MLB-High 10 Umpires Retire During 2022-2023 Off-Season

It's official—10 Major League Baseball umpires have retired following the 2022 season, a record-high for the unified MLB era and most since 1999, when a failed contract strategy led to 22 resignations. Seven crew chiefs and three 'number twos' won't return in 2023, opening the door to call-up umpires looking for a full-time job as well as current backup chiefs looking for a permanent promotion to that role. This retiring class combined for 261 years of on-field Major League experience.

The retirements of Greg Gibson (10/6/22), Tom Hallion (12/8/22), and Jim Reynolds (12/21/22) were previously disclosed by the indivual umpires prior to this announcement of all 10 retirements.

Retirements, Listed as Name, Service Time (Seasons with 1+ games)

- Postseason & total ejection stats listed on following lines:

Ted Barrett, 26 Years (29 Seasons AL/MLB [1994-2022]): Crew Chief with 3,400 regular season games.

- 6 Wild Cards (2012, 13, 15, 16, 20, 22)

- 12 Division Series (2000, 01, 02, 03, 06, 07, 11, 14, 17, 18, 19, 21)

- 10 League Championship Series (2005, 08, 09, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 20, 22)

- 5 World Series (2007, 11, 14, 18, 21)

> 65 MLB ejections

Greg Gibson, 24 Years (25 Seasons NL/MLB [1997-2019, 2021-22]): Crew Chief with 2,746 games.

- 3 Wild Cards (2012, 13, 18)

- 10 Division Series (2001, 03, 04, 06, 07, 09, 10, 11, 15, 21)

- 5 League Championship Series (2005, 12, 13, 14, 18)

- 1 World Series (2011)

> 92 MLB ejections

Marty Foster, 24 Years (27 Seasons AL/MLB [1996-2022]): Number Two with 2,745 games.

- 1 Wild Card (2020)

- 3 Division Series (2006, 08, 17)

> 110 MLB ejections

Tom Hallion, 30 Years (32 Seasons NL/MLB [1985-99, 2005-19, 2021-22]): Crew Chief w 3,645 games.

- 10 Division Series (1996, 97, 2008, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21)

- 5 League Championship Series (1998, 2007, 09, 10, 11)

- 2 World Series (2008, 21)

> 102 MLB ejections

Sam Holbrook, 22½ Years (22 Seasons A/NL/MLB [1996-99, 2002-19, 2021]): Crew Chief w 2,423 games.

- 1 Wild Card (2012)

- 7 Division Series (2005, 07, 10, 13, 16, 19, 21)

- 4 League Championship Series (2008, 09, 11, 12)

- 3 World Series (2010, 16, 19)

> 78 MLB ejections

Jerry Meals, 26 Years (31 Seasons NL/MLB [1992-2022]): Crew Chief with 3,303 games.

- 3 Wild Cards (2020, 21, 22)

- 9 Division Series (1999, 2004, 05, 09, 10, 11, 14, 19, 20)

- 3 League Championship Series (2008, 17, 21)

- 2 World Series (2014, 20)

> 61 MLB ejections

Paul Nauert, 22½ Years (24 Years NL/MLB [1995-99, 2002-20]): Number Two with 2,450 games.

- 1 Wild Card (2020)

- 6 Division Series (2004, 08, 10, 13, 14, 17)

- 1 League Championship Series (2016)

- 1 World Series (2017)

> 33 MLB ejections

Jim Reynolds, 22½ Years (24 Years AL/MLB [1999-2022]): Crew Chief with 2,815 games.

- 3 Wild Cards (2015, 17, 20)

- 7 Division Series (2005, 07, 08, 12, 13, 14, 18)

- 5 League Championship Series (2010, 15, 16, 17, 20)

- 2 World Series (2014, 18)

> 43 MLB ejections

Tim Timmons, 22½ Years (23 Years NL/MLB [1999-2021]): Number Two with 2,746 games.

- 2 Wild Cards (2013, 20)

- 3 Division Series (2005, 09, 18)

- 4 League Championship Series (2011, 14, 15, 20)

- 1 World Series (2018)

> 90 MLB ejections

Bill Welke, 22½ Years (24 Years AL/MLB [1999-2022]): Crew Chief with 2,816 games.

- 3 Wild Cards (2014, 16, 20)

- 6 Division Series (2003, 06, 08, 11, 15, 20)

- 4 League Championship Series (2014, 16, 17, 19)

- 1 World Series (2015)

> 102 MLB ejections

Video as follows:

Runners Passing Nearly Turns to Lead Abandonment

A runners passing situation during Tuesday's Spring Training game between the Red Sox and Rays in Florida led umpires to declare Tampa Bay baserunner Nathan Lukes out for passing Vidal Brujan, who nearly abandoned his running of the bases and could have been called for a second out on the play. What happened?

Play: With one out and two on (R2 Lukes, R3 Brujan), Rays batter Brett Sullivan took a called fourth ball, drawing a walk. R3 Brujan, who apparently thought the bases were loaded, started jogging toward home plate as Boston alertly trapped Brujan in a rundown, with R2 Lukes hustling to third base. As Red Sox pitcher John Schreiber ran R3 Brujan back to third base, a runners passing situation occurred, identified by 3B Umpire and Crew Chief Sam Holbrook, who declared R2 Lukes out. After confusion, during which Brujan ran back to and entered the Tampa Bay dugout, Brujan was returned to third base, Lukes declared out, and batter-runner Sullivan placed at second base.

Rules: Runners passing occurs when a trailing runner fully passes a preceding runner. According to Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(9), which states that a runner is out when "he passes a preceding runner before such runner is out," it doesn't exactly matter who physically passed whom; in all cases, it is the trail who is out: "A runner may be deemed to have passed a preceding (i.e., lead) runner based on his actions or the actions of a preceding runner."

As far as abandonment is concerned—seeing as Brujan clearly ran to and entered the Rays dugout—OBR 5.09(b)(2) states that a runner is out when the runner leaves the base path, "obviously abandoning his effort to touch the next base." The example play is as follows: "PLAY—Runner believing he is called out on a tag at first or third base starts for the dugout and progresses a reasonable distance still indicating by his actions that he is out, shall be declared out for abandoning the bases."

Analysis: So why wasn't this a double play? In the end, Brujan may have been saved by a combination of two factors: First, it's Spring Training and a certainly leniency exists in March that would not in, say, July. Second, 3B Umpire Holbrook appeared to call "Time" before declaring Lukes out for passing.

That "Time" call makes abandonment a little trickier, as during a dead ball situation, runners similarly have a bit more lenience before abandonment sets in. That said....Brujan did enter the dugout, and unless it was for the purposes of uniform repair, it would be reasonable to believe he did so because he had abandoned his base-running role, or, as OBR 5.09(b)(2) PLAY states, because Brujan believed he had been "called out."

Lessons Learned: First, even when players don't know the rules, umpires must maintain both knowledge and awareness. In this situation, R3 Brujan did not know his entitlement to third base, but U3 Holbrook did.

However, the second part of our lesson is patience. Keep the ball alive and in play unless all action has ceased or as otherwise prescribed by rule. For the purposes of this play, runners passing is a simple out declaration: it is not a reason to call "Time" while the ball is loose and other action is taking place. But if "Time" is going to be called, erroneously or otherwise, that moves the goalpost for other calls, such as abandonment: "Time" kills the play and certain events—such as runners advancing—simply cannot occur during a dead ball (unless part of a base award).

That said, an umpire is empowered by Rule 8.02(c) to place runners as if the reversed call had never been made, disregarding events that may have occurred after the call-to-be-reversed: "If the umpires consult after a play and change a call that had been made, then they have the authority to take all steps that they may deem necessary, in their discretion, to eliminate the results and consequences of the earlier call that they are reversing." In this case, abandonment occurred after the "Time" call and may have been reversed pursuant to OBR 8.02(c).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays (Spring Training), 3/9/21 | Video as follows:

World Series Interference - Blame the Rule, not the Umpire

Nationals batter Trea Turner's runner's lane interference, Manager Dave Martinez's argument, and umpire Sam Holbrook's #WorldSeries ejection: here's a comprehensive analysis of the play, the history of baseball's RLI rule, and what Turner could have done differently to avoid this call.

Summary: We have a runner on first with none out. Turner hits a ground ball to Astros pitcher Brad Peacock, who throws toward first baseman Yuli Gurriel as Turner arrives at first base. Gurriel's glove collides with Turner's leg and the baseball winds up hitting Turner's thigh, resulting in HP Umpire Holbrook's call of interference. Martinez is furious and after the half-inning ends, he works himself into a tizzy and is ejected.
Related Post: MLB Ejection P1 - Sam Holbrook (3; Dave Martinez) (10/29/19).

An example of RLI during the 2019 season.

Reaction: MLB Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre says Holbrook got the call right, the media largely says otherwise, and here we are...trying to explain a controversial call to readers who probably have their own strong opinions on the matter and aren't looking to be swayed one way or the other.

Precedent: CloseCallSports.com is full of prior runner's lane interference plays. For instance, Bill Miller ejected Joe Maddon in August 2018 over a properly officiated interference call.
Related Post: MLB Ejection 116 - Bill Miller (1; Joe Maddon) (8/10/18).

The Rule: It always helps to start with the rule. So many people fail right out of the box because they never cite the rule, so here it is, Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(11): "A batter is out when—In running the last half of the distance from home base to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, he runs outside (to the right of) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line, and in the umpire’s judgment in so doing interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base, in which case the ball is dead."

Sidebar: OBR 5.09(a)(11) Comment states, "The batter-runner is permitted to exit the three-foot lane by means of a step, stride, reach or slide in the immediate vicinity of first base for the sole purpose of touching first base." Be advised that a runner must be within the lane in order to exit it. It is physically impossible to exit something that one has never been in.

Turner would be safe had he run legally.

You'll notice there's nothing about a "direct route" to the base (Joe Buck), or "center of the base" (John Smoltz), "grass" (Buck), or even "allowed to be inside the line for his last step" (Tom Verducci), etc. When talking about a rule, it's generally helpful to cite the rule, so that's what we have done here. Verducci was the closest to getting the rule right, but he forgot one key aspect: a runner is not protected if said runner ran the entire length to first base to the left of (or the right of) the runner's lane.

Translation: This means that Turner could have avoided being called out for interference by doing just one thing: running within the lane at some point during his journey to first base. Replays conclusively indicate he failed to run within the lane at any point, which subjects him to an interference call if the second criterion of the rule is met: "interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base."

In the mid-1880s, the lane prevented collisions.

Brief History: The three-foot-wide runner's lane at the 45' mark was added to baseball fields in 1882 (National League) and 1884 (American Association), and its purpose was to prevent collisions between batter-runners and first basemen (sound familiar?). This is because in the 19th century, first base was located half in fair territory and half in foul territory. The prevailing logic was that the lane would guide the runner to the foul territory half of the bag, while the fielder would tag the fair territory side, thus preventing injury.

In 1887, first base moved, but the lane stayed.

In 1887, however, the NL and AA agreed to move first and third base 7.5 inches toward second base, so as to place both bases entirely within fair ground—which would make adjudicating fair/foul near the corner bases a whole lot easier.

Yet the runner's lane remained in its foul territory location, and a rule was subsequently adopted to give the batter-runner permission to exit the lane in the vicinity of first base in order to touch the base, which was now entirely in fair territory—to cross over, so to speak.

1B collisions in the present era are rare.

Fast forward to today, collisions between runners and first basemen are exceedingly rare (unless you're Manny Machado), yet the lane and interference rules remain. As former umpire Jim Evans once opined, "Going to first you have the runner's lane, which the runner is supposed to stay in, which I think is really antiquated. The runner's lane violation was to prevent the collisions at first base, not interference with the throw."

Sidebar: Softball solves this problem by having two bases sitting next to each other: one for the fielder and one for the runner.

Interference Analysis: The intriguing part about Turner's interaction with Gurriel is that a minor collision, of sorts, actually did occur in that Gurriel's hand/wrist/glove made contact with Turner in fair territory.

This video analysis is extremely detailed.

Yes, Turner had reason to be in fair territory in the immediate vicinity of first base (to touch it), but he got there illegally—by running to the left of the lane the entire way down the baseline.

To review, here's the first professional rules interpretation from Wendelstedt (Evans agrees, as do all codes): "A runner that is running the entire distance outside of the running lane will not be protected if he interferes with a play at first base, even if it is in his last stride or step to the base. In order to be protected, this last step must be when he first exits the running lane" (recall that in order to exit, one must first be within).

For illustration's sake, here's Evans: "A runner who has advanced the entire distance from home plate to first in fair territory making no effort to run within the lane is not extended the same leniency as the runner who runs in the lane as required and then cuts into fair territory near the base to touch it."

The second concerns the throw: "The determination is not whether the throw is true, but whether it could still reasonably retire the runner."

This throw could have retired the runner.

Because of the contact between Gurriel and Turner, which occurred a fraction of a second prior to the ball arriving at the point of contact, it is ultimately unclear whether the throw would have retired Turner. As such, it can be said that the throw could have reasonably retired him...not that it would have for it might not have, but it could have, and in this situation, the rulebook gives the benefit of the doubt to the fielder because of the runner's violation of the lane rule.

The throw may not have been great, but that isn't the rule...we're not looking for a "true" throw...we're just looking for whether it could have reasonably retired the runner.

In July, a similar play resulted in RLI.

While Gurriel's left arm stretched for the tailing throw, his glove ran into Turner's hip before the ball arrived at the plane even with Gurriel's glove at the point of contact with Turner, which means we'll never know if Gurriel would have caught the ball...but he could have, and that's what breaks the tie.

Similar RLI Call: Here's an example. In July 2019, Chris Segal ejected Jeff Banister for arguing a correctly officiated runner's lane interference call against Rangers batter Carlos Tocci. It was a similar circumstance: the runner advanced the entire distance from home plate to first base in fair territory and not within the lane, the throw was sailing into foul territory, the fielder at first base stretching to receive it, and the ball hit the runner. "Time. That's interference."
Related Post: MLB Ejection 090 - Chris Segal (3; Jeff Banister) (7/8/18).

We'll never know if it would have been caught.

Possible Rules Absurdity: Had the exact same interaction between Turner and Gurriel occurred at first base, but instead, Turner had been running legally in the runner's lane the entire time, then Turner would not have been out for interference. In other words, the only difference between being safe and out here is not simply the interference that occurred that occurred at first base, but Turner failing to run in the lane AND also interfering with Gurriel at first base.

Finally, bear in mind that the fact that the runner may have beaten the ball to the base is irrelevant: we're looking for the fielder to catch the ball in front of the base, not waiting for the ball to get to the base itself. The image above illustrates the ball arriving at the point where the fielder's glove ended up while the batter's foot had not yet touched first base.

Whether the rule itself is fine or needs work is a legitimate debate, but this analysis pertains solely to Holbrook's enforcement of the rule and whether this was RLI. Blame the rule, not the umpire, for the umpire is tasked with calling the rule.

Verdict: This is runner's lane interference, Sam Holbrook's call was correct.

One more note: Crew Chief Gary Cederstrom and Holbrook put on the replay headsets to speak with Alan Porter and the MLBAM replay room in New York not for the purposes of reviewing the play (it's not reviewable), but in order to conduct a rules check to ensure the rule was properly enforced. Washington's attempted protest was rejected because a judgment call cannot be protested (the RLI rule clearly states "in the umpire's judgment" while OBR 7.04 states in part, "No protest shall ever be permitted on judgment decisions by the umpire").

Further Reading: For a more comprehensive overview of runner's lane interference and examples of similar plays, refer to the following play from the 2018 World Series in Los Angeles. For reference, both tmac and I had RLI on the 2018 Steve Pearce-Cody Bellinger play linked below and, to be consistent, it would follow that we have RLI here as well. Again, the key is that the runner was illegal the entire time to first base by virtue of failing to run within the runner's lane.
Related Post: Runner's Lane Interference - 2018 World Series Edition (10/28/18).

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection P1 - Sam Holbrook (3; Dave Martinez)

HP Umpire Sam Holbrook ejected Nationals Manager Dave Martinez (runner's lane interference call; QOCY) in the top of the 7th inning of #Nationals-#Astros #WorldSeries Game 6. With none out and one on (R1), Nats batter Trea Turner hit a 0-0 fastball from Astros pitcher Brad Peacock on the ground to Peacock, who threw to first baseman Yuli Gurriel as Turner arrived, resulting in an interference call and extensive Replay Review as the result of an attempt to protest the game by the Nationals, officially classified as a rules check (RLI is not reviewable), which was disallowed as a result of baseball's longstanding prohibition on protesting judgment calls. Replays indicate Turner failed to run within the three-foot-wide runner's lane the entire distance from the 45-foot mark to first base, while Gurriel failed to catch Peacock's throw as a result of interference from Turner when Gurriel's hand and glove made contact with Turner prior to the ball's arrival at the contact plane, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Nationals were leading, 5-2. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 7-2.

This is Sam Holbrook (34)'s third ejection of 2019.
Sam Holbrook now has 20 points in the UEFL Standings (15 Prev + 3 MLB-Post + 2 Correct Call = 20).
Crew Chief Gary Cederstrom now has 19 points in Crew Division (18 Previous + 1 QOCY = 19).
*Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(11) states, in part, that a batter is out when—"In running the last half of the distance from home base to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, he runs outside (to the right of) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line, and in the umpire’s judgment in so doing interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base, in which case the ball is dead...The batter-runner is permitted to exit the three-foot lane by means of a step, stride, reach or slide in the immediate vicinity of first base for the sole purpose of touching first base."
^Official Baseball Rule 7.04 states, in part, "No protest shall ever be permitted on judgment decisions by the umpire."
There will be further analysis on this play in a subsequent article.

This is the 218th ejection report of 2019, first of the postseason.
This is the 99th Manager ejection of 2019.
This is the 1st World Series ejection since October 26, 1996 (Tim Welke/Bobby Cox [out call]).
This is Washington's 11th ejection of 2019, 1st in the NL East (WAS 11; PHI 10; ATL 8; MIA, NYM 5).
This is Dave Martinez's 5th ejection of 2019, 1st since Sept 8 (Mike Estabrook; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Sam Holbrook's 3rd ejection of 2019, 1st since Sept 25 (Scott Servais; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Washington Nationals vs. Houston Astros (World Series Game 6), 10/29/19 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 216 - Sam Holbrook (2; Scott Servais)

HP Umpire Sam Holbrook ejected Mariners Manager Scott Servais (strike one call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Astros-#Mariners game. With one out and none on, Mariners batter JP Crawford took a 0-0 fastball from Astros pitcher Zack Greinke for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and knee-high (px -0.40, pz 1.50 [sz_bot 1.57 / RAD 1.45]) and that all other pitches during the half-inning were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Astros were leading 2-0 with a no-hitter intact. The Astros ultimately won the contest, without a no-hitter, 3-0.

This is Sam Holbrook (34)'s second ejection of 2019.
Sam Holbrook now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 6).
Crew Chief Sam Holbrook now has 16 points in Crew Division (15 Previous + 1 QOCY = 16).
*This pitch was located 1.60 vertical inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

This is the 216th ejection report of 2019.
This is the 97th Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Seattle's 7th ejection of 2019, 1st in the AL West (SEA 7; OAK 6; HOU, TEX 5; LAA 4).
This is Scott Servais' 4th ejection of 2019, 1st since Sept 11 (John Libka; QOC = N [Interference]).
This is Sam Holbrook's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since July 19 (Ketel Marte; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners, 9/25/19 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 128 - Sam Holbrook (1; Ketel Marte)

HP Umpire Sam Holbrook ejected Diamondbacks CF Ketel Marte (strike two call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Brewers-Diamondbacks game. With two out and none on, Marte took a 2-1 changeup from Brewers pitcher Burch Smith for a called second strike before striking out on a subsequent foul tip. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.97, pz 2.69), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Diamondbacks were leading, 10-7. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 10-7.

This is Sam Holbrook (34)'s first ejection of 2019.
Sam Holbrook now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 0).
Crew Chief Sam Holbrook now has 8 points in Crew Division (8 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 8).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 0.672 horizontal inches from being deemed a correct call.

This is the 128th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 55th player ejection of 2019. Prior to ejection, Marte was 2-5 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is Arizona's 3rd ejection of 2019, 3rd in the NL West (SD 5; SF 4; ARI 3; COL, LAD 2).
This is Ketel Marte's 1st ejection since March 30, 2018 (Eric Cooper; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Sam Holbrook's 1st ejection since August 28, 2018 (Mark Reynolds; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 7/19/19 | Video as follows:

Maddon Protests Game Over Pitcher's Toe-Tap

Cubs Manager Joe Maddon protested Saturday's Cubs-Nationals game, asserting HP Umpire Sam Holbrook's crew failed to apply Official Baseball Rule 5.07(a) Comment to Nationals pitcher Sean Doolittle, alleging that Doolittle took a prohibited second step during his delivery, and that the umpires failed to call an illegal pitch, as in 6.02(b).

Unfortunately for Maddon, this protest is built on shaky ground.

The Play: With one out and none on, Maddon observed that Doolittle, during his delivery, tapped the ground with his free foot before lifting his leg and retouching the ground further down the pitcher's mound as he released the ball.

The Rule: Official Baseball Rule 5.07(a) Comment states, "The pitcher may not take a second step toward home plate with either foot or otherwise reset his pivot foot in his delivery of the pitch. If there is a runner, or runners, on base it is a balk under Rule 6.02(a); if the bases are unoccupied it is an illegal pitch under Rule 6.02(b)."

OBR 5.07(a) outlaws a second step to home.

Precedent: Earlier in the week, on Monday, Crew Chief Fieldin Culbreth initiated a Replay Review/Rules Check in Seattle after HP Umpire DJ Reyburn instructed Mariners pitcher Cory Gearrin not to step twice via a double-tap of his free foot during delivery to home plate.

That game too went to Replay HQ for a Rules Check, upon which Reyburn's instruction prevailed and Gearrin modified his delivery to only take one step with his free foot toward home plate, so as to comply with OBR 5.07(a).
Related Post: SEA Replay - Cubby's Pitching Motion Rules Check (3/14/19).

Lentz, Wolf, Holbrook & Iassogna confer.

Saturday's Cubs-Nats Game: Maddon must have been paying attention to Monday's game in Seattle, for he attempted to get Holbrook to enforce the same rule Reyburn addressed in his AL game. Maddon then formally protested Doolittle's first pitch to Cubs batter Kyle Schwarber, ruled a ball by Holbrook.

After Rules Check at Nationals Park, Doolittle's delivery was declared legal and Holbrook signaled the game under protest.

Video Replay: Replays indicate Doolittle's free foot made contact with the mound dirt twice during his delivery.

Analysis: The first item to note is that the pitch Maddon protested from Doolittle to Schwarber was ruled "ball one." Assuming theoretically that Doolittle's delivery violated OBR 5.07(a), the penalty for an illegal pitch with no runners on base is a ball. The outcome of the pitch in question was a ball.

The second item to note is that Maddon, in postgame comments, stated that Holbrook told him, "in our judgment..." and further stated, "I don't know how many he made that were illegal pitches."

Setting aside Maddon's admission that he didn't know how many illegal pitches purportedly occurred, Holbrook responded to Maddon's initial allegation thusly: "He thought he was tapping his foot, which in itself is not illegal, and this all kind of stems from his pitcher being called on something that was a little bit different than what Doolittle was doing. So in our judgment, Doolittle did nothing illegal at all."

Carl Edwards' second step was very obvious.

Holbrook is referring to Cubs pitcher Carl Edwards, who was caught taking a definitive second step toward home plate during delivery in Spring Training and told to stop. In Holbrook's judgment, Doolittle's maneuver did not constitute a second step toward home, as Edwards' motion had.

As we've written many times, judgment calls cannot be protested. If Holbrook and crew judged that Doolittle did not take a violative second step toward home plate in his delivery, that judgment cannot be protested. It may be correct, incorrect, or any variation thereof...but it is not subject to protest and "pitching motion/balk/illegal pitch" is not a reviewable call.

When Would Maddon's Protest Be Valid? Had Holbrook stated that Doolittle took a second step toward home plate, and that "in his judgment" this second step was legal, then Maddon would have a valid basis for protest because the rule clearly states that a second step is illegal. If the umpire acknowledges a second step has occurred, the penalty of illegal pitch (or balk with runners aboard) must be enforced. If the umpire states a second step has not occurred, that is a judgment call not subject to protest.

Gil's Call: As it stands, if Holbrook's contention is that Doolittle did not take a second step toward home plate—in spite of Maddon's toe-tap allegation, which is not a rule in and of itself—is the prevailing piece of the pie and, for this reason, Maddon's protest should be denied.

The only way this protest is affirmed is if Holbrook admits that in his judgment Doolittle took a second step during delivery, for under this scenario, Doolittle's move would be a clear rules violation. Without this precise ruling and admission from the umpires, the protest is dead on arrival.

Video as follows:

Mattingly Rips Umpires After Loss in Miami

After losing to the New York Mets Monday night, Marlins Manager Don Mattingly tore into HP Umpire Sam Holbrook's crew postgame, complaining that the umpires' calls hurt Miami, citing a check swing bunt-turned-HBP ruling alongside two pitches called balls early in the game as his rationale. Mattingly also called on MLB to review Holbrook's calls, characterizing Holbrook's performance as "shaky."

Does Mattingly have a point or is the griping misplaced?

Said Donny Baseball, "It was a rough night for those guys. They cost us a run early...I guess I’m not supposed to complain about calls, but the league needs to look at it because it was shaky tonight."

Mattingly Criticizes Holbrook's 2nd Inning Calls: Mattingly first took umbrage with two Holbrook ball calls in the top of the second inning, when Caleb Smith threw two sliders to two Mets with two-strike counts: "Sam misses two pitches, Conforto strike three and McNeil strike three, and it cost us probably 15 pitches with [Caleb Smith], and it cost us a run."

The first was a 1-2 slider from Marlins starter Caleb Smith to Mets batter Michael Conforto ruled ball two. That pitch was located over the inner half of home plate below Conforto's hollow-of-the-knee. According to the computer value of pz 1.62 for a sz_bot of 1.77, we would have graded the 1-2 to Conforto a correct call had an ejection resulted.

Later in the inning, Holbrook balled a 0-2 slider to Jeff McNeil. With a pz value of 1.69 alongside a sz_bot of 1.82, we similarly would have graded the 0-2 to McNeil a correct call.

The attached image depicts strike zone boundary error.

Wait, that's not what the TV box said. No, it's not. The TV box was wrong. That is to say the pitch tracking computer isn't wrong, but the way in which the broadcast represents the pitch graphically is incorrect.

Why did the TV strike zone box "FoxTrax" show the pitches as strikes? This one is simple and goes back to the problem with computer strike zone graphics. In short, we call this conundrum "strike zone boundary error."

What is Strike Zone Boundary Error? The standard "average" strike zone graphic assumes each batter's sz_bot is 1.50 (with a corresponding sz_top of 3.50). We know that batters are of variable heights and stances, such that each player's strike zone height is different. What might be a sz_bot of 1.50 feet for a 5'5" tall player might instead be a sz_bot of 1.80 feet for a 6'4" player.

As we can clearly see, Conforto's sz_bot of 1.77 for his 1-2 pitch and McNeil's sz_bot of 1.82 for his 0-2 pitch are well above the standard 1.50 value, while the two pz values of 1.62 and 1.69, respectively, are in no-man's land—greater than the standard 1.50, but less than the individual sz_bots of 1.77 and 1.82.

The Miami broadcast is one of many that opt for a strike zone overlay, that is a box placed on top of home plate that purportedly dictates the strike zone. The problem with overlays is that they are static entities: a true representation overlay would adjust pitch-to-pitch and even during the pitch itself, as the batter changes stance and hollow/midpoint height as the pitch is delivered. Thus, we're left with an overlay using sz_bot/top values that aren't accurate for any one individual pitch, which allows a hypothetical pitch to display in the overlay as a strike, even if this same pitch were to be deemed a "ball" per the computer numbers.
Related Post: UEFL f/x vs K-Zone and the Player-Umpire Disconnect (10/4/18).
Related Post: Analyzing Strike Zone Analysis - Not So Easy or Simple (10/27/16).

Mattingly Criticizes Crew's Non-Bunt HBP Replay Review Call: "That’s a little shaky right there. That’s a shaky call to be honest with you."

Did the pitch first strike Lagares' hand or bat?

In the 9th inning, Mets batter Juan Lagares squared to bunt on a 3-2 count. Marlins pitcher Drew Steckenrider's payoff pitch rode up-and-in and Lagres moved to respond to the pitch sailing toward his head: an act of self-defense as the Marlins TV crew put it. The ball made contact with his hand and/or bat, ruled no swing on appeal by 1B Umpire Dan Iassogna and affirmed via Replay Review as a hit-by-pitch, putting Lagares at first base.

Was this a bunt attempt?

We analyzed this exact issue in 2018—whether a batter trying to get out of the way of a pitched ball, having previously squared to bunt, has indeed offered at the pitch or if moving the bat back, perhaps even into the path of a cutting ball, is said to be attempting to bunt the ball or not.

As we wrote then, the answer is this OBR Definition: "A BUNT is a batted ball not swung at, but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly within the infield."
Related Post: Ask UEFL - Foul Bunt or Ball Fouled Away? (8/29/18).

30-year MLB umpire Jim Joyce recently stopped by The Plate Meeting Podcast and discussed this very situation: In 2012, Joyce ejected Brad Mills for arguing a similar play in which a batter pulled away his bunt at the last second in an attempt to avoid being hit by a pitch. The crew ruled the play a foul ball, as opposed to a foul bunt with two strikes.
Related Post: Podcast - Episode 12 - The Jim Joyce Jubilee (3/27/19, segment at 1:23:30).

This play has happened before.

Did Lagares intentionally meet the ball with the bat with the goal of tapping the ball slowly within the infield? If the answer to both parts of that question is "yes," you have a bunt attempt. If either part of that question is "no," it's not a bunt attempt. In my estimation, Lagares was not attempting to tap the ball slowly within the infield—the self-defense act makes this subject to a "foul ball" but not a "foul bunt" call.

That said, even before we get to the issue of "foul ball," we have to establish whether the ball first hit the batter's hand or his bat.

Even with the benefit of audio and physics, this is a 50/50 call as to whether the ball first made contact with Lagares' knuckle or bat—did it graze the batter's hand before hitting the bat? No matter what the crew called on the field, it would have stood and that's what happened here: HP Umpire Sam Holbrook calls it a hit-by-pitch, appeals to 1B Umpire Dan Iassogna as to the check swing, Iassogna says Lagares did not swing or bunt at the ball, and Holbrook awards Lagares first base. Call stands on review. There's really nothing else anyone could do.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 133 - Sam Holbrook (2; Mark Reynolds)

HP Umpire Sam Holbrook ejected Nationals PH Mark Reynolds (strike three call; QOCN) in the top of the 8th inning of the Nationals-Phillies game. With none out and none on, Reynolds took three consecutive pitches from Nationals pitcher Tommy Hunter for called first, second, and third strikes. Replays indicate the first pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and thigh-high (px .458, pz 2.551), the second pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px .899, pz 2.330), and the third pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and waist-high (px .917, pz 3.157), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Phillies were leading, 3-2. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Sam Holbrook (34)'s second ejection of 2018.
Sam Holbrook now has -6 points in the UEFL Standings (-4 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = -6).
Crew Chief Sam Holbrook now has -2 points in Crew Division (-2 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = -2).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
The 0-2 pitch was located 0.036 horizontal inches from being deemed a correct call.

This is the 133rd ejection report of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 64th player ejection of 2018. Prior to ejection, Reynolds was 0-1 (SO) in the contest.
This is Washington's 7th ejection of 2018, 1st in the NL East (WAS 7; MIA, NYM 5; ATL 3; PHI 0).
This is Mark Reynolds' first ejection since August 17, 2012 (Vic Carapazza; QOC = N [Out/Safe]).
This is Sam Holbrook's 2nd ejection of 2018, 1st since June 10 (Jeff Banister; QOC = Y [Balk]).

Wrap: Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 8/28/18 | Videos as follows:

MLB Ejection 056 - Sam Holbrook (1; Jeff Banister)

3B Umpire Sam Holbrook ejected Rangers Manager Jeff Banister (no-stop balk call; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the Astros-Rangers game. With two out and two on (R2, R3), Rangers pitcher Keone Kela delivered a 1-2 pitch out of Set Position without stopping once coming set in contravention of Rule 6.02(a)(13), originally no-called (alternatively, ruled a ball and no-swing) and reversed to a balk upon Crew Consultation at the request of Astros Manager AJ Hinch. Replays indicate that after receiving signs in stretch, Kela did not discernibly stop prior to delivering the ball to batter Evan Gattis from Set Position, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Astros were leading, 8-7. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 8-7.

This is Sam Holbrook (34)'s first ejection of 2018.
Sam Holbrook now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (-4 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 0).
Crew Chief Sam Holbrook now has -1 points in Crew Division (-2 Previous + 1 Correct Call = -1).
*Rule 6.02(a)(13) states, "It is a balk when—The pitcher delivers the pitch from Set Position without coming to a stop."

This is the 56th ejection report of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 24th Manager ejection of 2018.
This is Texas' 2nd ejection of 2018, T-3rd in the AL West (LAA, SEA 3; HOU, TEX 2: OAK 0).
This is Jeff Banister's 2nd ejection of 2018, 1st since May 17 (Paul Nauert; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Sam Holbrook's first ejection since September 3, 2017 (Carl Willis; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers, 6/10/18 | Video as follows:

Replay Rewind - Double Out Whammy Costs Braves

In this edition of Replay Rewind, we visit Atlanta, where the visiting Cubs topped the Braves 3-2 following a 5th inning upheld review immediately followed by a missed out call that manager Brian Snitker couldn't challenge (having lost the preceding video effort), causing Chip Caray and Joe Simpson to chide, "That is absolutely horrible."

F1 Montgomery tries to tag out R3 Camargo.

The First Play: With one out and two on (R1, R3) in the bottom of the 5th inning of Tuesday's Cubs-Braves game, Cubs pitcher Mike Montgomery pitch eluded catcher Willson Contreras, who threw to Montgomery, covering home, as baserunner R3 Johan Camargo attempted to score, originally ruled out by HP Umpire Jim Wolf.

Replay Review: Upon Manager's Challenge by Atlanta's Snitker, the Replay Official determined that evidence was not clear and convincing as to determine whether the runner was safe or out; as such, Wolf's on-field ruling stood and Snitker's challenge was unsuccessful, resulting in his loss of the Manager's Challenge.

Culberson attempts to take third.

The Second Play: Nary two pitches later, Montgomery threw another pitch in the dirt that Contreras blocked as baserunner R2 Charlie Culberson (having moved up to second base during the play in which Camargo was thrown out at home) attempted to advance to third base as Contreras recovered and threw to third baseman Kris Bryant, ruled out by 3B Umpire Sam Holbrook.

No Replay: Although replays indicate baserunner Culberson appeared to have conclusively arrived at third base prior to Bryant's tag, Snitker, by virtue of having lost his Manager's Challenge on the preceding play, was unable to have the play looked at (a Crew Chief Review would be unavailable for the next two+ innings).

Wolf takes a position to best see a tag & touch.

Analysis, First Play: HP Umpire Wolf takes a position along the third baseline extended as he lines up the two anticipated points of contact that will prove most important for this play: Wolf must judge whether Montgomery's tag of Camargo came before or after Camargo's left hand touched home plate. As is said, there are no ties (statistically, ties can exist but are extremely improbable; hence, there are no ties).

Wolf determines the pitcher tagged the runner before the runner touched home plate. Snitker filed a challenge, so from this point on, it becomes a matter for Replay Review.

The telecast provides several angles that prompt several questions that the Replay Official must answer:
1) Where did the pitcher tag the runner? Helmet? Shoulder (because he missed the helmet)? Leg?
2) Where did the runner touch home plate? Parallel edge? Left side (because his hand was raised)?
3) When did the fielder's tag of the runner occur in relation to the runner's touch of home plate?

Angle 1, High 1B Dugout (Fielder): It is inconclusive whether the fielder tagged the runner's helmet.
Angle 1, High 1B Dugout (Runner): It is inconclusive where the runner touched home (B1 blocking).

Angle 2, CF Camera (F1): Angle suggests first tag was on the shoulder—it is clear and convincing?
Angle 2, CF Camera (R3): Angle suggests hand is in the air on initial approach, but F1 is blocking.

Angle 3, Press Box (F1): Angle suggests glove bends after helmet attempt when hand is on shoulder.
Angle 3, Press Box (R3): Angle suggests hand touches plate on or near edge, but is similarly unclear.

Conclusion, Replay Review: There are two moving parts here—the fielder's tag and the runner's touch—though the fielder's tag will determine the result of this review. If the fielder tagged the runner's helmet, the runner is out. If the fielder did not tag the runner's helmet, the runner is likely safe. From the angles provided, it is unclear whether the fielder tagged the runner's helmet. For this reason, the call must stand.

Had the standard for Replay Review been to make the call "from scratch" (e.g., call "out" or "safe" from Replay HQ without regard to the call on the field), I'd surmise the runner would be deemed safe.

Annotation of where U3 and the ball will go.

Analysis, Second Play: 3B Umpire Holbrook must rule on this play similarly to a stolen base attempt at third base. The problem for any third base umpire, naturally, is that the umpire must call a tag on the front side of the base from behind the play. In order to get an optimal angle here, the umpire must quickly move into position. If the umpire is unable to see over top of the play, he must attempt to see through it, which is oftentimes a losing proposition.

By the time the catcher's throw arrives at third, the umpire should ideally be set or nearly set to observe the play and adjust if necessary. From the replay of Culberson's attempted advancement, it appears Holbrook is a tick tardy to his desired calling position, which means his eyes are vertically moving as the tag is being applied. Because the umpire appears to be continuing to close down as the play is concluding, the head height—and therefore the "look"—isn't constant, which makes this tough call even tougher to call. In the end, the runner should be safe, but he is declared out.

Wegner's tossed Lou over a similar play at 3B.

Compare and Contrast: Consider this similar passed ball/wild pitch-turned-putout from June 2007 in Chicago, when 3B Umpire Mark Wegner ejected Lou Piniella for the first time in Lou's Cubs managerial career. It's a very similar play, with a similar tag attempt, but look at the umpire's positioning, relative to that from Cubs-Braves.

In Chicago, Wegner puts himself much closer to the play at a much earlier stage of the play so that he only must make minor position adjustments as the ball and baserunner arrive at the base. In the end, Wegner gets the call right and has a hat-slinging, dirt-kicking Piniella to thank for his efforts.
Related Video: Wegner calls the out on play at third base...Here's Lou (CHC)

Because Snitker lost his challenge due to the previous close play, Tuesday's out call at third base—which would otherwise have easily been overturned via replay—wasn't subject to review.

History: In expanded Replay Review's first week of existence (April 2014), the San Francisco Giants lost a challenge on a 4th inning pickoff play at first base, such that an incorrect safe call at home plate later in the inning that Bruce Bochy would have otherwise challenged was not subject to review.
Related Video: Giants are unable to challenge play at the plate after losing an earlier review (ARI)

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 160 - Sam Holbrook (7; Carl Willis)

HP Umpire Sam Holbrook ejected Red Sox Pitching Coach Carl Willis (ball three call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Red Sox-Yankees game. With two out and the bases loaded, Yankees batter Gary Sanchez took a first pitch, then 2-1 fastball from Red Sox pitcher Addison Reed for called first and third balls, respectively. Replays indicate the first pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px .805, pz 1.837), while the pitch ruled a third ball was located over the outer half of home plate and above the knees (px .610, pz 1.742 [sz_bot 1.589 / MOE 1.672]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 3-1. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 9-2.

This is Sam Holbrook (34)'s seventh ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Sam Holbrook now has 11 points in the UEFL Standings (13 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 11).
Crew Chief Sam Holbrook now has 12 points in Crew Division (12 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 12).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
*Ball three was located 0.84 vertical inches or 1.66 horizontal inches from being deemed a correct call.

This is the 160th ejection report of 2017.
This is Boston's 5th ejection of 2017, 4th in the AL East (NYY 11; TOR 9; TB 6; BOS 5; BAL 4).
This is Carl Willis' first career MLB ejection.
This is Sam Holbrook's 7th ejection of 2017, 1st since July 8 (Bud Black; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees, 9/3/17 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 093-94 - Sam Holbrook (5-6; COL x2)

HP Umpire Sam Holbrook ejected Rockies CF Charlie Blackmon and Manager Bud Black (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the White Sox-Rockies game. With one out and none on, Blackmon took a 3-2 cutter from White Sox pitcher David Robertson for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -.401, pz 1.554 [sz_bot 1.601 / MOE 1.518]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejections, the White Sox were leading, 5-4. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Sam Holbrook (34)'s fifth, sixth ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Sam Holbrook now has 12 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 2 QOCY] = 12).
Crew Chief Sam Holbrook now has 9 points in Crew Division (7 Previous + 2 Correct Call = 9).

This is the 93rd, 94th ejection report of 2017.
This is the 39th player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Blackmon was 2-5 (3 SO) in the contest.
This is the 50th Manager ejection of 2017.
This is Colorado's 3rd/4th ejection of 2017, 2nd in the NL West (LAD 6; COL 4; ARI, SD, SF 2).
This is Charlie Blackmon's first ejection since May 17, 2015 (Marty Foster; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Bud Black's 2nd ejection of 2017, 1st since April 14 (Mike Everitt; QOC = Y [Balk]).
This is Sam Holbrook's 5/6th ejection of 2017, 1st since June 24 (Rick Renteria; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs. Colorado Rockies, 7/8/17 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 077-78 - Sam Holbrook (3-4; Frazier, Renteria)

1B Umpire Sam Holbrook ejected White Sox 3B Todd Frazier and Manager Rick Renteria (Replay Review; QOCY) in the top of the 7th inning of the Athletics-White Sox game. With none out and none on, A's batter Adam Rosales hit a 2-0 fastball from White Sox pitcher Jake Petricka on the ground to third baseman Frazier, who threw to first baseman Jose Abreu as Rosales arrived at first base, called "safe" by Holbrook. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by White Sox Manager Renteria, Holbrook's ruling was affirmed, Frazier's threw pulled Abreu's foot off the base, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the A's were leading, 8-2. The A's ultimately won the contest, 10-2.

This is Sam Holbrook (34)'s third, fourth ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Sam Holbrook now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (-4 Previous + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct] = 4).
Crew Chief Sam Holbrook now has 7 points in Crew Division (5 Previous + 2 Correct Call = 7).

This is the 77th, 78th ejection report of 2017.
This is the 32nd player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Frazier was 1-2 (SO) in the contest.
This is the 41st Manager ejection of 2017.
This is Chicago-AL's 7/8th ejection of 2017, 1st in AL Central (CWS 8; DET 3; KC, MIN 2; CLE 0).
This is Todd Frazier's first career MLB ejection.
This is Rick Renteria's 4th ejection of 2017, 1st since June 23 (Jim Wolf; QOC = Y [Fair/Foul]).
This is Sam Holbrook's 3/4th ejection of 2017, 1st since May 3 (Adam Jones; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs. Chicago White Sox, 6/24/17 | Video via "Read More"

Tmac's Teachable Moments - Picking Up a Crew Mate

Friday's Tmac's Teachable Moment concerns filling in for a crew mate to avoid an uncovered play.

Sometimes when you take a baseball field at any level, a partner makes a positioning mistake. Now here's the question: Are you the kind of person who can recognize this mistake and pick him up or do you let him burn? Today's teachable moment is about crewmanship and how to pick up your brothers on the field.

We have an unattended play at third base.

Take a look at this play from Wednesday's Cleveland-Colorado game at Coors Field. Watch the first 11 seconds of the attached video. Notice anything unusual?

You may notice there is no umpire at third base to make this call. While I don't expect most of you to know the intricacies of 4-man mechanics, the play begins with one out and a runner at 2nd base. The batter hits a fly ball to left field, and a tag-up situation will ensue. The 3B Umpire is Greg Gibson, 2B has Sam Holbrook, 1B is DJ Reyburn, and Jim Wolf has the plate.

In this situation when U3 (Greg Gibson) goes out, U2 (Holbrook) has responsibility for the play at 3rd, while the out umpire (U3) is to stay in the outfield for the remainder of the play; the plate umpire (Wolf) will remain at the dish for a potential overthrow/scoring play. Wait a minute; where did heck did Reyburn come from at :14 seconds of the video? Was he in the stands in uniform waiting for a play just like this? Did he drop out of the sky?

Reyburn recognizes the lack of coverage.

Or did he recognize a potential disaster at third base and pick up his crew mate? In the modern era of expanded instant replay, the missed call doesn't matter, but it's the instincts to realize potential disaster is looming that separates the wheat from the chaff.

You'll notice that, like Reyburn, Gibson also picked up the mistake on the video at :51 seconds and attempts to sprint back get a decent look at the tag into 3rd (the best look is at 1:17 when you see DJ sprinting across the infield).

U3 Gibson also saw the vacancy at third base.

There's another takeaway here. It's always good to keep your head on a swivel and know when a partner goes out. Picking up your partner can save you potential disasters. In four-man, someone goes out on nearly every play to the outfield, but there are advanced mechanics to keep an umpire ahead of the play, so it would have been permissible for the 1st base umpire to go out on this play for some CCs (this is a crew-dependent policy and deviates from the "standard" MLBUM mechanic).

In summary, be a good teammate. Nobody wants to work with a guy who hangs others out to dry.  Stay focused. If this play happens to you, there's no replay to save you. Also, if you make a mistake out on the field and someone picks you up, be grateful. Say thank you. And above all else, HAVE FUN out there!!!!  Until Next time, Happy Umpiring!

Video via "Read More"

MLB Ejection 022-23 - Sam Holbrook (1-2; Gausman, Jones)

HP Umpire Sam Holbrook ejected Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman (Throwing At Red Sox batter Xander Bogaerts) in the bottom of the 2nd and Orioles CF Adam Jones (Balls/Strikes) in the 5th inning of the Orioles-Red Sox game. In the 2nd, with none out and none on, Bogaerts took a first-pitch slider from Gausman for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located 23.7 inches inside and hip-high, the call was irrecusable. Bogaerts was the first hit batsman of Wednesday's game, and second of the three-game series (Red Sox batter Rookie Betts received a HBP from Orioles pitcher Dylan Bundy on Monday; Chris Sale threw behind Manny Machado on Tuesday, after which MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred warned both teams not to throw at each other). At the time of Gausman's ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. In the 5th, with one out and one on, Jones took a 1-2 fastball from Red Sox pitcher Drew Pomeranz before striking out swinging on the ensuing pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located over outer edge of home plate and above the midpoint (px .808, pz 3.556 [sz_top 3.411 / MOE 3.494]), the call was incorrect. At the time of Jones' ejection, the Red Sox were leading, 4-0. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is Sam Holbrook (34)'s first ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Sam Holbrook now has -4 points in the UEFL Standings (-4 Previous + 2*[2 MLB] - 4 Incorrect = -4).
Crew Chief Sam Holbrook now has 0 points in Crew Division (-1 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 0).

This is the 22nd, 23rd ejection report of 2017.
This is the 8th player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Gausman's line was 1.0 IP, ER, BB, HBP.
This is the 9th player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Jones was 0-3 (SO) in the contest.
This is Baltimore's 2nd/3rd ejection of 2017, 1st in the AL East (BAL 3; BOS, TB, TOR 2; NYY 0).
This is Kevin Gausman's first career MLB ejection.
This is Adam Jones' first career MLB ejection.
This is Sam Holbrook's first ejection since July 20, 2016 (Clint Hurdle; QOC = Y [Foul/Interference]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox, 5/3/17 | Video via "Read More"