MLB Ejections 005-6 - Laz Diaz (1-2; ARI x2)

1B Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly and manager Torey Lovullo (check swing ball four call to Tyler O'Neill) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Orioles-#Diamondbacks game. With none out and one on, Orioles batter O'Neill attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 slider from Diamondbacks pitcher Kelly, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Brian O'Nora and affirmed as no swing on appeal by 1B Umpire Diaz. At the time of the ejection, the D-backs were leading, 4-2. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

These are Laz Diaz (63)'s 1st and 2nd ejections of 2025.

These are the 5th and 6th ejection reports of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 3rd player ejection of 2025.

This is the 2nd manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 2 Managers, 1 Coach, 3 Players.

This is Arizona's 1/2nd ejection of 2025, 1st in the NL West (ARI 2; COL, LAD, SD, SF 0).

This is Merrill Kelly's 1st ejection since May 15, 2023 (Brock Ballou; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Torey Lovullo's 1st ejection since July 22, 2024 (Jordan Baker; QOC = U [Warnings]).

This is Laz Diaz's 1st ejection since August 4, 2024 (Kevin Gausman; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs Arizona Diamondbacks, 4/8/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 004 - Rob Drake (1; Christopher Morel)

HP Umpire Rob Drake ejected Rays LF Christopher Morel (strike two call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Angels-#Rays game. With one out and one on, Rays batter Morel took a 3-1 fastball from Angels pitcher Brock Burke for a called second strike, before striking out swinging on the next pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px 0.86, pz 2.55), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Rob Drake (8)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

*This pitch was located 0.65 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 4th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 2nd player ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 1 Managers, 1 Coach, 2 Players.

This is Tampa Bay's 1st ejection of 2024, 1st in the AL East (TB 1; BAL, BOS, NYY, TOR 0).

This is Christopher Morel's 1st ejection since August 7, 2023 (Ramon De Jesus; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Rob Drake's 1st ejection since July 26, 2024 (Kevin Long; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles vs Tampa Bay Rays, 4/8/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 003 - Nic Lentz (1; Rocco Baldelli)

HP Umpire Nic Lentz ejected Twins manager Rocco Baldelli (pitch clock violation ball four call that was actually a quick pitch; QOCY) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Twins-#Royals game. With two out and none on, Royals batter Jonathan India prepared for a 3-2 pitch from Twins pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson, who motioned to his PitchCom system to indicate a potential malfunction before re-engaging and rushing a delivery prior to the expiration of the pitch timer, resulting in a violation call by HP Umpire Lentz. Replays indicate the pitcher timer appeared to show two seconds remaining when Woods Richardson re-engaged and began his rushed delivery, while the batter was not reasonably set after the pitcher's disengagement seconds earlier, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 4-1. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is Nic Lentz (59)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(5): "A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpires will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter’s box. With runners on base the penalty is a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous and should not be permitted."

OBR Definition: "An ILLEGAL PITCH is (1) a pitch delivered to the batter when the pitcher does not have his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate; (2) a quick return pitch. An illegal pitch when runners are on base is a balk."

OBR Definition: "A QUICK RETURN pitch is one made with obvious intent to catch a batter off balance. It is an illegal pitch."

This is the 3rd ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 1st manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 1 Managers, 1 Coach, 1 Players.

This is Minnesota's 1st ejection of 2025, 1st in the AL Central (MIN 1; CWS, CLE, DET, KC 0).

This is Rocco Baldelli's 1st ejection since August 25, 2023 (Carlos Torres; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Nic Lentz's 1st ejection since August 13, 2023 (Oscar Marin; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals, 4/7/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 002 - CB Bucknor (1; Kris Bryant)

HP Umpire CB Bucknor ejected Rockies DH Kris Bryant (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Athletics-#Rockies game. With one out and two on, Rockies batter Bryant took a 2-2 sinker from A's pitcher TJ McFarland for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at of the hollow of the knee (px -0.41, pz 1.51 [sz_bot 1.70 / RAD 1.57 / MOE 1.49]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rockies were leading, 12-4. The Rockies ultimately won the contest, 12-5.

This is CB Bucknor (54)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

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

This is the 2nd ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 1st player ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 0 Managers, 1 Coach, 1 Players.

This is Colorado's 1st ejection of 2024, 1st in the NL West (COL 1; ARI, LAD, SD, SF 0).

This is Kris Bryant's 1st ejection since September 20, 2023 (Brian Knight; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is CB Bucknor's 1st ejection since September 2, 2023 (Kevin Cash; QOC = N [Pitch Clock]).

Wrap: Oakland-ish Athletics vs Colorado Rockies, 4/6/24 | There is no video for this ejection.

Pitcher Declares Windup, But Stops in Set...That's a Balk

Fresh into the Padres-Cubs game as a relief pitcher in a mutually disastrous first inning, San Diego pitcher Logan Gillaspie added to the carnage by immediately balking twice, with 3B Umpire Nate Tomlinson calling the crew in for consultation after just two pitches.

At issue was pitcher Gillaspie declaring to HP Umpire Mark Wegner his intention to pitch from Windup Position, which ordinarily grants the pitcher one step back before a second step forward, upon which the pitcher releases the ball.

Instead, Gillaspie took his first step back, but then brought both feet together, as in Set Position, stopping on the rubber, before restarting the motion and delivering the ball to the batter. Did Gillaspie change his mind about Windup vs Set and just not tell anyone?

Chicago's dugout cried foul, leading to Tomlinson's intervention and the crew's determination that Gillaspie had balked by stopping mid-delivery.

Official Baseball Rule 5.07(a)(1) defines Windup Position: "The pitcher shall stand facing the batter, their pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate and the other foot free. From this position any natural movement associated with their delivery of the ball to the batter commits their to the pitch without interruption or alteration. They shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in their actual delivery of the ball to the batter, they may take one step backward, and one step forward with their free foot."

Because Gillaspie pitching from Windup interrupted his motion by stopping, this is a start-stop balk, as in OBR 6.01(a)(1), "If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher, while touching their plate, makes any motion naturally associated with their pitch and fails to make such delivery," and (5), "...makes an illegal pitch."

Video as follows:

Balk or Ball, What's the Call? Slip vs Pitch Review

After slipping on the mound during his delivery, Mets pitcher AJ Minter was called for a balk by HP Umpire Bruce Dreckman, even though he released the ball, resulting in a brief discussion with manager Carlos Mendoza and a broadcast booth debate: balk or ball, what's the call?

With one out and a runner on second base in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Mets-Marlins game, New York pitcher Minter slipped during his 0-1 delivery to Marlins batter Otto Lopez, releasing the ball mid-fall, which was ultimately scooped up by the catcher.

HP Umpire Dreckman then called a balk pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(11), which states, "If there is a runner, or runners, is a balk when the pitcher, while touching their plate, accidentally or intentionally has the ball slip or fall out of their hand or glove."

Although New York argued that it should be deemed a legal pitch, since Minter released the ball toward home plate during his delivery (as opposed to simply dropping the ball from Set Position but before delivery), the MLB Umpire Manual instructs officials to nonetheless call a balk in this situation, because the ball did not make it to the foul line before being picked up by the catcher.

MLBUM's interpretation of this balk rule states, "A pitched ball that slips out of the pitcher’s hand and crosses the foul line shall be called a ball; otherwise it will be called no pitch. If the ball does not cross the foul line, this would be a balk with runner(s) on base."

Accordingly, this is a balk and as we know, you can't just be up there and just doin' a balk like that.

Video as follows:

No, You Can't Hug Manny Machado - Interference at 3B

Hugging Padres 3B Manny Machado turned into an interference-aided double play for Guardians baserunner Gabriel Arias, as 3B Umpire John Bacon ruled that Arias prevented Machado from making a potential play on trailing Cleveland runner Austin Hedges.

With none out and runners on first and second base (R1, R2), Guardians runner R2 Arias took off for third base, drawing a throw from Padres pitcher Kyle Hart to Machado, who waited to tag Arias. But instead of giving himself up, Arias wrapped up Machado, who mimed a fake throw to second base where following runner Hedges was advancing.

Umpire Bacon, ruling that Arias' actions prevented Machado from making a potential play on another runner, ruled now-retired baserunner Arias guilty of interference pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(5): "Any batter or runner who has just been put out, or any runner who has just scored, hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of their teammate."

Broadcasters also erroneously alleged that pitcher Hart balked in making his initial throw to third base, which was unoccupied to begin the play, and without first disengaging the rubber. 

While a pitcher is generally prohibited from throwing to an unoccupied base from the rubber, OBR 6.02(a)(4) makes one key exception that is relevant here: "If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher, while touching their plate, throws, or feints a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play."

Because R2 Arias was attempting to advance to third base, Hart's throw to third qualifies for the purpose-of-making-a-play exception to the balk rule and is therefore legal.

Video as follows:

Equipment Check! Are Torpedo Bats Legal?

You asked us if the torpedo bats several Yankees players started using this season are legal, so we turned to Official Baseball Rule 3.02—the bat rule—to figure out the answer.

Torpedo bats differ from standard wooden bats in several ways: first, the barrel of the bat, which retains a somewhat similar length to the standard's barrel, is shifted several inches up the bat, toward the knob/handle side. This, in turn, means the end of the barrel on a torpedo bat does not correspond with the end of the bat itself, as is the case on many standard bats. Instead, the barrel ends a few inches from the end, and the bat's thickness thins slightly past the barrel toward the end. In turn, there is no indented cup on a torpedo bat, as there would be on a standard bat (for force dissipation purposes).

OBR 3.02 is comprised of three provisions, so we began with part (a), which states, "The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2.61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood."

The torpedo bat changes the standard bat shape by shifting the barrel toward the handle, but does not change the barrel's thickness nor the overall bat's total length. Therefore, provision (a) is satisfied.

OBR 3.02(b) states, "Cupped Bats. An indentation in the end of the bat up to 1¼ inches in depth is permitted and may be no wider than two inches and no less than one inch in diameter. The indentation must be curved with no foreign substance added."

Due to its shifted barrel design, the torpedo bat general has no indented cup, which, because 3.02(b) permits intendtation, but does not require it, does not apply.

OBR 3.02(c) states, "The bat handle, for not more than 18 inches from its end, may be covered or treated with any material or substance to improve the grip. Any such material or substance that extends past the 18-inch limitation shall cause the bat to be removed from the game."

Finally, because a torpedo bat does not alter the standard handle length, provision (c) is also satisfied.

Accordingly, we find a torpedo bat is indeed legal. | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 001 - Brennan Miller (1; Rickie Weeks)

HP Umpire Brennan Miller ejected Brewers associate manager Rickie Weeks (ball one call; QOCY) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Royals-#Brewers game. With none out and one on, Royals batter Hunter Renfroe took a 0-2 slider from Brewers pitcher Elvis Peguero for a called first ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.82, pz 1.64 [sz_bot 1.65 / RAD 1.53]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 5-0. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 11-1.

This is Brennan Miller (55)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

This is the 1st ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 1st coach ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 0 Managers, 1 Coach, 0 Players.

This is Milwaukee's 1st ejection of 2025, 1st in the NL Central (MIL 1; CHC, CIN, PIT, STL 0).

This is Rickie Weeks' 1st ejection since July 4, 2010 (John Hirschbeck; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Brennan Miller's 1st ejection since Sept 17, 2024 (Jose Altuve; QOC = N [Fair/Foul]).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals vs Milwaukee Brewers, 3/31/25 | Video as follows:

Out of Base Path Call Against M's Solano Ends Game

Umpire Stu Scheurwater's out of the base path call against Seattle batter-runner Donovan Solano ended the A's-Mariners game as Stu ruled that Solano ran more than three feet from his established base path to avoid first baseman Tyler Soderstrom's tag. Did he?

Out of the base path calls near first base are one of the only instances in which painted lines on the baseball field are helpful for adjudication. This is because the distance from the foul line to the lane line along the first baseline is exactly three feet, by rule.

To review, out of the base path is as follows: "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" (Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(1)).

While the runner's lane interference rule, as pertains to the physical markings on the ground, states: "The chalk lines marking the threefoot lane are a part of that lane and a batter-runner is required to have both feet within the three-foot lane" (OBR 5.09(a)(11)).

So although the runner's lane rule itself bears no relevance to this tag play at first base, because Solano was positioned on the fair territory side of the runner's lane at the beginning of F3 Soderstrom's tag attempt, and because Solano then ran onto the foul territory side of the runner's lane, we know that Solano must have run more than three feet from his base path to avoid the tag, and, thus, is out of the base path.

Video as follows: