MLB Ejection 165 - Stu Scheurwater (2; Bruce Bochy)

HP Umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected Rangers manager Bruce Bochy (strike three call to Cody Freeman; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Marlins-#Rangers game. With none out and none on, Rangers batter Freeman took a 1-2 slider from Marlins pitcher Ronny Henriquez for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and at the hollow beneath the knee (px 0.87, pz 1.32 [sz_bot 1.44 / RAD 1.32]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Marlins were leading, 4-2. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Stu Scheurwater (85)'s 2nd ejection of 2025.

*This pitch was located 0.53 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 165th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 86th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 86 Managers, 27 Coaches, 52 Players.

This is Texas' 4th ejection of 2025, 3rd in the AL West (LAA 8; HOU 5; OAK, SEA, TEX 4).

This is Bruce Bochy's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since June 14 (Junior Valentine; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Stu Scheurwater's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since June 9 (Craig Counsell; QOC = Y [RLI]).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs Rangers, 9/20/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 067 - Stu Scheurwater (1; Craig Counsell)

HP Umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected Cubs manager Craig Counsell (runner's lane interference no-call on Otto Kemp; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Cubs-#Phillies game. With none out and none on, Phillies batter Kemp hit a 0-0 fastball from Cubs pitcher Brad Keller on the ground to catcher Carson Kelly, who threw to first baseman Michael Busch after Kemp arrived at first base, ruled safe by 1B Umpire Vic Carapazza and non-runner's lane interference by HP Umpire Scheurwater. Replays indicate that although batter-runner Kemp failed to run within the running lane (plus fair territory dirt extension adopted by MLB in 2024) by virtue of running on the grass, his doing so did not interfere with fielder Busch receiving the throw at first base, as the throw could not have reasonably retired the runner. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 2-2. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 4-3, in 11 innings.

  

This is Stu Scheurwater (85)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

*Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(11): "The 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, they run 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 interfere with the fielder taking the throw at first base, in which case the ball is dead."

This is the 67th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 34th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 34 Managers, 13 Coaches, 20 Players.

This is Chicago's 4th ejection of 2025, 1st in the NL Central (CHC, PIT 4; CIN, STL 3; MIL 2).

This is Craig Counsell's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since June 8 (Derek Thomas; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Stu Scheurwater's 1st ejection since August 12, 2024 (Oliver Marmol; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs Philadelphia Phillies, 6/9/25 | Video as follows:

Out of Base Path Call Against M's Solano Ends Game

Umpire Stu Scheurwater's out of the base path call against Seattle batter-runner Donovan Solano ended the A's-Mariners game as Stu ruled that Solano ran more than three feet from his established base path to avoid first baseman Tyler Soderstrom's tag. Did he?

Out of the base path calls near first base are one of the only instances in which painted lines on the baseball field are helpful for adjudication. This is because the distance from the foul line to the lane line along the first baseline is exactly three feet, by rule.

To review, out of the base path is as follows: "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" (Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(1)).

While the runner's lane interference rule, as pertains to the physical markings on the ground, states: "The chalk lines marking the threefoot lane are a part of that lane and a batter-runner is required to have both feet within the three-foot lane" (OBR 5.09(a)(11)).

So although the runner's lane rule itself bears no relevance to this tag play at first base, because Solano was positioned on the fair territory side of the runner's lane at the beginning of F3 Soderstrom's tag attempt, and because Solano then ran onto the foul territory side of the runner's lane, we know that Solano must have run more than three feet from his base path to avoid the tag, and, thus, is out of the base path.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 146 - Stu Scheurwater (5; Oliver Marmol)

HP Umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (ball two call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Cardinals-#Reds game. With one out and one on, Reds batter Spencer Steer took a 1-0 curveball from Reds pitcher Sonny Gray for a called second ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and near the hollow of the knee (px 0.65, pz 1.44 [sz_bot 1.52 / RAD 1.40 / MOE 1.48]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 3-1. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 6-1.

This is Stu Scheurwater (85)'s 5th ejection of 2024.

*This pitch was located 0.48 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 146th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 74th player ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 74 Managers, 22 Coaches, 50 Players.

This is St Louis' 6th ejection of 2024, T-2nd in the NL Central (MIL 7; PIT, STL 6; CHC 5; CIN 3).

This is Oliver Marmol's 4th ejection of 2024, 1st since July 13 (David Arrieta; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Stu Scheurwater's 5th ejection of 2024, 1st since August 8 (Bob Melvin; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: St Louis Cardinals vs Cincinnati Reds, 8/12/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 142 - Stu Scheurwater (5; Bob Melvin)

HP Umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected Giants manager Bob Melvin (strike three call to Mark Canha) in the top of the 1st inning of the #Giants-#Nationals game. With one out and the bases loaded, Canha took a 2-2 changeup from Nationals pitcher DJ Herz for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and (px 1.06, pz 3.37 [sz_top 3.15 / RAD 3.27 / MOE 3.35]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 9-5, in 10 innings.

This is Stu Scheurwater (85)'s 4th ejection of 2024.

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

This pitch was located 1.51 horizontal and 0.24 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 142nd ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 71st manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 71 Managers, 22 Coaches, 49 Players.

This is San Francisco's 8th ejection of 2024, 1sts in the NL West (SF 8; ARI, SD 6; COL 3; LAD 1).

This is Bob Melvin's 5th ejection of 2024, 1st since July 21 (Chris Conroy; QOC = U [Pregame Eject]).

This is Stu Scheurwater's 4th ejection of 2024, 1st since July 4 (Eugenio Suárez; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs Washington Nationals, 8/8/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 106 - Stu Scheurwater (3; Eugenio Suárez)

HP Umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected Diamondbacks 3B Eugenio Suárez (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Diamondbacks-#Dodgers game. With one out and one on, Suárez took a 2-2 sinker from Dodgers pitcher Nick Ramirez for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.70, pz 2.30), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Diamondbacks were leading, 5-3. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 9-3.

This is Stu Scheurwater (85)'s 3rd ejection of 2024.

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

This pitch was located 2.57 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 106th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 39th player ejection of 2024. Prior to ejection, Suárez was 0-4 (2 SO) in the contest.

Ejection Tally: 53 Managers, 14 Coaches, 39 Players.

This is Arizona's 5th ejection of 2024, T-2nd in the NL West (SD 6; ARI, SF 5; COL 3; LAD 0).

This is Eugenio Suárez's 1st ejection since August 29, 2021 (Edwin Moscoso; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Stu Scheurwater's 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 21 (Matt Williams; QOC = N [Fair/Foul]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs Colorado Rockies, 7/4/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 21-2 - Stu Scheurwater (1-2; SF x2)

HP Umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected Giants manager Bob Melvin and 3B coach Matt Williams (foul ball call; QOCN) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Diamondbacks-#Giants game. With none out and two on, Diamondbacks batter Kevin Newman attempted to strike a 1-2 knuckle curve from Giants pitcher Nick Avila, ruled a foul ball by Scheurwater. Replays indicate the pitched ball did not appear to make contact with Newman's bat prior to touching the dirt, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejections, the Diamondbacks were leading, 4-2. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

These are Stu Scheurwater (85)'s 1st and 2nd ejections of 2024.

These are the 21st and 22nd ejection reports of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 10th manager ejection of 2024.

This is the 4th coach ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 10 Managers, 4 Coaches, 8 Players.

This is San Francisco's 2/3rd ejection of 2024, 1st in the NL West (SF 3; SD 2; ARI, COL, LAD 0).

This is Bob Melvin's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 12 (Clint Vondrak; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Matt Williams' 1st ejection since May 20, 2015 (Marvin Hudson; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Stu Scheurwater's 1st ejection since June 1, 2023 (Phil Nevin; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Francisco Giants, 4/21/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 083 - Stu Scheurwater (1; Phil Nevin)

HP Umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected Angels manager Phil Nevin (strike three call; QOCN) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Angels-#Astros game. With one out and the bases loaded, Angels batter Taylor Ward took a 3-2 sinker from Astros pitcher Hector Neris for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -0.69, pz 1.45 [sz_bot 1.69 / RAD 1.57 / MOE 1.49]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Astros were leading, 4-2. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 5-2.

This is Stu Scheurwater (85)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located -0.48 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 83rd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 39th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 39 Managers, 36 Players, 8 Coaches.

This is LA's 2nd ejection of 2023, 4th in the AL West (SEA 4; HOU, OAK 3; LAA 2; TEX 1).

This is Phil Nevin's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 19 (Will Little; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Stu Scheurwater's 1st ejection since August 23, 2022 (Brandon Drury; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Angels vs Houston Astros, 6/1/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 141 - Stu Scheurwater (2; Brandon Drury)

HP Umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected Padres DH Brandon Drury (strike three call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 4th inning of the #Guardians-#Padres game. With none out and none on, Drury took a 3-2 curveball from Guardians pitcher Aaron Civale for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px 0.95, pz 1.22 [sz_bot 1.73 / RAD 1.61 / MOE 1.52]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Guardians were leading, 1-0. The Guardians ultimately won the contest, 3-1.

This is Stu Scheurwater (85)'s 2nd ejection of 2022.

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

This pitch was located 0.43 horizontal and 3.60 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 141st ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 43rd player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Drury was 0-2 (2 SO) in the contest.

This is San Diego's 6th ejection of 2022, 1st in the NL West (SD 6; ARI 5; SF 4; COL 2; LAD 1).

This is Brandon Drury's first career MLB ejection.

This is Stu Scheurwater's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since June 28 (Aaron Boone; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cleveland Guardians vs San Diego Padres, 8/23/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 086 - Stu Scheurwater (1; Aaron Boone)

HP Umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone (strike one call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Athletics-#Yankees game. With one out and one on, Yankees batter Aaron Judge took a 1-0 sinker from Athletics pitcher Sam Selman for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px 0.33, pz 1.60 [sz_bot 1.84 / RAD 1.72 / MOE 1.63]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 2-0. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

This is Stu Scheurwater (85)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

Stu Scheurwater now has -2 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = -2).

Crew Chief CB Bucknor now has 2 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 2).

*This pitch was located 0.41 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 86th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 42nd manager ejection of 2022.

This is New York's 5th ejection of 2022, 2nd in the AL East (TOR 8; NYY 5; BOS, TB 3; BAL 2).

This is Aaron Boone's 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since May 4 (Marty Foster; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Stu Scheurwater's 1st ejection since August 3, 2021 (Luis Rojas; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs New York Yankees, 6/28/22 | Video as follows:

Ask the Teachable - Rotation Replay & Plate Blocking

This Ask the Teachable takes us to Milwaukee, where Nationals batter-runner Lane Thomas was tagged out at home plate by Brewers catcher Omar Narvaez on an unsuccessful inside-the-park home-run attempt, ruled out by 1B Umpire Stu Scheurwater, who rotated home to fill in for HP Umpire Charlie Ramos, who rotated to third base to fill in for 3B Umpire CB Bucknor, who rotated to second base to fill in for 2B Umpire Jeff Nelson, who went into the outfield to officiate Thomas' fly ball to deep right-center field. This is an example of an umpire rotation on a batted ball to the outfield with no runners on base at the time of the pitch.

As we followed the batted ball off the wall, we saw Thomas hustling around the bases as Milwaukee right fielder Hunter Renfroe gathered the ball and threw to second baseman Kolten Wong, who threw to catcher Narvaez as Thomas arrived at home plate.

Replay Review: Despite earlier issues with the clubhouse replay system in the 1st inning, by the time of this play in the top of the 7th inning, replay had been restored for both teams and thus as soon as Scheurwater made the out call at home plate, the 20-second decision timer began. Replays indicate the 20-second timer expired before Nationals manager Davey Johnson requested a review, meaning that Crew Chief Nelson properly denied Johnson's untimely request for a Manager's Challenge.

Plate Blocking Rule: Another issue here is whether or not catcher Narvaez blocked the runner Thomas' path to home plate. Recall that, pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 6.01(i)(2) pertaining to Collisions At Home Plate, the catcher is allowed to block the pathway of the runner under very specific circumstances. One of these is as follows: "Not withstanding the above, it shall not be considered a violation of this Rule 6.01(i)(2) if the catcher blocks the pathway of the runner in a legitimate attempt to field the throw (e.g., in reaction to the direction, trajectory or the hop of the incoming throw, or in reaction to a throw that originates from a pitcher or drawn-in infielder)."

Thus, because Wong's throw bounced and the trajectory of said through took the catcher into foul territory to receive it, the catcher is legally allowed to block the pathway of the runner.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 122 - Stu Scheurwater (1; Luis Rojas)

HP Umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected Mets manager Luis Rojas (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Mets-#Marlins game. With two out and none on, Mets batter Brandon Nimmo took a 1-2 fastball from Marlins pitcher David Hess for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px 0.48, pz 1.65 [sz_bot 1.60 / RAD 1.48]) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Marlins were leading, 4-3. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Stu Scheurwater (85)'s 1st ejection of 2021.

Stu Scheurwater now has 1 point in the UEFL Standings (-3 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 1).

Crew Chief Ted Barrett now has 6 points in Crew Division (5 Previous + 1 QOCY = 6).

This is the 122nd ejection report of the 2021 MLB regular season.

This is the 60th manager ejection of 2021.

This is New York's 6th ejection of 2021, T-1st in the NL East (MIA, NYM, PHI 6; WAS 2; ATL 0).

This is Luis Rojas' 4th ejection of 2021, 1st since July 18 (Jeremy Riggs; QOC = Y [Fair/Foul]).

This is Stu Scheurwater's 1st ejection since July 29, 2020 (Dante Bichette; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs. Miami Marlins, 8/3/21 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 03-4 - Stu Scheurwater (1-2; TOR x2)

Stu Scheurwater ejected Blue Jays DH Rowdy Tellez and Coach Dante Bichette (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 10th inning of the #Nationals-#BlueJays game. With none out and none on, Tellez took a 3-2 fastball from Nationals pitcher Tanner Rainey for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px 0.46, pz 1.69 [sz_bot 1.63]) and that all other callable pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Nationals were leading, 4-0. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 4-0, in 10 innings.

These are Stu Scheurwater (85)'s first and second ejections of 2020.
Stu Scheurwater now has 9 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct] = 9).
Crew Chief Joe West now has 2 points in Crew Division (0 Previous + 2*[1 Correct Call] = 2).
*This pitch was located 3.19 vertical inches from being deemed an incorrect call.
^This ejection was originally reported in the box score as Bo Bichette (see UEFL Rule 7-2).

These are the third and fourth ejection reports of the 2020 MLB regular season.
This is the second player ejection of 2020. Prior to ejection, Tellez was 1-4 (SO) in the contest.
These are Toronto's 1/2nd ejections of 2020, 1st in the AL East (TOR 2; BAL, BOS, NYY, TB 0).
This is Rowdy Tellez's first career MLB ejection.
This is Dante Bichette's 1st ejection since August 28, 1998 (Mike Winters; QOC = U [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Stu Scheurwater's 1st ejection since April 14, 2019 (Doug Brocail; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Washington Nationals vs. Toronto Blue Jays (in DC), 7/29/20 | Video as follows:

UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Stu Scheurwater

Presenting the UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Stu Scheurwater.

MLB Umpire Stu Scheurwater.

Name: Stuart Jeffrey Scheurwater
Pronunciation Guide: STOO SURE-wat-urr
Date of Birth: May 6, 1983
Place of Birth: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
MiLB Leagues Worked: Arizona, Northwest, South Atlantic, Carolina, Texas, Pacific Coast.
MLB Debut: April 25, 2014
Level: MLB
Umpire Uniform Number: 85
Crew Chief: No

2019 Ejections: 1.
Ejection 020 (BAL PC Doug Brocail; QOC = Y).

2018 Ejections: 3.
Ejection 078 (BAL M Buck Showalter; QOC = Y).
Ejection 077 (BAL P Darren O'Day; QOC = Y).
Ejection 058 (NYM M Mickey Callaway; QOC = Y).

2017 Ejections: 5.
Ejection 136 (SEA M Scott Servais; QOC = N).
Ejection 131 (TEX BC Steve Buechele; QOC = U).
Ejection 114 (NYY M Joe Girardi; QOC = N).
Ejection 068 (CIN M Bryan Price; QOC = Y).
Ejection 021 (BAL M Buck Showalter; QOC = Y). *First Career MLB Ejection*

2016 Ejections: None.
2015 Ejections: None.
2014 Ejections: None.
Ejection History: 0 (2014), 0 (2015), 0 (2016), 5 (2017), 3 (2018), 1 (2019).

UEFL History: Stu Scheurwater

Postseason and Special Events History
World Baseball Classic: -
All-Star Game: -
Wild Card Game: 2020
Division Series: 2020
Championship Series: -
World Series: -

UEFL Fill-In Umpire of the Year: 2017

Notes: Hired to the full-time MLB staff prior to the 2018 season.
» Graduated from the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School in 2006; began MiLB career in 2007.

MLB Ejection 020 - Stu Scheurwater (1; Doug Brocail)

1B Umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected Orioles Pitching Coach Doug Brocail (check swing ball two call) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Orioles-Red Sox game. With one out and one on (R1), Red Sox batter Xander Bogaerts attempted to check his swing on a 1-2 slider from Orioles pitcher Evan Phillips, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Ben May and affirmed as "no swing" on appeal by 1B Umpire Scheurwater. Play was reviewed and adjudicated by the UEFL Appeals Board (9-0-0), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Red Sox were leading, 1-0. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 4-0.

This is Stu Scheurwater (85)'s first ejection of 2019.
Stu Scheurwater now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Mark Wegner now has 1 point in Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).

This is the 20th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is Baltimore's 1st ejection of 2019, 1st in the AL East (BAL 1; BOS, NYY, TB, TOR 0).
This is Doug Brocail's first ejection since July 31, 2017 (Doug Eddings; QOC = Y [Balk]).
This is Stu Scheurwater's first ejection since June 25, 2018 (Buck Showalter; QOC = Y [Balk]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox, 4/14/19 | Video as follows:

Critique - ESPN's Triple-A Rant Was Over Full-Time MLBU

This edition of Commentary Critique is a fact check. During ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, broadcasters claimed MLB assigned too many minor league umpires to big time games. Problem: The ump referenced is a full-timer.

Stu Scheurwater is a staff umpire for MLB.

The Claim: With Stu Scheurwater behind the plate for Sunday's Angels-Astros game, ESPN play-by-play voice Matt Vasgersian and color commenter Alex Rodriguez took aim at the umpiring crew (what else is knew), and particularly the home plate umpire, criticizing the league for assigning two minor league umpires to a pennant chase game (for Houston, that is).

Said Vasgersian during the game's top of the 4th inning:

It is a pair—not just one, but two Triple-A umpires on this crew this weekend, one at third and then Stu Scheurwater at the plate is also a Triple-A umpire. That's Ramon De Jesus at third...Am I nuts for suggesting that in a meaningful game in September —Astros have just a two-game lead in the division—I think it's exceedingly rare to have two backup umpires working a September game with pennant implications.

Added Rodriguez:

Gary Cederstrom, the crew chief at first base...love to see him in a big game behind the plate, one of the best umpires in baseball. To have two youngsters—uh, it's a lot with a game with such recourse.

Fact Check: FALSE. As we first reported in December 2017, and later confirmed in February 2018, contrary to Vasgersian's repeated criticism, Scheurwater is a full-time, MLBUA-member umpire.

Corollary Fact Check, K-Zone: What's worse, Scheurwater's ball four call, which jumpstarted Vasgersian's remarks about Triple-A umpires, received a QOC of Correct.

Even 3D K-Zone doesn't paint the entire picture.

When Vasgersian said, "Not that we have any skin in the game... you kind of want to see the game called the right way. I don't get it," he relied on ESPN K-Zone in making a determination on Scheurwater's ball four call.

Too bad 3D K-Zone is misleading, just like 2D K-Zone.

Math: Angels batter Eric Young Jr.'s bottom of the strike zone, as measured by sz_bot, was 1.763 during this pitch, while Cole's pitch height (pz) was 1.737. Accordingly, had an ejection occurred, Scheurwater's call would be deemed correct because pz was less than sz_bot. And that's before MOE.

Conclusion: The computerized strike zone box, whether 2D or 3D, is still not a pitch calling panacea.
Related Post: Analyzing Strike Zone Analysis - Not So Easy or Simple (10/27/16).

Cederstrom crew schedule, 8/26 - 9/3.

A-Rod as Umpire Scheduler: Furthermore, to address Rodriguez's remarks, the Angels-Astros series was a four-game set with Sunday's game the series finale; accordingly, Cederstrom had the plate for the first game of the series on August 30.

Generally speaking (and it might be a CBA issue, too), umpires won't work the plate twice in less than a four-game span (in-game injuries and other events can lead to a one-off situation where an umpire works the plate more frequently), and, furthermore, the only series to feature plate duplicates was, generally, the best-of-seven League Championship Series and World Series up until just a few seasons ago, when MLB integrated the Replay Official into a seven-umpire crew, thus eliminating the former two-plates-per-LCS/WS rotation schedule.

Even so, the Cederstrom crew's series prior to Angels-Astros was Mets-Cubs; like the Astros, the Cubs are similarly competing for a postseason berth...the Cederstrom crew's schedule pertaining to plate work from August 26 through early September is attached; the crew was off the field the week beginning 9/3.

History: Though Scheurwater was a minor league fill-in umpire through 2017, he had 253 games of Major League experience heading into 2018, following his 2014 debut in Los Angeles. De Jesus, who is on the fill-in slate, had similarly officiated over 200 games at the big league level as of the 2018 All-Star Break.
Related Post: Future MLB Hiring Outlook at the 2018 Break (7/16/18).
Related Post: Source - Stu Scheurwater Hired to Full-Time MLB Staff (12/23/17).
Related Post: Major League Umpiring Debut: Stu Scheurwater (85) (4/25/14).

Gil's Call - Philosophical Question: How might one hope to get young umpires big league experience without putting them behind the plate during a game with, per Vasgersian, "pennant implications"?

Or, perhaps it might be wise to start with the correct information about which umpire holds which employment status before suggesting how MLB assign its umpires, or to understand why Umpire X is at first base instead of behind the plate before criticizing base assignments within the crew.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 077-78 - Stu Scheurwater (2-3; BAL x2)

HP Umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected Orioles P Darren O'Day and Manager Buck Showalter (no-stop balk call; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the Mariners-Orioles game. With none out and one on (R1), Mariners batter Nelson Cruz swung at a 3-2 pitch from O'Day for a foul fly ball, ruled a balk by HP Umpire Scheurwater, thus advancing baserunner R1 Mitch Haniger to second base and returning Cruz to home plate, where he would eventually walk. Replays indicate O'Day did not appear to satisfy the Stop criterion for pitching from Set Position by stopping prior to final delivery, the call was incorrect.^* Play was reviewed and reversed (0-8-1) by the UEFL Appeals Board, the call is now correct. At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 5-3. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

These are Stu Scheurwater (85)'s second and third ejections of 2018.
Stu Scheurwater now has 12 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct] = 12).
Crew Chief Gary Cederstrom now has 9 points in Crew Division (7 Previous + 2 Correct Call = 9).
^The mechanics of calling a balk are two-fold. There is the declare "Balk!" phase and the "Time! That's a balk" phase. The former is to be effected the instant the balk occurs, while the latter is withheld until the play has reached its conclusion. The ball is not dead until play has stopped, as in a caught fly ball.

*After action has stopped, the ball becomes dead and the umpire shall impose the penalty for a balk (runners advance one base, pitch is nullified), "unless the batter reaches first on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter, or otherwise, and all other runners advance at least one base, in which case the play proceeds without reference to the balk."
*Rule 6.02(a)(13) states, "It is a balk when—The pitcher delivers the pitch from Set Position without
coming to a stop."
Related Ejection: E-021 - Stu Scheurwater (1; Buck Showalter) [Balk call on O'Day] (4/30/17).

This is the 76th, 77th ejection report of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 40th player ejection of 2018. Prior to ejection, O'Day's line was 0.0 IP, 0 ER, BB.
This is the 31st Manager ejection of 2018.
This is Baltimore's 2/3rd ejection of 2018, T-2nd in the AL East (NYY 5; BAL, TOR 3; BOS 2; TB 1).
This is Darren O'Day's first career MLB ejection.
This is Buck Showalter's first ejection since April 30, 2017 (Stu Scheurwater; QOC = Y [Balk]).
This is Stu Scheurwater's 2/3rd ejection of 2018, 1st since June 12 (Mickey Callaway; QOC = Y [HBP]).

Wrap: Seattle Mariners vs. Baltimore Orioles, 6/25/18 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 058 - Stu Scheurwater (1; Mickey Callaway)

HP Umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected Mets Manager Mickey Callaway (batter's failure to attempt to avoid being hit by a pitch; QOCY) in the top of the 6th inning of the Mets-Braves game. With one out and one on (R1), Mets batter Brandon Nimmo took a 2-1 curveball from Braves pitcher Jesse Biddle for a called third ball; despite the pitch touching Nimmo, HP Umpire Scheurwater ordered Nimmo remain at-bat pursuant to Rule 5.05(b)(2)(B). Replays indicate Nimmo made no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Braves were leading, 1-0. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 8-2.

This is Stu Scheurwater (85)'s first ejection of 2018.
Stu Scheurwater now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 8).
Crew Chief Gary Cederstrom now has 8 points in Crew Division (7 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 8).
*Official Baseball Rule 5.05(b)(2) states, "The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out when—He is touched by a pitched ball which he is not attempting to hit unless (A) The ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, or (B) The batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball."
*When a pitched ball touches the batter in the strike zone, the ball is dead and the pitch is declared a strike.
*When a pitched ball touches the batter outside of the strike zone, and the batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball, the ball is dead and the pitch is declared a ball.

This is the 58th ejection report of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 25th Manager ejection of 2018.
This is New York-NL's 2nd ejection of 2018, T-2nd in the NL East (WAS 3; ATL, NYM 2; MIA, PHI 0).
This is Mickey Callaway's first ejection since August 3, 2016 (Fieldin Culbreth; QOC = N-C [Replay Review]).
This is Stu Scheurwater's first ejection since August 16, 2017 (Scott Servais; QOC = N [Check Swing]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves, 6/12/18 | Video as follows:

The Tarp Lodge - A Ball Still Moving Cannot Be Stuck

A Boston blooper turned into a Baltimore blunder Friday at Fenway Park when Orioles batter Adam Jones' pop-fly in shallow right field fell onto the field's tarp, setting up a challenge to determine whether the ball was stuck, lodged, or free, as Red Sox RF Mookie Betts threw out a jogging Jones, who had eased up, assuming the ball was out of play.

Replay Review: O's Manager Buck Showalter challenged 1B Umpire Stu Scheurwater's ruling that the baseball was live and in play along the right field wall.

Analysis: When Jones' batted ball bounced from fair territory to the LL Bean tarp along the right field fence-line, many of those on the playing field—including Jones—likely lost sight of the ball as it dropped behind the apex of the tarp. Official Baseball Rule 5.05(a)(7) states that the batter becomes a runner when, among others:

Any fair ball which, either before or after touching the ground, passes through or under a fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through any opening in the fence or scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery, or vines on the fence, or which sticks in a fence or scoreboard, in which case the batter and the runners shall be entitled to two bases.

Rule 5.06(b)(4)(F) is the equivalent for runners ("...Two bases, if a fair ball bounces or is deflected into the stands outside the first or third base foul lines; or if it goes through or under a field fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery or vines on the fence; or if it sticks in such fence, scoreboard, shrubbery or vines").

Is this ball stuck behind the tarp?

When it comes to tarps, the Universal Ground Rules simply states, "A catch may be made on the field tarp." Fortunately the MLB Umpire Manual helps further establish that Rule 5.06(b)(4)(F) applies to tarps: "A ball that goes behind a field tarp or wall padding without leaving the playing field should also be considered to be lodged and the same two base award applies. The determination of whether a ball is lodged is subject to Replay Review."

We usually see this with batted balls that roll to the outfield wall, when the question becomes whether or not the ball has become stuck in the small space formed by warning track, base of the wall, and bottom of the wall's padding, which generally protrudes several inches onto the playing field. Colloquially, as long as the ball indeed sticks underneath the padding, it is considered out of play. If the ball remains in motion or appears loose, it is considered in play simply because the ball has not yet proven itself to be "stuck" or otherwise out of play. For instance, a ball that rolls underneath wall padding, only to carom back onto the naked warning track is in play.
Related Post: Cause You're Stuck in the Wall - Batted Ball Out of Play (9/20/16).

Cederstrom & Scheurwater await a decision.

Back to Fenway, the potential lodge location is created by the curved tarp and vertical padded wall: as long as the ball is moving and accessible to the fielder, it is live and in play; when it comes to rest, it may be deemed "stuck" and out of play.

Here is some support from MLBUM, regarding its interpretation of batted balls that land on top of outfield walls—not directly applicable, but the interp gives an idea of how motion influences a ball's status: "A fair fly ball striking the top of the outfield wall and remaining on the top of the wall shall be deemed a ground-rule double...A fair fly ball that strikes the top of the outfield wall and is picked up by a spectator while still in motion shall be ruled a home run. A fair fly ball that lands on top of the outfield wall and is picked up by a spectator after coming to a stop shall be deemed a ground-rule double."
Related Post: Replay Review, Ground Rules, and Levi's Landing (9/1/17).

Hidden from view, this ball is not dead yet.

Conclusion: As long as the ball is still in motion and accessible to a fielder, it is alive and in play, if for no other reason than it is not yet dead; once the ball stops moving, it is subject to remedial action, such as Rule 5.06(b)(4)(F), and a two-base award from time-of-pitch would be appropriate.

As umpire Mike DiMuro once said, "Ultimately, the proper ruling must be made by the base umpire who is responsible for the flight of the ball – and it is only possible to do so by running out to the fence to visually discern and confirm that the ball is indeed lodged or stuck. If the fielder dislodges the ball by grabbing it and removing it, then it can no longer be considered lodged or stuck."

Because of Betts' speed in retrieving the baseball, however, it is difficult even with instant replay to determine whether the ball came to rest—whether it was truly stuck behind the tarp. The Replay Official, faced with this inconclusive evidence, ruled that the call should stand: Jones is credited with a single and Betts with a 9-6 putout.

That said, if Betts' arrival to the ball is a split second later, perhaps the evidence would then be clear and convincing that the ball, indeed, was "stuck." | Video as follows:

Source - Stu Scheurwater Hired to Full-Time MLB Staff

34-year-old Stu Scheurwater of Regina, Saskatchewan is, unofficially, Major League Baseball's newest umpire, MLB reportedly hiring him to the full-time staff to fill retired ump Dale Scott's vacancy, according to multiple sources.

A Baseball Canada umpiring alum, Scheurwater begins his MLBU career with 253 games of Major League experience, including 153 games in 2017, after debuting on April 25, 2014 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles; the news is reported as a SOURCE post and has not yet been confirmed.* For instance, the Press Reader reported that Scheurwater is not yet officially a full-time MLB umpire, though he "could be named to the full-time staff as early as this February."
Related Post: Major League Umpiring Debut: Stu Scheurwater (85) (4/25/14).

Stu Scheurwater is MLB's newest staff umpire.*

His foray into professional American baseball began with graduation from the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School in 2006, after which Scheurwater was forced to sit out the 2006 season due to a paperwork processing delay at Homeland Security.

After officially beginning in the minors on the 2007 Arizona League staff, Scheurwater worked his way through the Northwest, South Atlantic, Carolina, Texas, and Pacific Coast Leagues, working the 2012 Arizona Fall League along the way; in all, Scheurwater officially served six seasons in Triple-A, although he spent nearly the entire 2017 season at the Major League level due in part to Dale Scott's career-ending head injury in Toronto.
Related Post: A Look at the Dale Scott Crew Without Their Crew Chief (5/24/17).

Scheurwater effected his first ejection on April 30, 2017, when he threw out Orioles Manager Buck Showalter for arguing a correctly officiated balk call; he finished the 2017 season with five ejections and earned the 2017 UEFL Award for Fill-In Umpire of the Year, marking the fourth consecutive Fill-In Umpire of the Year to have been hired to the full-time staff (Gibson '14, Tumpane '15, and Hamari '16).
Related Post: MLB Ejection 021 - Stu Scheurwater (1; Buck Showalter) (4/30/17).
Related Post: 2017 UEFL Award for Fill-In Umpire - Stu Scheurwater (11/7/17).

Scheurwater is the most recent Canada-born umpire to make it to the big leagues; Jim McKean, who officiated in the American League from 1973-1999, and throughout both leagues in 2000 and 2001, was born in Montreal, Quebec. Ian Lamplugh, who last worked in 2002, grew up in British Columbia, but was born in Trowbridge, England.

*Reported as a Source post pursuant to UEFL News Reporting Best Practices, and not yet officially confirmed.