MLB Ejection 070: Jordan Baker (3; Billy Butler)

HP Umpire Jordan Baker ejected Royals DH Billy Butler for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Tigers-Royals game. With none out and one on, Butler took a 3-2 splitter from Tigers pitcher

Butler, Baker share a disagreement over location.

Jose Valverde for a called third strike. Replays indicate the strike three pitch was located belt high and off the inner edge of home plate (px -.0959), the call was incorrect. The call is now irrecusable (overturned to Unsportsmanlike-NEC by the UEFL Appeals Board 3-1-0). At the time of the ejection, the Tigers were leading, 3-2. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Jordan Baker (71)'s third ejection of 2013.
Jordan Baker now has 9 points in the UEFL (6 Previous + 3 AAA + 0 Irrecusable Call = 9).
Crew Chief Dana DeMuth now has 2 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (1 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 2).

This is the 70th ejection of 2013.
This is the 32nd player ejection of 2013. Prior to his ejection, Butler was 0-3 in the contest.
This is the Royals' 3rd ejection of 2013, 2nd in the AL Central (CLE 5; KC 3; CWS, DET, MIN 1).
This is Billy Butler's 2nd ejection of 2013 and first since May 26 (Marty Foster; QOC = U).
This is Jordan Baker's first ejection since June 5 (Alan Trammell; QOC = U).

Wrap: Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals, 6/11/13
Video: Butler strikes out to begin the 9th and is ejected for arguing the call all the way to the dugout (KC)

MLB Ejections 068, 069: Wally Bell (1, 2; Bochy, Kontos)

HP Umpire Wally Bell ejected Giants P George Kontos & Manger Bruce Bochy for throwing at Pirates batter Andrew McCutchen in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Giants-Pirates game. With one out and one on, and

Bell shows Kontos the door.

after warnings were previously issued to Starling Marte earlier in the inning, Kontos hit McCutchen with a 2-0 fastball. At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 8-2. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 8-2.

These are Wally Bell (35)'s first and second ejections of 2013.
Wally Bell now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 + 2*[2 MLB + 0 U] = 4).
Crew Chief Tim McClelland now has 3 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (1 Previous + 2 Irrecusable Call = 3).

These are the 68th and 69th ejections of 2013.
This is the 31st player ejection of 2013. Prior to his ejection, Kontos' line was 1.1 IP, 3 ER, 1 HR.
This is the Giants' 3rd/4th ejection of 2013, T-2nd in the NL West (LAD 5; ARI, SF 4; SD 2; COL 0).
This is George Kontos' first career ejection.
This is Bruce Bochy's 3rd ejection of 2013 and first since May 25 (Alfonso Marquez; QOC = N).
This is Wally Bell's first ejection since August 23, 2012 (Scott Diamond/Ron Gardenhire; QOC = U).

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 6/11/13
Video: Kontos hits McCutchen after a game of the HBP and is tossed along with skipper Bochy (PIT)
Video: Marco Scutaro hit by a Tony Watson fastball on the hands and is forced to leave the game (SF)
Video: Compilation of all hit batsmen and inside heaters that led to Kontos and Bochy's ejections (PIT)

Bench Clearing in Tampa Results in Warnings not Ejections

When benches cleared after a Red Sox-Rays HBP, ejections were withheld in favor of warnings.

It all started in the first inning, with a leadoff home run by Rays right fielder Matt Joyce off of Red Sox pitcher John Lackey that, at the time, narrowed the Sox' lead to a 6-1 Rays deficit.

In the bottom of the second, Joyce had the green light on a 3-0 count and turned on the ensuing fastball, sending a foul ball deep into the right field corner bleachers. After a 3-1 groundout to end the frame, Lackey engaged Joyce in confrontation, apparently perturbed at Joyce's disposal of his bat following the foul. Lackey believed Joyce flipped the bat as if to show up the hurler on a home run, while Joyce claimed he dropped the bat in disappointment the ball had hooked foul.

Brawl that wasn't: Benches clear, but no punches.

In the sixth, with two out, none on and a 0-1 count, Lackey hit Joyce with an up-and-in 90-mph fastball, sending Joyce and Lackey into an immediate confrontation while Boston catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia stepped in between the two, putting his hands (and mitt) on Joyce, who shoved back, inciting the benches to clear as Lackey walked into the fray.

After some animated pushing and shoving by both teams, plate umpire Tom Hallion and crewmates Phil Cuzzi, Chris Guccione and Ron Kulpa conversed and elected to issue warnings in lieu of ejecting any personnel from either team. After a Ben Zobrist double, Lackey was lifted from the game amidst a chorus of Tropicana Field boos.

Rule 8.02(d) governs the case of a pitcher intentionally throwing at a batter and obliges the umpire to:

1. Expel the pitcher, or the manager and the pitcher, from the game, or
2. Warn the pitcher and the manager of both teams that another such pitch will result in the immediate expulsion of that pitcher (or a replacement) and the manager.

If, in the umpire's judgment, circumstances warrant, both teams may be officially "warned" prior to the game or at any time during the game. 

In regards to a fight situation, each umpire has the authority to disqualify team uniformed personnel for "objecting to decisions or for unsportsmanlike conduct or language" [OBR Rule 9.01(d)].

Video: A hit-by-pitch, interpreted as intentional by Tampa Bay, results in warnings but no ejections (TB)
Video: MLB Network analyzes Joyce's at-bats against Lackey leading to the bench-clearing incident (MLB)

Rumor: AAA Umpire Conroy May be Hired, Replacing Brian Runge

Rumor: A call-up Triple-A umpire will replace Brian Runge on the MLB roster this season, which, if true, would mark the second Triple-A promotion to the full-time staff during the regular season since the NL and AL umpiring staffs merged and created the new era of unified MLB umpiring.* The situation is described as "fluid" yet potentially imminent. This is an unconfirmed rumor from a pro-ball source and is presented as such.

Brian Runge in 2011.

Runge, who has not worked an MLB regular season game dating back to August 30, 2012, worked a rehab assignment Triple-A New Orleans earlier this May; according to an anonymous source, Runge's attempt at the MiLB return was a failed venture, unlike similar assignments undertaken by crew chiefs Joe West and Gary Cederstrom, who both returned to MLB ball. An umpire will often work a minor league rehab assignment after significant injury or similar event that results in an extended absence from the sport.

Brian Gorman, for instance, who missed approximately 50 games to begin the 2013 MLB season, spent Memorial Day week in Triple-A Memphis before returning to the show. Rob Drake worked with Cederstrom in the Pacific Coast League before returning.

After surgery forced him to miss the entire 2006 and most of the 2007 major league seasons, MLB umpire Bill Hohn worked Tucson Sidewinders games for over a week before returning to the big league field. After being placed on umpiring's disabled list for the entire 2011 season, Hohn officially retired from baseball prior to the 2012 season, ending a NL/MLB career dating back to 1987; Todd Tichenor, who served as Hohn's de facto replacement during the 2011 season, was hired in his wake.

This past season, injuries claimed two umpires' professional on-field careers. After taking the brunt of foul balls resulting in concussions and neck injuries for years, crew chief Tim Tschida opted to retire upon hearing from multiple experts who told him "you're one hard foul tip away from quality-of-life issues." Tschida transitioned from professional umpiring to serving as a high school baseball assistant coach.

Meanwhile, Ed Rapuano retired to the position of MLB Umpire Evaluator due to similar injury concerns.

Though a midseason umpiring roster change is an exceptionally rare occurrence, the UEFL Rules Book specifically addresses the case of an umpire hire or release/retirement during the baseball season:

Rule 1-4-d: Umpire classification as AAA or MLB shall be determined during the pre-season draft period, and shall not be altered for scoring purposes during the regular or post-season unless... (2) the umpire is promoted to the MLB staff.

Rule 1-5-a: ...If a significant personnel modification (hiring, firing, release or retirement, except as exempted by Rule 1-4-d) occurs after the pre-season, no UEFL roster may be modified. 

In other words, a Runge retirement or placement on the umpiring Disabled List would not allow for modification to the UEFL roster while a Conroy or other MiLB promotion would cause the retroactive assessment of MLB-level points for all prior ejections.

tmac's pre-season MiLB umpire power rankings placed Conroy in fourth position, behind fellow umpires Mike Estabrook, Lance Barrett and Jordan Baker. Conroy has been a regular big league fixture in 2013 and his 129 games worked in 2012 ranks third amongst call-ups that season (Mike Muchlinski [ranked #8], 132; DJ Reyburn [ranked #7], 130).

*After a blood clot developed as a complication from a knee injury and the ensuing surgery, Terry Craft missed a great part of the late 2001-early 2002 season. He retired in July 2006, prompting MLB to add Lance Barksdale to the Major League staff.

MLB Ejection 067: Gary Darling (2; Jose Bautista)

HP Umpire Gary Darling ejected Blue Jays RF Jose Bautista for arguing a strike  call in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Rangers-Blue Jays game. With one out and two on, Bautista took a 0-0 slider from Rangers

Bautista argues pitch #1, shown as a strike.

pitcher Joe Nathan for a called first strike and was ejected after striking out swinging on a 0-2 breaking ball. Replays indicate the strike one pitch was located knee-high and over the outer half of home plate (pz 1.738; sz_bot 1.500), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Rangers were leading, 6-4. The Rangers ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

This is Gary Darling (37)'s second ejection of 2013.
Gary Darling now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 + 2 MLB + 2 Y = 4).
Crew Chief Gary Darling now has 1 point in the UEFL's Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).

This is the 67th ejection of 2013.
This is the 30th player ejection of 2013. Prior to his ejection, Bautista was 3-4 in the contest.
This is the Blue Jays' 6th ejection of 2013, 1st in the AL East (TOR 6; TB 4; BAL, BOS, NYY 1).
This is Jose Bautista's 1st ejection of 2013 and first since August 26, 2011 (Bill Welke; QOC = Y).
This is Gary Darling's first ejection since April 24 (Ron Roenicke; QOC = N).

Wrap: Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 6/9/13
Video: After taking a called strike to start his at bat, Bautista strikes out and complains to Darling (TOR)
Video: Jays Manager John Gibbons remarks on Bautista's tantrum, saying "he thought that pitch was down."

MLB Ejection 066: Andy Fletcher (3; Terry Francona)

HP Umpire Andy Fletcher ejected Indians Manager Terry Francona for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 8th inning of the Indians-Tigers game. With two out and none on, Indians batter Michael Brantley took a

Francona and Fletcher feud in the 8th.

1-2 slider from Tigers pitcher Phil Coke for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located midpoint-high and over the outer half of home plate (pz 3.227; sz_top 3.430), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Tigers were leading, 6-4. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

This is Andy Fletcher (49)'s third ejection of 2013.
Andy Fletcher now has 12 points in the UEFL (8 + 4 Y = 12).
Crew Chief Joe West now has 3 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (2 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 3).

This is the 66th ejection of 2013.

This is the 32nd Manager ejection of 2013.
This is the Indians' 5th ejection of 2013, 1st in the AL Central (CLE 5; KC 2; CWS, DET, MIN 1).
This is Terry Francona's 2nd ejection of 2013, first since June 2 (Bill Welke; QOC = N).
This is Andy Fletcher's first ejection since June 4 (Mike Carp; QOC = Y).

Wrap: Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers, 6/8/13
Video: After inning's end, Swisher and Fletcher jaw, interrupted by Francona, who takes the toss (CLE)

MiLB Ejection of the Week: Adam Hamari (2, 3, 4, 5)

MiLB Intent HBP: HP Umpire Adam Hamari ejected PawSox P Allen Webster & M Gary DiSarcina for throwing at Knights batter Steve Tolleson, 1B Drew Sutton for arguing the Webster ejection (Unsportsmanlike-NEC) in the top of the 4th inning and Pitching Coach Rich Saveur for arguing a non-ejection for throwing at

DiSarcina contests the pitch was not intentional.

