MLB Ejections 047-48 - Doug Eddings (1-2; BOS-PHI)

3B Umpire Doug Eddings ejected Red Sox pitcher Kutter Crawford and Phillies P Matt Strahm (national anthem standoff delaying start of game) in the top of the 1st inning of the #RedSox-#Phillies game. Prior to the contest, following the traditional performing of the national anthem during pre-game festivities, Crawford and Strahm remained on the field of play in their positions as if the anthem were still occurring, despite it having ended. Because the players refused to leave the field of play so that the game could begin, they were ejected for improperly delaying the game. Replays indicate both players remained on the field even as Phillies starting pitcher Bailey Falter's warmup throws had concluded and the pre-game timing pitch clock had counted down to the scheduled first pitch. At the time of the ejections, the game was tied, 0-0. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-4.

These are Doug Eddings (88)'s 1st and 2nd ejections of 2023.

These are the 47th and 48th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 19/20th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 23 Managers, 20 Players, 5 Coaches.

This is Boston's 3rd ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL East (BAL, BOS 3; TB 2; NYY, TOR 1).

This is Philadelphia's 3rd ejection of 2023, T-1st in the NL East (MIA, PHI 3; ATL, NYM 1; WAS 0).

This is Kutter Crawford's first career MLB ejection.

This is Matt Strahm's 1st ejection since June 15, 2019 (Bill Welke; QOC = U [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Doug Eddings' 1st ejection since June 21, 2022 (Pete Walker; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs Philadelphia Phillies, 5/6/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 046 - Carlos Torres (1; Brandon Belt)

HP Umpire Carlos Torres ejected Blue Jays DH Brandon Belt (strike one, two, and three calls; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #BlueJays-#Pirates game. With two out and one on (R3), Belt took 1-0, 1-1, and 2-2 sweepers from Pirates pitcher Yohan Ramirez for called first, second, and third strikes, respectively. Replays indicate that strikes one was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.90, pz 1.96 [sz_bot 1.55]), strike two was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (pz -0.87, pz 1.79 [sz_bot 1.50]), and that strike three was located over the heart of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.19, pz 1.47 [sz_bot 1.40]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 8-2. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 8-2.

This is Carlos Torres (37)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

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

Strike one was located 0.17 and strike two was 0.53 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 46th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 18th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 23 Managers, 18 Players, 5 Coaches.

This is Toronto's 1st ejection of 2023, T-4th in the AL East (BAL 3; BOS, TB 2; NYY, TOR 1).

This is Brandon Belt's 1st ejection since April 18, 2019 (Ryan Additon; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Carlos Torres' 1st ejection since Sept 6, 2022 (David Bell; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs Pittsburgh Pirates, 5/6/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 045 - Chris Guccione (1; Craig Counsell)

3B Umpire Chris Guccione ejected Brewers manager Craig Counsell (pitcher timer/disengagement limit violation no-call) in the top of the 4th inning of the #Brewers-#Giants game. With none out and none on, Brewers batter Willy Adames singled. During batter Rowdy Tellez's plate appearance, Giants pitcher Alex Cobb, sensing the pitch clock was nearing expiration, disengaged the pitcher's plate and was visited on the mound by catcher Joey Bart. Cobb subsequently attempted two pick off throws where baserunner R1 Adames was safe at first, initially ruled a third disengagement by 1B Umpire Jeremy Riggs, resulting in the automatic advancement of the runner to second base, before consultation with the other umpires, upon which the call was reversed to ruling Cobbs' latest pickoff attempt his second—not third—disengagement, thus returning runner Adames to first base. Replays indicate Cobbs' first disengagement was a mound visit, which is excluded by the pitch timer rules from being counted as a free disengagement, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Giants were leading, 3-0. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

This is Chris Guccione (68)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

This is the 45th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 23rd manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 23 Managers, 17 Players, 5 Coaches.

This is Milwaukee's 3rd ejection of 2023, 2nd in the NL Central (STL 4; MIL 3; PIT 2, CIN 1; CHC 0).

This is Craig Counsell's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 29 (Adam Beck; QOC = Y [Pitch Clock]).

This is Chris Guccione's 1st ejection since June 6, 2022 (Scott Servais; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs San Francisco Giants, 5/6/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 044 - Dan Iassogna (2; Rocco Baldelli)

3B Umpire Dan Iassogna ejected Twins manager Rocco Baldelli (out of base path no call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 4th inning of the #Twins-#Guardians game. With none out and two on (R1, R3), Guardians batter Josh Naylor hit a ground ball to Twins third baseman Jose Miranda, who committed an error, prompting Guardians baserunner R1 Jose Ramirez to try for third base. As the return throw arrived between second and third base, Ramirez moved to his right to successfully avoid the tag, ruled not to have violated the base path rule. Replays indicate runner Ramirez did not run more than three feet away from his base path established at the time of the tag attempt to avoid being tagged, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Guardians were leading, 1-0. The Guardians ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This Dan Iassogna (58)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(1) states: "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."

This is the 44th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 22nd manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 22 Managers, 17 Players, 5 Coaches.

This is Minnesota's 2nd ejection of 2023, 2nd in the AL Central (CWS 3; MIN 2; KC 1; CLE, DET 0).

This is Rocco Baldelli's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 15 (James Hoye; QOC = U [Illegal Substance]).

This is Dan Iassogna's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 23 (Willson Contreras; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs Cleveland Guardians, 5/6/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 043 - Hunter Wendelstedt (1; Kyle Freeland)

3B Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ejected Rockies bench player/pitcher Kyle Freeland (check swing call during Francisco Lindor's at-bat) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Rockies-#Mets game. With two out and one on, Lindor attempted to check his swing on a 1-2 sweeper from Rockies pitcher Justin Lawrence, ruled a ball by HP Umpire John Tumpane and called no swing on appeal by 3B Umpire Wendelstedt. At the time of the ejection, the Mets were leading, 1-0. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

This is Hunter Wendelstedt (21)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

This is the 43rd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 17th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 21 Managers, 17 Players, 5 Coaches.

This is Colorado's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL West (COL 3; LAD 2; ARI, SD 1; SF 0).

This is Kyle Freeland's 1st ejection since July 24, 2019 (John Libka; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Hunter Wendelstedt's 1st ejection since Sept 10, 2022 (Torey Lovullo; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Colorado Rockies vs New York Mets, 5/5/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 042 - Paul Emmel (1; Brent Rooker)

HP Umpire Paul Emmel ejected Athletics DH Brent Rooker (check swing call; QOCN) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Athletics-#Royals game. With one out and one on, Rooker took a first-pitch fastball from Royals pitcher Carlos Hernandez for a called first ball before striking out on a check swing on a 2-2 knuckle curve, ruled a swinging strike by HP Umpire Emmel. Because the first pitch, ruled strike one, was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px 0.97, pz 2.18), the call was incorrect.*

This is Paul Emmel (50)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

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

This pitch was located 0.67 horizontal inches from being deemed correct.

The pitch location QOCN supercedes the check swing because the location call was incorrect.

This is the 42nd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 16th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 21 Managers, 16 Players, 5 Coaches.

This is Oakland's 2nd ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL West (OAK, SEA 2; HOU, LAA, TEX 1).

This is Brent Rooker's first career MLB ejection.

This is Paul Emmel's 1st ejection since August 13, 2022 (Bob Melvin; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs Kansas City Royals, 5/5/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 040-41 - Junior Valentine (2-3; STL x2)

HP Umpire Junior Valentine ejected Cardinals bench coach Joe McEwing and manager Oliver Marmol (strike one call to Dylan Carlson; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Tigers-#Cardinals game. With two out and one on (R2), Cardinals batter Carlson took a first-pitch curveball from Tigers pitcher Alex Lange for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -0.63, pz 1.46 [sz_bot 1.65 / RAD 1.53 / MOE 1.45]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejections, the Tigers were leading, 5-4. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

These are Junior Valentine (25)'s 2nd and 3rd ejections of 2023.

*This pitch was located 0.12 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

These are the 40th and 41st ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 21st manager ejection of 2023.

This is the 5th coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 21 Managers, 15 Players, 5 Coaches.

This is St Louis' 3/4th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL Central (STL 4; MIL, PIT 2; CIN 1; CHC 0).

This is Oliver Marmol's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 15 (Will Little; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Joe McEwing's first career MLB ejection.

This is Junior Valentine's 2/3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 24 (Pete Fatse; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Detroit Tigers vs St Louis Cardinals, 5/5/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 039 - Shane Livensparger (1; Scott Servais)

HP Umpire Shane Livensparger ejected Mariners manager Scott Servais (ball three call; QOCN) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Astros-#Mariners game. With one out and one on (R1), Astros batter Kyle Tucker took a 2-2 slider from Mariners pitcher Matt Brash for a called third ball. Servais was ejected during the first mound visit/pitching change following the subject call, as in UEFL Rule 6-5-d-2. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.71, pz 2.46), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Astros were leading, 6-4. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

This is Shane Livensparger (43)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

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

This pitch was located 0.46 horizontal inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 39th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 20th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 20 Managers, 15 Players, 4 Coaches.

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

This is Scott Servais' 1st ejection since August 26, 2022 (Dan Merzel; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Shane Livensparger's 1st ejection since Aug 27, 2022 (John Schneider; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Houston Astros vs Seattle Mariners, 5/5/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 038 - Lance Barksdale (1; Kevin Cash)

1B Umpire Lance Barksdale ejected Rays manager Kevin Cash (warnings after Randy Arozarena HBP) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Yankees-#Rays game. With one out and none on, Arozarena took a 0-1 sinker from Yankees pitcher Albert Abreu for a hit-by-pitch, Arozarena's second HBP of the game. Prior to his first HBP, Arozarena had hit a home run. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Arozarena on the ribs, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 4-0. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Lance Barksdale (23)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

This is the 38th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 19th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 19 Managers, 15 Players, 4 Coaches.

This is Tampa Bay's 2nd ejection of 2023, T-2nd in the AL East (BAL 3; BOS, TB 2; NYY 1; TOR 0).

This is Kevin Cash's 1st ejection since June 1, 2022 (Vic Carapazza; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

This is Lance Barksdale's 1st ejection since August 16, 2022 (Terry Francona; QOC = Y [Foul/Strike]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays, 5/5/23 | Video as follows:

Nick Pivetta Called for Balk Despite Declaring Hybrid

You asked us to look at Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta's balk that allowed Blue Jays baserunner R3 Kevin Kiermaier to score. With Pivetta clearly declaring hybrid (full windup) prior to Bo Bichette's at-bat, why did umpires call Pivetta for a balk on his third pitch?

With Pivetta, Boston manager Alex Cora, and others still confused on the call after the game, we move beyond the simplest explanation of umpires calling a balk for taking a step back (as in windup) without declaring hybrid (as opposed to Set Position), because it simply wouldn't make any sense for the umpire crew to suddenly disregard Pivetta's hybrid declaration on the third pitch of the Bichette at-bat.

Instead, it appears Pivetta was called for buckling his free knee ("knee pop") prior to lifting his foot to step back in windup position. We usually see knee pop balks occur prior to jump turns on pickoff attempts, not on actual pitches, but the rules do allow balks to be called whenever a runner is on base, whether or not a pickoff is actually attempted.

In conclusion, this appears to be a balk call due to a knee pop which, your mileage may vary, was quite minor.

Video as follows: