Group Case Play 2013-10: An Unsportsmanlike Home Run

A bench clearing brawl in Atlanta between the Brewers and Braves inspires Group Case Play 2013-10: An Unsportsmanlike Home Run. With one out and none on, batter Carlos Gomez hits a home run. While

Conclusive evidence: B1 doesn't go home.

jogging around the bases, he and several opponents engage in unsportsmanlike conduct such that opposing player Freddie Freeman, Gerald Laird and Gomez himself are ejected by HP Umpire Paul Nauert and 1B Umpire Doug Eddings (2B Umpire Angel Hernandez, 3B Umpire and Crew Chief Dana DeMuth). Upon the final leg of Gomez's 360-foot journey around the bases, he is confronted by catcher Brian McCann; he responds with unsporting actions of his own and the benches clear, resulting in a brawl, Gomez having to be restrained by teammates before being ushered back to the dugout and into the clubhouse. Batter Gomez never touches home plate, but the Braves do not appeal as the scoreboard changes from 0-0 to 1-0, Milwaukee.

Question: What's the call? Should HP Umpire Paul Nauert rule Gomez out for failing to touch home plate or otherwise deviating from his attempt to advance—if so, does this require an appeal? What rules apply?

This Case Play is of the Group variety and expires at the final out of the final game of the season on Sunday (still expires at the conclusion of play Sunday even if a tiebreaker game results).

Related Post: MLB Ejections 177, 178, 179: Eddings, Nauert (3, 4; 3)
Video: Multiple broadcasts of the bench-clearing brawl confirming Gomez did not touch home plate (Must C)

MLB Ejections 177, 178, 179: Eddings, Nauert (3, 4; 3)

1B Umpire Doug Eddings ejected Braves C Gerald Laird and 1B Freddie Freeman and HP Umpire Paul Nauert ejected Brewers CF Carlos Gomez for fighting (Unsportsmanlike-NEC) in the top of the 1st inning of

A massive fight in Atlanta after 1st inning HR.

the Brewers-Braves game. With one out and none on, Gomez hit a 0-1 changeup from Braves pitcher Paul Maholm to left center field for a solo home run. Replays indicate after hitting the ball and while rounding the bases, Gomez became engaged in unsporting behavior with members of the Braves, including Freeman and bench player Laird, resulting in a bench clearing incident, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Brewers were leading, 1-0. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 4-0.

These are Doug Eddings (88)'s third and fourth ejections of 2013.

This is Paul Nauert (39)'s third ejection of 2013.

Doug Eddings now has 12 points in the UEFL (8 Previous + 2*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call] = 12).

Paul Nauert now has 10 points in the UEFL (8 Previous + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 10).

Crew Chief Dana DeMuth now has 14 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (11 Previous + 3 Irrecusable = 14).

These are the 177th, 178th and 179th ejections of the 2013 MLB season.

These are the 80th, 81st and 82nd player ejections of 2013.

Prior to ejection, only Gomez registered a plate appearance and was 1-1 with a HR.

This the Braves' 12/13th ejection of 2013, 1st in the NL East (ATL 13; WAS 9; NYM 6; PHI 4; MIA 2).

This is the Brewers' 4th ejection of 2013, 4th in the NL Central (PIT 9; CHC 7; STL 6; MIL 4; CIN 0).

This is Gerald Laird's 2nd ejection of 2013 and first since July 5 (Angel Hernandez; QOC = Correct).

This is Freddie Freeman's 1st ejection of 2013, first since Oct 2, 2012 (Jeff Nelson; QOC = Incorrect).

This is Carlos Gomez's 1st ejection of 2013, first since Aug 11, 2012 (Gary Darling; QOC = Correct).

This is Doug Eddings' first ejection since August 15, 2013 (Bob Melvin; QOC = Correct).

This is Paul Nauert's first ejection since August 24, 2013 (Justin Upton; QOC = Correct).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Atlanta Braves, 9/25/13

Video: Gomez hits a 1st inn homer, unraveling a chain of unsporting events; McCann confronts Gomez (MIL)
Video: Compilation of the AB, including pre-homer grumbling & post-HR trash talking (MLB Must C)

MLB Ejection 176: Angel Hernandez (5; Fredi Gonzalez)

HP Umpire Angel Hernandez ejected Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez for arguing a hit by pitch no call (dead ball [ball]) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Brewers-Braves game. With one on and two out, Braves batter

Angel calls Janish back, ruling no attempt to avoid.

Paul Janish took a 0-0 fastball from Brewers pitcher Marco Estrada for a dead ball (ball). Replays indicate the pitch, which hit Janish in the left thigh/knee, was located off the inner edge of home plate and that Janish appeared to make no attempt to get out of the way of the pitched ball, the call was correct. Rule 6.08(b) states the batter is entitled to first base without liability to be put out on a hit by pitch, except when "(2) the batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball." At the time of the ejection, the Brewers were leading, 3-0. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 5-0.

This is Angel Hernandez (55)'s fifth ejection of 2013.
Angel Hernandez now has 14 points in the UEFL (10 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 14).
Crew Chief Dana DeMuth now has 11 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (10 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 11).

This is the 176th ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 84th Manager ejection of 2013.
This is the Braves' 11th ejection of 2013, 1st in the NL East (ATL 11; WAS 9; NYM 6; PHI 4; MIA 2).
This is Fredi Gonzalez's 5th ejection of 2013 & first since September 18, 2013 (CB Bucknor; QOC = Correct).
This is Angel Hernandez's first ejection since July 5, 2013 (Gerald Laird, Fredi Gonzalez; QOC = Correct).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Atlanta Braves, 9/23/13
Video: Janish disallowed first after leaning into pitch, Gonzalez tossed arguing the proper decision (ATL)

MLB Ejections 175: Eric Cooper (2; Munenori Kawasaki)

1B Umpire Eric Cooper ejected Blue Jays DH Munenori Kawasaki for arguing an out call in the top of the 8th inning of the Blue Jays-Red Sox game. With one out and one on, Blue Jays batter Kawasaki hit a 2-2 fastball

Foot on base, ball in flight.

from Red Sox pitcher Ryan Dempster back to Dempster, deflected to second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who threw to first baseman Will Middlebrooks as Kawasaki arrived. Replays indicate Kawasaki's left foot contacted the first base bag prior to the ball entering Middlebrooks' glove, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 3-2. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is Eric Cooper (56)'s second ejection of 2013.
Eric Cooper now has -4 points in the UEFL (-2 + 2 MLB + -4 N = -4).
Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has 0 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (0 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 0).

This is the 175th ejections of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 79th player ejection of 2013. Prior to ejection, Kawasaki was 0-4 in the contest.
This is the Blue Jays' 13th ejection of 2013, 1st in MLB & AL East (TOR 13; BOS 9; TB 6; BAL 5; NYY 4).
This is Munenori Kawasaki's first career MLB ejection.
This is Eric Cooper's first ejection since June 14, 2013 (Elvis Andrus; QOC = Incorrect).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox, 9/21/13
Video: Cooper tosses Kawasaki for abuse of helmet equipment in protest of call at first base (TOR)

Solution for Case Play 2013-09: Whose Base is it Anyway?

The answer to Iassogna's double Case Play: Whose Base is it Anyway (2013-09) is now available below:

To refresh, with one out and two runners aboard (R1 Lawrie and R3 Reyes) in the Yankees-Blue Jays game, B1 Adam Lind hit a ground ball to F1 Kuroda, who threw to F2 Stewart as R3 Reyes attempted to return to third base. After the brief rundown, R3 dove back into third base as R1 Lawrie stepped on the bag. F2 Stewart threw the ball to F5 Reynolds, who tagged R1 before tagging R3 Reyes, resulting in 3B Umpire Dan Iassogna's double play call.

Answer, Lightning Case Play 2013-09
In responding to the scenario, the following rule was properly identified and referenced: OBR Rule 7.08(c), which states a runner is out when "he is tagged, when the ball is alive, while off his base."

Also introduced was Rule 7.03(a) - "Two runners may not occupy a base, but if, while the ball is alive, two runners are touching a base, the following runner shall be out when tagged and the preceding runner is entitled to the base, unless Rule 7.03(b) applies."

Rule 7.03(b) applies in the event of a force play situation, when the following runner is entitled to the base. We can stipulate 7.03(b) does not apply as this is not a force situation (R1's forced base is 2B/R3 none).

Entitlement to a base specifies a runner who has permission to touch a base (and be declared "safe" if tagged while on the base). In this situation, R3 is entitled to third base over R1 (priority entitlement); However, if R3 does not physically touch third base, R1 is entitled to it. Entitlement is not a binding action—it just means the runner is authorized to legally touch a base, if he so chooses. R1 loses entitlement if R3 touches 3B.

R1 is entitled to (touch) third base as long as R3 is not touching third base, but R3 is always entitled to 3B:

If R1 is not touching third base and R3 is not touching third base, then R1 & R3 are entitled to third base.

If R1 is touching third base, but R3 is not touching third base, then R1 & R3 are entitled to third base.

If R1 is not touching third base, but R3 is touching third base, then R3 is entitled to third base.

If R1 is touching third base and R3 is touching third base, then R3 is entitled to third base.

The MLB Umpire Manual (35-35) confirms this: "If two runners are touching a base at the same time, the following runner is out when tagged (unless, of course, the lead runner is forced)."

Rule 7.01 states, "A runner acquires the right to an unoccupied base when he touches it before he is out. He is then entitled to it until he is put out, or forced to vacate it for another runner legally entitled to that base." Rule 7.01, however, does not apply because of the principle of occupation.

R3 still does occupy third base, as portrayed in Rule 7.08(b) Comment ("a runner is considered to occupy a base until he legally has reached the next succeeding base"); however, trail/following runner R1 may touch third base and be declared safe (unless R3 is simultaneously touching) because with no other runner touching third base, R1 (along with R3) is entitled to it. R3 is entitled to the base over R1, but is not mandated to actually return and touch it. R3 acquired title to the base during the preceding play when he became R3, as opposed to R2, R1 or B1. A runner need not touch a base to occupy it.

Analysis of Rule 7.03(a) produces the following conditional statement, "If two runners are touching a base, [then] the following runner [is] out..." (For the next part, assume both runners are touching a base.)

The simplest proof from this point finds that because the "two runners are touching a base" condition was not satisfied, the conclusion "the following runner is out" cannot apply, as far as 7.03(a) is concerned. Alternately, the indicator for Rule 7.03(a) [the condition it must satisfy for it to be applicable] is "two runners are touching a base." Because two runners were not touching a base at the time of either tag, Rule 7.03(a) does not apply and cannot account for either runner being declared out.

By logical law, the contrapositive of this statement must be true (see: Logical Equivalence, p. 47): "If the following runner is out, then two runners are touching a base." Error: 2 runners were not touching the base.

Read on for a definition of concepts used (entitled, occupy, touch, acquire title) and the CP's conclusion:

MLB Ejection 174: Mark Carlson (2; Clint Hurdle)

HP Umpire Mark Carlson ejected Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle for arguing warnings (Unsportsmanlike-NEC)

Davis takes Baker while Carlson gets Hurdle.

in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Reds-Pirates game. With none out and none on, Pirates batter Andrew McCutchen took a 2-2 fastball from Reds pitcher Sam LeCure for a hit by pitch. Replays indicate the pitch struck McCutchen's upper left arm, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 5-2. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 6-5, in 10 innings.

This is Mark Carlson (6)'s second ejection of 2013.
Mark Carlson now has 0 points in the UEFL (-2 + 2 MLB + U = 0).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has 7 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (6 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 7).

This is the 174th ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 83rd Manager ejection of 2013.
This is the Pirates' 9th ejection of 2013, 1st in the NL Central (PIT 9; CHC 7; STL 6; MIL 3; CIN 0).
This is Clint Hurdle's 6th ejection of 2013 and first since August 10, 2013 (Adrian Johnson; QOC = Correct).
This is Mark Carlson's first ejection since August 7, 2013 (Bo Porter; QOC = Incorrect).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 9/20/13
Video: Inbound reliever LeCure drills McCutchen with a 2-2 heater, warnings issued; Hurdle tossed (PIT)

Case Play 2013-09: Whose Base is it Anyway?

Lightning Case Play: Whose Base is it Anyway? With one out and runners on first and third (R1 Brett Lawrie,

Iassogna declares a double play at third base.

R3 Jose Reyes), batter Adam Lind hits a come-backer to pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, who throws to catcher Chris Stewart, who runs R3 Reyes back towards third base before throwing to third baseman Mark Reynolds. As R3 Reyes dives back towards third, R1 Lawrie comes from first to step on the base. F5 Reynolds tags R1 Lawrie followed by R3 Reyes, resulting in a double play call from 3B Umpire Dan Iassogna.

Question: What happened? Who is entitled to occupy third base at all stages of this play? What rules apply and how is this a double play?

*A lightning case play is a "simple" scenario worth one point. This case play expires Saturday.

Video: Yankees score inning-ending double play with a timed tag at third in Toronto (MLB Must C)

MLB Ejection 173: Bill Welke (4; Randy Knorr)

HP Umpire Bill Welke ejected Nationals Bench Coach Randy Knorr for arguing warnings (Unsportsmanlike-NEC) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the Marlins-Nationals game. With one out and two on, Nationals batter

Welke warns after 1st inning HR => HBP.

Bryce Harper hit a 2-2 slider from Marlins pitcher Henderson Alvarez for a three-run home run while ensuing batter Ian Desmond took a 3-0 fastball from Alvarez for a hit by pitch. Replays indicate the two-seamer struck Desmond's left shoulder, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Nationals were leading, 3-1. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Bill Welke (52)'s fourth ejection of 2013.
Bill Welke now has -4 points in the UEFL (-6 + 2 MLB + 0 U = -4).
Crew Chief Fieldin Culbreth now has 4 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (3 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 4).

This is the 173rd ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the Nationals' 9th ejection of 2013, 2nd in the NL East (ATL 10; WAS 9; NYM 6; PHI 4; MIA 2).
This is Randy Knorr's first career MLB ejection; he was never ejected as a player (1991-2001).
This is Bill Welke's first ejection since August 16, 2013 (Mike Carp; QOC = Incorrect).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs. Washington Nationals, 9/19/13
Video: Desmond HBP produces warnings against retaliation, further bean balls; Knorr tossed (WAS)

MLB Ejection 172: Andy Fletcher (5; Adrian Gonzalez)

2B Umpire Andy Fletcher ejected Dodgers 1B Adrian Gonzalez for arguing an out call by 1B Umpire Jim Joyce in the top of the 5th inning of the Dodgers-Diamondbacks game. With one out and one on, Gonzalez hit

Joyce rules Young out on Montero's diving tag.

a 2-1 sinker from Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon McCarthy for a double to left fielder Adam Eaton, who threw to shortstop Chris Owings to catcher Miguel Montero as Dodgers baserunner R1 attempted to score. Replays indicate Young's left hand touched home plate prior to Montero's glove touching Young's arm, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Diamondbacks were leading, 4-2. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 9-4.

This is Andy Fletcher (49)'s fifth ejection of 2013.
Andy Fletcher now has 8 points in the UEFL (8 Previous + 2 MLB + -2 Incorrect Call [Crewmate] = 8).
Crew Chief Joe West now has 4 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (4 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 4).

This is the 172nd ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 78th player ejection of 2013. Prior to ejection, Gonzalez was 2-3 in the contest.
This is the Dodgers' 13th ejection of 2013, 1st in the NL West (LAD 13; ARI 9; SF 4; COL, SD 3).
This is Fredi Gonzalez's 4th ejection of 2013 and first since July 25, 2013 (Chad Fairchild; QOC = Incorrect).
This is Adrian Gonzalez's first ejection of 2013 and first since August 15, 2012 (Mike Everitt; QOC = Correct).
This is Andy Fletcher's first ejection since September 14, 2013 (Alex Rios; QOC = Incorrect).

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 9/18/13
Video: D-Backs' relay reaches the plate as Young is crossing it, rotated 1B Umpire Joyce with the call (ARI)
Video: After hitting a double, Gonzalez laments his lost RBI, allegedly criticizing Joyce's hustle (LAD)

MLB Ejections 170, 171: CB Bucknor (3, 4; Gonzalez, Wood)

HP Umpire CB Bucknor ejected Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez for arguing a ball four call and Braves pitcher Alex Wood for Unsportsmanlike-NEC in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Braves-Nationals game.

Pitch f/x: Ball 4 call was proper.

With one out and two on, Nationals batter Jayson Werth took a 3-2 fastball from Wood for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located belt high and off the inner edge of home plate (px -0.842) while earlier pitches in the at bat and the preceding four-pitch walk to Ryan Zimmerman were officiated properly, the call was correct. After a first-pitch sacrifice fly by Bryce Harper, Wood was removed from the game and continued to argue, leading to ejection during a pitching change. Because Gonzalez was previously ejected arguing the ball four call, Wood's ejection is USC-NEC (previously argued call/repeat visit - no balls thrown to Harper), irrecusable. At the time of the Gonzalez ejection, the Nationals were leading, 1-0. At the time of the Wood ejection, the Nationals were leading, 2-0. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 5-2.

These are CB Bucknor (54)'s third and fourth ejections of 2013.
CB Bucknor now has 12 points in the UEFL (6 + 2*[2 MLB] + 2 Y + 0 U = 12).
Crew Chief Dale Scott now has 7 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (5 Previous + 2 Correct/U Call = 7).

These are the 170th and 171st ejections of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 82nd Manager ejection of 2013.
This is the 77th player ejection of 2013. Prior to ejection, Wood's line was 4.2 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 2 BB.
This is the Braves' 9th/10th ejection of 2013, 1st in the NL East (ATL 10; WAS 8; NYM 6; PHI 4; MIA 2).
This is Fredi Gonzalez's 4th ejection of 2013 and first since July 25, 2013 (Chad Fairchild; QOC = Incorrect).
This is Alex Wood's first career MLB ejection.
This is CB Bucknor's first ejection since May 19, 2013 (Clint Hurdle; QOC = Correct).

Wrap: Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals, 9/18/13
Video: After Wood walks Werth to force in a run, Bucknor calmly tosses Gonzalez as Wood is fired up (ATL)
Video: After losing focus, Wood ejected arguing a pitch computers prove was correctly ruled a ball (Soon)