(Unsportsmanlike-NEC) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Knights-Red Sox game. After a lead-off home run in the top of the 2nd inning, Webster hit Knights batter Josh Phegley with a pitch, followed two batters later with a Seth Loman hit by pitch, resulting in warnings. In the 4th, with none out and one on as a result of a Loman single, Webster hit Steve Tolleson with a pitch, resulting in Webster and Manager DiSarcina's ejections and first baseman Drew Sutton's ejection for throwing his glove in reaction to the ejection call. In the 9th, with one out and none on, Knights pitcher Daniel Moskos walked Red Sox batter Brock Holt during an at bat that featured an inside ball; Saveur was ejected arguing Hamari's ejection no-call. At the time of the Bailey/DiSarcina/Sutton ejections, the Knights were leading, 5-2. At the time of the Saveur ejection, the Knight led, 10-3. The Knights ultimately won the contest, 10-5.

These are Adam Hamari's second, third, fourth and fifth ejections of the 2013 Triple-A IL season.
Credit as always due to Russ for spotting our AAA umpire ejection activity.

These are DiSarcina and Webster's second ejections as a duo for throwing at after warning in the past month:
PU Jeff Gosney ejected DiSarcina & Webster for the same reason (throwing at after warn) on May 24.
DiSarcina & P Pedro Beato were ejected for the same reason (throwing at) on May 21.

Wrap: Charlotte Knights vs. Pawtucket Red Sox (MiLB AAA International League), 6/6/13
Video: Webster's HBP of Tolleson, ruled intentional, results in his & DiSarcina's ejections after warnings

The Retouch Rule 7.08(d): A Game of Acting and Knowing

When the umpires suffered a week of bad press earlier this season, Vin Scully provided a much-needed reprieve, so we thought we'd see what Scully had to offer tonight after some hotly contested ejections by Clint Fagan, Dan Iassogna and the controversial gum-throwing Jordan Baker. Fortunately, Vinny didn't disappoint.

Scully—the man that UEFL'ers in 2011 voted baseball's best broadcaster—paired up with the ever-affable CB Bucknor and colleague Rick Monday to educate fans about the finer points of the "retouch rule."

Rule 2.00 specifies a retouch is the "act of a runner in returning to a base as legally required."
Rule 7.02, which establishes that a runner shall run the bases in order, also orders runners to retouch all bases in reverse order if forced to return to a base.
Finally, Rule 7.08(d) requires a runner to "retouch his base after a fair or foul ball is legally caught before he, or his base, is tagged by a fielder." If he fails to do so, the defensive team may appeal for an out.

Bucknor praised after call at 2nd.

With none out and one on in the top of the 8th inning of the Braves-Dodgers game, Braves batter Andrelton Simmons hit a fly ball to Dodgers center fielder Andre Ethier as baserunner R1 Jordan Schafer ran with the pitch before returning to first base. Unfortunately for Schafer, the adept CB Bucknor and Dodgers second baseman Skip Schumaker saw a violation of Rules 2.00 RETOUCH, 7.02 and 7.08(d) and, after appeal, Schafer was called out to complete the double play.

Replays indicate Schafer slid headfirst into second base, rounded and took two steps beyond second base towards third and then, realizing Ethier was about to catch the baseball, retreated to first base without first retouching second base, the out call on appeal was correct.

And so was Scully, who said:

Let's take a look and see. There's Schafer going into second, the Dodgers trying to double team him... Oh, he rounded second, you see that? He went in and actually took two steps beyond second base and then didn't touch second base going back to first, so that was a great call by the umpires, indeed.

Unfortunately, the video ends before Scully's recap of the play following the mid-inning commercial break:

Schafer lost where the ball was and forgot to retouch second on his way back to first... He said "I touched the bag," but he only touched it once; he should have touched it twice. Heads up play by Punto, Schumaker and the Dodgers. Plus, a very, very good call by CB Bucknor, the umpire at second base. They always get boo'd at, but boy that was a great call by the umpire to spot it. 

Meanwhile, Braves broadcaster Chip Caray had a different take: "They're going to say he didn't retag. They're going to call Schafer out for not retagging, you see he touched it, he slid and stood back up and stepped right back on the bag and came back to first. Now Dale Scott saying, 'you overslid and didn't retouch. You have to retouch the bag.'"

After viewing the tape, Caray admitted there was no retouch, crediting Punto-Schumaker with a "great play."

Dodgers radio analyst Rick Monday spotted it immediately: "The Dodgers need to make the appeal to second base, he went past the bag and didn't retouch it on the way back—he's out!"

In closing, Monday said what we all are constantly thinking: "I'm still amazed at how many players play this game and do not know the rules—and I'm talking about basic rules... Both Schumaker and Punto should get an award for supporting cast...I'm sorry, this is the major leagues—that's basic. I'm amazed. Again, Schafer did not know where the ball was. Once he got up, he turned and looked at his third base coach but took a step toward third base—well, that's in the interpretation, an 'advance,' but even if you overslide the bag, you have to come back and hit it on the way back." Added Charlie Steiner, "you have to retouch."

Video: Schafer fails to retouch 2nd while running in reverse order, LA appeals and CB bangs the out (LAD)
[Context: On Monday, the Dodgers middle infield deked Padres R1 Chris Denorfia on a fly ball to deep right field in the 9th, allowing RF Yasiel Puig to complete a game-ending double play, as called by HP Umpire Mark Wegner after making sure U2 Tim Timmons was not also making a call]

Injury: John Hirschbeck Struck in Wrist, Leaves for X-Rays

Plate umpire John Hirschbeck left the Marlins-Phillies game due to injury after being struck in the right wrist by a direct shot from Marlins pitcher AJ Ramos. With none out and none on in the bottom of the 7th inning,

Hirschbeck hit square in the wrist, leaves game.

Phillies batter Freddy Galvis attempted to check his swing on a 1-0 fastball, which zipped past Marlins catcher Miguel Olivo and struck Hirschbeck flush in the wrist. After being attended to by the Phillies training staff, Hirschbeck was forced to leave the game as 2B Umpire Jim Reynolds retreated to the umpires' dressing room to suit up and take over behind the plate.

Word on Hirschbeck's condition or x-ray results following the injury were not immediately available.

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 6/5/13
Video: Hirschbeck hit by pitch, leaves game (http://wapc.mlb.com/play/content_id=27761029)

Fake-to-Third: Reds Take Lead on First Regular Season Balk

The fake-to-third balk has finally happened in an MLB game at a high-stakes time. In a textbook situation for the move—one out, runners on first and third base—Rockies pitcher Edgmer Escalona stepped towards third

C Torrealba questions not the ump, but his pitcher

base and feigned a throw before wheeling to check the runner back to first, a move than in 2012 would have drawn no attention.

Instead, while broadcaster Thom Brenneman knowingly said, "you're not allowed to do that anymore," home plate umpire Gary Cederstrom uttered "that's a balk!" and calmly pointed to the infraction, signaling baserunner R3 Xavier Paul in to score. Even Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba gestured and yelled toward his pitcher, appearing quite cognizant of the new rule. Back on TV, Reds color commentator Chris Welsh provided his analysis of the play, saying what we were all thinking:

Well, it took longer into the season than I thought to finally see somebody who forgot that they changed the rule, no one told Edgmer Escalona. Up until this year, this move was permitted, it was not a balk. You fake to third, throw to first or not throw to first, but they took that rule off the books.

In Jan., fake-to-3rd was outlawed in part to speed up games (Popular Fake to 3rd Pickoff Move now Illegal).

Though the Escalona balk gave the Reds a 4-3 lead, the Colorado Rockies ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

Video: Escalona balks in violation of the newly revised OBR Rule 8.05(b) [it is a balk when—] (CIN)