Ejection 149: Larry Vanover (3)

HP Umpire Larry Vanover ejected Cubs Manager Dale Sveum for arguing balls and strikes in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Cubs-Nationals game. With none out and one on, Nationals batter Michael Morse drew a four-pitch walk from Cubs pitcher Chris Volstad. Replays indicate all pitches during Morse's at-bat were accurately officiated, the call was correct. This ejection is not eligible for a Balls/Strikes Exemption as the only batter prior to Morse in the bottom of the 5th inning, Adam LaRoche, hit a first-pitch Voldstad sinker for a line drive single. At the time of the ejection, the Nationals were leading, 5-0. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 9-1.

This is Larry Vanover (27)'s third ejection of 2012.
Larry Vanover now has 12 points in the UEFL (8 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 12).
Crew Chief Jerry Layne now has 7 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (6 Previous + 1 Correct = 7).

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 149th ejection of 2012.
This is the 72nd Manager ejection of 2012.
This is the Cubs' 5th ejection of 2012, T-2nd in the NL Central (MIL 6; CHC, HOU 5; PIT, STL 4; CIN 3).
This is Dale Sveum's first ejection since July 28 (Mike Winters; QOC = Incorrect).
This is Larry Vanover's first ejection since August 8 (Chris Young; QOC = Correct).

Wrap: Cubs at Nationals, 9/5/12

Video: Sveum ejected after ball call, just prior to Giants-Cowboys kickoff

Pitcher Wristbands and Bracelets: Flourish or Distraction?

Plate umpire Jim Reynolds instructed Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello to remove a bracelet (CLE Feed / UEFL Video) prior to the first inning of Tuesday's Indians-Tigers game, a gesture unnoticed by either broadcast, but expertly deciphered by Kcreasy, who wrote to us:

After Tigers catcher Avila threw to second before top of the 1st, Reynolds walked out to the mound, handed Porcello a new ball and you could see them talking. Reynolds walked away and you could see Porcello go to his glove hand and remove a bracelet and place it in his back pocket. This was the same crew that had RA Dickey remove a bracelet his daughter made. I took a video of it off my tv...

Felix Hernandez wearing a band? There goes the ad campaign...

MLB Rule 1.15 states that a pitcher's glove may not be distracting in any manner, while 1.11 mandates all uniforms and undershirts be identical and distinctively equivalent. Rule 9.01(c), of course, bestows upon umpires the authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in the Official Baseball Rules.

However, such action may instead fall under the purview of a recent MLB Directive, as eluded to by Mets Manager Terry Collins in August, when this same umpiring crew enforced this same policy, as Crew Chief Jim Joyce requested Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey remove bracelets from his wrist in the midst of a 6-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. Joyce received flak for his enforcement of policy when Dickey told reporters, "I was a little bit angry because those were a couple of bracelets my girls had made for me before I went to Kilimanjaro. I'd had them on every day since January."

If indeed MLB sent out a bulletin mid-season with such a policy addendum, umpires were simply enforcing policy and no further issue appears at play. However, problems and controversy arise when rules are enforced inconsistently wherein one umpire allows the item while another orders its removal, especially if this certain alluded-to Directive is a policy that has, in one form or another, been in place for several years. History and precedent support the removal of distracting wrist garb on pitchers.

A 2006 ESPN Page 2 piece addressed the issue of MLB pitchers and players wearing bracelets. In regards to pitchers, the article pointed out that Huston Street often wore a green WWJD bracelet on his glove hand, while Angels Manager Mike Scioscia asked for its removal. A's pitcher Kirk Saarloos was known to have worn a pink Livestrong-style band before being asked by umpires to remove the item.

Even earlier, in 2003, Bobby Cox asked umpires to remove Mets pitcher Jae Weong Seo's Buddhist bracelet.

UEFL Video: Reynolds instructs Porcello to remove bracelet prior to Shin-Soo Choo leadoff AB

Ejection 148: Tony Randazzo (2)

HP Umpire Tony Randazzo ejected Yankees Manager Joe Girardi for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 4th inning of the Yankees-Rays game. With two out and one on, Yankees batter Chris Dickerson attempted to request "Time" prior to taking a 1-2 fastball from Rays pitcher Alex Cobb for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located midpoint high and over the heart of home plate; Though pitch f/x determined the top of Dickerson's specific strike zone was associated with a sz_top value of 3.001 and the strike three pitch was associated with a pz (height) value of of 3.240, replays overwhelmingly suggest this computerized balls/strikes determination was inaccurate, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 3-2. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 5-2.

This is Tony Randazzo (11)'s second ejection of 2012.
Tony Randazzo now has 8 points in the UEFL (4 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 8).
Crew Chief Brian Gorman now has 7 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (6 Previous + 1 Correct = 7).

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 148th ejection of 2012.

This is the 71st Manager ejection of 2012.

This is the second consecutive NYY-TB game with an ejection.

This is the Yankees' 5th ejection of 2012, T-2nd in the AL East (BOS 10; NYY, TOR 5; BAL, TB 4).
This is Joe Girardi's first ejection since August 9 (Tim Welke; QOC = Correct).
This is Tony Randazzo's first ejection since June 23 (Coco Crisp; QOC = Correct).

Wrap: Yankees at Rays, 9/4/12

Video: Randazzo does not grant late "Time" request, rings up Dickerson on high strike

Pitch f/x plot courtesy Brooks Baseball, UEFL

The Pitch f/x conundrum, illustrated. Because individual strike zone plots measure location in actual (not normalized) feet, the plot automatically applies the estimation of an average player's strike zone of 1.5 to 3.5 feet, as opposed to the batter's individualized, or normalized strike zone, which in the case of Dickerson, topped out at a height of 3.001 feet, as opposed to the standard 3.5 feet.

Late-Game Appeal Play: Losing the Runner

An appeal play out call in St. Louis by 1B Umpire David Rackley effectively transformed a zero out, ninth inning rally attempt by the New York Mets into an impending save opportunity for the Cardinals and closer Jason Motte. With none out and none on, Mets batter Andres Torres hit a 3-2 cutter from Motte into right field for an apparent double. As subsequent batter Ronny Cedeno stepped in with none out and the game-tying runner on second base, Motte stepped off the pitcher's plate and threw to first baseman Matt Carpenter, who stepped on first base as Rackley ruled Torres out subsequent to Rule 7.10 (Any runner shall be called out, on appeal, when), explaining to Mets Manager Terry Collins that Torres had missed first base and was liable to be put out pursuant to 7.10(b) ("He fails to touch each base in order before he, or a missed base, is tagged"). Though replays from one angle (1st base camera well) suggest Torres' left foot may have touched first base, another angle (center field) is ultimately inconclusive, though both angles show Rackley moving to observe the touch/no-touch at first base. At the time of the call, the Cardinals were leading, 5-4. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

Wrap: Mets at Cardinals, 9/3/12

Video: Torres ruled out for failing to touch first base, Collins argues but is not ejected

Ejection 147: Bob Davidson (5)

2B Umpire Bob Davidson ejected Rays Manager Joe Maddon for arguing an out call in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Yankees-Rays game. With none out and one on, Rays baserunner R1 Rich Thompson was caught stealing second base, thrown out on a pitchout, Yankees catcher Russell Martin to shortstop Derek Jeter. Replays indicate Thompson was tagged on the backside prior to contacting second base with his hand, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 3-3. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Bob Davidson (61)'s fifth ejection of 2012.
Bob Davidson now has 6 points in the UEFL (2 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 6).
Crew Chief Brian Gorman now has 6 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (5 Previous + 1 Correct = 6).

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 147th ejection of 2012.
This is the 70th Manager ejection of 2012.
This is the Rays' 4th ejection of 2012, T-3rd in the AL East (BOS 10; TOR 5; BAL, NYY, TB 4).
This is Joe Maddon's first ejection since August 15 (Rob Drake; QOC = Incorrect).
This is Bob Davidson's first ejection since July 25 (Luke Hochevar; QOC = Irrecusable).

Wrap: Yankees at Rays, 9/3/12

Video: Joe Girardi elects to pitch out, nails runner; Maddon tossed in extended argument

Ejection 146: Andy Fletcher (1)

HP Umpire Andy Fletcher ejected Reds 2B Brandon Phillips for arguing a strike (swinging) call in the top of the 8th inning of the Reds-Astros game. With none out and none on, Phillips attempted to check his swing on a 0-2 slider from Astros pitcher Hector Ambriz. Replays indicate Phillips attempted to strike the pitch and his checked attempt was unsuccessful, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 1-1. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

This is Andy Fletcher (49)'s first ejection of 2012.
Andy Fletcher now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Joe West now has 6 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (5 Previous  + 1 Correct = 6).

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 146th ejection of 2012.
This is the 63rd player ejection of 2012. Prior to his ejection, Phillips was 0-4 in the contest.
This is the Reds' 3rd ejection of 2012, 6th in the NL Central (MIL 6; HOU 5; CHC, PIT, STL 4; CIN 3).
This is Brandon Phillips' first career MLB ejection.
This is Andy Fletcher's first ejection since June 26, 2011 (Elvis Andrus/Ron Washington; QOC = Incorrect).

Wrap: Reds at Astros, 9/01/12

Video: Fletcher rings Phillips up, deems no need to appeal (CIN)

Umpire Count Error & a Lesson in Situation Handling

HP Umpire Paul Emmel missed a strike during A's LF Seth Smith's 5th inning at-bat on Thursday, yet Emmel's situation handling after the fact resolved the incident and while it did not resolve the error, Smith and Oakland Manager Bob Melvin's tempers were quelled after a calm discussion. (Video: Emmel's discussion)

With none out and one on, Smith stepped to the plate against Cleveland pitcher Chris Seddon...

• Pitcher

  C. Seddon

• Batter

  S. Smith

	Speed	Pitch	Result
1	90	Fastball (Four-seam)	Foul
2	89	Fastball (Four-seam)	Ball In Dirt
3	81	Slider	Swinging Strike
4	75	Slider	Swinging Strike

After pitch #2, Smith attempted to check his swing on a low-and-away slider, with Emmel ruling "no swing" before third base umpire Gary Darling called "swinging strike" on appeal. Nonetheless, Emmel appeared to communicate to Smith the count was two balls, one strike, as opposed to 1-2. After Smith swung and missed the ensuing pitch, Darling whistled to Emmel, alerting him of the strikeout.

When Emmel then informed Smith, "strike three," Smith understandbly responded with an emotional plea: "You just told me it was 2-1!"

Instead of arguing the point, Emmel immediately conceded, claiming responsibility for his crew's error in communication: "I know, I did. I told you it was 2-1," before addressing Melvin:

Listen Bob, he's got a beef. I told him the pitch was 2-1, but they're saying the pitch was strike three ... we've got make what's right, right. I'm admitting to that, I told him it was 2-1 before the pitch. By the books, it was strike three and that's what we've got to go with ... You've got an argument.

Whether Emmel's calm approach and demeanor helped end the argument and prevent its escalation or whether it was the lopsided score at the time, 8-2, Oakland, Emmel's proper handling of the situation was what all administrators like to see: Professionalism, accountability, understanding and a firm adherence to rules enforcement.

Nonetheless, Emmel did not fare as well with Indians pitching coach Ruben Niebla in inning 7, whom Emmel ejected for arguing an incorrectly ruled ball during George Kottaras' at bat (Ejection 144).

Wrap: A's-Indians, 8/30/12
Video: Emmel and Darling suffer communciation breakdown, yet Emmel peacefully resolves dispute (UEFL)

Ejection 145: Bill Welke (3)

HP Umpire Bill Welke ejected Rangers RF Nelson Cruz for arguing a strike call in the top of the 7th inning. With one out and one on, Cruz took a 1-1 slider from Indians pitcher Esmil Rogers for a called second strike. Replays indicate the 1-1 pitch was located belt high and slightly outside the outer edge of home plate (px of .927), the call was incorrect. The call is now correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rangers were leading, 4-1. The Rangers ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Bill Welke (52)'s third ejection of 2012.
Bill Welke now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Jeff Nelson now has 1 point in the UEFL's Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct = 1).
*Quality of Correctness was challenged and summarily overturned pursuant to UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa).

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 145th ejection of 2012.
This is the 62nd player ejection of 2012. Prior to his ejection, Cruz was 0-4 in the contest.
This is the Rangers' 6th ejection of 2012, 1st in the AL West (TEX 6; LAA, OAK 4; SEA 1).
This is Nelson Cruz's first career MLB ejection.
This is Bill Welke's first ejection since May 28 (Jim Leyland; QOC = Irrecusable).

Wrap: Rangers at Indians, 8/31/12
Video: Following a swinging strikeout, Cruz slams his bat, barks at Welke and is thrown out (TEX)

MiLB Ejection of Week: Ben May (1)

Umpire Ben May and the Toledo Mud Hens have our MiLB Ejection of the Week, with second baseman Danny Worth ejected between innings during Toledo's walk-off victory vs. the Indanapolis Indians on Thursday in AAA's International League. (Video: Fair/Foul call precedes inning break ejection)

Ejected during inning break after reaching base, scoring

With one out and none on in the bottom of the 6th inning, Worth hit a 0-1 fastball from Indians pitcher Bryan Morris down the right field line, ruled a foul ball by 1B Umpire May. Worth reached first base on the next pitch following what was ruled a passed ball and throwing error by Indians catcher Tony Sanchez and scored on consecutive singles by teammates Audy Ciriaco and Bryan Holaday. Though replays suggest the ball may have landed in fair territory, Worth was ejected arguing the call after the inning's conclusion, rendering QOC "irrecusable." At the time of the ejection, the Mud Hens were leading, 4-2. The Mud Hens ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

Other notable Minor League Ejections, 8/27-30 include (with thanks again to Russ for assistance in reporting):
— HP Umpire Andy Dudones: Syracuse Chiefs 2B Jarrett Hoffpauir (3rd strike), Int'l (8/30)
— 1B Umpire Mark Ripperger: Las Vegas 51s P Brett Cecil (out at 1st base), PCL (8/30)
— 1B Umpire Junior Valentine: Hagerstown Suns DH Caleb Ramsey, M Brian Daubach (DP), South A (8/29)
— HP Umpire Morgan Day: Rome Braves DH William Beckwith (check swing), South Atlantic (8/29)
— HP Umpire Seth Buckminster: Louisville Bats 2B Henry Rodriguez (balls/strikes), International (8/28)
— HP Umpire Ron Teague: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes SS Garbiel Suarez (balls/strikes), California (8/27)
— HP Umpire Scott Mahony: Fresno Grizzlies LF Xavier Nady (balls/strikes), Pacific Coast (8/27)
— 1B Umpire Luke Engen: Timber Rattlers C Cameron Garfield (safe call), Midwest League (8/27)
— Referee Miguel Angel Perez: Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao (straight red card for insulting Perez' mother), La Liga Soccer (Honorary Ejection, 8/27)

Wrap: Indians at Mud Hens (MiLB), 8/30/12
Video: Though he scored a run, Worth is ejected after continuing to argue a 6th inning foul call (TOL/UEFL)

Ejection 144: Paul Emmel (3)

HP Umpire Paul Emmel ejected Indians pitching coach Ruben Niebla for arguing balls and strikes in the top of the 7th inning of the A's-Indians game. With one out and two on,  A's batter George Kottaras took a 3-0 fastball from Indians pitcher Tony Sipp for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located knee high and over the heart of home plate (sz_bot = 1.540, pz = 1.570), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the A's were leading, 10-6. The A's ultimately won the contest, 12-7.

This is Paul Emmel (50)'s third ejection of 2012.
Paul Emmel now has -6 points in the UEFL (-4 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = -6).
Crew Chief Gary Darling now has 10 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (10 Previous + 0 Incorrect = 10).

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 144th ejection of 2012.
This is the second consecutive OAK-CLE contest with a Balls/Strikes ejection.
This is the Indians' 8th ejection of 2012, 2nd in the AL Central (DET 9; CLE 8; CWS, KC 7; MIN 6).
This is Ruben Niebla's first career ejection.
This is Paul Emmel's first ejection since May 24 (Tom Brookens, Jim Leyland; QOC = Incorrect).

Wrap: A's-Indians, 8/30/12
Video: Following three consecutive walks, Niebla ejected during mound visit with reliever Sipp (Soon)