MLB Ejection 029: Marty Foster (1; Matt Kemp)

HP Umpire Marty Foster ejected Padres RF Matt Kemp for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Dodgers-Padres game. With two out and none on, Kemp took a 3-2 fastball from Dodgers pitcher Juan Nicasio for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the knees (px -0.261, pz 1.636 [sz_bot 1.680 / MOE 1.597]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Dodgers were leading, 10-7. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 11-8.

This is Marty Foster (60)'s first ejection of 2015.
Marty Foster now has 5 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 5).
Crew Chief Mike Winters now has 3 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 1 Correct = 3).

This is the 29th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 15th player ejection of 2015. Prior to ejection, Kemp was 2-4 in the contest.
This is the Padres' 4th ejection of 2015, 1st in the NL West (SD 4; SF 1; ARI, COL, LAD 0).
This is Marty Foster's first ejection since Sept 20, 2014 (Ron Roenicke; QOC = U [Throwing At]).
This is Matt Kemp's first ejection since August 7, 2014 (Brian Knight; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres, 4/25/15
Video: After striking out to conclude the frame, Kemp continues to argue and is sent off (SD)

MLB Ejection 028: Dale Scott (1; Ron Roenicke)

HP Umpire Dale Scott ejected Brewers Manager Ron Roenicke for arguing balls and strikes in the top of the 7th inning of the Cardinals-Brewers game. With one out and two on, Cardinals batter Jason Heyward took a 3-1 slider from Brewers pitcher Will Smith for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the 1-0 pitch, ruled ball two, was located over the inner half of home plate and thigh high (px -.741, pz 1.726 [sz_bot 1.53]), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Cardinals were leading, 2-0. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Dale Scott (5)'s first ejection of 2015.
Dale Scott now has -1 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = -1).
Crew Chief Dale Scott now has 2 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Previous + 0 Incorrect = 2).

This is the 28th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 11th Manager ejection of 2015.
This is the Brewers' 2nd ejection of 2015, 1st in the NL Central (MIL 2; CHC, CIN, PIT 1; STL 0).
This is Ron Roenicke's first ejection since September 20, 2014 (Marty Foster; QOC = U [Throwing At]).
This is Dale Scott's first ejection since September 13, 2014 (Johnny Narron; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 4/25/15
Video: Walking off the mound during a pitching change, Roenicke engages Scott and is tossed (MIL)

MLB Ejection 027: John Tumpane (2; Bruce Bochy)

HP Umpire John Tumpane ejected Giants Manager Bruce Bochy for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 8th inning of the Giants-Rockies game. With two out and one on, Giants batter Brandon Crawford took a 1-2 slider from Rockies pitcher Boone Logan for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and at the height of the knee as it crossed the plate (px 0.247, pz 1.666 [sz_bot 1.560]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Rockies were leading, 6-4. The Rockies ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s second ejection of 2015.
John Tumpane now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (3 Previous + 3 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 8).
Crew Chief John Hirschbeck now has 5 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Previous + 1 Correct = 5).

This is the 27th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 10th Manager ejection of 2015.
This is the Giants' 1st ejection of 2015, 2nd in the NL West (SD 3; SF 1; ARI, COL, LAD 0).
This is Bruce Bochy's first ejection since August 25, 2014 (Doug Eddings; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is John Tumpane's first ejection since April 19, 2015 (David Ortiz; QOC = Y-C [Check Swing]).

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies, 4/24/15
Video: Pitch crosses up Crawford as it crosses his kneecaps, sinking past the plate for a heave-ho (SF)

MLB Ejection 026: Doug Eddings (1; Jon Niese)

HP Umpire Doug Eddings ejected Mets P Jon Niese for arguing a strike one call in the top of the 6th inning of the Mets-Yankees game. With none out and one on, Mets batter Juan Lagares took a 0-0 fastball from Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the midpoint (px 0.664, pz 3.448 [sz_top 3.390 / MOE 3.473]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 6-0. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 6-1.

This is Doug Eddings (88)'s first ejection of 2015.
Doug Eddings now has 3 points in the UEFL Standings (-1 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct = 3).
Crew Chief Doug Eddings now has 1 point in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).

This is the 26th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 14th player ejection of 2015. Prior to ejection, Niese did not participate in the game.
This is the Mets' 2nd ejection of 2015, 1st in the NL East (NYM 2; ATL, MIA, PHI, WAS 0).
This is Jon Niese's first career MLB ejection.
This is Doug Eddings' first ejection since August 25, 2014 (Bruce Bochy; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs. New York Yankees, 4/24/15
Video: Eddings stop signs the home bench before expelling Niese for continued complaining (NYM)

MLB Ejections 021-025: Sam Holbrook (1-5; KC & CWS)

HP Umpire Sam Holbrook ejected Royals P Yordano Ventura, P Edinson Volquez, CF Lorenzo Cain, and White Sox P Chris Sale and P Jeff Samardzija for fighting in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Royals-White Sox game. With two out and none on, White Sox batter Adam Eaton hit a 0-1 fastball from Ventura on the ground to Ventura, who threw to first baseman Eric Hosmer for the inning's third out. Replays indicate that as Eaton jogged down the first base line, Ventura yelled an unsportsmanlike and profane remark at Eaton, leading to a bench clearing incident; warnings were in effect after two prior HBP (Moustakas by Sale, Abreu by Ventura) in the game, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejections, the game was tied, 2-2.

These are Sam Holbrook (34)'s second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth ejections of 2015.
Sam Holbrook now has 14 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Previous + 5*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable] = 14).
Crew Chief Tim Welke now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (-1 Previous + 5 Irrecusables = 4).

These are the 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 25th ejections of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
These are the 9th-13th player ejections of 2015. Prior to ejection, Cain was 1-3 in the contest.
These are the Royals' 7-9th ejections of 2015, 1st AL Central (KC 9; CWS 2; DET 1; CLE, MIN 0).
These are the White Sox's 1/2nd ejections of '15, 2nd in ALC (KC 9; CWS 2; DET 1; CLE, MIN 0).
This is Yordano Ventura's first ejection since April 18, 2015 (Jim Joyce; QOC = U [Throwing At]).
This is Edinson Volquez's first career MLB ejection.
This is Lorenzo Cain's first career MLB ejection.
This is Chris Sale's first career MLB ejection.
This is Jeff Samardzija's first career MLB ejection.
This is Sam Holbrook's first ejection since April 17, 2015 (Joe Maddon; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox, 4/23/15
Video: For the second time in a week, Kansas City is involved in a bench clearing brawl (CWS)
Video: Sale's pitch hits Moustakas in the face in the 5th inning, leading to warnings in Chicago (KC)

Major League Umpire Debut of Ryan Blakney (36)

Umpire Ryan Blakney made his MLB debut during the Rangers-Diamondbacks game on April 21 in Arizona. Blakney joined chief Tim Welke's crew, serving as the third base umpire alongside HP Umpire Welke, 1B Umpire Mike Everitt and 2B Umpire Tim Timmons.

Blakney is on the Pacific Coast League roster for the 2015 season, which is his third season in PCL and fourth season overall in Triple-A (2012 International League). He has also worked the Arizona, Midwest, Arizona Instructional, Northwest, Carolina, Texas and Florida Instructional Leagues.

Blakney wears the uniform number 36 at the Major League level, which was last worn by Tim McClelland, and makes his MLB debut at the age of 29; he will turn 30 in May. Blakney presently resides in Arizona and worked MLB Spring Training in 2014 and 2015.

MLB Ejection 020: Gerry Davis (1; Brad Ausmus)

3B Umpire Gerry Davis ejected Tigers Manager Brad Ausmus for arguing a balk call in the top of the 6th inning of the Yankees-Tigers game. With two out and one on, Yankees batter Carlos Beltran awaited the first pitch from Tigers pitcher Anibal Sanchez. During Sanchez's delivery, Yankees baserunner R3 Brett Gardner faked towards home plate from his position along the third baseline, prompting Sanchez to rush a throw to catcher Alex Avila. Replays indicate Sanchez, pitching from Windup Position, disengaged the pitching rubber and, in doing so, disrupted his natural motion and broke his legal delivery of a pitch, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

This is Gerry Davis (12)'s first ejection of 2015.
Gerry Davis now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has 1 point in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 1 Correct = 1).
*Rule 8.01(a) Comment states that, from Windup Position, a pitcher may deliver the ball to the batter, step and throw to a base, or disengage the rubber "(if he does he must drop his hand to his sides)." If he fails to complete one of this actions (or "Time" isn't first granted), it is a balk. Alternately, Rule 8.05(a) states it is a balk when, "the pitcher, while touching his plate, makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch and fails to make such delivery."

