Discussion of 2017 AL and NL Division Series

Discussion for the 2017 postseason's AL and NL Division Series is open.

Home plate umpire performance is listed following the completion of each contest according to pitch f/x and UEFL Rules 6-2-b-a (horizontal bound, "Kulpa Rule") and 6-2-b-b (vertical strike zone, "Miller Rule"). Fouls, swinging strikes, balls batted into play, and hit-by-pitches are excluded from the analysis, while the remaining callable pitches are organized by type: "ball" or "called strike."

Plays include significant plays and instant replay reviews, if such plays occur. Call +/- also included/highlighted.

- 10/05, BOS@HOU Gm 1: Dan Bellino: pfx. 98/101 Balls + 57/60 Strikes = 155/161 = 96.3%. +2 HOU.
- 10/05, NYY@CLE Gm 1: Vic Carapazza: pfx. 110/113 Balls + 52/55 Strikes = 162/168 = 96.4%. +0.

- 10/06, BOS@HOU Gm 2: Angel Hernandez: pfx. 113/116 Balls + 46/53 Strikes = 159/169 = 94.1% +2 BOS.
- 10/06, NYY@CLE Gm 2: Dan Iassogna: pfx. 141/143 Balls + 68/75 Strikes = 209/218 = 95.9%. +1 CLE.
- 10/06, CHC@WAS Gm 1: Cory Blaser: pfx. 70/72 Balls + 47/49 Strikes = 117/121 = 96.7%. +0.
- 10/06, ARI@LAD Gm 1: Paul Nauert: pfx. 115/118 Balls + 38/43 Strikes = 153/161 = 95.0%. +0.

- 10/07, CHC@WAS Gm 2: Ron Kulpa: pfx. 98/102 Balls + 37/41 Strikes = 135/143 = 94.4%. +2 WAS.
- 10/07, ARI@LAD Gm 2: Phil Cuzzi: pfx. 105/111 Balls + 54/60 Strikes = 159/171 = 93.0%. +0.

- 10/08, HOU@BOS Gm 3: Ted Barrett: pfx. 105/108 Balls + 40/46 Strikes = 145/154 = 94.2%. +1 HOU.
- 10/08, CLE@NYY Gm 3: Dana DeMuth: pfx. 87/89 Balls + 29/31 Strikes = 116/120 = 96.7%. +2 NYY.

- 10/09, HOU@BOS Gm 4: Mark Wegner: pfx. 121/122 Balls + 48/52 Strikes = 169/174 = 97.1%. +1 BOS.
- 10/09, WAS@CHC Gm 3: Fieldin Culbreth. pfx. 97/99 Balls + 40/42 Strikes = 137/141 = 97.2%. +0.
- 10/09, CLE@NYY Gm 4: Brian O'Nora. pfx. 115/118 Balls + 61/64 Strikes = 176/182 = 96.7%. +0.
- 10/09, LAD@ARI Gm 3: Gerry Davis. pfx. 109/111 Balls + 49/54 Strikes = 158/165 = 95.8%. +5 ARI.
Series Complete: ALDS HOU Over BOS 3-1, 95.4%, 628/658, Net Skew: +0 Neutral.
Series Complete: NLDS LAD Over ARI 3-0, 94.6%, 470/497, Net Skew: +5 Arizona.

- 10/11, WAS@CHC Gm 4: Laz Diaz: pfx. 84/87 Balls + 52/57 Strikes = 136/144 = 94.4%. +4 CHC.
- 10/11, NYY@CLE Gm 5: Jeff Nelson: pfx. 97/99 Balls + 60/68 Strikes = 157/167 = 94.0%. +2 NYY.
Series Complete: ALDS NYY Over CLE 3-2, 95.9%, 820/855, Net Skew: +3 New York.

- 10/12, CHC@WAS Gm 5: Jerry Layne: pfx. 129/134 Balls + 50/55 Strikes = 179/189 = 94.7%. +0.
Series Complete: NLDS CHC Over WAS 3-2, 96.4%, 704/730, Net Skew: +2 Chicago.

NOTE: The highest plate score during the 2016 Division Series was Brian Knight's 96.9% (ALDS B1).
The highest plate score overall during the 2016 Postseason was Jim Wolf's 98.6% (ALCS Game 2).

Instant Replay Reviews (R-QOC Colors: Green [Confirmed], Yellow [Stands], Red [Overturned]):
- ALDS B1: HP Umpire Dan Bellino's time play ruling of "no run" prior to the third out is reversed.
- ALDS B1: LF Umpire Mike Everitt's out ruling is overturned to a trap and single.
- ALDS A2: 2B Umpire Brian O'Nora's safe call is reversed when injured runner rolls ankle off base.
- ALDS A2: 2B Umpire Brian O'Nora's safe call is overturned to a successful pickoff play.
- ALDS A2: RF Umpire Vic Carapazza's fan interference and base award (2nd) call is confirmed.
- NLDS B1: 2B Umpire Fieldin Culbreth's safe call stands on first RBI of the NLDS.
- NLDS B2: RF Umpire Cory Blaser's home run call is confirmed as no fan interference occurred.
- ALDS B3: 1B Umpire Mark Wegner's out call stands on back end of a double play at Fenway.
- NLDS A3: HP Umpire Gerry Davis' foul ball call stands on review for hit-by-pitch.
- NLDS B4: 1B Umpire Jerry Layne's safe call is overturned to give Chicago a late-inning pickoff.
- NLDS B5: 2B Umpire Cory Blaser's safe call stands to lead off the first inning of Game 5.
- NLDS B5: 2B Umpire Cory Blaser's slide rule violation no-call is confirmed in Washington.
- NLDS B5: 1B Umpire Will Little's safe call on pickoff attempt is overturned in the 8th.
Totals: 3 Confirmed + 4 Stands + 6 Overturned = 7/13 = .538 RAP.
NOTE: There were 16 Replay Reviews during the 2016 Division Series (10/16 = .625 RAP).

Other Notable Plays (QOC: Green [Correct], Yellow [Irrecusable/Inconclusive], Red [Incorrect]):
- ALDS A2: HP Umpire Dan Iassogna's HBP call survives Girardi's failure to challenge the call.
- NLDS B1: HP Umpire Cory Blaser rules Zimmerman out for runner's lane interference in the 9th.

2017 Arizona Fall League Umpire Roster

2017's Arizona Fall League will be officiated by the following Minor League Baseball umpires chosen from Triple-A's International (IL) and Pacific Coast League (PCL) umpiring staffs. Previous AFL experience (if applicable) and MLB call-up information is also listed.

2017 AFL Umpire Roster:
> Ryan Additon, IL, Davie, Florida. 2016 AFL, MLB Fill-In.*
> Ramon De Jesus, PCL, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. 2016 AFL, MLB Fill-In.*
> Bryan Fields, PCL, Phoenix, Arizona. 1st AFL, 2017 MiLB Postseason.
> JJ January, PCL, Southaven, Mississippi. 1st AFL, 2017 MiLB Postseason.
> John Libka, PCL, Port Huron, Michigan. 2016 AFL, MLB Fill-In.*
> Shane Livensparger, IL, Jacksonville, Florida. 2016 AFL, MLB Fill-In.*
> Nick Mahrley, PCL, Phoenix, Arizona. 2016 AFL, MLB Fill-In.*
> Roberto Ortiz, IL, Kissimmee, Florida. 2016 AFL, MLB Fill-In.*
> Garrett Patterson, PCL, Scottsdale, Arizona. 2016 AFL, 2017 MiLB Postseason.*
> Jeremie Rehak, IL, Monroeville, Pennsylvania. 1st AFL, 2017 MiLB Postseason.*
> Alex Tosi, IL, Lake Villa, Illinois. 1st AFL, 2017 MiLB Postseason.*
> Jansen Visconti, IL, Latrobe, Pennsylvania. 1st AFL, 2017 MiLB Postseason.

*Worked 2017 MLB Spring Training.
The 2017 AFL season's 12 umpires include: six IL, six PCL, and six MLB Fill-In.

Hometown information from REFEREE Magazine.

Discussion of 2017 AL and NL Wild Card Games

Discussion for the 2017 postseason's AL and NL Wild Card Games is now open.

Home plate umpire performance is listed following the completion of each contest according to pitch f/x and UEFL Rules 6-2-b-a (horizontal bound, "Kulpa Rule") and 6-2-b-b (vertical strike zone, "Miller Rule"). Fouls, swinging strikes, balls batted into play, and hit-by-pitches are excluded from the analysis. Of the remaining callable pitches, the Definition of Terms shall govern: "A STRIKE is a legal pitch when so called by the umpire, which...passes through any part of the strike zone."

Plays include significant plays and instant replay reviews, if such plays occur. Call +/- also included/highlighted.

- 10/03, MIN@NYY ALWC: Alfonso Marquez: pfx. 120/122 Balls + 46/49 Strikes = 166/171 = 97.1%. +1 MIN.

