3B Umpire Bill Welke ejected Rays Manager Kevin Cash (balk call; failure to notify umpires of Windup Position) in the top of the 3rd inning of the Royals-Rays game. With none out and one on (R3), Rays pitcher Matt Andriese attempted to deliver a 0-0 pitch to Rays batter Alcides Escobar, and was called for a balk. Replays indicate that prior to his delivery, Andriese stood with his pivot foot in contact with and parallel to the pitcher's plate and his free foot in front of the plate, as in Set Position, and then began his delivery by taking a step back with his free foot, as if in Windup Position while appearing to reset his pivot foot on the pitcher's plate, in contravention of
the new hybrid position rule for the 2017 season, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 4-1. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 7-6, in 12 innings.
This is Bill Welke (3)'s third ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Bill Welke now has 1 point in the UEFL Standings (-3 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 1).
Crew Chief Mike Everitt now has 5 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 5).
*
This is a new rule for 2017. Rule 5.07(a)(2) Comment (also new for 2017) states, "
With a runner or runners on base, a pitcher will be presumed to be pitching from the Set Position if he stands with his pivot foot in contact with and parallel to the pitcher’s plate, and his other foot in front of the pitcher’s plate, unless he notifies the umpire that he will be pitching from the Windup Position under such circumstances prior to the beginning of an at-bat."
*See Rule 5.07(a) Comment (
also new for 2017): "
The pitcher may not take a second step toward home plate with either foot or otherwise reset his pivot foot in his delivery of the pitch. If there is a runner, or runners, on base it is a balk under Rule 6.02(a); if the bases are unoccupied it is an illegal pitch under Rule 6.02(b)."
*Replays indicate Andriese failed to make such notification and declaration of his preferred stance (notice the pitch clock. Had the notification been made, the umpires would have declared "Time" and informed both teams of the Windup Position, and the pitch clock operator would have turned off the timer as a result of the "Time" call). The 2017 MLB Umpire Manual States: "
Once the pitcher notifies the home plate umpire of his intention to pitch from the Windup, the umpire should call "Time"; the ball is dead; and the umpire should indicate to the other members of the crew and each Club that the pitcher has elected to pitch from the Windup." Thus, the fact that the pitch clock remained on until Andriese assumed his position on the mound (see 1:35 of the accompanying video) indicates that Andriese failed to notify the umpire-in-chief of his pitching position. Notice at 0:34 of the video, Welke asks HP Umpire Bruce Dreckman if Andriese notified him of his intent to work out of Windup Position.
This is the 31st ejection report of 2017.
This is the 19th Manager ejection of 2017.
This is Tampa Bay's 3rd ejection of 2017, T-1st in the AL East (BAL,
TB, TOR
3; BOS 2; NYY 1).
This is Kevin Cash's 2nd ejection of 2017, 1st since
April 19 (Larry Vanover; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).
This is Bill Welke's 3rd ejection of 2017, 1st since
May 3 (Joe Girardi; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
Wrap:
Kansas City Royals vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 5/9/17 | Video via "Read More"
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