This is the 20th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 9th Manager ejection of 2015.
This is the Tigers' 1st ejection of 2015, 2nd in the AL Central (KC 6; DET 1; CLE, CWS, MIN 0).
This is Brad Ausmus' first ejection since August 10, 2014 (Bill Miller; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Gerry Davis' first ejection since August 31, 2014 (Bob Melvin; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers, 4/23/15
Video: Delayed balk call made after brief Yankee protest prompts Ausmus argument, ejection (DET)

MLB Ejection 019: Lance Barrett (1; Dave Hudgens)

HP Umpire Lance Barrett ejected Houston Astros Hitting Coach Dave Hudgens for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 5th inning of the Astros-Mariners game. With two out and one on, Astros batter Luis Valbuena took a 2-2 curveball from Mariners pitcher J.A. Happ for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the upper midpoint (px 0.624, pz 3.394 [sz_top 3.3]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 3-1. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Lance Barrett (94)'s first ejection of 2015.
Lance Barrett now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Dale Scott now has 3 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Previous + 1 Correct = 3).
*With significant digit issues obfuscating the upper strike zone, this ejection is eligible for challenge.

This is the 19th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the Astros' first ejection of 2015, T-1st in the AL West (HOU, LAA 1; OAK, SEA, TEX 0).
This is Dave Hudgens' first ejection since August 11, 2011 (Vic Carapazza; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Lance Barrett's first ejection since May 14, 2014 (BJ Upton; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners, 4/22/15
Video: After punching out Valbuena to end the frame, Barrett tosses Hudgens from the dugout (HOU)

Case Play 2015-01, A Base Coach's Helping Hand? [Solved]

A base coach and runner collided for Case Play #1 of the 2015 UEFL season. The play in Texas occurred in the bottom of the 1st inning of the Angels-Rangers game. With one out and runners on first and third, Rangers batter Prince Fielder hit a 0-0 fastball from Angels pitcher Matt Shoemaker on a line drive to center fielder Mike Trout as R3 Leonys Martin Scored and R1 Adrian Beltre passed third base. As R1 Beltre rounded the bag, 3B Coach Tony Beasley put his hands up to signal Beltre to stop and return to third base. Beltre's momentum then carried him into Beasley and the two made contact before Beltre reversed course and return to third base as Angels shortstop Erick Aybar poised to throw. Angels Manager Mike Scioscia discussed the play with 3B Umpire Dan Iassogna, who ruled the event a legal play.

Case Play Question 2015-01: Was this a legal play? Why? If not, what is the proper call and how shall the next play proceed (number of outs, runner placement, etc.)?
Participation in this discussion is worth two points for UEFL owners. (This is technically the second CP of the 2015 UEFL season. The first was our ABL Case Play in November 2014. Points for the ABL play will be added alongside those awarded for 2015-01.)
NOTE: A relevant play, also involving the Rangers at third base, occurred vs. Minnesota in 2010.

Case Play Answer 2015-01: Rule 7.09(h) states that interference occurs when "In the judgment of the umpire, the base coach at third base, or first base, by touching or holding the runner, physically assists him in returning to or leaving third base or first base." For the penalty of interference, the baserunner may be declared out. There are two main questions to be answered when it comes to Rule 7.09(h): First, did contact occur (A: Yes). Second, did 3BC physically assist R1 in returning or advancing? The key question as to this second criterion, as eluded to in the responses, is if, in the mind of U3, this contact assisted the runner in returning to third base.

According to Wendelstedt Umpire School Chief of Instruction Brent Rice, "When determining this, the following should apply: If the contact is unintentional, the umpire should require a higher level of proof that the contact assisted the runner. If the contact is intentional, the umpire should enforce the penalty. By his own actions, the base coach is telling you he is assisting him."

Video evidence suggests the contact between R1 and 3BC was unintentional, which thus would require that higher level of proof Brent referenced. In U3's mind, assistance was not proven to that higher standard, making this play legal and not interference.

Thanks to all participants, each of whom shall receive two points for discussion of this play.

Wrap: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Texas Rangers, 4/13/15
Video: Beltre aggressively rounds third base and runs into coach Beasley, acting as a stop sign (TEX)

MLB Replay Reviews, Week 2 (April 13-19, 2015)

MLB umpires experienced 46 instant replay reviews during the week of April 13 - April 19 (+11 over prior week). Games played during this period featured the following MLB Replay Review decisions: