to see the applied tag during runner Mullins' slide.

We also quickly discount the possibility of a plate blocking or home plate collision rule violation, as catcher Viloria clearly leaves runner Mullins an unobstructed path to home plate before legally moving into position in order to field fielder Marcus Semien's throw home.

Video as follows: