MLB Ejections 111-112 - Mahrley (4-5; Anderson, La Russa)

HP Umpire Nick Mahrley ejected White Sox SS Tim Anderson and manager Tony La Russa (strike one call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Athletics-#WhiteSox game. With two out and none on, White Sox batter Anderson took a 0-0 fastball from A's pitcher Domingo Acevedo for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the midpoint (px -0.51, pz 3.47 [sz_top 3.36 / RAD 3.48 / MOE 3.57]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Athletics were leading, 5-3. The Athletics ultimately won the contest, 7-3.

These are Nick Mahrley (48)'s 4th and 5th ejections of 2022.

Nick Mahrley now has 10 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev + 2*[2 AAA + 2 Correct Call] = 10).

Crew Chief Laz Diaz now has 5 points in Crew Division (3 Previous + 2 Correct Call = 5).

*This pitch was located 1.2 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

These are the 111th and 112th ejection reports of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 37th player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Anderson was 1-3 (SO) in the contest.

This is the 59th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Chicago's 4-5th ejection of 2022, 1st in the AL Central (CWS 5; DET, KC 3; MIN 2; CLE 1).

This is Tim Anderson's 1st ejection since Sept 27, 2021 (Lance Barrett; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

This is Tony La Russa's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since July 4 (David Rackley; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Nick Mahrley's 4th ejection of 2022, 1st since May 9 (AJ Hinch; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs Chicago White Sox, 7/29/22 | Video as follows:

Ask the UEFL - Batted Ball Deflects Off Pitcher's Head

This quick Ask the UEFL came to us as a fairly simple question: "Is this an infield fly?" With one out and two on (R1, R2) in Cincinnati, Reds batter Donovan Solano hit a batted ball directly off Marlins pitcher Daniel Castano's head, the batted ball bouncing high in the air before settling into the glove of Reds third baseman Joey Wendle for the inning's second out. 

Stipulating that the pitcher's health is of greater importance than the play itself—especially when a concussion-inducing hit to the head is concerned—we were nonetheless asked about the rules implications of such an odd sequence as the ball remained live after the moment of injury.

Succinctly, this is not an infield fly—even though the ball careened high into the air and was caught at an angle similar to that of a fly ball. The definition of the term states, in part, "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." Because the batted ball can best be described as a line drive, it is therefore ineligible for the infield fly rule. The third baseman could have allowed the ball to fall untouched and all runners would have been forced to advance (this is not an intentional drop, either).

Finally, we note that if R1 or R2 wished to try and advance to their next base, they would not have to wait until the third baseman ultimately caught the ball, but instead could have legally left their bases the moment the ball first touched the pitcher. Although Official Baseball Rule 5.09(c)(1) states: "Any runner shall be called out on appeal when—after a fly ball is caught, they fail to retouch their original base before they or their base is tagged," the definition of catch prevails because it directly addresses the concept of touch-without-catch: "Runners may leave their bases the instant the first fielder touches the ball."

Video as follows:

Quickie - A Pocket Full of Nothing and the Hanging Tag

When Replay Review overturned a close play at the plate from safe-to-out, HQ's umpire relied on the slimmest of margin's—catcher Salvador Perez's tag of runner Tony Kemp's hanging pocket—to rule an out.

For this particular play, HP Umpire Alex MacKay works the wedge, staying on the catcher's foul-facing hip to see Perez's tag attempt, initially calling baserunner Kemp safe.

However, Replay upon review determined that Perez's mitt tagged the lining of Kemp's back pocket, which was turned inside out as he ran the bases.

To do so, Replay relied on the definitions of TAG and TOUCH which specify that a tag shall be considered legal if any part of the uniform is touched by the fielder's glove (not including its laces). Furthermore, Official Baseball Rule 5.05(b)(2) states a touch has not occurred if the ball (or, in this case, glove/mitt) "only touches any jewelry being worn by a player," similar in vein to the TAG definition stating "not including hanging laces alone" and "For purposes of this definition any jewelry being worn by a player (e.g., necklaces, bracelets, etc.) shall not constitute a part of the player’s body."

Finally, TOUCH is defined as follows: "To touch a player or umpire is to touch any part of their body, or any uniform or equipment worn by them (but not any jewelry (e.g., necklaces, bracelets, etc.) worn by a player)."

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 110 - Alan Porter (1; Phil Nevin)

HP Umpire Alan Porter ejected Angels interim manager Phil Nevin (check swing call by 1B Umpire John Bacon) in the top of the 5th inning of the #Angels-#Braves game. In the 4th, with two out and one on, Braves batter Austin Riley attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 fastball from Angels pitcher Austin Warren, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Porter and affirmed as no swing on appeal by 1B Umpire Bacon; Nevin was ejected in the 5th inning after Angels batter Shohei Ohtani hit a home run. This play was reviewed and adjudicated by the UEFL Appeals Board, the call was incorrect (0-6). At the time of the ejection, the Braves were leading, 7-2. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 7-2.

This is Alan Porter (64)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

Alan Porter now has 3 points in the UEFL Standings (3 Prev + 2 MLB - 2 Incorrect-Crewmate = 3).

Crew Chief Mark Wegner now has 4 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 4).

This is the 110th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 58th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Los Angeles' 9th ejection of 2022, 1st in the AL West (LAA 9; SEA 7; HOU 6; OAK 4; TEX 0).

This is Phil Nevin's 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since June 26 (John Bacon; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

This is Alan Porter's 1st ejection since August 18, 2021 (Nolan Arenado; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Angels of Carmen San Diego vs Atlanta Braves, 7/23/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 109 - CB Bucknor (2; David Ross)

HP Umpire CB Bucknor ejected Cubs manager David Ross (strike three call; QOCN) in the top of the 10th inning of the #Cubs-#Phillies game. With none out and one on (R2), Cubs batter Patrick Wisdom took a 1-2 cutter from Phillies pitcher Jose Alvarado for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and above the midpoint (px -0.14, pz 3.57 [sz_top 3.35 / RAD 3.47 / MOE 3.55]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Cubs ultimately won the contest 6-2, in 10 innings.

This is CB Bucknor (54)'s 2nd ejection of 2022.

CB Bucknor now has 2 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 2).

Crew Chief Jeff Nelson now has 2 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 2).

*This pitch was located 0.24 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 109th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 57th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Chicago's 8th ejection of 2022, 1st in the NL Central (CHC 8; STL 4; PIT 3; CIN, MIL 2).

This is David Ross' 5th ejection of 2022, 1st since July 16 (Ramon De Jesus; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is CB Bucknor's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since May 18 (Joe Maddon; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs Philadelphia Phillies, 7/23/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 108 - Ryan Additon (2; Oliver Marmol)

HP Umpire Ryan Additon ejected Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Cardinals-#Reds game. With one out and none on, Cardinals batter Brendan Donovan took a 0-2 fastball from Reds pitcher Ian Gibaut for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.77, pz 1.87 [sz_bot 1.54 / RAD 1.42 / MOE 1.33]) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 9-4. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 9-5.

This is Ryan Additon (67)'s 2nd ejection of 2022.

Ryan Additon now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 8).

Mark Carlson now has 6 points in Crew Division (5 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 6).

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 1.73 horizontal and 6.48 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 108th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 56th manager ejection of 2022.

This is St Louis' 4th ejection of 2022, 2nd in the NL Central (CHC 7; STL 4; PIT 3; CIN, MIL 2).

This is Oliver Marmol's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since June 4 (Bruce Dreckman; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ryan Additon's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since May 20 (Willson Contreras; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: St Louis Cardinals vs Cincinnati Reds, 7/22/22 | Video as follows:

Celebrity Ejection 001 - Trevor D (1; Bryan Cranston)

HP Umpire Trevor Dannegger ejected Los Angeles batter Bryan Cranston (strike three call; QOCU) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Brooklyn-#Dodgers game. With one out and one on (R1), Cranston took a 1-2 lob from Brooklyn pitcher Jennie Finch for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located somewhere in the vicinity of the inside edge of home plate and ankle-to-shoulder high, the call was irrecusable. After striking out, Cranston kicked dirt on Dannegger but was not ejected. Upon subsequently throwing a bucket of gum on Dannegger, Cranston was ejected from the game. At the time of the ejection, Brooklyn was leading, 15-13. Brooklyn ultimately won the contest, 15-13.

This is Trevor Dannegger's 1st ejection of the 2022 All-Star Season.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 107 - Ron Kulpa (1; Jesus Aguilar)

HP Umpire Ron Kulpa ejected Marlins DH Jesus Aguilar (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the #Phillies-#Marlins game. With none out and none on, Marlins batter Aguilar took a 0-2 fastball from Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px 0.85, pz 2.44) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 4-0.

This is Ron Kulpa (46)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

Ron Kulpa now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).

Crew Chief Ron Kulpa now has 3 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 3).

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 0.77 horizontal inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

This is the 107th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 36th player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Aguilar was 0-1 (SO) in the contest.

This is Miami's 8th ejection of 2022, 1st in the NL East (MIA 8; WAS 4; PHI 2; ATL, NYM 1).

This is Jesus Aguilar's 1st ejection since August 21, 2019 (John Libka; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ron Kulpa's 1st ejection since July 25, 2021 (Mike Shildt; QOC = N [Replay Review Denial]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs. Miami Marlins, 7/17/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 106 - John Tumpane (3; Ian Happ)

HP Umpire John Tumpane ejected Cubs batter Ian Happ (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the #Mets-#Cubs game. With none out and none on, Cubs batter Happ took a 2-2 fastball from Mets pitcher Max Scherzer for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.81, pz 1.54 [sz_bot 1.64 / RAD 1.52 / MOE 1.43]) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 4-3, in 10 innings.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s 3rd ejection of 2022.

John Tumpane now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 8).

Crew Chief Marvin Hudson now has 6 points in Crew Division (5 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 6).

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 1.25 horizontal and 1.32 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 106th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 35th player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Happ was 0-2 (SO) in the contest.

This is Chicago's 7th ejection of 2022, 1st in the NL Central (CHC 7; PIT, STL 3; CIN, MIL 2).

This is Ian Happ's 1st ejection since August 24, 2019 (Vic Carapazza; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is John Tumpane's 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since July 14 (David Ross; QOC = N [Balk No-Call]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs. Chicago Cubs (Doubleheader Game 2), 7/16/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 105 - John Bacon (7; Mike Matheny)

HP Umpire John Bacon ejected Royals manager Mike Matheny (batter's interference out call; QOCY) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Royals-#BlueJays game. With two out and two on (R1, R2), Royals batter Michael Massey swung at and missed a 2-0 cutter from Blue Jays pitcher David Phelps as catcher Danny Jansen attempted to throw to second base to play on Royals baserunner R2 Edward Olivares, ruled interference by HP Umpire Bacon as batter Massey stepped across home plate as Jansen threw. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 6-5, in 10 innings.

This is John Bacon (70)'s 7th ejection of 2022.

John Bacon now has 14 points in the the UEFL Standings (10 Previous + 2 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 14).

Crew Chief Brian O'Nora now has 1 point in Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).

*Official Baseball Rule 6.03(a)(3): "A batter is out for illegal action when—they interfere with the catcher's fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter's box or making any other movement that hinders the catcher's play at home plate...If the batter interferes with the catcher, the plate umpire shall call 'interference.' The batter is out and the ball dead."

This is the 105th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 55th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Kansas City's 3rd ejection of 2022, T-1st in the AL Central (CWS, DET, KC 3; MIN 2; CLE 1).

This is Mike Matheny's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since April 29 (Manny Gonzalez; QOC = Y [Out Call]).

This is John Bacon's 7th ejection of 2022, 1st since June 26 (Raisel Iglesias; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals of Missouri vs. Toronto Blue Jays of Ontario, 7/16/22 | Video as follows: