MLB Ejection 158 - Will Little (5; Trea Turner)

HP Umpire Will Little ejected Phillies SS Trea Turner (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Orioles-#Phillies game. With two out and one on, Turner took a 1-2 sinker from Orioles pitcher Dean Kremer for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px 0.18, pz 1.53 [sz_bot 1.63 / RAD 1.51]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1 .The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Will Little (93)'s 5th ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 1.20 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 158th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 66th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 72 Managers, 66 Players, 20 Coaches.

This is Philadelphia's 8th ejection of 2023, 2nd in the NL East (MIA 10; PHI 8; NYM 6; WAS 3; ATL 1).

This is Trea Turner's 1st ejection since Sept 8, 2019 (Mike Estabrook; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Will Little's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since May 23 (Oliver Marmol; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs Philadelphia Phillies, 7/24/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 157 - Andy Fletcher (2; Yuli Gurriel)

HP Umpire Andy Fletcher ejected Marlins 1B Yuli Gurriel (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Rockies-#Marlins game. With none out and none on, Gurriel took a 1-2 sinker from Rockies pitcher Justin Lawrence for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px 0.67, pz 1.83 [sz_bot 1.65 / RAD 1.53]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 2-2. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Andy Fletcher (49)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 2.89 horizontal and 4.60 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 157th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 65th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 72 Managers, 65 Players, 20 Coaches.

This is Miami's 10th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL East (MIA 10; PHI 7; NYM 6; WAS 3; ATL 1).

This is Yuli Gurriel's 1st ejection since June 18, 2017 (Greg Gibson; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Andy Fletcher's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since July 4 (Mike Napoli; QOC = Y-c [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Colorado Rockies vs Miami Marlins, 7/23/23 | Video as follows:

Why Was This Ball Called Fair in New York?

After HP Umpire Lance Barrett signaled fair when Yankees third baseman DJ LeMahieu swiped his glove at Royals batter Bobby Witt Jr's bunt, New York seemed perplexed by the lack of a foul ball call. 

To solve this riddle, we must first consult the rulebook definition for "Fair Ball"—

"A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first, second or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first base or third base, or that, while on or over fair territory touches the person of an umpire or player, or that, while over fair territory, passes out of the playing field in flight."

Within this wordy definition appear two criteria for determining whether a ball is fair or foul: in some cases, the ball must be on fair territory/ground in order to be considered fair whereas, in others, the ball may be either on or over fair territory/ground.

For example, a fly ball to left field must first fall on fair territory. But notice that for the Royals-Yankees play—fielder LeMahieu physically touching the ball prior to first or third base—the ball may be either on or over fair territory when touched in order to be deemed fair.

Thus, even though the ball itself was in contact (or on) with foul territory, part of the baseball's sphere was positioned over fair territory when first touched by LeMahieu, and, thus, the ball was ruled fair.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 156 - Vic Carapazza (4; Jarret DeHart)

3B Umpire Vic Carapazza ejected Mariners hitting coach Jarret DeHart (check swing strike three call on Mike Ford by HP Umpire Emil Jimenez) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #BlueJays-#Mariners game. With two out and one on, Ford attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 curveball from Blue Jays pitcher Yimi García, ruled a swinging strike by HP Umpire Emil Jimenez. At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 9-7. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 9-8.

This is Vic Carapazza (19)'s 4th ejection of 2023.

This is the 156th ejection of 2023.

This is the 20th coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 72 Managers, 64 Players, 20 Coaches.

This is Seattle's 7th ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL West (OAK, SEA 7; LAA, TEX 6; HOU 3).

This is Jarret DeHart's first career MLB ejection.

This is Vic Carapazza's 4th ejection of 2023, 1st since June 12 (Josh Rojas; QOC = U [USC-NEC]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs Seattle Mariners, 7/22/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 155 - Cory Blaser (1; Oliver Marmol)

HP Umpire Cory Blaser ejected Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (strike one call to Nolan Arenado; QOC) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Cardinals-#Cubs game. With two out and the bases loaded, Arenado took a 0-0 slider from Cubs pitcher Daniel Palencia for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.24, pz 1.48 [sz_bot 1.65 / RAD 1.53 / MOE 1.45]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 5-5. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 8-6.

This is Cory Blaser (89)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 0.36 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

Related Post: MLB Ejection 154 - Ron Kulpa (3; Alec Burleson) (7/21/23).

This is the 155th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 72nd manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 72 Managers, 64 Players, 19 Coaches.

This is St Louis' 8th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL Central (STL 8; MIL 7; CHC, CIN 6; PIT 5).

This is Oliver Marmol's 4th ejection of 2023, 1st since May 23 (Will Little; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Cory Blaser's 1st ejection since August 16, 2022 (Torey Lovullo; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: St Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs, 7/22/23 | Video as follows:

Angel Hernandez Rehab Tour Begins in Charlotte

Injured Major League umpire Angel Hernandez worked his first rehab assignment in Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, calling the Redbirds-Knights minor league game at third base as he works his way back to MLB.

Hernandez joined Anthony Perez, Reed Basner, and James Jean for a crew of four. This is standard procedure for a medium-to-long term umpire injury, to test out how the umpire feels physically and get things back to speed. If all the checkboxes pass muster, just a few rehab games are needed before the umpire will return to the major leagues.

Also rehabbing in Charlotte was White Sox injured list third baseman Yoán Moncada as both baseball personnel work on returning to their respective MLB roles.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 154 - Ron Kulpa (3; Alec Burleson)

HP Umpire Ron Kulpa ejected Cardinals PH Alec Burleson (strikes one and two calls; QOCN) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Cardinals-#Cubs game. With one out and the bases loaded, Burleson took a 3-0 sinker from Cubs pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. for a called first strike followed by a 3-1 cutter from Leiter for a called second strike before grounding into an inning-ending double play. Replays indicate the pitch ruled strike one was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.88, pz 2.87) while the pitch ruled strike two was located off the outer edge of home plate and above the knee (-1.09, pz 2.10), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Cubs were leading, 4-3. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Ron Kulpa (46)'s 3rd ejection of 2023.

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

Strike one was located 0.41 and strike two was located 2.11 horizontal inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 154th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 64th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 71 Managers, 64 Players, 19 Coaches.

This is St Louis' 7th ejection of 2023, T-1st in the NL Central (MIL, STL 7; CHC, CIN 6; PIT 5).

This is Alec Burleson's first career MLB ejection.

This is Ron Kulpa's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since June 28 (Buck Showalter; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

Wrap: St Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs, 7/21/23 | Video as follows:

Ask CCS - Outfielder Drops Ball Over Wall - HR or Out?

Oklahoma City Dodgers batter Devin Mann hit an unusual home run against the Sacramento River Cats when his fly ball to left-center field was transported over the bullpen wall, courtesy of River Cats center fielder Bryce Johnson, ruled a home run by 1B Umpire Mike Rains.

The question of whether the fielder should have been credited with an out (catch) or not rests in the rulebook's definition of the term itself, which may be found both in Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(1) ["a batter is out when their fair or foul fly ball is legally caught by a fielder"] as well as the definition of terms glossary.

The rule defines a catch as "the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in their hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it; providing they do not use their cap, protector, pocket or any other part of their uniform in getting possession. It is not a catch, however, if simultaneously or immediately following their contact with the ball, they collide with a player, or with a wall, or if they fall down, and as a result of such collision or falling, drop the ball..."

Replays indicate center fielder Johnson, following his contact with the ball, collided with the wall and as a result of such collision, dropped the ball over the fence and out of play for a home run. To further drive the point home, we continue with the catch definition: "...In establishing the validity of the catch, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove that they have complete control of the ball and that their release of the ball is voluntary and intentional."

One would thus surmise the player's release of the ball was not voluntary nor intentional. As a result of these criteria not being satisfied, the play therefore should not be ruled a catch and, instead, should be deemed a home run. (We can't have a catch & carry here, either, as this was not a catch in the first place.)

Related Post: Aaron Judge's Bullpen Crashing Catch & Carry (6/4/23).

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 153 - Adam Hamari (4; Mark Kotsay)

HP Umpire Adam Hamari ejected A's manager Mark Kotsay (out of the base path call on Tony Kemp; QOCY) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the #RedSox-#Athletics game. With one out and one on (R3 Kemp), Red Sox pitcher Joe Jacques' 1-0 sinker to A's batter Jordan Diaz bounced off of Red Sox catcher Jorge Alfaro's mitt into foul territory along the left field side. A's R3 Kemp ran toward home plate as Alfaro recovered the ball and dove in an attempt to tag Kemp, who jumped to avoid the tag, ruled out of the base path by HP Umpire Hamari. Replays indicate R3 Kemp ran more than three feet from his established base path (direct line from runner to base established when tag attempt begins), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The A's ultimately won the contest, 3-0.

This is Adam Hamari (78)'s

History: MLB Ejection 018 - Adam Hamari (2; Mark Kotsay) (4/19/23).

Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(1): "Any runner is out when they run more than three feet away from their base path to avoid being tagged unless their action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball. A runner’s base path is established when the tag attempt occurs and is a straight line from the runner to the base they are attempting to reach safely."

This is the 153rd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 71st manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 71 Managers, 63 Players, 19 Coaches.

This is Oakland's 7th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL West (OAK 7; LAA, SEA, TEX 6; HOU 3).

This is Mark Kotsay's 4th ejection of 2023, 1st since June 5 (Jansen Visconti; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Adam Hamari's 4th ejection of 2023, 1st since May 20 (Jesse Winker; QOC = Y [Pitch Clock]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs Oakland Athletics, 7/18/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 152 - Malachi Moore (3; Pete Walker)

HP Umpire Malachi Moore ejected Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker (ball two call; QOCN) in the top of the 2nd inning of the #Padres-#BlueJays game. With two out and none on, Padres batter Trent Grisham took a 1-2 sinker from Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah for a called second ball before walking later in the at-bat. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and at the midpoint (px 0.11, pz 3.43 [sz_top 3.39 / RAD 3.51 / MOE 3.44]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Padres were leading, 2-1. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 9-1.

This is Malachi Moore (44)'s 3rd ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 0.12 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 152nd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 19th coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 70 Managers, 63 Players, 19 Coaches.

This is Toronto's 3rd ejection of 2023, T-4th in the AL East (NYY 7; BAL 5; BOS 4; TB, TOR 3).

This is Pete Walker's 1st ejection since June 21, 2022 (Doug Eddings (QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Malachi Moore's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 10 (Brandon Hyde; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: San Diego Padres vs Toronto Blue Jays, 7/18/23 | Video as follows: