God Bless America Extends Replay Challenge Time Limit

The singing of God Bless America allowed Clint Hurdle to bypass MLB's 30-second Replay Review time limit during Sunday's Pirates-Mets game in New York, thanks to the patriotic tradition of standing at attention during the song's playing.

God Bless America Loophole Allows Pirates Extra Time to Decide to Challenge Play

Reynolds explains the sequence to Collins.

With one out and one on (R1) in the top of the 7th inning, Pirates batter John Jaso hit a ground ball to Mets third baseman Wilmer Flores, who threw to second baseman Neil Walker to retire Pirates baserunner R1 Josh Harrison, onto first baseman Lucas Duda to retire batter Jaso for an apparent double play to end the frame.

Immediately after the third out, as stadiums tend to do, the Mets gameday entertainment team began the Citi Field mid-inning entertainment program, which, because the inning break happened to be the middle of the 7th inning on a Sunday, featured the traditional singing of God Bless America ahead of the ordinary seventh-inning stretch staple, Take Me Out to the Ballgame.

Due to the unique patriotic nature of "God Bless America," fans, players, and other stadium personnel were asked to stand and remove hats for the duration of the song, as is tradition, while the TV feeds went to break.

Pursuant to Replay Review Regulation II.E.1 ("Inning-Break Mechanics"), broadcasters ordinarily will not go to commercial until the Field Timing Coordinator starts the ballpark timer to commence the inning break. However, Regulation II.E.1 contains an exception: "the case of a special inning-break activity or event approved by the Commissioner's Office (e.g., 'God Bless America') in which case the inning-break will commence at the conclusion of the activity or event." Thus, with God Bless America on the mid-7th docket, the Field Timing Coordinator wasn't planning on starting the ballpark timer until the conclusion of the song, which kept the TV trucks in the dark as to whether the inning was really over: the standing around "dead time" that accompanied the patriotic tune only complicated matters. By the letter of the (outdated) law, the broadcasts should not have gone to break until after the conclusion of God Bless America...but they did.

Hurdle waits until after the song to challenge.

The Pirates—who were considering filing a Manger's Challenge of the play at second base and legally communicated their intent-to-review the play within 10 seconds of the final out (after a third out, teams have 10 seconds to communicate their intent-to-review, and 30 seconds to decide whether to challenge)—were unable to actually complete this second phase and file the Manager's Challenge during the stand-still-and-observe song, which spanned approximately one-and-a-half minutes in duration and served as a de facto suspension of the 30-second time limit.

Yet, thanks to the location of the team's video coordinator in the clubhouse video room, removed from the pageantry of "God Bless America" and its idle observation, Pittsburgh benefitted from over a minute of extra review time before Clint Hurdle could finalize with HP Umpire Jim Reynolds his decision to challenge 2B Umpire Lance Barrett's out call at second base.

Reynolds and Barrett are joined by Mr. Met.

The review itself—from the moment Reynolds and Lance Barrett applied the headsets until their removal—was fairly short (Barrett's headset was on for about 15 seconds), as the Replay Official, like Pittsburgh, had also been reviewing the play during the lengthy God Bless America, resulting in an overturned ruling and placement of Harrison back at second base—and of New York back on defense—as Replay determined that Walker had failed to properly tag second base: An out in the days of the Neighborhood Play, the rules-correct call in the era of modern Replay Review is "safe."

This is not the first time God Bless America has disrupted a Manager-Umpire interaction, though it is the first time GBA has interacted with expanded Replay Review. In May 2013, a dispute between Umpire Tom Hallion, Indians center fielder Michael Bourn, and Manager Terry Francona carried into a Sunday 7th inning stretch at Fenway Park, wherein the three men halted their disagreement during the song. Said Francona, "I told Tom Hallion, "I came out here to yell at you and now I've got to honor America with you.'"

Over the past week, the Mets came face-to-face with MLB's 30-second Replay Review time limit, as Fieldin Culbreth denied Terry Collins' attempt to challenge a play after the expiration of the 30-second window.

On Saturday, Culbreth ejected Tigers Manager Brad Ausmus after a similar untimely Replay Review request was denied. Replays indicate Ausmus took 39-seconds to decide to file a challenge, in excess of the time limit.

Video via "Read More"

Simple Advantage in the Replay Era - Third Base Dugouts

An overturned neighborhood play, delayed out call, and beneficial dugout placement at Petco Park allowed a baserunner to advance to third base following a successful replay challenge by the visiting team in San Diego.

LeMahieu, at the last second, stays at third.

With one out and one on (R1) in the top of the 8th inning of Saturday's Rockies-Padres game, Rockies baserunner DJ LeMahieu was awarded third base after a neighborhood play ruling was overturned from out to safe at second base, and LeMahieu innocently ended up at third base, just outside of his club's dugout.

After Padres shortstop Chase d'Arnaud spun and threw while coming across second base, LeMahieu appeared to trot back towards the Rockies' third base dugout, going so far as to remove his helmet to hand to 3B Coach Stu Cole before ultimately deciding to put his helmet back on and remain on third base, as the Padres thought nothing too odd about an apparently-retired Rockies baserunner jogging in the direction of his dugout.

Complicating matters, 2B Umpire Tripp Gibson did not appear to make a safe or out call until after the play was complete, and only after Padres first baseman Will Myers appeared to look toward Gibson for a ruling, which Gibson obliged by mechanizing an out call.

Yet, because LeMahieu stood at third base, the Replay Official awarded him third, ruling that LeMahieu had legally run the bases and advanced to third base in spite of the erroneous out call.

Replay Review Regulation IV.A.3 delineates several factors to consider when placing runners, including: "(a) the depth of fly balls; (b) the speed of runners; (c) the location of runners on the field when the play occurred; (d) the number of outs at the time of the play; and (e) whether the incorrect call affected the subsequent behavior or conduct of the offensive or defensive players."

Neighborhood play = Runner safe at second.

For the LeMahieu play, (a) does not apply, nor should (b) as LeMahieu didn't exactly sprint to third base. The third out precluded San Diego from attempting a play at third base (as did LeMahieu's status as having been called out at second base), though LeMahieu did physically wind up standing on third base, even if by accident. Finally, determining the incorrect call's affect on the players' subsequent behavior is complicated by the delayed out call: Myers looked toward second base, apparently unsure of what to do with no call having been made, while LeMahieu simply continued jogging to third base.

Regulation IV.A.2 states, "The Replay Official shall place the base runners on the bases he believes they would have reached had the reviewed call been made correctly...Any doubt regarding the placement of runners should be resolved in favor of the last base legally touched at the time of the challenged call. More than one base should not be awarded unless it is obvious to the Replay Official that a runner would have safely advanced beyond one base had the call been made correctly, or the Official Baseball Rules otherwise require such advancement."

Signal the out, even if play has left the area.

Lesson learned: When building a stadium, increase that home-field advantage by placing the home dugout on the third base side of the field, and, at the end of an inning, always stand on third base. Two outs and a runner on third? Yes, please.

Second lesson learned: Always make a call, unless instructed by rule or mechanic not to (such as in the immediate aftermath of a double-missed tag where the catcher fails to tag the runner, who in turn fails to touch home plate).

It might seem silly to indicate a closed fist after the play has seemingly left the area, but it will prevent confusion later on as players may look back for an umpire's judgment ruling relative to a pulled foot or timing issue.

As the MLB Umpire Manual states, "Umpires shall make a signal on all calls with the exception of 'ball.' Signals are to be visible, crisp, and clear. Voice calls should be clearly audible...Signals should not be slow to the point of appearing uncertain or causing confusion for the fans and media."

Video via "Read More"

MLB Adds Impediment to Bona Fide Slide Rule Interp

MLB quietly modified its bona fide slide rule interpretation, issuing a clarification to Tigers Manager Brad Ausmus and providing a spokesperson's statement reflecting that the strict application of new rule 6.01(j)—the bona fide slide rule—has been relaxed concurrent with increased scrutiny applied to the defensive player's ability to turn a double play. A runner must now actually hinder and impede the fielder's ability to complete a double play in order for the DP to be awarded.

To review the bona fide slide rule 6.01(j) that made its debut at the beginning of the 2016 season:
The runner attempting to break up a double play must engage in a bona fide slide:
1) Runner begins his slide and makes contact with the ground before reaching the base;
2) He is able and attempts to reach the base with his hand or foot;
3) He is able and attempts to remain on the base (except home) after completing the slide; and
4) He slides within reach without changing his path for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder.

Not Impeded: Machado didn't hinder the turn?

The circa-Opening Day penalty for failing to satisfy all four criteria was an automatic double play, a ruling and interpretation that manifested mere hours into the young season, when 2B Umpire Paul Nauert ruled an automatic double play for a bona fide slide violation: an overturned ruling in Tampa Bay effectively ended an Opening Series game by wiping out a Toronto lead and turning it into a Rays victory. Similarly, not a week went by without a neighborhood play being overturned for the fielder's failure to tag second base.

These days, however—and especially since Ausmus' happenstance May query to the MLB office—Replay Officials are much less likely to overturn bona fide slide AND neighborhood play challenges and reviews subject to instant replay. Why? Well, here's what that MLB spokesperson said about 6.01(j):

Even though the judgment was that runner failed to engage in a bona fide slide, the Replay Official must still find that the runner's actions hindered and impeded the fielder's ability to complete a double play. In the absence of the hindering/impeding element -- which is a judgment call -- the runner cannot be found to have violated 6.01 (j). The judgment on this one was that there was no hindering or impeding of the fielder.

Did you catch that? The "new" interpretation about bona fide slides is that, "the Replay Official must still find that the runner's actions hindered and impeded the fielder's ability to complete a double play." In other words, the bona fide slide rule violation's penalty has changed from "automatic" to a more "nullify the act" approach that is more in line with other interference/obstruction calls.

Yet unlike the 2014 Press Release and fanfare surrounding a new mid-season rule interpretation for catch/transfer plays, MLB has been fairly unenthusiastic about bona fide slides and neighborhood plays.

Since Opening Week (April 8 and Dan Bellino's slide rule interference ruling against Houston), not one Rule 6.01(j) challenge has resulted in an interference ruling nor an overturned call. In terms of pulled foot calls at second base (the "neighborhood play"), the last out call that was overturned to a pulled foot (safe) ruling upon video review occurred in late April (Adam Hamari/Red Sox).

Neighborhood Play Returns: So he's...out?

In other words, the bona fide slide rule and neighborhood plays have not been overturned to interference or safe/pulled foot, respectively, since baseball's opening month.

Yet it's not as if these types of plays have stopped happening. Tmac has been charting Replay Review decisions and noting when the New York decision appears to have been made in error (e.g., when video evidence indicates the call was missed and should have been overturned, yet the Replay Official failed to do so). Failed neighborhood play overturns have accounted for two of the four improper replay decisions since Ausmus received that clarification e-mail.

Or, more bluntly, in response to the Orioles' question of, "don't you actually have to touch the base?" the answer these days appears to harken back to a more traditional time when the answer was simply, "no."

Neighborhood Play No More - Tag Reviewed for 1st Time

The neighborhood play is officially dead as a replay review on a double play attempt at second base has resulted in an overturned call for the first time in regular season history, this ruling made possible after MLB eliminated from its Replay Review Regulations the V.D.3 exception that made so-called neighborhood plays (a fielder's tag of second base on a double play attempt) unreviewable. During the top of the 2nd inning of Thursday's Dodgers-Giants game, San Francisco appeared poised to turn an inning-ending double play to hold Los Angeles to a one-run lead. The 6-4-3 DP even appeared so routine that the Dodgers broadcast cut to commercial as any television feed would do at the end of an inning, similar to how a review was not immediately anticipated during two Opening Series in Atlanta and Tampa Bay (see: Bona Fide Slide Rule Applied for First Time).

Instead, freshman Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts challenged 2B Umpire Brian O'Nora's ruling that Giants 2B Joe Panik had tagged second base with his foot, resulting in a reversed call when replays revealed that Panik broke contact with the base prior to receiving SS Brandon Crawford's feed.

Unlike the overturned ruling in Florida that wiped out a Toronto lead and rewarded the Rays with a win, Thursday's reversed call in San Francisco had no apparent effect on the game's result: the Giants ultimately won the contest, 12-6.

You can submit close, controversial, or quirky plays to be featured as part of the UEFL Rules Review by sending a tweet to @UmpireEjections or @Gilimber on Twitter, or by posting a reply here or on the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League Facebook page. Video of the play after the 'read more' jump:

MLB Ejection 171: Dan Iassogna (5; Terry Francona)

2B Umpire Dan Iassogna ejected Indians Manager Terry Francona for arguing an out call in the top of the 3rd inning of the Indians-Yankees game. With one out and two on, Indians batter Michael Brantley hit a 2-2 fastball from Yankees pitcher Luis Severino on the ground to first baseman Greg Bird, who threw to shortstop Didi Gregorius as Indians baserunner R1 Francisco Lindor slid into second base. Replays indicate Bird's throw caused Gregorius to break contact with second base prior to catching the ball (not a neighborhood play), the call was incorrect (This ruling has been challenged and is under review by the UEFL Appeals Board). At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 5-1. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 6-2.

This is Dan Iassogna (58)'s fifth ejection of 2015.
Dan Iassogna now has 13 points in the UEFL Standings (15 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect = 13).
Crew Chief Dan Iassogna now has 3 points in Crew Division (3 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 3).

This is the 171st ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 83rd Manager ejection of 2015.
This is the Indians' 6th ejection of 2015, T-3rd in the AL Central (KC 12; DET 7; CLE, CWS 6; MIN 3).
This is Terry Francona's 4th ejection of 2015, 1st since July 29 (Tom Woodring; QOC = U [USC-NEC]).
This is Dan Iassogna's first ejection since August 20, 2015 (Joe Girardi; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees, 8/22/15
Video: Tito questions a play at second, but is ejected after being told it is not reviewable (CLE)

MLB Ejection & Replay Review: Everitt, Barber (1, 08)

1B Umpire Mike Everitt ejected Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez for arguing a Replay Review decision that overturned 2B Umpire Sean Barber's out call in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Braves-Mets game. With none out and one on, Mets batter Juan Lagares bunted a 0-0 fastball from Braves pitcher Shae Simmons on the ground to third baseman Chris Johnson, who threw to shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Freddie Freeman as Mets baserunner R1 Eric Campbell slid into second base and Lagares arrived at first base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Mets Manager Terry Collins, Barber's ruling was reversed, the call was incorrect. Replays indicate F6 Simmons broke contact with second base while not in possession of the ball and not in attempt to avoid a collision with the runner, the call was correct.* At the time of the review, the game was tied, 3-3. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 4-3, in 11 innings.

This is Mike Everitt (57)'s first ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Sean Barber (29)'s eighth Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Mike Everitt's 3rd supervised Replay Review of the 2014 Season.
*Replay Review Regulation V.D.1., regarding plays not subject to review, defines what criteria constitutes a neighborhood play that is not reviewable: "The Umpire's judgment that a runner is clearly out on a force play at second base under circumstances in which the defensive player may or may not have touched second base in his attempt to complete a double play and avoid a collision with the runner."

This is the 116th ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 50th Manager ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 678th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the Braves' 6th ejection of 2014, 1st in the NL East (ATL 6; NYM 5; MIA, PHI 3; WAS 1).
This is Fredi Gonzalez's first ejection since May 17, 2014 (Ron Kulpa; QOC = N [Fair/Foul]).
This is Mike Everitt's first ejection since July 19, 2013 (Brett Gardner; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is the New York Mets' 20th Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 353/678 (.521 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets, 7/7/14
Video: Play overturned; Trying to cheat on the turn, a keen eye for challenge gets the reversal (NYM)
Video: On play not fitting neighborhood criteria, Everitt explains the call, Fredi persists for the toss (ATL)

Replay Reviews 015-018: Tumpane, Davidson, Hirschbeck

Instant Replay Review overturned 2B Umpire John Tumpane's out call in the top of, confirmed HP Umpire Bob Davidson's foul ball call in the bottom of the 8th and confirmed John Hirschbeck's safe call in the bottom of the 13th inning of the Cubs-Pirates game. In the top frame, with one out and two on, Cubs batter Nate Schierholtz hit a 2-1 cutter from Pirates pitcher Mark Melancon on the ground to second baseman Neil Walker, who threw to shortstop Jordy Mercer to first baseman Travis Ishikawa, Cubs R1 Anthony Rizzo attempting to advance to second base. Upon Instant Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Cubs Manager Rick Renteria, Tumpane's ruling that Mercer had control of the ball and was not drawn off the base was reversed, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the review, the Pirates were leading, 2-0.

In the bottom of the 8th, with none out and none on, Pirates batter Starling Marte attempted to bunt a 0-1 fastball from Cubs pitcher Pedro Strop and jumped back, either the bat or Marte's person making contact with the pitch. Upon Instant Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle, Davidson's ruling that the pitched ball struck Marte's bat, resulting in a foul ball back to the screen, was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the Pirates were leading, 2-1.

In the bottom of the 13th, with none out and two on, Pirates batter Walker bunted a 0-0 change up from Cubs pitcher Wesley Wright back to Wright, who threw to third baseman Luis Valbuena as Pirates baserunner R2 Pedro Alvarez arrived at third base. Upon Instant Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Cubs Manager Renteria, Hirschbeck's ruling that Valbuena did not receive the throw and tag third base prior to Alvarez's arrival at the bag was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the contest was tied, 3-3. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 4-3, in 16 innings.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s first Instant Replay Review of 2014.
This is Bob Davidson (61)'s third Instant Replay Review of 2014.
This is John Hirschbeck (17)'s first Instant Replay Review of 2014.
John Tumpane is now 0/1 (1.000 Affirmation Rate) in Instant Replay Reviews during 2014.
Bob Davidson is now 2/3 (.666 Affirmation Rate) in Instant Replay Reviews during 2014.
John Hirschbeck is now 1/1 (1.000 Affirmation Rate) in Instant Replay Reviews during 2014.
Crew Chief John Hirschbeck's crew is now 3/5 (.600 Affirmation %) in Replay Reviews during 2014.
Listed Replay Official Crew Chiefs: Larry Vanover, Jeff Kellogg.
*This is a reviewable play pursuant to MLB's Replay Review Regulations. Not reviewable is the umpire's judgment that a runner is clearly out on a force play at second base under the circumstances in which the defensive player may or may not have touched second base in his attempt to complete a double play and avoid a collision with the runner. All other elements of the call shall be subject to review, including whether the fielder caught the ball, had control of the ball, was drawn off the bag, or tagged the runner.

These are the 15th, 16th and 18th instant Replay Reviews of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
Cubs Manager Rick Renteria is now 1/3 (.333 Success) in Instant Replay Challenges/Requests in 2014.
Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle is now 1/2 (.500 Success) in Instant Replay Challenges/Requests in 2014.
Umpires are now 10/18 (.556 Accuracy) in Instant Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 4/2/14
Video: Play overturned; Replay Official deems Mercer did not voluntarily vacate second base (CHC)
Video: Play confirmed; Davidson's initial ruling of foul is upheld after challenge and review (PIT)
Video: Play confirmed; Renteria challenges extra-inning safe call to no avail, call stays (CHC)