- 10/04, COL@ARI NLWC: Jim Reynolds: pfx. 85/87 Balls + 47/52 Strikes = 132/139 = 95.0%. +1 ARI.

NOTE: The highest plate score during the 2016 Wild Card Games was Gary Cederstrom's 95.8% (ALWC).
The highest plate score overall during the 2016 Postseason was Jim Wolf's 98.6% (ALCS Game 2).

Instant Replay Reviews (R-QOC Colors: Green [Confirmed], Yellow [Stands], Red [Overturned]):
- N/A.
NOTE: There was one Replay Review during the 2016 Wild Card Games (1/1 = 1.000 RAP).

Other Notable Plays (QOC: Green [Correct], Yellow [Irrecusable/Inconclusive], Red [Incorrect]):
- ALWC: 1B Umpire Mike Winters rules Granite out on Castro's appeal for missing first base.

2017 Wild Card & Division Series Umpires Roster

The 2017 AL and NL Wild Card Game and Division Series umpire roster is now available, listed by crew assignment. The Replay Official does not join the on-field crew for the Wild Card Games nor Division Series.

AL Wild Card 'A' (American League / Minnesota Twins @ New York Yankees)
HP: Alfonso Marquez
1B: Mike Winters*
2B: Eric Cooper
3B: Lance Barksdale
LF: Tripp Gibson ^1st^
RF: John Tumpane ^1st^

NL Wild Card 'B' (National League / Colorado Rockies @ Arizona Diamondbacks)
HP: Jim Reynolds
1B: Gary Cederstrom*
2B: Mark Carlson
3B: Chris Guccione
LF: Jordan Baker ^1st^
RF: David Rackley

Wild Card Game Replay Officials (MLBAM / NY): Mike Muchlinski and Bill Welke.

AL Division Series A (AL Wild Card Winner @ Cleveland Indians) [Game 1 Alignment Shown]
HP: Vic Caparazza [Game 1 Plate]
1B: Dan Iasogna [Game 2 Plate]
2B: Dana DeMuth* [Game 3 Plate]
3B: Brian O'Nora [Game 4 Plate]
LF: Jeff Nelson* [Game 5 Plate]
RF: Adrian Johnson ^1st^

AL Division Series B (Boston Red Sox @ Houston Astros) [Game 1 Alignment Shown]
HP: Dan Bellino [Game 1 Plate]
1B: Angel Hernandez [Game 2 Plate]
2B: Ted Barrett* [Game 3 Plate]
3B: Mark Wegner [Game 4 Plate]
LF: Mike Everitt* [Game 5 Plate]
RF: Marty Foster

NL Division Series A (NL Wild Card Winner @ Los Angeles Dodgers) [Game 1 Shown]
HP: Paul Nauert [Game 1 Plate]
1B: Phil Cuzzi [Game 2 Plate]
2B: Gerry Davis* [Game 3 Plate]
3B: Alan Porter [Game 4 Plate]
LF: Bill Miller* [Game 5 Plate]
RF: Quinn Wolcott `1st DS`

NL Division Series B (Chicago Cubs @ Washington Nationals [Game 1 Shown]
HP: Cory Blaser [Game 1 Plate]
1B: Ron Kulpa [Game 2 Plate]
2B: Fieldin Culbreth* [Game 3 Plate]
3B: Laz Diaz [Game 4 Plate]
LF: Jerry Layne* [Game 5 Plate]
RF: Will Little `1st DS`
'Note: Layne replaced originally scheduled crew chief Jeff Kellogg, who is out due to a head injury. Original crew assignments were 2B: Jeff Kellogg -cc, and LF: Fieldin Culbreth.'
Related Post: Injury Scout - Jeff Kellogg Struck by Flying Bat (9/24/17).

Division Series Replay Officials (MLBAM): Greg Gibson, Tom Hallion*, James Hoye, Tim Timmons.

Bold text denotes Game/Series Crew Chief, * denotes regular season Crew Chief, ^1st^ denotes first postseason assignment; `1st DS` denotes first Division Series assignment. Per UEFL Rule 4-3-c, all umpires selected to appear in the Wild Card games shall receive one bonus point for this appearance. Umpires assigned to the Division Series shall receive two bonus points for this appearance; crew chiefs shall receive one additional bonus point for this role (two or three points total). Officials assigned to replay review only do not receive points for this role.

UEFL Year in Review - Tmac's 2017 Replay Recap

Let's take a look at some replay numbers from 2017 with tmac's Replay Review stats. It is hard to fathom after 1336 reviews, that we nearly split 50-50 on outcomes: 671 were upheld and 665 were overturned (50.2% upheld vs 49.8% overturned).

Link: UEFL's Replay Review Statistics & Sabermetrics page.

The Good (Fewest Overturned Calls)
With apologies to Dale Scott, who statistically was the only "Perfect Replay" umpire in 2017 (all of his reviewed calls were upheld via Replay), we removed him from the analysis since, due to his season-ending concussion injury in April, he only worked approximately two weeks of the season, and only saw two of his calls go to New York (though, again, both were affirmed).

Umpire Pat Hoberg.

Thus, we turn to Pat Hoberg, who, in his first year as a full-time umpire, had only one overturn. Sometimes the whackers don't find you. For a full-timer, Hoberg was fairly invisible this season—he flew so under the radar, I thought he was injured (even though he wasn't). He was challenged over a span of three months just once and only eight times on the year: that's a Review Affirmation Percentage (RAP) of .875, a mark which only minor league call-up umpire Ryan Blakney matched (Blakney was also 7-of-8 in Replays).

Chad Fairchild also had a very quiet and very good year with only two overturns.

Speaking of "good," there are two predominant lines of thinking when it comes to umpires and Replay Review stats. The first posits that the highest RAP-bearer is the best Replay umpire: he who fares best on review is king. The second holds that the fewest number of overturned calls determines superiority: he whose calls are correct to begin with avoids Replay Review altogether because managers won't challenge such quality rulings.

The 2017 regular season's Top Replay Umpires.

Regardless of which philosophy you subscribe to, the best RAP umpires were 1) Scott, 2) Hoberg, 2) Blakney and 4) Fairchild. Meanwhile, the umpires with the least number of overturned calls were 1) Scott, 2) Hoberg, 2) Blakney, and 4) Fairchild. The only other umpire with just two overturned calls was fill-in umpire Sean Barber, whose RAP was .667 (T-12th), while fellow fill-in Chris Segal had three overturned calls to his 10 affirmed (.769 RAP, 5th). It's very clear who DESERVES to be amongst the next few hires, but as we know in the umpiring world what's right and what happens do not always go hand in hand.

Umpire Marty Foster.

Three other members of the full-time staff had three overturns. One of those umpires—you may be surprised to know—is Marty Foster. Foster has very quietly turned himself into a very good base umpire. The other full-timers with three overturns are Jordan Baker and Hunter Wendlestedt (excluding the reduced-schedule-working Mike DiMuro). Jeff Kellogg, Vic Carapazza and Scott Barry are next closest with 4 OTs on the year. Greg Gibson was challenged 29 times to lead all umpires, and was overturned 12 times (.586 RAP, 28th in the league). Ever present, Joe West was subject to replay more often and had the most overturned calls of any umpire whose RAP was in the Top 10 in the league: West was overturned six times and affirmed 15 times (21 total replays) for a RAP of .714, landing Cowboy Joe seventh best in the bigs (and the highest ranked crew chief not named Dale Scott).

Most Overturns
Larry Vanover leads the way with 18 overturned calls which is by far the most for any crew chief this season, much less any umpire in general. Sam Holbrook is next closest crew chief, with 12 overturned calls. Chris Conroy is the next closest full-time member with 12.  Several call-up umpires also had double figure overturns, including Chad Whitson (13), Tom Woodring (12), Clint Fagan (11), and Stu Scheurwater (10).

UEFL Awards Outlook
I really can't wait for this year's UEFL Umpire of the Year.  There are some great candidates.  Over the past two seasons, Jeff Kellogg has been overturned seven times; that is a remarkable number.

Hunter Wendlestedt has been flipped eight times, but neither is the leader for umpires who have worked more than 200 games. Instead, that honor again goes to Hoberg, who has only had his calls changed five times, which is flat out amazing. Nobody is saying Hoberg should be umpire of the year, but he's in great company with those numbers and he should at least be in consideration for one of the other awards. You can check out the CCS all time awards winners here:  http://portal.closecallsports.com/historical-data/awards-history

FWIW here are my top three umpires this season:
1) Jeff Kellogg;
2) Alfonso Marquez;
3) Hunter Wendlestedt.

Who do you think had the best season?  Also don't forget to join us here at CCS for our daily Playoff Blog unlike any other.  If you can give us a like on Facebook we'd be grateful; we're nearing 3200 likes at https://www.facebook.com/UmpireEjections. Also, follow us on Twitter for all the latest news. Help us get to 2500 followers, over at https://twitter.com/UmpireEjections.

Tell your friends!!  Like a call? Hate a call? Have a question let us know!!  And let the playoffs begin!!

Full Replay stats are available on the site here:  http://www.closecallsports.com/p/replay-stats.html.

Injury Scout - Jeff Nelson Leaves Due to Eye Issue

Jeff Nelson left his final plate game of the 2017 regular season due to an issue with the umpire's right eye.

Rockies trainer examines Nelson's eye.

In the bottom of the 1st inning of Sunday's Dodgers-Rockies game, Nelson met with Colorado's training staff regarding an undisclosed issue with his right eye. He remained in the game at the time, but ultimately left the contest prior to the top of the 3rd inning. The substitution ran so smoothly, neither broadcast mentioned the umpire switch to begin the inning.

2B Umpire Ryan Blakney replaced Nelson behind home plate, while 1B Umpire Cory Blaser and 3B Umpire Doug Eddings split the field umpires' duties. Eddings additionally assumed the role of acting crew chief for the game's remainder.

Relevant Injury History: Nelson left a May 23, 2016 game between the Rockies and Pirates after dirt kicked up by a sliding runner became embedded in his eyes.

Last Game: October 1 | Return to Play: 2018 | Time Absent: Rest of Season | Video as follows:

Umpires Add 5th Memorial Patch for Bob Motley

MLB umpires have added a fifth black-and-white memorial patch to their uniform sleeves in honor of Bob Motley, who passed away earlier this month.
Related Post: Last Surviving Negro Leagues Umpire Bob Motley Dies (9/15/17).

This is the fifth memorial patch worn by umpires this season, which are each comprised of the two letters that represent that person's initials; the previous four were combined into one sticker worn on the uniform's left sleeve; the newest Bob Motley patch is being worn above the numbers on the right sleeve. The full list of umpire memorial tributes to conclude the 2017 regular season is as follows (with links to each in memoriam article):

Black Memorial Patches Currently Worn on MLB Umpire Sleeves (Late September 2017):
1) MJ - Mark Johnson. Passed away October 26, 2016 at the age of 65. American League (1979-99).
2) RG - Russ Goetz. Passed away March 15, 2017 at the age of 86. American League (1968-83).
3) SP - Steve Palermo. Passed away May 13, 2017 at the age of 67. American League (1976-91).
4) KK - Ken Kaiser. Passed away August 9, 2017 at the age of 72. American League (1977-99).
5) BM - Bob Motley. Passed away September 15, 2017 at age 94. Negro Leagues (1947-1958).

Bob Motley announcement video on FOX as follows:

Dan Bellino Orders Fan Removed for Tipping Pitches

HP Umpire Dan Bellino ordered removal of a fan ("unofficial ejection") in New York for shouting pitch location information while the Yankees were at bat during Tuesday night's Rays-Yankees game.

Bellino speaks with Yankee Stadium staff.

With two out and two on (R1, R3) in the bottom of the 8th inning, Yankees batter Gary Sanchez worked his way to a 2-1 count against Rays pitcher Austin Pruitt. After Sanchez swung and missed at a low-and-away slider, Rays catcher Wilson Ramos' conversation with Bellino became fairly noticeable. Immediately after the 2-2 pitch was thrown in the dirt, Bellino called "Time," replaced the ball, and walked to the screen behind home plate, summoning Yankees security and guest services personnel before returning to the field to confer with Crew Chief Jerry Layne.

After the game, both Joe Girardi and Kevin Cash confirmed that Bellino had indeed ordered a fan removed—or at least silenced—after a voice from the stands had been calling out pitch locations during Sanchez's at bat.

In 2016, Bob Davidson ordered an apparently inebriated fan removed in Philadelphia for shouting vulgarities. Said Davidson postgame, "I turned around and said, 'You know what, get rid of this guy.'...People cheered me, which is unusual in this town for me." Davidson's fan removal request ultimately won him a UEFL Ejection of the Year award.
Related Post: Unofficial Ejection - Bob Davidson Requests Fan Removal (8/2/16).

In 2014, Tim Welke ordered a fan removed in Atlanta for heckling Bryce Harper.
Related Post: Fan Ejection: Tim Welke Calls for Removal of Harper Heckler (9/16/14).

Official Baseball Rule 8.01(b) authorizes an umpire to "order a player, coach, manager, or club officer or employee to do or refrain from doing anything which affects the administering of these rules, and to enforce the prescribed penalties." By order Yankee Stadium staff to remove the offending spectator, Bellino had invoked his OBR 8.01(b) power.

Video as follows:

Torres' Missing Mask Means Exotic Red-Blue Replacement

MLB's latest case of lost umpire luggage gave Carlos Torres an excuse to wear a most unique red-and-blue mask in Texas. It was actually the second day that Torres and crew had missing gear and uniforms in Texas, though Torres' preference for the hockey-style mask meant that a solid black replacement was not readily available.

Plate umpire Torres wears a colorful mask.

As we'll discuss momentarily, Major League umpires have a long and rich history of wearing makeshift uniforms when their luggage gets delayed or lost.
Related Post: Train Delay: Umpires Stuck in Traffic, Game Stalled 16 Min (4/10/13).

Instead, Torres borrowed a Texas Rangers themed bucket, complete with red and blue paint. Torres' shin guards were also provided by the Rangers, with blue highlights adorning a pair of New Balance plate shoes.

As for the rest of Dana DeMuth's crew, their uniforms didn't timely arrive in Arlington, either. A healthy dose of oversized non-numbered umpire shirts with white piping circa-2016 and adjustable snapback caps first made an appearance during Monday's game. For what it's worth, DeMuth's crew was in Milwaukee over the weekend.

Crew Chief DeMuth's generic shirt & hat.

This isn't the first time in recent weeks and months that umpires have been separated from their luggage.

The Tampa Bay Rays home series which was relocated to New York's Citi Field, for instance, also featured an umpiring uniform oddity as all four umpires on Ted Barrett's crew wore uniform shirts or jackets with John Tumpane's sleeve number 74 on them (including Tumpane, naturally). Due to a cataclysmic hurricane, the crew's gear was delayed. Understandable.

Logistical issues have long plagued umpires, from April 10, 2013's 16-minute delay because Tom Hallion's crew was stuck in traffic to Hunter Wendelstedt ejecting Jim Tracy in 2011 hours after the Layne crew had gotten stuck in traffic en route to Dodger Stadium. Gotta love LA.

Jeff Nelson's makeshift umpire uni.

In 2013, Jeff Nelson wore a generic umpire jacket with white shoulder rings (and snapback cap) due to a luggage delay, likely prompted by Nelson's late flight from Detroit to San Diego for the series (he switched crews). Fortunately, Nelson's gear arrived later on that night, and he changed into his familiar #45 jacket between innings.
Related Post: Wardrobe Malfunction: Snapback Cap, Top Strike San Diego (5/16/13).

Then there's the ballad of Angel Hernandez and the perpetually-worn snapback cap that Hernandez opted to wear in place of the standard custom-fitted model.

Eric Gregg calls balls and strikes at Wrigley.

As it were, the modern era's spare set of generic umpire uniforms, adjustable hats, and unique headwear is child's play compared to what yesteryear's umpires wore when their luggage failed to show up.

Throughout the years, we've seen CB Bucknor in a generic rain slicker, Eric Gregg working the plate in a Cubs outfit, Larry Young's crew wearing Cleveland Indians hats and jackets, and Ed Montague wearing a full-on Philadelphia Phillies jersey as he officiated at home.

MLB began using DHL as the official shipping company for umpire equipment shortly after the rather comical incidents of the 1970s, 80s, and so forth; is another change on the horizon?

MLB Ejection 184 - Chad Fairchild (3; Jose Bautista)

HP Umpire Chad Fairchild ejected Blue Jays RF Jose Bautista (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the Blue Jays-Red Sox game. With none out and none on, Bautista took a 3-2 slider from Red Sox pitcher Carson Smith for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the midpoint (px -.477, pz 3.226 [sz_top 3.371]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 5-3. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

This is Chad Fairchild (4)'s third ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Chad Fairchild now has 14 points in the UEFL Standings (10 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 14).
Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has 10 points in Crew Division (9 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 10).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
*This pitch was located 5.244 horizontal and 2.74 vertical inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

This is the 184th ejection report of 2017.
This is the 83rd player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Bautista was 1-4 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is Toronto's 11th ejection of 2017, T-1st in the AL East (NYY, TOR 11; TB 7; BOS 5; BAL 4).
This is Jose Bautista's first ejection since May 15, 2016 (Dale Scott; QOC = U [Fighting]).
This is Chad Fairchild's 3rd ejection of 2017, 1st since Sept 6 (Justin Turner; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox, 9/25/17 | Video as follows: