MLB Ejections 020-21 - Mark Wegner (1-2; MIA x2)

HP Umpire Mark Wegner ejected Marlins RF Kyle Stowers and manager Clayton McCullough (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Phillies-#Marlins game. With one out and one on, Marlins batter Stowers took a 3-2 fastball from Phillies pitcher Brad Keller for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.76, pz 2.32), the call was correct.* Miami lost both ABS challenges earlier in the game. At the time of the ejections, the Phillies were leading, 6-5. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 6-5.

These are Mark Wegner (14)'s 1st and 2nd ejections of 2026.

*This pitch was located 1.85 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

These are the 20th and 21st ejection reports of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 5th player ejection of 2026.

This is the 13th manager ejection of 2026.  Ejection Tally: 13 Managers, 3 Coaches, 5 Players.

This is Miami's 2/3rd ejection of 2026, 1st in the NL East (MIA 3; ATL, PHI 1; NYM, WAS 0).

This is Kyle Stowers' first career MLB ejection.

This is Clayton McCullough's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since April 19 (Cory Blaser; QOC = Y [Balk]).

This is Mark Wegner's 1st ejection since August 27, 2025 (Brian Snitker; QOC = U [Warnings]).

Wrap: Philadelphia Phillies vs Miami Marlins, 5/1/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 139 - Mark Wegner (3; Brian Snitker)

2B Umpire Mark Wegner ejected Braves manager Brian Snitker (warnings after Ronald Acuña HBP) in the top of the 3rd inning of the #Braves-#Marlins game. With none out and one on, Braves batter Matt Olson hit a home run off Marlins pitcher Ryan Gusto. Ensuing Braves batter Acuña then took a 0-0 sinker from Gusto inside for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch struck Acuña on the elbow, leading to a benches-clearing incident, resulting in warnings, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Braves were leading, 3-0. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 12-1.

This is Mark Wegner (14)'s 3rd ejection of 2025.

*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."

OBR 6.02(c)(9): "Team personnel may not come onto the playing surface to argue or dispute a warning issued under Rule 6.02(c)(9). If a manager, coach or player leaves the dugout or their position to dispute a warning, they should be warned to stop. If they continue, they are subject to ejection."

This is the 139th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 75th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 75 Managers, 23 Coaches, 41 Players.

This is Atlanta's 2nd ejection of 2025, 5th in the NL East (WAS 6; MIA, PHI NYM 3; ATL 2).

This is Brian Snitker's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since June 7 (Gabe Morales; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Mark Wegner's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since June 24 (Jazz Chisholm; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Atlanta Braves vs Miami Marlins, 8/27/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 086 - Mark Wegner (2; Jazz Chisholm)

HP Umpire Mark Wegner ejected Yankees 3B Jazz Chisholm (strike two call; QOCN) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Yankees-#Reds game. With one out and one on, Yankees batter Chisholm Jr. took a 2-0 changeup from Reds pitcher Lyon Richardson for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px 0.09, pz 1.45 [sz_bot 1.81 / RAD 1.69 / MOE 1.61]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 5-4, in 11 innings.

  

This is Mark Wegner (14)'s 2nd ejection of 2025.

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

This is the 86th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 28th player ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 44 Managers, 14 Coaches, 28 Players.

This is New York's 7th ejection of 2025, 1st in the AL East (NYY 7; BOS 6; BAL, TB, TOR 3).

This is Jazz Chisholm's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since April 17 (John Bacon; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Mark Wegner's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since May 13 (Aaron Boone; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Cincinnati Reds, 6/24/25 | Video as follows:

Dodgers-Mets Obstruction, Tag-Up & Pirates Out of Base Path

Dodgers 3B Max Muncy's visual obstruction and Shohei Ohtani/Michael Conforto's timely tag-up in New York and Pirates runner Alexander Canario's out of the base path calls feature in this rules analysis trio. How did the umpires do?

Muncy's Obstruction: With one out and a runner on third, Mets batter Pete Alonso hit a fly ball to Dodgers right fielder Toescar Hernández, who threw home in time to retire baserunner R3 Starling Marte, with HP Umpire Ryan Blakney signaling the runner out on the tag. 3B Umpire Tripp Gibson, however, called "Time" and ruled obstruction on Dodgers 3B Muncy, awarding Marte home for a Mets run.

According to the MLB Umpire Manual pertaining to official rule interpretations, Muncy committed obstruction by intentionally positioning himself to block R3 Marte's view of the fielder catching the sacrifice fly: "This is obstruction under Official Baseball Rule 6.01(h)(2). The umpire should call the infraction when it occurs and award bases, if any, in the appropriate manner."

Ohtani & Conforto's Timely Tag-Ups: Also in this game, New York unsuccessfully challenged 2B Umpire Marvin Hudson's call that Dodgers baserunners R1 Ohtani and R2 Conforto did not leave early (fail to retouch) second base on an outfield fly ball that was caught. Mets outfielders Juan Soto and Tyron Taylor briefly juggled the fly ball before Taylor ultimately caught it. Replays indicate R2 Conforto left second base after Soto's first touch of the fly ball, but before Taylor's eventual catch.

According to the Official Baseball Rule's definition of a catch, "Runners may leave their bases the instant the first fielder touches the ball." This means Conforto timely retouched by leaving second base after fielder Soto's touch, even if he left before the bobbled ball was eventually caught.

Canario's Out of the Base Path Overslide: In Pittsburgh, HP Umpire Mark Wegner called Pirates baserunner Alexander Canario out at home for running more than three feet away to avoid a tag on a play at the plate. Runner Canario overslid home plate and, in doing so, Wegner ruled that Canario ran out of his base path, since the base path from the start of the tag attempt ends at the base to which the runner is trying.

OBR 5.09(b)(1) states, "Any runner is out when they run more than three feet away from their base path to avoid being tagged unless their action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball. A runner’s base path is established when the tag attempt occurs and is a straight line from the runner to the base they are attempting to reach safely."

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 032 - Mark Wegner (1; Aaron Boone)

HP Umpire Mark Wegner ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone (strike three call to Jasson Domínguez; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Yankees-#Mariners game. With one out and one on, Yankees batter Domínguez took a 1-2 fastball from Mariners pitcher Andréz Muñoz for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -0.13, pz 1.43 [sz_bot 1.65 / RAD 1.53 / MOE 1.45]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 2-1, in 11 innings.

This is Mark Wegner (14)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

*This pitch was located 0.24 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 32nd ejection of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 15th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 15 Managers, 9 Coaches, 8 Players.

This is New York's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st in the AL East (NYY, TOR 3; BAL, TB 1; BOS 0).

This is Aaron Boone's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since April 20 (Adam Beck; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Mark Wegner's 1st ejection since Sept 27, 2024 (Spencer Arrighetti; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Seattle Mariners, 5/13/15 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 183 - Mark Wegner (2; Spencer Arrighetti)

HP Umpire Mark Wegner ejected Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti (ball calls; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Astros-#Guardians game. With none out and none on, Guardians batter Will Brennan walked, Bo Naylor struck out, Daniel Schneemann walked, and Steven Kwan walked. Replays indicate that of the 15 callable pitches thrown during the half inning prior to ejection, all 14 were properly officiated (15/15 = 100% accuracy), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Astros were leading, 5-0. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 5-2.

This is Mark Wegner (14)'s 4th ejection of 2024.

This is the 183rd ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 60th player ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 91 Managers, 31 Coaches, 60 Players.

This is Houston's 14th ejection of 2024, 1st in the AL West (HOU 14; OAK 8; LAA, SEA 7; TEX 6).

This is Spencer Arrighetti's first career MLB ejection.

This is Mark Wegner's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since July 22 (Alex Cora; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Houston Asstros vs Cleveland Guardians of the Galaxy, 9/27/24 | Video as follows:

Wegner & Crew Warn Rockies & Red Sox in Sticky Situation

After Rockies pitcher Cal Quantrill and Red Sox batter Reese McGuire exchanged words, leading to a benches-clearing incident in Colorado, Chief Mark Wegner's crew met to discuss remedies, ultimately opting for warnings to both teams, issued by HP Umpire Jeremie Rehak. The game proceeded without further incident as Colorado defeated Boston, 20-7.

Although Quantrill appeared to instigate the situation, and ordinarily might have merited ejection, it would appear the crew either did not observe the misconduct or deemed it unworthy of expulsion. Instead, the crew opted to clean up the mess by warning both teams.

Official Baseball Rule 6.02(c)(9) states, "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," and this crew in the absence of observing an ejectable instigation offense, found that benches clearing constituted a circumstance to warrant warnings.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 126 - Mark Wegner (1; Alex Cora)

HP Umpire Mark Wegner ejected Red Sox manager Alex Cora (balls/strikes; QOCY) in the bottom of the 11th inning of the #RedSox-#Rockies game. Cora was ejected during the inning break between the 11th and 12th innings. Replays indicate that of the four callable pitches during the half inning immediately preceding ejection, all four were officiated properly (4/4 = 100% accuracy), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 7-7. The Rockies ultimately won the contest, 9-8, in 12 innings.

This is Mark Wegner (14)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

This is the 126th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 64th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 64 Managers, 17 Coaches, 45 Players.

This is Boston's 3rd ejection of 2024, T-3rd in the AL East (NYY 8; TOR 7; BAL, BOS, TB 3).

This is Alex Cora's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since June 8 (Alan Porter; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Mark Wegner's 1st ejection since August 5, 2023 (Tim Anderson; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs Colorado Rockies, 7/22/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 174-9 - Mark Wegner (3-8; CWS-CLE)

HP Umpire Mark Wegner ejected White Sox SS Tim Anderson, Guardians 3B Jose Ramirez, Guardians manager Terry Francona, White Sox manager Pedro Grifol, Guardians 3B Coach Mike Sarbaugh, and Guardians pitcher/bench (bullpen) player Emmanuel Clase (fighting) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #WhiteSox-#Guardians game. With one out and one on, Guardians batter Ramirez hit a 2-2 changeup from White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech on a ground ball to right fielder Oscar Colas, who threw to second base as Ramirez slid in safely. After being called safe by 2B Umpire Malachi Moore, Ramirez took exception to White Sox shortstop Anderson straddling him to make a tag and the two engaged in a fight, resulting in a benches-clearing incident and bona fide brawl. At the time of the ejections, the White Sox were leading, 5-1. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-4.

These are Mark Wegner (14)'s 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th ejections of 2023.

These are the 174th, 175th, 176th, 177th, 178th, & 179th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

These are the 80th and 81st manager ejections of 2023. This is the 23rd Coach ejection of 2023.

These are the 73rd, 74th, and 75th player ejections of 2023.

Ejection Tally: 81 Managers, 75 Players, 23 Coaches.

This is Chicago's 10/11th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL Central (CWS 11; MIN 9; CLE 6; KC 5; DET 3).

This is Cleveland's 3-6th ejection of 2023, 3rd in the AL Central (CWS 11; MIN 9; CLE 6; KC 5; DET 3).

This is Tim Anderson's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 5 (DJ Reyburn; QOC = U [USC-NEC]).

This is Jose Ramirez's first career MLB ejection.

This is Terry Francona's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since Aug 4 (Bruce Dreckman; QOC = N [Replay Review]).

This is Pedro Grifol's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since Aug 2 (Adam Hamari; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Mike Sarbaugh's first career MLB ejection.

This is Emmanuel Clase's first career MLB ejection.

This is Mark Wegner's 3-8th ejection of 2023, 1st since May 12 (Troy Snitker; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals vs Philadelphia Phillies, 8/5/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 053 - Mark Wegner (2; Troy Snitker)

HP Umpire Mark Wegner ejected Astros hitting coach Troy Snitker (strike one call to Kyle Tucker; QOCY) in the top of the 1st inning of the #Astros-#WhiteSox game. With two out and one on (R1), Astros batter Kyle Tucker took a first-pitch fastball from White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and below the midpoint (px 0.27, pz 3.61 [sz_top 3.51 / RAD 3.63 / MOE 3.71]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 5-1.

This is Mark Wegner (14)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 1.20 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 53rd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 6th coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 25 Managers, 22 Players, 6 Coaches.

This is Houston's 2nd ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL West (HOU, OAK, SEA 2; LAA, TEX 1).

This is Troy Snitker's first career MLB ejection.

This is Mark Wegner's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 9 (Buck Showalter; QOC = N-c [Interference]).

Wrap: Houston Astros vs Chicago White Sox, 5/12/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 051 - Mark Wegner (1; Buck Showalter)

3B Umpire Mark Wegner ejected Mets manager Buck Showalter (interference no-call by 2B Umpire Malachi Moore; QOCN) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Mets-#Reds game. With one out and one on (R1), Reds batter Kevin Newman hit a 1-1 fastball from Mets pitcher Stephen Nogosek on the ground to shortstop Francisco Lindor, who was unable to field the baseball due to potential interference by sliding Reds baserunner R1 Wil Myers, ruled no interference (everyone safe) by 2B Umpire Moore. Replays indicate Myers appeared to willfully and deliberately swipe at the batted ball and/or fielder Lindor's glove while the ball was still a batted ball, the no-call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 4-1. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 7-6.

This is Mark Wegner (47)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

*Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(6) states: "If, in the judgment of the umpire, a base runner willfully and deliberately interferes with a batted ball or a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball with the obvious intent to break up a double play, the ball is dead. The umpire shall call the runner out for interference and also call out the batter-runner because of the action of their teammate. In no event may bases be run or runs scored because of such action by a runner."

This is the 51st ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 24th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 24 Managers, 22 Players, 5 Coaches.

This is New York's 2nd ejection of 2023, 3rd in the NL East (MIA 4; PHI 3; NYM 2; ATL 1; WAS 0).

This is Buck Showalter's 1st ejection since June 25, 2018 (Stu Scheurwater; QOC = Y [Balk]).

This is Mark Wegner's 1st ejection since August 20, 2019 (Brian Snitker; QOC = U [Warnings]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs Cincinnati Reds, 5/9/23 | Video as follows:

Ask UEFL - Pirates Score as Nats Fail to Appeal Fourth Out

We received many Ask the UEFL questions on a botched appeal play during Wednesday's Pirates-Nationals game in Washington as Pittsburgh scored the go-ahead run thanks to the Nats' failure to appeal a fourth out on Jack Suwinski's baserunning in the 5th inning.

Play: With one out and two on (R2, R3), Pirates batter Ke'Bryan Hayes hit a line drive that was caught on the fly by Nationals first baseman Josh Bell (as signaled by 1B Umpire Mark Wegner), who threw to third baseman Ehire Adrianza as Pirates baserunner R2 Hoy Park arrived at third base (from second). Replays indicate that both R2 Park and lead runner R3 Jack Suwinski failed to tag up after batter Hayes' line drive was caught, and Nats F5 Adrianza tagged R2 Park to appeal that he left early, signaled an out by 3B Umpire Jeremie Rehak. Washington then left the field as Pirates manager Derek Shelton exited his dugout to argue with 1B Umpire Wegner about the catch/trap call.

Call: Upon consultation, the umpires ruled batter Hayes out on the caught batted ball and runner R2 Park out on appeal for failing to tag up. R3 Suwinski's run was allowed to score, however, as the Nationals failed to appeal that R3 left early. The Nationals, having already left the playing field, then attempted to return to the field and appeal R3's infraction, but the umpires denied this attempt, ruling the team had forfeited its opportunity to appeal since the infielders had already left the field for the dugout.

Reducing the Play into Its Parts: There are four distinct parts to this play:

1) Batter Hayes' line drive—was it a catch or a trap?

2) Appeal on R2—is R2 Park safe or out?

3) Time Play with R3—does R3 Suwinksi's run score?

4) Fourth Out—does R3 Suwinski's run score?

Near-Ejection - Wegner Warns Verdugo in Boston

As if MLB's COVID season couldn't get wackier, 3B Umpire Mark Wegner nearly ejected Red Sox player Alex Verdugo during an argument potentially running afoul of MLB's social distancing rules after Verdugo took issue with Wegner's tone during a prior play.

The sequence began when baserunner R1 Verdugo took second base on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 8th inning of Saturday's Orioles-Red Sox game. After batter Jackie Bradley Jr. struck out swinging for the second out of the inning, Baltimore skipper Brandon Hyde opted to substitute pitchers.

During the pitching change, Verdugo walked to third base to visit with base coach Carlos Febles, and in Wegner's judgment, lingered around Febles too long, upon which Wegner had to remind Verdugo to return to his position at second base before play resumed. Ensuing batter Kevin Plawecki flew out to end the inning.

After Verdugo subsequently took the field in the 9th, he again became involved in an argument with Wegner and 1B Umpire Alan Porter, ultimately resulting in Wegner motioning to the Boston dugout in warning. According to Red Sox Manager Ron Roenicke, Verdugo took issue with the way the umpire spoke to him.

Verdugo said in a postgame press conference he "forgot" his position was on second base.

Official Baseball Rule 8.01(b) states, in part, "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."

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Six, 7/25/20 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 166 - Mark Wegner (4; Brian Snitker)

1B Umpire Mark Wegner ejected Braves Manager Brian Snitker (warnings) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the #Marlins-#Braves game. With none out and none on, Braves batter Ronald Acuna took a first-pitch fastball from Marlins pitcher Elieser Hernandez for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the HBP was located inside and struck Acuna in the lower back, resulting in warnings issued by HP Umpire Alan Porter (see asterisk for related history), the call was irrecusable.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 5-1.

This is Mark Wegner (14)'s fourth ejection of 2019.
Mark Wegner now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (6 Prev + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 8).
Crew Chief Mark Wegner now has 2 points in Crew Division (1 Previous + 1 QOCU = 2).
*Heads Up: Related Post: MLB Ejections 044-45 - Jeff Nelson (3-4; ATL-MIA) (5/3/19).
Related Post: MLB Ejections 123-124 - Nauert, Fairchild (2, 2; MIA-ATL) (8/15/18).

This is the 166th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 79th Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Atlanta's 6th ejection of 2019, T-2nd in the NL East (WAS 7; ATL, PHI 6; NYM 5; MIA 4).
This is Brian Snitker's 3rd ejection of 2019, 1st since June 13 (Tripp Gibson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Mark Wegner's 4th ejection of 2019, 1st since August 6 (Daniel Vogelbach; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs. Atlanta Braves, 8/20/19 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 156 - Mark Wegner (3; Daniel Vogelbach)

HP Umpire Mark Wegner ejected Mariners 1B Daniel Vogelbach (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Padres-Mariners game. With none out and none on, Vogelbach took a 3-2 slider from Padres pitcher Dinelson Lamet for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and thigh-high (px 0.88, pz 2.14) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Padres were leading, 5-0. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 9-4.

This is Mark Wegner (14)'s third ejection of 2019.
Mark Wegner now has 7 points in the UEFL Standings (3 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 7).
Crew Chief Mark Wegner now has -1 points in Crew Division (-2 Previous + 1 Correct Call = -1).
*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 an incorrect call.

This is the 156th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 74th player ejection of 2019. Prior to ejection, Vogelbach was 0-2 (SO) in the contest.
This is Seattle's 3rd ejection of 2019, T-3rd in the AL West (OAK 6; TEX 4; HOU, LAA, SEA 3).
This is Daniel Vogelbach's first career MLB ejection.
This is Mark Wegner's 3rd ejection of 2019, 1st since June 29 (David Bell; QOC = U [Warnings]).

Wrap: San Diego Padres vs. Seattle Mariners, 8/6/19 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 108 - Mark Wegner (2; David Bell)

HP Umpire Mark Wegner ejected Reds Manager David Bell (ejection no-call) in the 9th inning of the Cubs-Reds game. In the bottom of the 8th, with two out and one on, Reds batter Yasiel Puig took a 3-0 fastball from Cubs pitcher Pedro Strop for a hit-by-pitch, resulting in a benches-clearing incident during which warnings were issued while no ejections were effected.

In the bottom of the 9th, with two out and none on, Reds batter Jose Peraza took a first-pitch curveball from Cubs pitcher Dillon Maples for a hit-by-pitch, resulting in Bell's ejection. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Maples on the upper body, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Cubs were leading, 6-0. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 6-0.

This is Mark Wegner (14)'s second ejection of 2019.
Mark Wegner now has 2 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 2).
Crew Chief Mark Wegner now has -5 points in Crew Division (-6 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = -5).

This is the 108th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 57th Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Cincinnati's 12th ejection of 2019, 1st in the NL Central (CIN 12; MIL, PIT 5; CHC 3; STL 2).
This is David Bell's 6th ejection of 2019, 1st since June 25 (Kerwin Danley; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Mark Wegner's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since April 15 (Brandon Hyde; QOC = N-c [Replay]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds, 6/29/19 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 021 - Mark Wegner (1; Brandon Hyde)

1B Umpire Mark Wegner ejected Orioles Manager Brandon Hyde (Replay Review decision that upheld 2B Umpire Jim Reynolds' legal slide/non-interference call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Red Sox-Orioles game. With none out and two on (R1, R3), Red Sox batter Steve Pearce hit a 3-2 changeup on the ground to Orioles third baseman Rio Ruiz, who threw to second baseman Jonathan Villar as Red Sox baserunner Rafael Devers arrived at second base, to first baseman Chris Davis as batter-runner Pearce arrived at first base. Upon review as the result of a Manager's Challenge by Orioles Manager Hyde, 2B Umpire Reynolds' ruling that R1 Devers' slide was legal was confirmed. Replays indicate that Devers slid through the base and into Villar, breaking contact with second base while sliding into the fielder, thus failing to satisfy the third criterion of the bona fide slide rule, which states that the runner must be able to remain on the base after completion of the slide, the call was incorrect.* Ruling was reviewed and affirmed by the UEFL Appeals Board (7-0-2), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Orioles were leading, 4-1. The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 8-1.

This is Mark Wegner (42)'s first ejection of 2019.
Mark Wegner now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB - 2 Incorrect-Crewmate = 0).
Crew Chief Mark Wegner now has 0 points in Crew Division (0 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 0).

*Rule 6.01(j) states, "If a runner does not engage in a bona fide slide, and initiates (or attempts to make) contact with the fielder for the purpose of breaking up a double play, he should be called for interference under this Rule 6.01. A “bona fide slide” for purposes of Rule 6.01 occurs when the runner:"
(1) Did the runner begin his slide (e.g., contact the ground) before reaching the base? [YES];
(2) Was runner able & attempted to reach the base with a hand or foot? [YES];
(3) Was runner able & attempted to remain on the base (except HP) after completing the slide? [NO];
(4) Did runner slide within reach of the base without changing his pathway for contact? [YES].

This is the 21st ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the seventh Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Baltimore's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st in the AL East (BAL 2; BOS, NYY, TB, TOR 0).
This is Brandon Hyde's first ejection since June 23, 2018 (Greg Gibson; QOC = U [USC-NEC]).
This is Mark Wegner's first ejection since October 9, 2017 (John Farrell; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox, 4/15/19 | Video as follows:

Replay Rewind - Hollywood Magic at Dodger Stadium

Something about Dodger Stadium's Hollywood magic fooled LA's video replay coordinator on Monday for the second time this season. With the Mets in Los Angeles, a Todd Frazier non-catch and Alex Verdugo legal failure to touch a base are our two featured non-reviews in today's edition of Replay Rewind.

Frazier may not have actually caught the ball.

Play #1 (Frazier's Sleight of Hand): In the 2nd inning of Monday's Mets-Dodgers game, Mets infielder Todd Frazier ranged to his right in pursuit of a foul fly ball off the bat of Dodgers hitter Alex Verdugo, leaping into the stands along the short wall in foul territory and appearing to complete a remarkable catch for the third out of the inning, called as such by 3B Umpire Mark Wegner.

Analysis #1: As SNY's own investigation discovered, however, Frazier, in crashing into the stands, had knocked a second baseball-like sphere out of a fan's bag and onto the ground, where Frazier's quick sleight of hand was good enough to fool not just Wegner, but the Dodgers as well, who failed to challenge the play (it was both an issue of catch in the outfield and a boundary call).

Mike DiMuro calls an out in 2012.

Related: We all remember when 3B Umpire Mike DiMuro ejected Indians player Jack Hannahan after he ruled Hannahan out on a fly ball to Yankees left fielder Dewayne Wise, who jumped into the stands and feigned a catch, all while a fan nearby held up the game ball as DiMuro held up his fist. After the game, DiMuro conceded that the ball was dropped and said, "In hindsight, I should have asked [Wise] to show me the ball since he fell into the stands and out of my line of vision."
Related Post: Ejection 078: Mike DiMuro (2) (6/12/18).

As for Wegner, the old switcheroo would have made even this "show me the ball" approach susceptible to error, lest we ask our umpires to now ask to examine the ball to make sure it's the genuine article after each highlight-reel grab.

As it stands, in magic terminology, magician Frazier successfully completed his sleight of hand through a crash-filled misdirection that drew everyone's attention away from the actual game ball.

As Penn & Teller: Fool Us would say, Todd Frazier is a Fooler.

The runner has missed his physical base touch.

Play #2 (Verdugo's Missed Base; NYM's Missed Appeal) : With the Mets leading 4-1 in the bottom of the 9th inning, Dodgers batter Alex Verdugo kick-started a potential comeback with a single up the middle. With Verdugo at first base, ensuing batter Cody Bellinger hit a line drive down the first base line, ruled foul by 1B Umpire Ryan Blakney. Upon Replay Review, the call was reversed to a fair ball, with Verdugo placed at third and Bellinger at first.

Analysis #2: Though the main points of contention here are whether the line drive landed at or past Blakney's position (it did; had it not, the play would not have been eligible for review) and whether batter Bellinger should have been awarded a double or single (because the bounding ball appeared to carom directly to the right fielder, the batter-runner was held at first base), this analysis has absolutely nothing to do with either of those issues.

Instead, we look at an innocuous baserunning quirk that came into being thanks in part to a humorous play from a 2012 overturned replay call.

When Wegner removed the headsets and signaled the baserunning awards, Verdugo and Bellinger were gathered together at first base, but shortly thereafter, Verdugo cut across the diamond without touching second base.

Although Rule 5.06(b)(4)(I) Comment states:

The fact a runner is awarded a base or bases without liability to be put out does not relieve him of the responsibility to touch the base he is awarded and all intervening bases. For example: Batter hits a ground ball which an infielder throws into the stands but the batter-runner missed first base. He may be called out on appeal for missing first base after the ball is put in play even though he was 'awarded' second base.

And 5.09(c)(2) continues: "Any runner shall be called out, on appeal, when—With the ball in play, while advancing or returning to a base, he fails to touch each base in order before he, or a missed base, is tagged," with 5.06(b)(1)'s "In advancing, a runner shall touch first, second, third and home base in order"), the Mets didn't bother appealing Verdugo's clear miss of second. What would have precluded the Mets from appealing this play?

Morse's "HR" complied with touch rules.

Runner Legally Allowed to Skip Over Base: It turns out that when a runner is awarded a base via replay, the Replay Official's placement of the runner carries with it a legal touch of any intermediary bases (in this case, second), such that Verdugo is assumed to have legally touched second base en route to third, because the Replay Official determined that he would have achieved third base had the original ruling been proper.

According to a credible source with knowledge, the runner's requirement to physically touch bases during the dead ball period after a replay decision was eliminated after a bit of fun six years ago involving the Washington Nationals.

Morse Code: Remember Michael Morse's grand slam in 2012, originally ruled in play and overturned to a home run via (limited) instant replay? There's a reason Jeff Nelson's crew sent Morse back to home plate to mime his four-bagger, with Morse touching every base during the course of his phantom HR trot. It's the same reason that a plate umpire remains on the field during a walk-off home run until the batter touches home plate.

The ball being dead doesn't absolve the runner of legal baserunning responsibility, and at the time, Morse (and all other runners) were required to touch their bases after review.
Related Link: Michael Morse hits a replacement home run with an imaginary ball (WAS)

At some point after the Morse play, however, runners were absolved of their responsibility to touch each intervening base in order after a Replay Review—maybe as a time-saving precaution, or perhaps as an effort to ensure that no runner was put at a disadvantage as the result of an overturned Replay Review decision. If the Replay Official places R1 at third base, R1 can go directly to third without touching second.

As fate would have it, the last missed base (that was, in fact, a missed appeal as well) occurred at Dodger Stadium earlier this season as Los Angeles failed to appeal Phillies baserunner Maikel Franco's failure to touch home plate as he scored a run on May 31. Unlike the Verdugo play, Franco was required to touch home plate (since this occurred during the play itself and didn't involve the dead ball period during Replay) and the non-appeal proved quite costly for LA, as the Dodgers lost to Philadelphia, 2-1.
Related Post: Video Loss - Failure to Appeal Costs LA Run, Game (5/31/18).

It must be that Hollywood magic in LA.

Conclusion & Gil's Call: What this all stresses in this modern era of expanded video review is the importance of hiring an observant and inquisitive video coordinator—someone in the clubhouse that is dedicated to reviewing every intricacy of every play. You never know when that missed out or run will come back to bite you.

Just ask the Dodgers vs Philly on May 31.

Then again, you never know when a player will swap out a fake baseball and try to pass it off as... you get the idea.

Sidebar: Didn't that used to be called the old Potato-into-Left-Field trick care of Double-A catcher Dave Bresnahan who, during an Eastern League game, carried a peeled potato with him onto the field and, with a runner on third, threw it wildly down the line, drawing the runner toward home plate, where Bresnahan was waiting to apply a tag.

HP Umpire Scott Potter awarded the runner home for Bresnahan's deception, and the Cleveland Indians organization released Bresnahan the very next day for his travesty of the game antics.

For what it's worth, in terms of Team Success Percentage (TSP), the Dodgers are the 18th-most successful team in MLB when it comes to Replay Review, while the Mets are 20th in the league (Kansas City is 1st, San Francisco 2nd, New York-AL 3rd). In terms of raw number of overturned calls, through September 4, the Dodgers are ranked 19th and the Mets 26th (KC 1st, Cubs 2nd, Yankees 3rd). For more, visit our Replay Review Stats page.
Related Link: MLB Umpire Replay Review Statistics and Sabermetrics.

Who's the best replay coordinator in baseball? That's easy. Kansas City's Billy Duplissea has consistently placed his Royals in the top spot on our Replay Review teams' leaderboard for several years running. As Ned Yost once said, "He's just really, really good."

Video as follows:

Mark Wegner Promoted to Crew Chief for 2018

Mark Wegner is now a permanent MLB crew chief, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of veteran umpire Dale Scott. His promotion and new supervisory status was quietly included alongside the 2018 Spring Training umpires' roster.

Mark Wegner is MLB's Newest Crew Chief.

With 20 years of Major League experience since his 1998 National League debut, Wegner has served as an interim crew chief on several occasions, and most recently served in the backup role ("Umpire 2") on Mike Winters' "M Crew" (the "M" stands for Mike Winters, Mark Wegner, Marty Foster, and Mike Muchlinski).

For Winters' "M crew" to persist in Wegner's absence, baseball will need to assign as a replacement Mark Carlson or Marvin Hudson (both presently Umpire 2s on other crews), or Ump3/4s Mike DiMuro, Mike Estabrook, Manny Gonzalez, or Mark Ripperger.

Wegner most recently officiated behind home plate during Game 7 of the 2017 World Series (his sixth straight postseason since suffering a torn calf muscle injury in 2011), and won the UEFL's Best Umpire of the Year Award in November.
Related Post: 2017 UEFL Award for Umpire of the Year - Mark Wegner (November 10, 2017)

Wegner will leave behind the fabled "M Crew."

In January, we discussed the potential candidates for baseball's only opening for the leadership position ahead of the 2018 regular season, identifying Angel Hernandez, Jim Reynolds, Alfonso Marquez, Mark Wegner, and Ron Kulpa as the top five candidates based on statistics alone.
Related Post: Running the Numbers for MLB's Next Crew Chief (1/12/18).

Wegner comes into the role as the statistical fourth-most qualified, behind Hernandez, Reynolds, and Marquez.

Wegner first assumed a regular "Umpire 2" (backup crew chief) role in 2013, as did Marquez; Kulpa became an Ump2 in 2012, Reynolds in 2010, and Hernandez in 2002. Wegner's 12 postseasons are fifth-most amongst eligibles (Hernandez [16]; Eric Cooper, Greg Gibson, Kulpa [13]), and his Review Affirmation Percentage (RAP) since 2014 ranks 12th best in the league, behind only one other candidate (Marquez, 3rd).

The statistically most-qualified Umpire 2, Hernandez, sued MLB's Officer of the Commissioner in 2017, alleging, amongst others, racially-motivated discrimination in baseball's failure to promote him to Crew Chief, while promoting less qualified white umpires instead.
Related Post: Angel Hernandez Sues MLB for Racial Discrimination (7/3/17).

Keep reading to hear White Sox legend Ken "Hawk" Harrelson's thoughts on Wegner's promotion:

2017 UEFL Award for Umpire of the Year - Mark Wegner

Mark Wegner is the UEFL's (Best) Umpire of the Year for 2017 [2016: Chris Guccione].
Voting Results (Top 5): Wegner (34.2%), Alfonso Marquez (7.0%), Jim Reynolds (6.1%), Chad Fairchild (5.3%), Ted Barrett/Laz Diaz/Hunter Wendelstedt (3.5%).

Award Winner: Mark Wegner.

Mark Wegner wins the UEFL Umpire of the Year Award for 2017. In his 20th season in the majors, Wegner went ejection-less until the postseason, when he ejected then-Red Sox Manager John Farrell for arguing balls and strikes, drawing praise in opting not to ejected batter Dustin Pedroia for Pedroia's unsporting actions. Wegner also finished seventh in Replay with 15-of-21 affirmed calls (.714 RAP), including two in the World Series.
Related Post: MLB Ejection P-1 - Mark Wegner (1; John Farrell) (10/9/17).

Wegner's heads-up year started early with a ball out of play & base award ruling on the very first day of Spring Training back in February: While players and coaches stood around after a thrown ball exited the playing field, 3B Umpire Wegner alertly awarded bases, apparently one of the only people on the field paying attention to the ball's journey as it bounced into, and then out of the dugout and back onto the playing field.
Related Post: First Play of Spring - Overthrown Two Base Award (2/24/17).

In the end, it was Wegner serving as plate umpire for Game 7 of the World Series as the Astros defeated the Dodgers, marking his fifth consecutive year appearing in either the League Championship Series or World Series—the only umpire to possess such an active streak. Wegner has now made the postseason every year since suffering a torn calf muscle in 2011.
Related Post: Umpire Odds & Ends: Wegner Injured (5/28/11).

UEFL Awards History, Mark Wegner
Noteworthy (Promising) Umpire of the Year: 2013.

Mark Wegner now has 24 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (19 Previous + 5 Award = 24).
Final Standings will be released later tonight.