CB Bucknor Day-to-Day After Leaving Tuesday's Game

Last night, home plate umpire CB Bucknor exited the Pirates-Cardinals game in the bottom of the 7th inning with an undisclosed injury. Bucknor spoke with crew chief Dale Scott and crewmates Dan Iassogna and Angel Campos in the top half of the inning, while in visible discomfort. After the top half of the inning, Bucknor was tended to by (Cardinals assistant trainer, not the umpire) Chris Conroy. He temporarily remained in the game until Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle made a double switch. During the switch, Iassogna (second base umpire) geared up and took over plate duties. For the remainder of the game, Campos and Scott manned the bases together. 

Bucknor did not umpire in tonight's Pirates-Cardinals game (in which plate umpire Angel Campos ejected Hurdle and Pirates catcher Rod Barajas), as he was replaced by D.J. Reyburn. The type of and extent of Bucknor's injury remains unknown, but is believed to be day-to-day. 

News: Home-plate umpire Bucknor leaves game early

Video: CB Bucknor leaves the game

Umpire Odds & Ends: McClelland Works 4,000th MLB Game

Tim McClelland was the second base umpire tonight at Comerica Park, where the Detroit Tigers hosted the Kansas City Royals. McClelland umpiring at second meant this was his 4,000th Major League game he has umpired in his career. During the lineup exchange, Royals Manager Ned Yost and Tigers Manager Jim Leyland  both gave their congratulations to McClelland. The crew chief also posed with his crew of Brian Runge, Marvin Hudson and Ted Barrett for pictures prior to the beginning of the game.

McClelland becomes the 20th umpire to have worked 4,000 Major League games. He joins Joe West and Derryl Cousins as the only active umpires to have achieved such milestone. In his 30 seasons as a Major League umpire, he has worked the 3rd most League Championship Series (9), worked 94 postseason games, and worked over 1,000 plate games. McClelland is most remembered for the pine tar incident involving Hall of Famer George Brett. He was also a part of another bat incident, ejecting Sammy Sosa for using a corked bat.

McClelland has no ejections so far in 2012, and had one in 2011 of New York Yankees Manager Joe Girardi.

UPDATED: Tim McClelland was part of a controversial call in his 4,000th game. In the top of the 9th, a Jeff Francoeur batted ball was ruled a catch by McClelland that appeared to hit off the top of the wall. After conference, the call was changed to a double. Both Yost and Leyland came out, but neither were ejected. The video of the call and incident can be seen here (courtesy of tmac, who is not Tim McClelland).

News: McClelland Works 4,000th Game

Ejection 016: Sam Holbrook (1)

HP Umpire Sam Holbrook Blue Jays shortstop Omar Vizquel for arguing balls and strikes in the top of the 5th inning of the Rangers-Blue Jays game. With one out and one on, Rangers batter Mike Napoli took a 2-1 fastball from Blue Jays pitcher Drew Hutchison for a called third ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located below the midpoint between the top of Napoli's pants and shoulders and several inches inside (px value of -1.259), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rangers were leading, 6-4. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 8-7.

This is Sam Holbrook (34)'s first ejection of 2012.

Sam Holbrook now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).

Crew Chief Joe West now has 2 points in the Crew Division (1 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 2).

*The call is correct pursuant to UEFL Rule 6-2-a, also known as the Kulpa Rule.

UEFL Standings Update

1) 14 points: cyclone14
2) 10 points: Longballs
3) 8 points: millerump18
4) 7 points: TheGunsofHochuli
5) 6 points: BillMueller, Turducken, RichMSN, MSNUMP, BC_UMP, BONZ_kansascity

This is the 16th ejection of 2012.

This is the 5th player ejection of 2012.

Prior to his ejection, Vizquel did not appear in the game, he was 0-0.

Wrap: Rangers at Blue Jays Wrap 5/01/12

Video: Holbrook ejects bench player Vizquel for yelling from the dugout

*Note: Brooks Baseball is promoting a Sabermetrics seminar hosted by those at the Jimmy Fund with all the money collected going to cancer research, the link to the seminar can be found here.

UEFL Strike Three - Ear Training Challenge Results

The Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's Strike Three Call - Ear Training Challenge has now concluded. 13 UEFL'ers decided to take on the challenge, which proved to be a difficult test of getting to know an umpire by sound and vocal mechanics alone. To listen to the challenge, click here for the audio prompts.

Here are the results of the Challenge:
Total Possible Points: 11 / Average Score: 2.08 / Median: 2
Participants: 13
Strike 3 Call - Ear Training Challenge MVP: BONZ_kansascity (5 points)
Most Commonly Correct Responses: Jim Joyce (12), Tom Hallion (9)
Also Guessed: Fieldin Culbreth (3), Tim Timmons (2), Jerry Meals (1)
Unidentfied: Alfonso Marquez, Mark Wegner, Brian O'Nora, Jeff Kellogg, Al Clark

Answer Key, Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's Strike Three Call - Ear Training Challenge:
1) Jim Joyce. 12 recognized Joyce's booming and distinctive strike three call
2) Alfonso Marquez. His short vocalization went unidentified by all participants.
3) Jerry Meals. Only BONZ_kansascity identified Meals' verbalization of "strike" during his punch-outs.
4) Mark Wegner. His spoken and clear annunciation of "strike" was not picked up.
5) Brian O'Nora. O'Nora's high-pitched call also eluded recognition.
6) Tom Hallion. Hallion's loud and trademark strike three call sounds just as powerful as his physical mechanic.
7) Fieldin Culbreth. Cubby's single-syllabic strike three call was identified by three UEFL'ers.
8) Jeff Kellogg. The part-time security tackler's call that sounds more like "strike four" than three went undetected.
9) Tim Timmons. Similar to his ordinary strike call, Timmons' strike three call was picked up by two UEFL'ers.
10) Al Clark. A bonus question and with good reason as Clark is the only retired umpire featured. Several misidentified this call as Greg Gibson's, and while both Clark and Gibson roll pitch modulations in the middle of their calls, Clark's vocalization spans a smaller range and is less pronounced than Gibson's.

UEFL Standings Update
1) 14 points: cyclone14
2) 7 points: TheGunsofHochuli, millerump18
4) 6 points: Longballs, BillMueller, Turducken, RichMSN
8) 5 points: MSNUMP, BC_UMP, nkcaump, KTurner14, BONZ_kansascity

Ejection 015: Dan Bellino (1)

HP Umpire Dan Bellino ejected Rangers Manager Ron Washington for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Rays-Rangers game. With two out and one on, Rangers batter Ian Kinsler took a 3-2 cutter from Rays pitcher Joel Peralta for a called strike three. Replays indicate that the strike three pitch was above the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and top of the uniform pants, the call was incorrect.*^ At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 5-2. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 5-2.

This is Dan Bellino (2)'s first ejection of 2012.
Dan Bellino now has -2 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = -2).
(Interim) Crew Chief Bob Davidson now has 0 points in the Crew Division (0 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 0).

*The strike three pitch had a lower bound, upper bound values of [1.0242, 1.2024], which is in the always a ball range. Therefore, the call is incorrect pursuant to UEFL Rule 6-2-b-2 and 6-2-b-2 comment, also known as the Miller Rule.
^After review, the Appeals Board has confirmed Quality of Correctness (5-0-1) ("Incorrect" ==> "Incorrect")
*The Appeals Board's historical decisions may be consulted via the UEFL Portal*

UEFL Standings Update
Soon

This is the 15th ejection of 2012.
This is the 10th Manager ejection of 2012.
This is Ron Washington's first ejection of 2012 and his 60th birthday.

Wrap: Rays at Rangers Wrap 4/29/12

Video: Bellino gives Washington an early 60th birthday shower for arguing balls and strikes

Ejection 014: Marvin Hudson (1)

2B Umpire Marvin Hudson ejected Astros center fielder Jordan Schafer for arguing an out call in the top of the 2nd inning of the Astros-Reds game. With two out and two on, Schafer attempted to steal second base on a 0-0 slider from Reds pitcher Mat Latos to Astros batter Jose Altuve, Schafer caught stealing on the throw from Reds catcher Ryan Hanigan to second baseman Brandon Phillips. Replays indicate Phillips tagged Schafer on the left side of his helmet prior to Schafer's left hand contacting second base, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Astros were leading, 2-0. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 6-5.

This is Marvin Hudson (51)'s first ejection of 2012.
Marvin Hudson now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Tim McClelland now has 1 point in the Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).

UEFL Standings Update
1) 12 points: cyclone14
2) 7 points: TheGunsofHochuli, millerump18
4) 6 points: JRD, Longballs
6) 5 points: MSNUMP, BC_UMP
*Visit the UEFL Portal for Full Standings*

This is the 14th ejection of 2012.
This is the 4th player ejection of 2012.
Prior to his ejection, Schafer was 1-2 in the contest.

Wrap: Astros at Reds 4/29/12 Wrap
Video: Jordan Schafer receives equipment violation, ejection after close call at second base

Umpire Jeff Kellogg Tackles Fan in Baltimore Field Intrusion

Home plate umpire Jeff Kellogg tackled a fan during a field intrusion incident at Baltimore's Camden Yards Friday night. Not suprisingly, the fan appeared intoxicated and was shirtless as he rounded third and slid into home plate. As the fan stood up and prepared to run elsewhere, Kellogg grew tired of waiting for ballpark secuity to apprehend the culprit and took matters into his own hands.

This is not the first time an MLB umpire has grown tired of waiting for Baltimore police officers to put an end to a field intruder's folly: In 2010, a drunken fan was permitted nearly two minutes of unadultered disruption before a clearly perturbed Bill Hohn yelled and gestured at the fan to stop.

In the end, that particular fan listened to umpire Hohn, while ignoring the officers.

Armed with Camden security's deplorable and embarassing history, Kellogg decided that enough was enough and it was time for an umpire to do a police officer's job. As for the game itself, the Oakland A's defeated the Orioles, 5-2.

Kellogg received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Ferris State University before becoming an MLB umpire.

Trivia: Other umpires who hold degrees or share experiences like Kellogg's that could relate to tackling criminal field intruders include crewmate (and first base umpire) Eric Cooper (Boardmember, Mentor Iowa, an organization that helps delinquent children), Ted Barrett (former amatuer boxer), Ed Hickox (Detective with the Daytona Beach Shores Police Department), Dan Bellino (J.D. holder, passed the bar exam), Mark Carlson (US Marine Corps, Ret.), Laz Diaz (US Marine Corps Reserve, Ret., who was attacked by a fan in Chicago in 2003), Doug Eddings (Would want to be a Secret Service agent if not an umpire), Andy Fletcher (Would be in law enforcement if not an umpire), Tim Tschida (Former Cadet Lt. Colonel, JROTC) and Joe West (East Carolina safety before becoming a three-year starting quarterback at Elon College).

Video: Kellogg tackles fan on the warning track against the backstop behind home plate
Video: HP Umpire Jeff Kellogg tackles Orioles field intruder fan behind home plate

Ejection 013: Joe West (1)

HP Umpire Joe West ejected Yankees Manager Joe Girardi for arguing a strike call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Tigers-Yankees game. With none out and none on, Yankees batter Russell Martin took a 1-2 cutter from Tigers pitcher Octavio Dotel for a called strike three. Replays indicate that the strike three pitch was thigh high and over the outside corner of the plate.* The previously two called strikes were also both within the bounds of the strike zone, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Tigers led, 6-5. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 7-6.

This is Joe West (22)'s first ejection of 2012.
Joe West now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Joe West now has 1 point in the Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).

*The strike three pitch had a px value of 0.727, within the always a strike horizontal range (< 0.768). Therefore, the call is correct pursuant to UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1, also known as the Kulpa Rule.

UEFL Standings Update
1) 12 pts: cyclone14
2) 7 pts: millerump18, TheGunsofHochuli
4) 6 pts: JRD
5) 5 pts: MSNUMP

6) 4 pts: BillMueller, nkcaump, Spence1222, Turducken, Blue1923, drjjulius, Radwaste50, RichMSN, Scuba29, Scumpire, Streetmedic, tt49, umpyours

This is the 13th ejection of 2012.
This is the 9th Manager ejection of 2012.
This is Joe Girardi's first ejection of 2012. 

Wrap: Tigers at Yankees 4/27/12 Wrap

Video: Joe Girardi ejected by West after chirping too loudly from Yankees' third-base dugout

Ejection 012: Lance Barrett (2)

HP Umpire Lance Barrett ejected Padres Manager Bud Black for arguing a balk call in the top of the 6th inning of the Nationals-Padres game. With two out and one on and with Nationals batter Jayson Werth batting, Padres pitcher Clayton Richard was called for a balk advancing Nationals R1 Mark DeRosa to second base. Replays indicate Richard did not properly step directly towards first base as in Rule 8.05, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 0-0. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 3-1.

This is Lance Barrett (94)'s second ejection of 2012.
Lance Barrett now has 3 points in the UEFL (-2 Previous + 3 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 3).
Crew Chief Gary Darling now has 4 points in the Crew Division (3 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 4).
*After review, the Appeals Board has summarily confirmed Quality of Correctness ("Correct" ==> "Correct).

UEFL Standings Update
1) 8 pts: cyclone14
2) 7 pts: TheGunsofHochuli
3) 6 pts: JRD, millerump18

5) 4 pts: BillMueller, nkcaump, Spence1222, Turducken

9) 3 pts: Jeremy, JohnShulockFan, UmpAtty

This is the 12th ejection of 2012.
This is the 8th Manager ejection of 2012.
This is Bud Black's second ejection of 2012.

Wrap: Nationals at Padres 4/24/12

Video: Barrett calls balk on Richard, ejects Black
Video: Black shown the door by Barrett after mound meeting

Ejection 011: Bill Welke (1)

2B Umpire Bill Welke ejected Cardinals Manager Mike Matheny for arguing a safe call in the bottom of the 10th inning of the Cardinals-Cubs game. With one out and one on and with Cubs batter Starlin Castro batting, Cubs R1 Tony Campana stole second base. Replays indicate that the throw from Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina to second basemen Tyler Greene was in time and Greene successfully applied a tag to Campana prior to Campana touching second base, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 2-2. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 3-2, in 10 innings. 

This is Bill Welke (52)'s first ejection of 2012.
Bill Welke now has -2 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = -2).
Crew Chief Tim Tschida now has 0 points in the Crew Division (0 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 0).
*After review, the Appeals Board has confirmed Quality of Correctness (5-0) ("Incorrect" ==> "Incorrect")
*The Appeals Board's historical decisions may be consulted via the UEFL Portal
nwsquid is awarded two points for the prop prediction for date of first non-HP ejection

This is the 11th ejection of 2012.
This is the 7th Manager ejection of 2012.
This is Mike Matheny's first career ejection as a manager.
This is the first non-plate umpire ejection of the year.

Wrap: Cardinals at Cubs 4/24/12

Video: Welke calls Campana safe, ejects Matheny
Related Video: In the 1st, Conroy rules DeJesus safe