1B Umpire CB Bucknor ejected Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper for arguing an out call in the top of the 9th inning of the Nationals-Marlins game. With none out and one on, Harper hit a 0-2 fastball from Marlins pitcher Heath Bell to first baseman Carlos Lee, to shortstop Jose Reyes and returned to Lee as Harper arrived. Replays indicate the ball was received at first base prior to Harper's arrival, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Nationals were leading, 8-4. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 8-4.
This is CB Bucknor (54)'s second ejection of 2012.
CB Bucknor now has 8 points in the UEFL (4 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 8).
Crew Chief Dale Scott now has 8 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (7 Previous + 1 Correct = 8).
*The prop prediction for Name of Ejector: 1st Nats ejection received zero correct wagers.
UEFL Standings Update
This is the 143rd ejection of 2012.
This is the 61st player ejection of 2012. Prior to his ejection, Harper was 2-5 in the contest.
This is the Nationals' 1st ejection of 2012, 5th in NL East (NYM 8; ATL 4; MIA, PHI 3; WSH 1).
This is Bryce Harper's first career ejection.
This is CB Bucknor's first ejection since July 15 (Dan Warthen; QOC = Correct).
Wrap: Nationals-Marlins, 8/29/12
Video: Bryce Harper earns first career ejection spiking helmet after grounding into double play (WSH)
News: Harper, Johnson comment on managing emotions following Harper's inaugural heave-ho
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Ejection 142: Gary Darling (7)
HP Umpire Gary Darling ejected Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera for arguing a called strike in the bottom of the 1st inning of the A's-Indians game. With one out and none on, Cabrera took a 3-2 curveball from A's pitcher Travis Blackley for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located at the hollow of the knee and over the inner half of home plate (sz_bot = 1.590; pz = 1.577; MoE = 0.0833), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 0-0. The A's ultimately won the contest, 8-4.
This is Gary Darling (27)'s seventh ejection of 2012.
Gary Darling now has 20 points in the UEFL (16 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 20).
Crew Chief Gary Darling now has 10 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (9 Previous + 1 Correct = 10).
UEFL Standings Update
This is the 142nd ejection of 2012.
This is the 60th player ejection of 2012.
This is the Indians' 7th ejection of 2012, T-2nd in the AL Central (DET 9; CLE, CWS, KC 7; MIN 6).
This is Asdrubal Cabrera's first career ejection.
This is Gary Darling's first ejection since August 11 (Carlos Gomez; QOC = Correct).
Wrap: Athletics at Indians, 8/29/12
Video: Cabrera ejected for arguing a called strike in the first inning of the Oakland-Cleveland game (OAK)
This is Gary Darling (27)'s seventh ejection of 2012.
Gary Darling now has 20 points in the UEFL (16 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 20).
Crew Chief Gary Darling now has 10 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (9 Previous + 1 Correct = 10).
UEFL Standings Update
This is the 142nd ejection of 2012.
This is the 60th player ejection of 2012.
This is the Indians' 7th ejection of 2012, T-2nd in the AL Central (DET 9; CLE, CWS, KC 7; MIN 6).
This is Asdrubal Cabrera's first career ejection.
This is Gary Darling's first ejection since August 11 (Carlos Gomez; QOC = Correct).
Wrap: Athletics at Indians, 8/29/12
Video: Cabrera ejected for arguing a called strike in the first inning of the Oakland-Cleveland game (OAK)
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Detroit-KC Contested Replay Reflects Video Inequality
1B Umpire Ted Barrett and crew, supported by instant replay review, affirmed Barrett's "foul" call on a 9th inning drive down the right field line off the bat of the Tigers' Delmon Young. With the Royals leading 9-8 with two out and two on in the 9th, stakes were high as the umpires convened to review the play via video.
Video: Young's potential go-ahead HR is ruled foul by 1B Umpire Ted Barrett, upheld via replay (DET)
Conclusively correct, the close call nonetheless brought to light two glaring deficiencies with the instant replay review process, specifically the angular optical illusion and inequality and inconsistency between ballparks.
(1) Angular Optical Illusions
To illustrate the principle of angular optical illusion, consider an April 15, 2011 Adam Lind home run hit at Fenway Park (Video). Hit near Pesky's Pole in right field, Paul Nauert's initial call of HR was overturned after instant replay review when umpires judged the ball's trajectory carried the projectile to the right of the foul pole, rendering it a foul ball. From the angle at or near first base, the drive appeared fair, as the vertical yellow line drawn into the wall, next to the advertisement sign, appears in congruence with the foul pole itself; from the infield foul line, this would appear to be a home run as the ball landed to the left of the vertical line drawn on the wall, suggesting a fair ball.
However, and as the above image indicates, a view from above third base captures the true nature of this illusion: To maintain an appearance of one continuous vertical line when viewed from the infield, the right field corner's foul line is segmented into three separate borders: one on the lower wall, another on the padding and the third being the foul pole itself. This phenomena has also been detailed in "Papi Foul: Red Sox DH David Ortiz Loses Hit to Pesky Angle, Ad Placement."
It is this principle of angular optical illusion that creates the appearance of a fair ball from one angle, and foul from another. As such, instant replay decisions based on one angle may be flawed: When two angles appear to show two separate events, replays can no longer be clear, convincing or conclusive, and it behooves umpires to uphold the original call.
(2) Ballpark Broadcast Inequality
It is no secret that certain MLB teams are far richer than others, in terms of payroll, operations cost or otherwise. That otherwise, of course, includes broadcasting, wherein certain teams have the means with which to allocate a greater amount of funds to their broadcast than others do. For instance, the Yankees' regional sports network (RSN), the YES Network, pays the team a significant rights fee, which is higher than an according fee paid by, say, Fox Sports Kansas City to the Royals or Sun Sports to the Rays.
Video: Young's potential go-ahead HR is ruled foul by 1B Umpire Ted Barrett, upheld via replay (DET)
Conclusively correct, the close call nonetheless brought to light two glaring deficiencies with the instant replay review process, specifically the angular optical illusion and inequality and inconsistency between ballparks.
To illustrate the principle of angular optical illusion, consider an April 15, 2011 Adam Lind home run hit at Fenway Park (Video). Hit near Pesky's Pole in right field, Paul Nauert's initial call of HR was overturned after instant replay review when umpires judged the ball's trajectory carried the projectile to the right of the foul pole, rendering it a foul ball. From the angle at or near first base, the drive appeared fair, as the vertical yellow line drawn into the wall, next to the advertisement sign, appears in congruence with the foul pole itself; from the infield foul line, this would appear to be a home run as the ball landed to the left of the vertical line drawn on the wall, suggesting a fair ball.
However, and as the above image indicates, a view from above third base captures the true nature of this illusion: To maintain an appearance of one continuous vertical line when viewed from the infield, the right field corner's foul line is segmented into three separate borders: one on the lower wall, another on the padding and the third being the foul pole itself. This phenomena has also been detailed in "Papi Foul: Red Sox DH David Ortiz Loses Hit to Pesky Angle, Ad Placement."
It is this principle of angular optical illusion that creates the appearance of a fair ball from one angle, and foul from another. As such, instant replay decisions based on one angle may be flawed: When two angles appear to show two separate events, replays can no longer be clear, convincing or conclusive, and it behooves umpires to uphold the original call.
(2) Ballpark Broadcast Inequality
It is no secret that certain MLB teams are far richer than others, in terms of payroll, operations cost or otherwise. That otherwise, of course, includes broadcasting, wherein certain teams have the means with which to allocate a greater amount of funds to their broadcast than others do. For instance, the Yankees' regional sports network (RSN), the YES Network, pays the team a significant rights fee, which is higher than an according fee paid by, say, Fox Sports Kansas City to the Royals or Sun Sports to the Rays.
Case Plays: Infield Interference, Foul Fly or Complete Chaos
Umpires encountered a most unusual blend of infield fly & interference Sunday, merging the safe/out call with the fair/foul call and even throwing an interference/obstruction equation to the mix—if this was an ejection, "Reason for Ejection" might have been most difficult to categorize as simply one type.
Video: Broadcaster Vin Scully says: "Hold everything, forget the play. Forget the play." (LAD)
Video: One out, one swing—and an atypically long trialogue between umpires and both managers (MIA)
Video: Broadcaster Vin Scully says: "Hold everything, forget the play. Forget the play." (LAD)
Video: One out, one swing—and an atypically long trialogue between umpires and both managers (MIA)
Get out those rule books because this play is a head-scratching dream of a brain-teaser.
 |
| Tichenor points at the infraction. |
Answer: When B1 Cruz hit his fly ball 45' down the first base line, the umpires declared "Infield Fly, if Fair," after which R1 Ethier interfered with F3 Lee, which U1 Tichenor judged as the one fielder most entitled to attempt a play on the batted ball. R1 is out for interference and the play is dead, Rules 2.00 [Interference], 7.08(b), 7.09(j). What followed—F2 Brantly botched the catch, with PU Randazzo declaring a fair ball, R2 tagged at third base—is irrelevant as the play became dead upon the interference call. Crucial to successfully adjudicating this play in regards to B1 is the distinction between: "Fair Ball," "Foul Ball," "Not a Fair Ball," and "Probable Fair Ball."
B1 is not out on the Infield Fly Rule, because "Infield Fly" was never declared as the ball was not timely deemed "Fair Ball" or "Probable Fair Ball." Instead, the umpires ruled "Infield Fly, if Fair," meaning that the status of the ball (fair/foul) was unclear and the "Infield Fly," therefore was dependent on a future ruling of fair/foul/probable-fair. Rule 2.00 [Infield Fly] instructs officials to declare "Infield Fly" when "it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an infield fly," or when status changes from "Not a Fair Ball" to "Probable Fair Ball." Rule 6.05(e) states that the batter is out when "Infield Fly" is declared, which means B1 is out when status becomes "Probable Fair Ball." Ergo, had the umpires deemed status as "Probable Fair Ball" and declared "Infield Fly" prior to the interference and associated dead ball, B1 would have been out on the Infield Fly rule. Instead, the status of the ball was not yet fair/foul/probable-fair: It was "Not a Fair Ball," which means it was not yet an Infield Fly. The ensuing action on the ground is irrelevant as the play was killed upon the interference call. For this reason, OBR instructs: "Decision [of IFF] should be made immediately."
Finally, the question of whether B1 has completed his time at bat relies on Rule 6.04, which states a batter has legally completed his time at bat when he is put out or becomes a runner. Because B1 has not been put out, and we are not looking at an inning- or game-ending play that would prematurely terminate the batter's at-bat, we consider whether he has become a runner. Rule 6.09 states eight criteria under which a batter may become a runner, though only one is relevant in this scenario: 6.09(a): "He hits a fair ball." As mentioned above, status was "Not a Fair Ball" at the time of interference. Therefore, the batter has not become a runner and has not completed his time at bat.
Ruling: R1 out for interference, B1 resumes the at-bat, R2 returned to second base; Two outs, R2.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Track & Field Official Killed in Javelin Throw Accident
A sports judge has died after being struck in the throat by a javelin throw at a German youth track meet in Duesseldorf, resulting in the immediate cancellation of the Wilhelm Unger Games.
74-year-old athletics sports official Dieter Strack was reportedly taking a measurement of a previous athlete's javelin throw when he was struck in the throat by a subseqent contestant's javelin, the spear exiting through Strack's neck, severing his carotid artery and causing severe and fatal blood loss.
According to the USA Track & Field's Throwing Officials' Manual, which is similar to international guidelines, field judges should remain at least 15 feet away from where they anticipate a throw will land, though IAAF measurement timing regulations may require an official to respond to a mark before the projectile falls, while the triangulation method may delay a mark from being achieved immediately.
Nonetheless, USATF recognizes the severe hazards associated with discuss, hammer and javelin officiating safety, suggesting that all throwing officials carry, among other devices, band aids and ear plugs (for events near starter). It is unknown whether Strack was wearing ear plugs at the time nor whether he had any warning of the fatal throw.
News: German police: Javelin Kills Athletics Official, 74
74-year-old athletics sports official Dieter Strack was reportedly taking a measurement of a previous athlete's javelin throw when he was struck in the throat by a subseqent contestant's javelin, the spear exiting through Strack's neck, severing his carotid artery and causing severe and fatal blood loss.
According to the USA Track & Field's Throwing Officials' Manual, which is similar to international guidelines, field judges should remain at least 15 feet away from where they anticipate a throw will land, though IAAF measurement timing regulations may require an official to respond to a mark before the projectile falls, while the triangulation method may delay a mark from being achieved immediately.
Nonetheless, USATF recognizes the severe hazards associated with discuss, hammer and javelin officiating safety, suggesting that all throwing officials carry, among other devices, band aids and ear plugs (for events near starter). It is unknown whether Strack was wearing ear plugs at the time nor whether he had any warning of the fatal throw.
News: German police: Javelin Kills Athletics Official, 74
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Ejection 141: Dan Bellino (5)
1B Umpire Dan Bellino ejected Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine for arguing an out call in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Royals-Red Sox game. With one out and one on, Red Sox batter Dustin Pedroia hit a 1-0 changeup from Royals pitcher Will Smith to third baseman Tony Abreu, throw to first baseman Eric Hosmer for the out. Replays indicate Hosmer failed to catch the ball and legally tag prior to Pedroia contacting first base, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 4-3. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 8-6.
This is Dan Bellino (2)'s fifth ejection of 2012.
Dan Bellino now has 8 points in the UEFL (10 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = 8).
Crew Chief Jerry Layne now has 6 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (6 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 0).
This is Dan Bellino (2)'s fifth ejection of 2012.
Dan Bellino now has 8 points in the UEFL (10 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = 8).
Crew Chief Jerry Layne now has 6 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (6 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 0).
This is the 69th Manager ejection of 2012.
This is the Red Sox's 10th ejection of 2012, 1st in the AL East (BOS 10; TOR 5; BAL, NYY 4; TB 3).
This is Bobby Valentine's first ejection since August 15 (Mike Everitt; QOC = Correct).
This is Dan Bellino's first ejection since July 16 (Miguel Cairo; QOC = Correct).
This is the Red Sox's 10th ejection of 2012, 1st in the AL East (BOS 10; TOR 5; BAL, NYY 4; TB 3).
This is Bobby Valentine's first ejection since August 15 (Mike Everitt; QOC = Correct).
This is Dan Bellino's first ejection since July 16 (Miguel Cairo; QOC = Correct).
Ejection 140: David Rackley (1)
HP Umpire David Rackley ejected Astros SS Marwin Gonzalez for arguing an out call in the top of the 9th inning of the Astros-Mets game. With one out and one on, Astros batter Ben Francisco hit a 3-2 fastball from Mets pitcher Bobby Parnell to left fielder Lucas Duda, who threw home as baserunner R2 Gonzalez was attempting to score. Replays indicate Mets catcher Kelly Shoppach successfully blocked access to home plate while fielding the throw and applied a legal tag on Gonzalez, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 1-1. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 2-1.
This is David Rackley (86)'s first ejection of 2012.
David Rackley now has 5 points in the UEFL (3 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 5).
Crew Chief Tom Hallion now has 7 points in the Crew Division (6 Previous + 1 Correct = 7).
This is the 59th player ejection of 2012. Prior to his ejection, Gonzalez was 2-4 in the contest.
This is the Astros' 5th ejection of 2012, 2nd in the NL Central (MIL 6; HOU 5; CHC, PIT, STL 4; CIN 2).
This is Marwin Gonzalez's first career MLB ejection.
This is the Astros' 5th ejection of 2012, 2nd in the NL Central (MIL 6; HOU 5; CHC, PIT, STL 4; CIN 2).
This is Marwin Gonzalez's first career MLB ejection.
This is David Rackley's first career MLB ejection.
Wrap: Astros vs. Mets, 8/25/12
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Ejections 138, 139: Lance Barrett (4, 5)
HP Umpire Lance Barrett ejected White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski and Manager Robin Ventura for arguing a ball call in the top of the 3rd inning of the Mariners-White Sox game. With one out and none on, Mariners batter Justin Smoak took a 0-0 fastball from White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana for a called ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located around hollow-of-knee high and over the outer half of home plate (sz_bot of 1.69 and pz of 1.693, norm_ht of -.997), the call was inconclusive.* The call is now incorrect.^ At the time of the ejections, the Mariners were leading, 3-1. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 5-4.
These are Lance Barrett (94)'s fourth and fifth ejections of 2012.
Lance Barrett now has 7 points in the UEFL (1 Previous + 2*[3 AAA + 0 Inconclusive Call] = 7).
Crew Chief Jim Joyce now has 6 points in the UEFL's crew division (4 Previous + 2*[1 Inconclusive] = 6).
*QOC is not Incorrect pursuant to UEFL Rule 6-2-b-2, the Miller Rule. Because the lower bound of the zone for this pitch was 1.69 feet and the pitch was located at a height of 1.693 feet, zone height (sz_bot) does not provide enough significant digits to conclusively state whether the call was correct or not.
^Quality of Correctness was reversed by the UEFL Appeals Board, 1-3-2.
These are Lance Barrett (94)'s fourth and fifth ejections of 2012.
Lance Barrett now has 7 points in the UEFL (1 Previous + 2*[3 AAA + 0 Inconclusive Call] = 7).
Crew Chief Jim Joyce now has 6 points in the UEFL's crew division (4 Previous + 2*[1 Inconclusive] = 6).
*QOC is not Incorrect pursuant to UEFL Rule 6-2-b-2, the Miller Rule. Because the lower bound of the zone for this pitch was 1.69 feet and the pitch was located at a height of 1.693 feet, zone height (sz_bot) does not provide enough significant digits to conclusively state whether the call was correct or not.
^Quality of Correctness was reversed by the UEFL Appeals Board, 1-3-2.
These are the 138th and 139th ejections of 2012.
This is the 57th player ejection of 2012. Prior to his ejection, Pierzynski was 0-1 in the contest (F6).
This is the 67th Manager ejection of 2012.
This is the White Sox's 7th ejection of 2012, T-2nd in the AL Central (DET 9; KC, CWS 7; CLE, MIN 6).
This is A.J. Pierzynski's first ejection since April 20, 2011 (Brian Knight; QOC = Correct).
A.A. Umpire Fired After Physical Ejection of Manager
An American Association umpire has been fired after a physical ejection during a Tuesday Independent League contest between the Sioux City Explorers and Kansas City T-Bones. In the bottom of the third inning, Explorers batter Peter Barrows was ruled to have fouled a pitch with two strikes that T-Bones manager Kenny Hook thought had been missed entirely for a third strike. Following an argument in which Hook was ejected by home plate umpire Mike Riggers, Hook snatched down his hat before strongly bumping the umpire.
Instead of simply acknowledging the bump, however, Riggers responded with a minor chest bump of his own as Hooks and Riggers continued to verbally joust, Hook pushed away by an assistant coach and Riggers guided back by third base umpire Dixon Sturman as first base umpire Justin Anderson observed the proceedings.
Oddly enough, Hook received a three-game suspension while Riggers was expelled from the league. In May, umpire Bob Davidson was suspended by MLB for repeated violations of BOC's situation handling standards after a run-in with Charlie Manuel.
Video: Hooks argues, is ejected and bumps Riggers, who responds with an argument of his own
News: X's and Oh's ... Riggers fired after third-inning dust-up with Hook
Image: Animated GIF of Hook bumping Riggers ... who in turn delivers a minor bump to Hook
 |
| Umpire fired for a bump? |
Oddly enough, Hook received a three-game suspension while Riggers was expelled from the league. In May, umpire Bob Davidson was suspended by MLB for repeated violations of BOC's situation handling standards after a run-in with Charlie Manuel.
Video: Hooks argues, is ejected and bumps Riggers, who responds with an argument of his own
News: X's and Oh's ... Riggers fired after third-inning dust-up with Hook
Image: Animated GIF of Hook bumping Riggers ... who in turn delivers a minor bump to Hook
Thursday, August 23, 2012
GCL Umpires Assist with Plane Landing Evacuation
When two rookie MiLB umpires witnessed an airplane's emergency landing in Florida Thursday morning en route to their Gulf Coast League assignment, the first-year umpires stopped and exited their car to investigate, with one assisting the pilot and two passengers in evacuating the aircraft.
Umpires Takahito Matsuda (Seiyo, Ehime, Japan) and George Riedel (Rockaway, NJ) had been travelling to Bradenton, Florida via Interstate-75 when an odd sight brought traffic to a near halt: "The plane in the air caught my eye because it was probably only 30-40 feet off the ground that this point," said Riedel.
News: GCL umpires witness plane landing
Umpires Takahito Matsuda (Seiyo, Ehime, Japan) and George Riedel (Rockaway, NJ) had been travelling to Bradenton, Florida via Interstate-75 when an odd sight brought traffic to a near halt: "The plane in the air caught my eye because it was probably only 30-40 feet off the ground that this point," said Riedel.
News: GCL umpires witness plane landing
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