MLB Instant Replay Review 315: Fieldin Culbreth (02)

Instant Replay Review overturned 2B Umpire Fieldin Culbreth's out call in the bottom of the 4th inning of the Brewers-Braves game. With none out and one on, Braves batter Andrelton Simmons hit a 1-2 slider from Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo on a ground ball to second baseman Scooter Gennett, who threw to third baseman Jeff Bianchi who threw to shortstop Jean Segura as Simmons slid into second base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez, Culbreth's ruling was reversed, the call was incorrect. At the time of the review, the Braves were leading, 3-0. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 5-0.

This is Fieldin Culbreth (25)'s second Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Fieldin Culbreth's 14th supervised Replay Review of the 2014 season.

This is the 315th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez's seventh Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 163/315 (.517 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Atlanta Braves, 5/20/14
Video: Play overturned; Gonzalez wins another challenge on ball of the second base bag (ATL)

MiLB Ejection Highlight: Scott Mahoney (2; Charlie Corbell)

Another year, another MiLB AAA umpire ejections update upon us, courtesy of the @SportEjections twitter feed, "Scouting the Ejections of Tomorrow." The argument or reason for ejection in parentheses, with thanks again to our AAA reporter Russ:

¤ HP Umpire Spencer Flynn ejected Iowa Cubs LF Josh Vitters, Mgr Marty Pevey (K3), PCL.
¤ 1B Umpire Joseph Born ejected Indianapolis Indians Mgr Dean Treanor (live ball/not lodged), PCL.
¤ HP Umpire Jordan Ferrell ejected Tacoma Rainiers C Humberto Quintero (ball call), PCL.
¤ HP Umpire AJ Johnson ejected Columbus Clippers Mgr Chris Tremie (swing: strike), IL.
¤ 1B Umpire Joseph Born ejected Pawtucket Red Sox Mgr Kevin Boles (safe call), IL.
¤ CC Umpire David Soucy ejected Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees Mgr Miley (obstruction call), IL.
¤ HP Umpire Scott Mahoney ejected New Orleans Zephyrs Pitch Coach Charlie Corbell (K3), PCL.^
¤ -- Umpire Jon Saphire ejected Norfolk Tides LF Jemile Weeks, Mgr Ron Johnson (USC-NEC), IL.
¤ CC Umpire Brad Myers ejected Charlotte Knights Mgr Joel Skinner (reversed home run call), IL.
¤ HP Umpire Ramon DeJesus ejected Salt Lake City River Bees Mgr Keith Johnson (fair bunt), PCL.
¤ 1B Umpire Chris Gonzalez ejected Iowa Cubs 1B Chris Valaika, Mgr Marty Pevey (out), PCL.
¤ HP Umpire Tom Honec ejected Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees Mgr Dave Miley (swing: K), IL.
¤ HP Umpire Brian Hertzog ejected Round Rock Express Manager Steve Buechele (safe call), PCL.
¤ HP Umpire Adam Schwarz ejected Reno Aces Manager Phil Nevin (ball four call), PCL.
¤ HP Umpire Brian Blakney ejected Tacoma Rainiers C Jesus Sucre, M Roy Howell (safe call), PCL.
¤ 2B Umpire Nick Marhley ejected Reno Aces Manager Phil Nevin, P Sanabia (safe call), PCL.
¤ 2B Umpire AJ Johnson ejected Syracuse Chiefs Manager Billy Gardner (out call), IL.
¤ HP Umpire AJ Johnson ejected Louisville Bats 1B Mike Costanzo (third strike), IL.
¤ HP Umpire Scott Mahoney ejected Fresno Grizzlies 3B Adam Duvall (swing: K), PCL.
¤ HP Umpire Brian DeBrauwere ejected Buffalo Bisons Mgr Gary Allenson (balk call), IL.
¤ HP Umpire Alex Ortiz ejected New Orleans Zephyrs Hitting Coach Damon Minor (ball), PCL.
¤ 3B Umpire Brandon Misun ejected Reno Aces Manager Phil Nevin (check swing: ball), PCL.
¤ HP Umpire Angel Campos ejected Louisville Bats C Tucker Barnhart (balls and strikes), IL.
¤ 1B Umpire Roberto Ortiz ejected Round Rock Express 3B Alex Buchholz (swing: K), PCL.
¤ HP Umpire Brad Myers ejected Pawtucket Red Sox Hitting Coach Dave Joppie (strike three), IL.
¤ 3B Umpire Brad Myers ejected Pawtucket Red Sox Manager Kevin Boles (rain delay decision), IL.
¤ HP Umpire Nick Bailey ejected El Paso Chihuahuas 2B Alex Castellanos (strike three called), PCL.
¤ HP Umpire Nick Bailey ejected El Paso Chihuahuas P Jorge Reyes (pitching change b/s), PCL.
¤ HP Umpire Chris Segal ejected Omaha Storm Chasers Mgr Brian Poldberg (ball four call), PCL.
¤ HP Umpire Jonathan Bailey ejected Indianapolis Indians Manager Dean Treanor (out call), IL.
¤ HP Umpire Ben May ejected Charlotte Knights Manager Joel Skinner (balls and strikes), IL.
¤ HP Umpire Doug Vines ejected Lehigh Valley IronPigs Manager Dave Brundage (K3), IL.
¤ 1B Umpire David Soucy ejected Syracuse Chiefs DH Will Rhymes (balls and strikes), IL.
¤ HP Umpire Jeff Morrow ejected Las Vegas 51s Manager Wally Backman (foul ball/no HR), PCL.

** IL = International League (East) / PCL = Pacific Coast League (West) **

^ Featured ejection: Scott Mahoney (2; Charlie Corbell). HP Umpire Scott Mahoney ejected New Orleans Zephyrs Pitching Coach Charlie Corbell for arguing a strike three call in top of the 4th inning the Zephyrs-Storm Chasers game. With one out and none on, Zephyrs batter Mark Canha took a 3-2 pitch from Storm Chasers pitcher Brett Tomko for a called third strike. At the time of the ejection, the Storm Chasers were leading, 1-0. The Storm Chasers ultimately won the contest, 5-0.

Wrap: New Orleans Zephyrs vs. Omaha Storm Chasers (Pacific Coast League), 5/13/14
Video: After a called third strike, Corbell visits home plate to demonstrate where the pitch was (PCL)

MLB Instant Replay Review 314: Sean Barber (04)

Instant Replay Review confirmed 1B Umpire Sean Barber's out call in the top of the 5th inning of the White Sox-Royals game. With one out and one on, White Sox batter Alexei Ramirez hit a 0-0 changeup from Royals pitcher Jason Vargas on the ground to first baseman Eric Hosmer, who threw to pitcher Jason Vargas as Ramirez slid headfirst into first base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by White Sox Manager Robin Ventura, Barber's ruling was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the Royals were leading, 6-5. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-6.

This is Sean Barber (29)'s fourth Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Tom Hallion's seventh supervised Replay Review of the 2014 season.

This is the 314th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is White Sox Manager Robin Ventura's 11th Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 163/314 (.519 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals, 5/19/14
Video: Play confirmed; Headfirst slide into first hurts Sox as replay confirms Barber's out call (CWS)

MLB Instant Replay Review 313: Tim Timmons (07)

Instant Replay Review confirmed 2B Umpire Tim Timmons' out (catch/transfer) call in the top of the 8th inning of the Tigers-Indians game. With none out and one on, Tigers batter Victor Martinez hit a 1-1 cutter from Indians pitcher Bryan Shaw on the ground to second baseman Mike Aviles, who threw to third baseman Carlos Santana at second base ahead of Tigers baserunner R1 Miguel Cabrera. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Tigers Manager Brad Ausmus, Timmons' ruling was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the Indians were leading, 4-3. The Indians ultimately won the contest, 5-4, in 10 innings.

This is Tim Timmons (95)'s seventh Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Tim Welke's 18th supervised Replay Review of the 2014 season.

This is the 313th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Tigers Manager Brad Ausmus' 10th Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 162/313 (.517 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Detroit Tigers vs. Cincinnati Reds, 5/19/14
Video: Play confirmed; Reverted catch/transfer rule favors the Tribe on force play at second (DET)

MLB Instant Replay Review 312: Rob Drake (03)

Instant Replay Review upheld 1B Umpire Rob Drake's safe call in the top of the 11th inning of the Reds-Nationals game. With one out and two on, Reds batter Zack Cozart hit a 0-1 sinker from Nationals pitcher Drew Storen on a line drive to third baseman Anthony Rendon, who threw to first baseman Greg Dobbs as Reds baserunner R1 Chris Heisey slid into first base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Nationals Manager Matt Williams, Drake's ruling was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the contest was tied, 2-2. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 4-3, in 15 innings.

This is Rob Drake (30)'s third Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Joe West's 13th supervised Replay Review of the 2014 season.

This is the 312th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Nationals Manager Matt Williams' 10th Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 161/312 (.516 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington Nationals, 5/19/14
Video: Play stands; Cincinnati avoids the inning-ending double play on return throw to first (WAS)

MLB Instant Replay Review Statistics: Week 7 Sabermetrics

Instant Replay Review Statistics and Sabermetrics are now available for MLB Week 7. As the numbers and trends begin to form, Close Call Sports and the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League continues with the strategic statistics reporting, the first measure of umpire-centric sabermetrics in professional baseball. Visit Instant Replay Review Statistics 101: Week 1 Sabermetrics for an introduction to Replay Review definitions and terms, including Review Affirmation Percentage (RAP), also known as QOC (Quality of Correctness), Replay Percentage of Success (RPS), alternatively, 1.000 - RAP = RPS, and Manager's Challenge Success Percentage (CSP). Also included is Team Success Percentage (TSP), which includes all Replay Reviews; both Manager's Challenges and Crew Chief Reviews.

With Week 7 of the MLB Regular Season in the books, the UEFL recaps professional baseball's "this time it counts" living experiment with Instant Replay Reviews. Our sample size is n=310.

Key bullet points:
"Team Most Used" (Made use of Replay Review most often): Chicago Cubs, Oakland A's - 18.
"Team Least Used" (Least use of Replay): Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles - 4.
"Manager's Challenge Leaders" (Most challenges filed): Rick Renteria - 17 (.529 CSP)
"Most successful Manager" (Manager with highest CSP): Mike Redmond - .889 in 8/9.
"League average Manager" (Average CSP for all Managers): .534
"Least successful Manager" (Manager with lowest CSP): John Farrell - .200 in 1/5.
"Most successful team in review" (Team with highest TSP): Atlanta Braves - .833.
"Umpire most questioned" (Most Replay Reviews): Jim Reynolds - 10 (.500 RAP).
"Crew most questioned" (Crew Chief whose crew has most Reviews): Larry Vanover - 20 (.300).
"Most accurate umpire" (Umpire with greatest RAP): Bellino, Carapazza - 1.000 in 5/5.
"Umpire of greatest overturn" (Umpire with lowest RAP): T Welke, Scott, Tumpane - .000 in 0/3.
"Overall affirmation or QOC percentage" (Overall RAP): .516 (160/310 Affirmed Replay Reviews).
Team Status Pre-Review (Winning or Losing prior to review [Win-Loss-Tied]): 101-135-74.
Team Status Post-Review (Game Record [W-L]): 151-159. (Delta: 50-24; WPCT: .676).

Actual data:

Solution for Case Play 2014-1: Check Swing Caught Stealing

Our check swing, caught stealing Case Play 2014-1 is now in the books with the solution below. To refresh:

CASE PLAY: With two out and one on, B1 attempted to check his swing on a 0-2 changeup as R1 attempted to steal second base. F2's throw to F4 retired R1, although B1's bat over home plate made contact with F2 as he threw. Q: (a) Assume that there was just one out in the inning and the same sequence occurred. Contact was made between F2 Molina and B1 Jones' bat. (b) Assume the same scenario as in part [a], but in [b], R1 slides into second base ahead of the throw/tag. What's the call?

Relevant Video: Rays get out of the first inning on caught stealing after half swing at the plate (TB)

Answer (a): OBR Rule 2.00 (Interference) states, "Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play." Because R1 was nonetheless retired on F4's tag, "it is to be assumed there was no actual interference and that runner [R1] is out," as in Rule 6.06(c) Comment (and 6.06 EXCEPTION). In other words, we defer the question of whether interference actually occurred here solely because R1 was put out nonetheless. PU completes the check swing appeal and U1 may rule a strike if the batter struck at the pitch. Either two out and none on (tag play) or three out (tag play + the batter swung).

Answer (b): Because R1 was not retired on F4's tag, we must consider whether B1 is out for illegal action and/or if the runner runner should be returned to first base, as in Rule 6.06(c) ("[The batter] interferes 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 base"..."no player may advance on such interference and all runners shall return to the last base that was, in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of interference"). Rule 7.09(e) states that if interference occurred and the batter is ruled to have swung at the pitch, the "runner shall be declared out for the interference of his teammate." Under no circumstance, however, if the batter is ruled not to have struck at the pitch, can this specific play be ruled backswing ("follow-through") interference, as in Rule 6.06(c) Comment, because B1 in checking his swing clearly did not meet the criteria, "swings so hard he carries the bat all the way around and, in the umpire's judgment, unintentionally hits the catcher or the ball in back of him on the backswing." Half swing appeal made. If he did offer at the pitch, follow-through interference may apply, but only if the umpire deems B1's actions as part of his natural follow-through.

Now, as to the question of "out" interference, OBR states that the batter is out for illegal action if:
(1) He interfered with the catcher's fielding or throwing by;
(2) Stepping out of the batter's box or making any other movement hindering a play at home base.

The Major League Baseball Umpire Manual states that "if the batter interferes with the catcher's throw to retire a runner by stepping out of the batter's box, interference shall be called on the batter under Official Baseball Rule 6.06(c)."

The MLBUM goes on: "However, if the batter is standing in the batter's box and he or his bat is struck by the catcher's throw back to the pitcher (or throw in attempting to retire a runner) and, in the umpire's judgment, there is no intent on the part of the batter to interfere with the throw, the ball is alive and in play."

B1 clearly does not step out of the batter's box. According to the interpretation, B1 is not out for interference if he remains a batter ("no swing"/ball). If he is ruled to have swung at the pitch, Rule 7.09(e) may apply ("Any batter or runner who has just been put out...hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner"). If so, three out.

Either one [or two (if batter swung)] out and R2 [or R1] or three out (if swing + 6.06(c)|7.09(e) INT).

Two Points Awarded: Arik G, Bob Abouy, Bortz43, cyclone14, gkiewitt, Joe Gravina, josh7377, Kyle Douglas, Kyle Goluba, toss 'em, TXWrangler, umpire87

Thanks all!

MLB Instant Replay Review 311: Bob Davidson (08)

Instant Replay Review confirmed 2B Umpire Bob Davidson's out call in the top of the 5th inning of the Pirates-Yankees game. With two out and one on, Pirates batter Josh Harrison hit a 0-0 slider from Yankees pitcher Vidal Nuno on a line drive to left fielder Zoilo Almonte, who threw to shortstop Brendan Ryan to first baseman Kelly Johnson as BR Harrison attempted to avoid the tag and Pirates baserunner R1 Travis Snider attempted to score. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle, Davidson's ruling (and Hoye's corollary that the run did not score prior to the third out being recorded) was affirmed, the call was correct.* At the time of the review, the Yankees were leading, 2-1. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Bob Davidson (61)'s eighth Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Bob Davidson's 13th supervised Replay Review of the 2014 season.
*Appellate Interpreter has invoked UEFL Rule 9-1 to rule that U3 is the calling umpire.

This is the 311th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle's 15th Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 160/311 (.514 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Yankees (Game 2), 5/18/14
Video: Play confirmed; BR is out and run does not count (time play) affirmed after review (PIT)

MLB Replay Reviews 308-10: Buckminster, Gonzalez (6|7,7)

Instant Replay Review overturned 2B Umpire Seth Buckminster's safe calls in the bottom of the 1st and confirmed 1B Umpire Manny Gonzalez's safe call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Padres-Rockies game. In the 1st, with none out and one on, Rockies baserunner R1 Charlie Blackmon attempted to steal second base off Padres catcher Rene Rivera and shortstop Everth Cabrera. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Padres Manager Bud Black, Buckminster's ruling was reversed, the call was incorrect. At the time of the review, the Padres were leading, 1-0.

Subsequently in the 1st, with one out and one on, Rockies baserunner Corey Dickerson attempted to steal second base off Padres catcher Rivera and second baseman Jedd Gyorko. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Padres Manager Black, Buckminster's ruling was reversed, the call was incorrect. At the time of the review, the Padres were leading, 1-0.

In the 7th, with none out and one on, Padres pitcher Alex Torres threw to first baseman Yonder Alonso as Rockies baserunner R1 Blackmon slid into first base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a request by Padres Manager Black and initiation by Crew Chief Fieldin Culbreth, Gonzalez's ruling was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the Rockies were leading, 5-4. The Rockies ultimately won the contest, 8-6, in 10 innings.

This is Seth Buckminster (67)'s sixth, seventh Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Manny Gonzalez (79)'s seventh Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Fieldin Culbreth's 11th, 12th, 13th supervised Replay Review of the 2014 season.

This is the 308th, 309th, 310th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Padres Manager Bud Black's seventh, eighth, ninth Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 159/310 (.513 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies, 5/18/14
Video: Play overturned; Rockies caught on the base paths in the first inning on overturned call (SD)
Video: Play overturned; Deja Vu strikes Denver as Black wins second consecutive CS review (SD)
Video: Play confirmed; On third Padre request, Replay Review proves umpire's call right (SD)

MLB Replay Review 306-307: Eddings, O'Nora (07, 03)

Instant Replay Review overturned 2B Umpire Doug Eddings' out call in the bottom of the 4th and 1B Umpire Brian O'Nora's safe call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Orioles-Royals game. In the 4th, with one out and one on, Royals batter Salvador Perez hit a 1-1 fastball from Orioles pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez on the ground to second baseman Jonathan Schoop, who threw to shortstop J.J. Hardy as Royals baserunner R1 Alex Gordon slid into second base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Royals Manager Ned Yost, Eddings' rulings was overturned, the call was incorrect. At the time of the review, the Orioles were leading, 3-1.

In the 7th, with one out and none on, Royals batter Lorenzo Cain hit a 0-0 slider from Orioles pitcher Troy Patton the ground to shortstop Hardy, who threw to first baseman Chris Davis as Cain arrived at first base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Orioles Manager Buck Showalter, O'Nora's ruling was reversed, the call was incorrect. At the time of the review, the Royals were leading, 8-3. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 8-6.

This is Doug Eddings (88)'s seventh Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Brian O'Nora (7)'s third Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Brian O'Nora's 12th, 13th supervised Replay Review of the 2014 season.

This is the 306th, 307th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Royals Manager Ned Yost's eighth Replay Review of 2014.
This is Orioles Manager Buck Showalter's fourth Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 158/307 (.515 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs. Kansas City Royals, 5/18/14
Video: Play overturned; Royals beat out the fielder's choice play at second, setting the table (KC)
Video: Play overturned; Showalter returns the favor with a successful safe/out review in the 7th (BAL)