Fan Interference AND HR? Blue Jays-Rays Replay Rewind

Rays batter Brandon Lowe's home run stood on review as umpires called both fan interference and a home run on the same play. Blue Jays manager John Schneider met with 3B Umpire Laz Diaz afterward to discuss the unusual ruling, which we now analyze.

With one out and two on in the bottom of the 3rd inning, Rays batter Lowe hit a 2-2 changeup from Blue Jays pitcher José Berríos on a fly ball to deep right-center field. Blue Jays right fielder Nathan Lukes jumped in an attempt to catch the ball, but a fan reached out of the stands and caught the descending fly ball, ruled a home run by 1B Umpire Brian O'Nora.

Upon Replay Review as the result of a Crew Chief initiated-second look (potential home runs are chief reviews), Replay determined that while the fan did definitively commit spectator interference, the home run would ultimately stand because, absent the fan's interference, the ball would have left the yard anyway.

In crafting this ruling, the Replay Official relied on two different rules concerning spectator interference. The analysis thus relies on two different parts.

First, the Official Baseball Rules definition of terms delineates what spectator interference actually is: "Spectator interference occurs when a spectator (or an object thrown by the spectator) hinders a player’s attempt to make a play on a live ball, by going onto the playing field, or reaching out of the stands and over the playing field."

Upon review, Replay HQ in New York determined clear and convincing evidence did exist to declare that spectator interference did occur. To that end, the call on the field of no interference was overturned.

Second, OBR 6.01(e) is triggered only if the spectator interference definition's criteria are satisfied. OBR 6.01(e) states, "When there is spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball, the ball shall be dead at the moment of interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in their opinion will nullify the act of interference." An approved ruling allows the umpire to award an out if the fielder would have caught the ball if not for the interference.

This second part of the equation is where Replay Review encountered more difficulty. Because the video angles available were all from press box/behind the home plate area, and no side angle (e.g., parallel to the fence-line) existed, Replay HQ could not definitely determine what would have happened had interference not occurred. In other words, Replay had trouble with the "nullify the act" portion of the rule.

With a lack of clear and convincing evidence to determine how to nullify the act of interference, that leaves with a peculiar ruling of overturn for the interference part of the equation, but call stands for the nullification portion.

Accordingly, the technically correct language and outcome for this play is that the call on the field of no interference was overturned. It was spectator interference, but because of a lack of clear and convincing evidence to suggest what would have occurred absent the fan's illegal involvement, the home run ultimately stands as called.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 157-8 - Laz Diaz (4-5; WAS x2)

1B Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Nationals manager Miguel Cairo and pitcher Jake Irvin (Replay Review decision that upheld 2B Umpire Erich Bacchus' safe call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Nationals-#Marlins game. With none out and two on, Marlins batter Otto Lopez hit a 0-2 sinker from Nationals pitcher Irvin on the ground to second baseman Luis García, who attempted to tag out Marlins baserunner R1 Jakob Marsee before overthrowing first base, originally ruled out by 2B Umpire Bacchus, reversed to safe after crew consultation, and confirmed as safe upon Replay Review as the result of a manager's challenge by Nationals manager Cairo. At the time of the ejection, the Nationals were leading, 3-2. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 8-3.

These are Laz Diaz (63)'s 4th and 5th ejections of 2025.

These are the 157th and 158th ejection reports of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 82nd manager ejection of 2025.

This is the 51st player ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 82 Managers, 25 Coaches, 51 Players.

This is Washington's 8/9th ejection of 2025, 1st in the NL East (WAS 9; MIA 4; PHI, NYM 3; ATL 2).

This is Miguel Cairo's 4th ejection of 2025, 1st since August 20 (Todd Tichenor; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Laz Diaz's 4/5th ejection of 2025, 1st since May 25 (Dan Wilson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins, 9/10/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 044 - Laz Diaz (3; Dan Wilson)

HP Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Mariners manager Dan Wilson (strike three call to Randy Arozarena; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Astros-#Mariners game. With two out and one on, Mariners batter Arozarena took a 1-2 fastball from Astros pitcher Bryan King for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and thigh-high (px 0.39, pz 2.03 [sz_bot 1.55]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

 

This is Laz Diaz (63)'s 3rd ejection of 2025.

*This pitch was located 6.25 horizontal & 4.56 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 44th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 24th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 24 Managers, 10 Coaches, 10 Players.

This is Seattle's 1st ejection of 2025, 1st in the AL West (HOU, LAA, SEA, TEX 1; OAK 0).

This is Dan Wilson's first career MLB ejection.

This is Laz Diaz's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since April 8 (Torey Lovullo; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Seattle Mariners vs Houston Astros, 5/25/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 005-6 - Laz Diaz (1-2; ARI x2)

1B Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly and manager Torey Lovullo (check swing ball four call to Tyler O'Neill) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Orioles-#Diamondbacks game. With none out and one on, Orioles batter O'Neill attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 slider from Diamondbacks pitcher Kelly, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Brian O'Nora and affirmed as no swing on appeal by 1B Umpire Diaz. At the time of the ejection, the D-backs were leading, 4-2. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

These are Laz Diaz (63)'s 1st and 2nd ejections of 2025.

These are the 5th and 6th ejection reports of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 3rd player ejection of 2025.

This is the 2nd manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 2 Managers, 1 Coach, 3 Players.

This is Arizona's 1/2nd ejection of 2025, 1st in the NL West (ARI 2; COL, LAD, SD, SF 0).

This is Merrill Kelly's 1st ejection since May 15, 2023 (Brock Ballou; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Torey Lovullo's 1st ejection since July 22, 2024 (Jordan Baker; QOC = U [Warnings]).

This is Laz Diaz's 1st ejection since August 4, 2024 (Kevin Gausman; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs Arizona Diamondbacks, 4/8/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 136 - Laz Diaz (4; Kevin Gausman)

HP Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Blue Jays bench player/off-day pitcher Kevin Gausman (strike three call to George Springer; QOCY) in the top of the 7th inning of the #BlueJays-#Yankees game. With two out and one on, Blue Jays batter Springer took a called third strike on a 1-2 changeup from Yankees pitcher Luke Weaver for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.25, pz 1.51 [sz_bot 1.58 [sz_bot 1.46]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 6-3. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 8-3.

This is Laz Diaz (63)'s 4th ejection of 2024.

*This pitch was located 1.56 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 136th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 49th player ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 66 Managers, 21 Coaches, 49 Players.

This is Toronto's 8th ejection of 2024, T-1st in the AL East (NYY, TOR 8; BAL, TB 4; BOS 3).

This is Kevin Gausman's 1st ejection since May 3, 2019 (Jeff Nelson; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

This is Laz Diaz's 4th ejection of 2024, 1st since May 25 (Bruce Bochy; QOC = N-c [Fair/Foul]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs New York Yankees, 8/3/24 | Video as follows:

Laz Diaz Ejects Fan Who Threw Ball Toward Umpire

2B Umpire and Crew Chief Laz Diaz 'ejected' a fan for throwing a baseball onto the playing field, which landed near the umpire, during Saturday's Rockies-Giants game in San Francisco. Although technically an order for stadium personnel to remove the fan rather than a direct ejection, Diaz's ruling involves both the Official Baseball Rules and, locally, the Oracle Park Guest Code of Conduct.

All MLB stadiums have rules for spectators similar to Oracle Park's, which states, "guests entering, or attempting to enter, the playing field, or other areas which they are unauthorized to enter, or who throw (or attempt to throw) objects, with the exception of home run balls, in the stands or onto the field, are subject to ejection and prosecution. Fans interfering while a ball is in play are subject to ejection."

Although umpires are not specifically empowered with the authority to 'eject' fans, Official Baseball Rule 8.01(b) makes clear that umpires can order stadium personnel remove the fan: "Each umpire has authority to order a player, coach, manager or Club officer or employee to do or refrain from doing anything which affects the administering of these rules, and to enforce the prescribed penalties."

Spectators are #1—the most permissive spot—on the tolerance hierarchy for officiating, but getting physically involved with the game crosses that line. 

In 2017, Joe West, umpiring first base, ordered a game temporarily halted after a fan threw a ball from the stands and hit West in the back of his head.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 058-9 - Laz Diaz & Erich Bacchus (TEX x2)

HP Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Rangers manager Bruce Bochy and 3B Umpire Erich Bacchus ejected Rangers bench player Andrew Heaney (foul ball call by Bacchus; QOCN) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Rangers-#Twins game. With one out and two on, Twins batter Edouard Julien attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 knuckle curve from Rangers pitcher David Robertson, ruled a foul tip by HP Umpire Diaz but called a foul ball by 3B Umpire Bacchus (any base umpire may call a foul ball unasked). Replays indicate the pitched ball made contact with the bat and went directly into the catcher's mitt thereafter; this is a foul tip, Bacchus' call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Rangers were leading, 3-1. The Twins ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This Laz Diaz (63)'s 3rd ejection of 2024.

This is Erich Bacchus (12)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

These are the 58th and 59th ejections of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 24th player ejection of 2024. Prior to ejection, Heaney was a bench player and didn't play.

This is the 26th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 26 Managers, 9 Coaches, 24 Players.

This is Texas' 2/3rd ejection of 2024, T-1st in the AL West (HOU, TEX 3; OAK, SEA 2; LAA 1).

This is Bruce Bochy's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 18 (Todd Tichenor; QOC = Y [Fair/Foul]).

This is Andrew Heaney's first career MLB ejection.

This is Laz Diaz's 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st since May 14 (Ronel Blanco; QOC = U [Illegal Substance]).

This is Erich Bacchus' 1st ejection since July 4, 2023 (David Ross; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Seattle Mariners vs Washington Nationals, 5/25/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 054 - Charlie Ramos (1; Oliver Marmol)

HP Umpire Charlie Ramos ejected Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (strike three call to Lars Nootbaar; QOCN) in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the #Orioles-#Cardinals game. With one out and one on, Nootbaar took a 3-2 slurve from Orioles pitcher John Means for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh high (px -1.05, pz 2.36), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Orioles were leading, 3-0. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

Also discussed is a 1st inning line drive single by Orioles batter Adley Rutschman to Cardinals left fielder Dylan Carlson. Initially ruled an out by 3B Umpire Mike Estabrook, the crew conferred pursuant to Official Baseball Rules 8.02(c) and 8.03(c), with Crew Chief and 2B Umpire Laz Diaz signaling the outcome of the catch vs trap situation shall be that the batter-runner is safe at first base on the uncaught fly ball. St Louis was unable to challenge the call, as Marmol consumed the 15-second Decision Timer by arguing the play instead.

This is Charlie Ramos (111)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

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

This pitch was located 1.63 horizontal inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 54th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 24th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 24 Managers, 9 Coaches, 21 Players.

This is St Louis' 4th ejection of 2024, T-2nd in the NL Central (MIL, STL 4; PIT 3; CHC, CIN 1).

This is Oliver Marmol's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since May 12 (Alan Porter; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

This is Charlie Ramos' 1st ejection since June 3, 2023 (John Schneider; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs St Louis Cardinals, 5/21/24 | Video as follows:

Laz Diaz Calls Nestor Cortes' Quick Pitch...for a Needlessly Complicated Reason

When HP Umpire Laz Diaz called Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes for an illegal pitch vs Chicago, he told New York that Nestor stepped off and on the rubber, a technically correct reason to call a violation, but a lizard of a reason during a play where the primary illegal act was a quick pitch that didn't need a pivot foot vs pitcher's plate violation to be considered.

Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(5) Comment states, "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." (there were no runners.)

OBR's definition of Quick Pitch goes one step further: "A QUICK RETURN pitch is one made with obvious intent to catch a batter off balance. It is an illegal pitch."

One pitch prior to the play in question, Cortes delayed his delivery by throwing a "slow pitch"—a tactic he has employed in the past—only to then quick pitch White Sox batter Corey Julks on the very next pitch by hurrying his delivery as Julks was just starting to come reasonably set.

But instead of calling Cortes simply for making a quick return pitch with obvious intent to catch Julks unaware or unprepared, Diaz called a minute moment of Cortes's pivot foot breaking contact with the rubber before Cortes threw home.

Diaz's call was technically correct, but from a game management standpoint, a harder call to sell than the obvious quick pitch that occurred. This is because throughout baseball, if you slow it down and zoom in enough, you'll find that many pitchers routinely break contact between pivot foot and rubber during delivery, which sets a dangerous precedent.

Why is it called here and not when, say, Justin Verlander does it routinely? The answer is the same conclusion made at the very beginning of the article—it was a quick pitch, that's what made the sequence illegal. Just because we might know a rule doesn't mean we have to apply it to a situation which can be adjudicated using a much more obvious rule.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 051 - Laz Diaz (2; Ronel Blanco)

3B Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco (illegal substance/failed inspection) in the top of the 4th inning of the #Athletics-#Astros game. During an entry inspection conducted by 1B Umpire Erich Bacchus, umpires detected an illegal substance on Blanco's glove and ejected Blanco for violation of the prohibited substance rule. At the time of the ejection, the Astros were leading, 1-0. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

This is Laz Diaz (63)'s 2nd ejection of 2024.

Official Baseball Rule 6.02(c)(7) states, "The pitcher shall not have on their person, or in their possession, any foreign substance."

This is the 51st ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 19th player ejection of 2024. Prior to ejection, Blanco's line was 3 IP, 0 R, 4 K.

Ejection Tally: 23 Managers, 9 Coaches, 19 Players.

This is Houston's 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st in the AL West (HOU 3; OAK 2; LAA, SEA, TEX 1).

This is Ronel Blanco's first career MLB ejection.

This is Laz Diaz's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 15 (Skip Schumaker; QOC = Y [Pitch Clock]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs Houston Astros, 5/14/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 013 - Laz Diaz (1; Skip Schumaker)

HP Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Marlins manager Skip Schumaker (pitch clock violation no-call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Giants-#Marlins game. With two out and none on, following Marlins batter Avisaíl García's strikeout, Giants manager Bob Melvin visited the mound to replace pitcher Ryan Walker. Giants left-handed relief pitcher Tyler Rogers, warming in the bullpen, entered the playing field and began jogging toward the infield, only for Melvin to then signal with his right arm that he wanted a right-handed pitcher instead. Rogers returned to the bullpen as relief pitcher Camilo Doval (having since warmed up where Rogers had been pitching from moments earlier) stepped onto the warning track. After subsequent Marlins batter Nick Gordon took a first-pitch strike from Doval to make the count 0-1, Schumaker was ejected arguing the count should be 1-1 due to a pitch clock violation on San Francisco for taking too long to provide a substitute pitcher.

The pitch timer rules state that when a substitute pitcher is called into the game, the pitching change timer is started upon the umpire's signal to the bullpen. However, regardless of how much time has expired, if the substitute pitcher steps onto the warning track with under two minutes remaining on the clock, then the timer is automatically reset to 2:00, which is what the clock operator in Miami did here. Furthermore, Official Baseball Rule 5.10(j) pertaining to substitutions states that a pitcher not yet announced is not considered into the game until "they take their place on the pitcher’s plate"; there is no mechanism for a pitch clock violation in this scenario provided the pitcher concluded his on-field warmups timely, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Giants were leading, 4-3. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Laz Diaz (63)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

This is the 13th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 4th manager ejection of 2024.

Ejection Tally: 4 Managers, 2 Coaches, 7 Players.

This is Miami's 1st ejection of 2023, T-1st in the NL East (MIA, NYM, WAS 1; ATL, PHI 0).

This is Skip Schumaker's 1st ejection since Sept 27, 2023 (Ramon De Jesus; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Laz Diaz's 1st ejection since September 7, 2023 (Turner Ward; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs Miami Marlins, 4/15/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 220 - Laz Diaz (3; Turner Ward)

HP Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Cardinals hitting coach Turner Ward (strike one call to Jordan Walker; QOCY) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Cardinals-#Braves game. With none out and none on, Walker took a 2-0 fastball from Braves pitcher Max Fried for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.89, pz 2.65), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Braves were leading, 4-3. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 8-5.

This is Laz Diaz (63)'s 3rd ejection of 2023.

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

This pitch was located 0.29 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 220th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 31st coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 100 Managers, 89 Players, 31 Coaches.

This is St Louis' 14th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL Central (STL 14; PIT 10; CHC, MIL 8; CIN 7).

This is Turner Ward's 1st ejection since Sept 1, 2019 (Bill Miller; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Laz Diaz's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since Aug 25 (AJ Hinch; QOC = U [Pitch Clock]).

Wrap: St Louis Cardinals vs Atlanta Barves, 9/7/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 211 - Laz Diaz (2; AJ Hinch)

HP Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Tigers manager AJ Hinch (strike three call to Javier Baez after pitch clock violation no-call) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Astros-#Tigers game. With one out and one on, Baez took a 3-2 sinker from Astros pitcher Framber Valdez for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.66, pz 2.35), but that the pitch timer might have expired prior to Valdez initiating his motion to deliver the pitch (the penalty for which is an automatic ball). At the time of the ejection, the Astros were leading, 1-0. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

This is Laz Diaz (63)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

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

This pitch was located 3.00 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 211th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This the 96th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 96 Managers, 85 Players, 30 Coaches.

This is Detroit's 4th ejection of 2023, 5th in the AL Central (CWS 12; MIN 10; CLE, KC 6; DET 4).

This is AJ Hinch's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 17 (Nic Lentz; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Laz Diaz's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since August 7 (Aaron Boone; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]). 

Wrap: Houston Astros vs Detroit Tigers, 8/25/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 182 - Laz Diaz (1; Aaron Boone)

HP Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Yankees-#WhiteSox game. With none out and none on, Yankees batter Anthony Volpe took a 0-2 sinker from White Sox pitcher Bryan Shaw for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and thigh-high (px 0.55, pz 2.08), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the White Sox were leading, 2-1. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 5-1.

This is Laz Diaz (63)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

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

This pitch was located 4.37 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 182nd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 82nd coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 82 Managers, 75 Players, 25 Coaches.

This is New York's 8th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL East (NYY 8; BAL 5; BOS, TOR 4; TB 3).

This is Aaron Boone's 6th ejection of 2023, 1st since July 2 (Dan Merzel; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Laz Diaz's 1st ejection since July 17, 2021 (Will Venable; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Chicago White Sox, 8/7/23 | Video as follows:

Base Coach Interference Visits Giants Game

The rarely seen interference: base coach assist call made an appearance during the mammoth 7th inning of San Francisco's lopsided victory over Pittsburgh, with 3B Umpire Laz Diaz ruling Giants baserunner R2 Austin Slater out at third base after a crew conference determination that 3B Coach Mark Hallberg illegally assisted him in returning to third base.

Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(8) governs this play and states that it is interference by a runner when, "in the judgment of the umpire, the base coach at third base, or first base, by touching or holding the runner, physically assists them in returning to or leaving third base or first base."

Diaz originally ruled Slater safe on a close play at third featuring a collision with Pirates third baseman Rodolfo Castro during which the ball popped out of Castro's glove due to the force of the players coming together. After request from Pirates manager Derek Shelton, the crew convened and Slater was ruled out for the coach assist interference (Giants manager Gabe Kapler did not argue).

Video as follows:

Culbreth & Danley Round Out Retirements (Joining Davis, Gorman & West), with Diaz, Gibson, Hudson, Kulpa, and Welke Promoted to Crew Chief

Major League Baseball announced its final umpire staff changes for 2022, with Fieldin Culbreth and Kerwin Danley retiring alongside Gerry Davis, Brian Gorman, and Joe West. Crew Chief promotions and new full-time umpires hires were also announced.

MLB's official announcement confirms the hiring of Ryan Additon, Sean Barber, John Libka, Ben May, and Roberto Ortiz to the full-time staff. The new-hires have worked the following numbers of MLB games prior to 2022:

> Additon: 381 major league games.

> Barber: 693.

> Libka: 371.

> May: 658.

> Ortiz: 412.

Retiring umpires are Culbreth, Danley, Davis, Gorman, and West. They retire with the following experience:

> Culbreth: 29 years, 3140 regular season. 1 Wild Card, 8 Division, 7 Lg Champ, 3 World Series.

> Danley: 30 years, 2656 regular season. 1 Wild Card, 7 Division, 2 Lg Champ, 2 World Series.

> Davis: 40 years, 4849 regular season (5k overall). 3 WC, 13 DS, 11 LCS, 6 World Series.

> Gorman: 31 years, 3430 regular season. 1 WC, 10 DS, 7 LCS, 3 World Series.

> West: 44 years, 5460 regular season. 4 WC, 8 DS, 10 LCS, 6 World Series.

West retires as the umpire with the most games officiated in MLB history; Gerry Davis has the fourth-most all-time. Davis retires with the second-most League Championship Series officiated with 11 (Jerry Crawford 12), and Joe West with the third-most (10). Davis has the most Division Series officiated with 13 and Brian Gorman has the 6th-most. Gerry Davis has the most postseason games in MLB history (151) and Joe West is second (132, presently tied with Ted Barrett).

Promoted to crew chief to fill the five retirements are Laz Diaz, Greg Gibson, Marvin Hudson, Ron Kulpa, and Bill Welke. Of that list, Diaz, Hudson, Kulpa, and Welke served as interim crew chiefs for MLB's COVID-shortened 2020 season (Greg Gibson opted out).

Related Post: MLB Names 7 Interim Crew Chiefs for 2020 (7/23/20).

Interference in Boston? Laz Diaz's Astros-Red Sox No-Call

After HP Umpire Laz Diaz called strike three on Astros pitcher Cristian Javier's 3-2 fastball to Red Sox batter JD Martinez while catcher Martin Maldonado nearly tried to throw stealing runner Alex Verdugo out at second base, interference questions began popping up, as did both managers with Houston's Dusty Baker campaigning for an interference call on Martinez and Boston's Alex Cora more upset about the strike three call on a pitch off the outside corner.

As we always do, we begin with the rulebook for this play from the bottom of the 3rd inning of Game 4 of the 2021 American League Championship Series. Although Official Baseball Rule 6.03(a)(3) [batter out for illegal action] calls for an out when the batter "interferes 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 base," the relevant rule here is actually OBR 6.01(a)(5) because the batter was out due to the strike three call: "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."

The high school equivalent is NFHS 7-3-5 ("interfere with the catcher's fielding or throwing by leaning over home plate, stepping out of the batter's box, or making any other movement...which hinders actions at home plate or the catcher's attempt to play on a runner") while college is NCAA 6-3-b (similar to OBR), the penalty for which states, "If the batter strikes out, the runner is also out."

While a throw to second is not required to call interference, it sure helps. The throw leaves no doubt as to the catcher's intention and quite clearly demonstrates a hindering act has occurred. By not throwing, Maldonado made Diaz's job more difficult. By not throwing, now the umpire must decide WHY the throw didn't happen. Was it because the catcher thought the pitch was ball four (the computer sure did)? Was it because the runner Verdugo would have slid in safely at second base? Or was it because retired batter Martinez interfered?

In only one of those scenarios would the proper call be interference. In the end, the judgment call rests with that question: what was Maldonado's intent here and why was no throw made? If the answer is because of retired batter Martinez's hindrance, the call is interference. If the answer is because of another reason other than Martinez's movement, the likely call is to make none at all.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 099-100 - Laz Diaz & Jeff Nelson (BOS x2)

3B Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Red Sox bench coach Will Venable and HP Umpire Jeff Nelson ejected bench player Kevin Plawecki (check swing strike three call) in the top of the 6th inning of the #RedSox-#Yankees game. With two out and the bases loaded, Red Sox batter Christian Vazquez attempted to check his swing on a 0-2 slider from Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Nelson and a swinging third strike on appeal by 1B Umpire Manny Gonzalez. Play was reviewed and adjudicated by the UEFL Appeals Board (8-0), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 3-1, in 6 innings.

This is Laz Diaz (63)'s 2nd ejection of 2021.

This is Jeff Nelson (45)'s 2nd ejection of 2021.

Laz Diaz now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (3 Prev + 2 MLB + 1 Call-Crewmate = 6).

Jeff Nelson now has 7 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 2 MLB + 1 Call-Crewmate = 7).

Crew Chief Jeff Nelson now has 3 points in Crew Division (1 Previous + 2 Call = 3).

These are the 99th and 100th ejection reports of the 2021 MLB regular season.

This is the 37th player ejection of 2021. Prior to ejection, Plawecki did not appear in the game.

This is Boston's 4/5th ejection of 2021, 2nd in the AL East (NYY 6; BOS 5; TOR 3; BAL 2; TB 0).

This is Will Venable's 1st ejection since April 9, 2015 (Tripp Gibson; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

This is Kevin Plawecki's first career MLB ejection.

This is Laz Diaz's 2nd ejection of 2021, 1st since April 11 (Scott Servais; QOC = U [Warnings]).

This is Jeff Nelson's 2nd ejection of 2021, 1st since June 6 (Edgar Valera; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees, 7/17/21 | Video as follows:

Teachable - Laz Hedges the Wedge & Keeps the Keyhole

In this Teachable Moment, tmac follows HP Umpire Laz Diaz on a play at the plate as Nationals runner Josh Bell attempts to score on a single to left field as Rays catcher Mike Zunino fields Randy Arozarena's throw and dives to tag the sliding baserunner.

This upheld Replay Review play from the Washington-Tampa Bay series features an umpire adjusting their position at home plate based on the catcher's actions in receiving the ball and where the umpire believes the tag attempt will most likely occur as a result of the catcher's movement.

Diaz sees catcher Zunino move to his left (into foul territory) to field the throw, so Diaz moves to his right (toward fair territory [extended]) to preserve the keyhole angle and the view that will provide the best evidence for determining whether or not the runner is out. In this case, Diaz rules the runner out and this call is upheld.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 008 - Laz Diaz (1; Scott Servais)

2B Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Mariners Manager Scott Servais (warnings) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Mariners-#Twins game. With none out and none on in the top of the 7th, Mariners batter Ty France took a 2-0 fastball from Twins pitcher Cody Stashak for a hit-by-pitch. In the bottom of the 7th, Twins batter Byron Buxton took a 0-1 changeup from Mariners pitcher Will Vest for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and struck Buxton in the back, the call was irrecusable.* At the time of the ejection, the Twins were leading, 6-5. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 8-6.

This is Laz Diaz (63)'s 1st ejection of 2021.

Laz Diaz now has 1 point in the UEFL Standings (-1 Prev + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 1).

Crew Chief Laz Diaz now has 2 points in Crew Division (1 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 2).

*A pitch need not be intentionally thrown at the batter in order for an umpire to warn both teams. Pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 6.02(c)(9): "If, in the umpire's judgment, circumstances warrant, both teams may be officially 'warned' prior to the game or at any time during the game."

This is the eighth ejection report of the 2021 MLB regular season.

This is the third manager ejection of 2021.

This is Seattle's 1st ejection of 2021, T-1st in the AL West (LAA, SEA 1; HOU, OAK, TEX 0).

This is Scott Servais' 1st ejection since Sept 8, 2020 (John Libka; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Laz Diaz's 1st ejection since September 7, 2019 (Nelson Cruz; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Seattle Mariners vs. Minnesota Twins, 4/11/21 | Video as follows: