Ejection 031: Bob Davidson (1)

HP Umpire Bob Davidson ejected Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel for arguing an umpire interference no call in the top of the 8th inning of the Astros-Phillies game. With none out and none on, Astros batter Jason Castro struck out swinging on a wild pitch curveball from Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee. As the ball bounded away from catcher Brian Schneider, the catcher & Davidson briefly collided as Schneider attempted to retrieve the loose ball and Davidson completed his swinging mechanic. OBR Rule 2.00(c) (Interference) defines umpire interference as "when a plate umpire hinders, impedes or prevents a catcher's throw attempting to prevent a stolen base or retire a runner on a pick-off play." This and Rule 5.09(b) do not authorize umpire interference on a wild pitch; an umpire is part of the playing field, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Phillies were leading, 3-1. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 4-3, in 10 innings.

This is Bob Davidson (61)'s first ejection of 2012.
Bob Davidson now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Jerry Layne now has 2 points in the Crew Division (1 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 2).
*After review, Quality of Correctness has been affirmed in a 4-0 decision by the UEFL Appeals Board.

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 31st ejection of 2012.
This is the 19th Manager ejection of 2012.
This is Charlie Manuel's and the Phillies' second ejection of 2012.

Wrap: Astros at Phillies 5/15/12
Video: Davidson and Schneider incidentally bump on wild pitch, Manuel argues and is ejected from dugout 
Related Video: Carlos Lee collides with 1B Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt in 1st

Rule 2.00 Infield Fly and 6.05(e): Getting to Know the Rule

Baseball's infield fly rule is perhaps one of the most conditional and technical parts of the sport's Rules Book, yet once the concept is grasped, the rule is fairly straightforward, key phrase, "once the concept is grasped."

Rule 2.00 (Infield Fly) describes the call:

An INFIELD FLY is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.

The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul. 

The Infield Fly rule furthermore supercedes Rule 6.05(l), the Intentional Drop rule.

What is an Infield Fly? Three Key Considerations
(1) First and second must be occupied with less than two out (third may or may not be occupied).
(2) The batter must hit a fair fly ball, which is not a line drive nor bunt, that;
(3) In the umpire's judgment, can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort.

Though designed to prevent unfair double plays by declaring the batter out under Rule 6.05(e), confusion over the rule has itself resulted in several double plays being turned over the years. In the following examples, apply the three criteria above to determine whether each play is an instance of the Infield Fly rule. The three critera are listed as (1), (2) & (3).

Test Yourself: Examples: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Read on for the answer key.

Ejections 029, 030: Mark Carlson (1, 2)

HP Umpire Mark Carlson ejected Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier and Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly for arguing a strike call in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Rockies-Dodgers game. With one out and one on, Dodgers batter Andre Ethier took a 2-2 fastball from Rockies pitcher Mark Reynolds for a called strike three. Replays indicate the 2-2 pitch from Reynolds was above the belt and over the inside corner of the plate (px value of 0.715), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Dodgers were leading, 5-4. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 11-5.

These are Mark Carlson (6)'s first and second ejections of 2012.
Mark Carlson now has 8 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct Call] = 8).
Crew Chief Ed Rapuano now has 2 points in the Crew Division (0 Previous + 2*[1 Correct Call] = 2).

UEFL Standings Update

These are the 29th and 30th ejections of 2012.
This is the 10th player ejection of 2012.
This is the 18th Manager ejection of 2012.
This is Andre Ethier's first ejection of 2012.
This is Don Mattingly's first ejection of 2012.
The Dodgers now have three ejections in 2012.

Wrap: Rockies at Dodgers 5/13/12 (Mother's Day)
Video: Ethier, then Mattingly are ejected by Mark Carlson for arguing pitch Scully calls "awfully good"

Ejection 028: Todd Tichenor (1)

HP Umpire Todd Tichenor ejected Mets pitcher Frank Francisco for arguing a ball call in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Mets-Marlins game. With none out and two on, Marlins batter Greg Dobbs singled on a 1-0 fastball from Mets pitcher Frank Francisco on a soft line drive to center fielder Andres Torres, Marlins R3 Emilio Bonifacio scored and R1 Brett Hayes to 3rd. Replays indicate the 0-0 pitch from Francisco to Dobbs was knee high, but off the outside corner of the plate (px value of -1.036), the call was correct.*^ At the time of the ejection, the Mets were leading, 4-3. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 8-4.

This is Todd Tichenor (97)'s first ejection of 2012.
Todd Tichenor now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Brian Gorman now has 2 points in the Crew Division (1 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 2).
*This ejection is eligible for a Balls/Strikes exemption under UEFL Rule 6-5-d-2.
^After review, Quality of Correctness has been affirmed in a 4-0 decision by the UEFL Appeals Board.

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 28th ejection of 2012.
This is the 9th player ejection of 2012.
This is Todd Tichenor's first career ejection as a full-time Major League umpire.
This is Frank Francisco's first ejection of 2012 and first ejection since 2004, where Frank Francisco, as a member of the Texas Rangers, was involved in a confrontation with Oakland A's fans. Francisco was ejected after throwing a chair into the stands, which hit a fan. He later was arrested and suspended from MLB for the remainder of the season. He was ordered to complete anger management classes and a work program after pleading no contest to the charges filed against him due to the incident.

Wrap: Mets at Marlins 5/13/12 (Mother's Day)
Video: After being removed from the game, Francisco charges Tichenor and is ejected

Ejection 027: Mike Muchlinski (1)

HP Umpire Mike Muchlinski ejected Braves pinch hitter Eric Hinske for arguing a swinging strike call in the top of the 8th inning of the Braves-Cardinals game.* With one out and one on, Braves batter Eric Hinske attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 changeup from Cardinals pitcher Mitchell Boggs. Replays indicate that even though Hinske held his bat back, his wrists clearly went forward in an attempt to swing at the ball and failed to check his swing, the call was correct. The call is now incorrect.^ At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 6-6. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 9-7, in 12 innings.

This is Mike Muchlinski (76)'s first ejection of 2012.
Mike Muchlinski now has -2 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 3 AAA + -1 Penalty + -4 Incorrect Call = -2).
Crew Chief Mike Winters now has 1 point in the UEFL Crew Division (1 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 1).
*Brooks Baseball notes that the 7th (strike three pitch) to Hinske was a called strike three, however the official score, MLB.com, and the mechanics of Muchlinski show it was a ruled swinging strike. 
^Afer review, the Appeals Board has reversed the Original QOC ("Correct" ==> "Incorrect").

UEFL Standings Update
This is the 27th ejection of 2012.
This is the 8th player ejection of 2012.
This is Eric Hinske's first ejection of 2012.
Prior to his ejection, Hinske was 0-1 with 1 K in the contest.

Wrap: Braves at Cardinals 5/11/12
Video: Muchlinski rules Hinske swung; Hinske angers, gets ejected by Muchlinski, and then throws bat

Ejection 026: Jim Joyce (1)

1B Umpire Jim Joyce ejected Astros Manager Brad Mills for arguing a foul ball call in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Astros-Pirates game. With none out and one on, Pirates batter Clint Barmes fouled off a 1-2 sinker from Astros pitcher Wilton Lopez. Originally, Home Plate umpire James Hoye ruled that Barmes attempted to bunt the ball, thus ruling strike three for a fouled off bunt with two strikes. After Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle came out, Hoye conferred with crewmates. After conferring, Hoye ruled that Barmes did not bunt, thus the foul ball kept the count 1-2.* Replays indicate Barmes successfully brought his bat back and successfully checked his swing, but the ball did touch the bat. Under OBR Rule 2.00, a bunt is defined as "a batted ball not swung at, but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly within the infield." Since Barmes did not intentionally meet the ball with his bat, it did not satisfy OBR Rule 6.05(d) for a bunt foul third strike. The call was correct.^ At the time of the ejection, the Astros were leading, 1-0. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

This is Jim Joyce (66)'s first ejection of 2012.
Jim Joyce now has 3 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 1 Correct Call [Crewmate]* = 3).
Crew Chief Jim Joyce now has 1 point in the Crew Division (1 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 2).
*James Hoye is the calling umpire and Jim Joyce the secondary umpire under UEFL Rule 6-2-c-1-a.
^This call is correct under OBR Rule 2.00 and Rule 6.05(d).

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 26th ejection of 2012.
This is the 17th Manager ejection of 2012.
This is Brad Mills' first ejection of 2012.

Wrap: Astros at Pirates 5/11/12
Video: Joyce ejects Mills in heated argument over a foul ball-bunted strike three call

Ejection 025: Derryl Cousins (1)

HP Umpire Derryl Cousins ejected Indians 3B Coach Steve Smith for arguing an out call in the top of the 2nd inning of the Indians-Red Sox game. With two out and one on, Indians batter Jason Kipnis hit a 2-2 fastball from Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz to left fielder Daniel Nava who threw to catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia as Indians runner Jack Hannahan arrived at home plate. Replays indicate Saltalamacchia successfully blocked home plate, Hannahan's foot did not touch it, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Red Sox were leading, 2-1. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-5.

This is Derryl Cousins' (13) first ejection of 2012.
Derryl Cousins now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Derryl Cousins now has 1 point in the Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 25th ejection of 2012.
This is Steve Smith's first ejection of 2012.
This is the second non-manager, non-player ejection of 2012.

Wrap: Indians at Red Sox 5/11/12
Video: Cousins bangs out Hannahan at the plate, ejects 3rd base coach Steve Smith for arguing
Video: Nava gets Hannahan at the plate with a Saltalamacchia block of the plate

Ejection 024: Sam Holbrook (2)

HP Umpire Sam Holbrook ejected Angels Manager Mike Scioscia for arguing ball calls in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Angels-Twins game. With one out and two on, Twins batter Josh Willingham took a 1-0 fastball from Angels pitcher Emesto Frieri for a called ball two. Replays indicate that the 1-0 pitch was knee high high and off the outside corner of the plate. There were no incorrect callable pitches in the at bat, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Angels were leading, 6-2. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 6-2.

This is Sam Holbrook (34)'s second ejection of 2012.
Sam Holbrook now has 8 points in the UEFL (4 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 8).
(Interim) Crew Chief Sam Holbrook now has 1 point in the Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 24th ejection of 2012.
This is the 16th Manager ejection of 2012.
This is Mike Scioscia's first ejection of 2012.

Wrap: Angels at Twins 5/9/12
Video: Scioscia is tossed from the game by Holbrook after Mauer walks, Willingham takes two balls (12:55)

Case Plays: Decoying the Runner at Second Base

This Case Play has been completed. Congratulations to UEFL League Members RichMSN, cyclone14, kickersrule, TXWrangler, Three-Ballin', clement30, nwsquid & Turducken  for correctly answering at least one portion of the posted scenario. The correct response is:

(1) The ball is alive and remains alive throughout the play on R1 at first base. Obstruction requires impeded progress; the runner's progress was not impeded as he made no attempt to return to first base (OBR 2.00 OBSTRUCTION).

(2) The ball is alive and remains alive throughout the play on R1 at first base; R1 may be awarded first base. Known as "Type B" Obstruction, this play requires the decoying act to physically impede the runner's ability to attempt a retag of his base. This physical impediment must be ruled to have occurred while the ball was in the air or before the catcher made a play on R1 and such imposition must nullify the obstruction (OBR 7.06(b)).

(3) The ball is dead and R1 is awarded second base. Known as "Type A" Obstruction, this play requires the decoying act to physically impede the runner's ability to attempt a retag of his base. This physical impediment must be ruled to have occurred after the catch, while a play was being made on R1. R1 must touch first base before advancing to second base. (OBR 7.06(a)).

Points Distribution

+3: RichMSN

+2: cyclone14, kickersrule, TXWrangler, Three-Ballin'

+1: clement30, nwsquid, Turducken

Thank you for participating in this Case Play and congratulations to all participants, who responded with at least partial correctness. Stay tuned for further Case Plays. The original Case Play post has been reproduced below.

Ejection 023: Brian Knight (1)

HP Umpire Brian Knight ejected Tigers Manager Jim Leyland for arguing a check swing call in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the Tigers-Mariners game. With two out and one on, Mariners batter John Jaso attempted to check his swing on a 1-2 curveball from Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander. An appeal was made to 3B Umpire Wally Bell, who ruled no swing.* Replays indicate that Jaso successfully checked his swing, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Tigers were leading, 5-3. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

This is Brian Knight (91)'s first ejection of 2012.
Brian Knight now has 3 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 1 Correct Call [Crewmate] = 3).
Crew Chief Mike Winters now has 1 point in the Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).
*Wally Bell is considered the calling umpire and Brian Knight secondary under UEFL Rule 6-2-c-1.

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 23rd ejection of 2012.
This is the 15th Manager ejection of 2012.
This is Jim Leyland's first ejection of 2012.

Wrap: Tigers at Mariners 5/8/12
Video: Leyland yells from the dugout over check swing call, Knight warns and ejects