MLB Ejection & Replay Review: Hernandez, Ripperger (3, 08)

HP Umpire Angel Hernandez ejected Giants pitcher Jean Machi for arguing a balk call in the bottom of the 8th and Replay Review upheld 1B Umpire Mark Ripperger's out call in the top of the 4th inning of the Giants-Athletics game. In the 4th, with one out and none on, Giants batter Pablo Sandoval hit a ground ball to A's shortstop Jed Lowrie, who threw to first baseman Nate Freiman as Sandoval arrived at first base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Giants Manager Bruce Bochy, Ripperger's ruling was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the Athletics were leading, 4-0.

In the 8th, with one out and one on, Machi balked A's baserunner R2 Freiman to third base. Replays indicate Machi, while in contact with the pitcher's plate and committed to the Windup Position, attempted to go into the Set Position, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Athletics were leading, 6-1. The Athletics ultimately won the contest, 6-1.

This is Angel Hernandez (55)'s third ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Mark Ripperger (90)'s eighth Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Angel Hernandez's third supervised Replay Review of the 2014 Season.
*Rule 8.01(a) Comment states, "From the Windup Position, the pitcher may: (1) deliver the ball to the batter, or (2) step and throw to a base in an attempt to pick-off a runner, or (3) disengage the rubber (if he does he must drop his hand to his sides). In disengaging the rubber the pitcher must step off with his pivot foot and not his free foot first. He may not go into a set or stretch position—if he does it is a balk."

This is the 118th ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 50th player ejection of 2014. Prior to ejection, Machi's line was 1.0 IP, H.
This is the 686th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the Giants' 4th ejection of 2014, 3rd in the NL West (COL 7; LAD 5; SF 4; ARI, SD 2).
This is Jean Machi's first career MLB ejection.
This is Angel Hernandez's 1st ejection since June 12, 2014 (Anthony Recker; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is the San Francisco Giants' 29th Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 358/686 (.522 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs. Oakland Athletics, 7/8/14
Video: Machi's attempt to go from Windup to Set Position while on the rubber sparks balk, ejection (SF)
Video: Play stands; Sandoval's infield bloop barely beats him to first base for the out (SF)

MLB Ejection & Replay Review: Schrieber, Little (1, 12)

HP Umpire Paul Schrieber ejected Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly for arguing a strike two call in the top of the 6th and Instant Replay Review overturned 2B Umpire Will Little's out call in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the Dodgers-Tigers game. In the 2nd, with none out and none on, Tigers batter Torii Hunter hit a line drive to Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig, who threw to shortstop Miguel Rojas as Hunter slid into second base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Tigers Manager Brad Ausmus, Little's ruling was reversed, the call was incorrect. At the time of the review, the Dodgers were leading, 5-0.

In the 6th, with none out and one on, Dodgers batter Adrian Gonzalez took a 2-1 changeup from Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander for a called second strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -.635, pz 1.636 / sz_bot 1.81), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Tigers were leading, 12-5. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 14-5.

This is Paul Schrieber (43)'s first ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Will Little (93)'s 12th Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Ted Barrett's 35th supervised Replay Review of the 2014 Season.

This is the 117th ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 51st Manager ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 685th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the Dodgers' 5th ejection of 2014, 2nd in the NL West (COL 7; LAD 5; SF 3; ARI, SD 2).
This is Don Mattingly's first ejection since May 9, 2014 (Will Little; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Paul Schrieber's first ejection since Sept 29, 2013 (Joe Maddon; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is the Detroit Tigers' 23rd Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 357/685 (.520 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Detroit Tigers, 7/8/14
Video: Play overturned; Puig's strong throw to 2nd base is overturned thanks to Replay Review (LAD)

MLB Instant Replay Review 684: Gabe Morales (11)

Instant Replay Review overturned 1B Umpire Gabe Morales' out call in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the Twins-Mariners game. With two out and one on, Mariners batter James Jones hit a ground ball to second baseman Brian Dozier, who threw to first baseman Chris Colabello as Jones arrived at first base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Mariners Manager Lloyd McClendon, Morales' ruling was reversed, the call was incorrect. At the time of the review, the game was tied, 0-0. The Twins ultimately won the contest, 2-0.

This is Gabe Morales (47)'s 11th Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Dale Scott's 36th supervised Replay Review of the 2014 Season.

This is the 684th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the Seattle Mariners' 25th Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 357/684 (.521 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs. Seattle Mariners, 7/8/14
Video: Play overturned; Jones beats out deflection play for an infield single in the third inning (SEA)

MLB Replay Reviews 682-683: Rackley, Wolf (03, 08)

Instant Replay Review overturned HP Umpire David Rackley's safe call in the top of the 3rd and upheld Wolf's safe call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Blue Jays-Angels game. In the 3rd, with one out and none on, Blue Jays batter Jose Reyes singled to right fielder Kole Calhoun, who threw to first baseman Albert Pujols as Reyes dove back to first base after rounding. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Angels Manager Mike Scioscia, Rackley's ruling was reversed, the call was incorrect. At the time of the review, the game was tied, 0-0.

In the 7th, with two out and none on, Angels batter Erick Aybar hit a ground ball to shortstop Reyes, who threw to first baseman Jose Bautista as Aybar arrived at first base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons, Wolf's ruling was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the Blue Jays were leading, 3-0. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 4-0.

This is David Rackley (86)'s third Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Jim Wolf (28)'s seventh Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Brian Gorman's 31st, 32nd supervised Replay Review of the 2014 Season.

This is the 682nd, 683rd Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the LA Angels of Anaheim's 24th and Toronto Blue Jays' 34th Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 357/683 (.522 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 7/8/14
Video: Play overturned; Reyes is caught with too wide a turn on reversed rotation call by PU (LAA)

MLB Instant Replay Review 681: John Tumpane (09)

Instant Replay Review upheld 1B Umpire John Tumpane's safe call in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the Marlins-Diamondbacks game. With none out and none on, Diamondbacks batter Tuffy Gosewisch hit a ground ball to third baseman Casey McGehee, who threw to first baseman Jeff Baker as Gosewisch arrived at first base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Marlins Manager Mike Redmond, Tumpane's ruling was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the game was tied, 0-0. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s ninth Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Bob Davidson's 27th supervised Replay Review of the 2014 Season.

This is the 681st Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the Miami Marlins' 22nd Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 356/681 (.523 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 7/8/14
Video: Play stands; Error leads to D'Backs runner at first base following challenge and uphold (MIA)

MLB Instant Replay Review 680: Alan Porter (08)

Instant Replay Review upheld 3B Umpire Alan Porter's out call in the top of the 5th inning of the Pirates-Cardinals game. With one out and one on, Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina threw to third baseman Matt Carpenter in an attempt to pick off Pirates baserunner R3 Neil Walker. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle, Porter's ruling was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the Pirates were leading, 4-2. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Alan Porter (64)'s eighth Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Joe West's 30th supervised Replay Review of the 2014 Season.

This is the 680th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the Pittsburgh Pirates' 27th Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 355/680 (.522 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 7/8/14
Video: Play stands; Walker is picked off wandering too far off third base on failed challenge (PIT)

MLB Instant Replay Review 679: Adam Hamari (07)

Instant Replay Review confirmed 2B Umpire Adam Hamari's out call in the top of the 7th inning of the Astros-Rangers game. With one out and one on, Astros batter George Springer hit a ground ball to center fielder Leonys Martin, deflected by second baseman Rougned Odor, who threw to Odor as Springer slid into second base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Astros Manager Bo Porter, Hamari's ruling was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the Astros were leading, 5-2. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 8-3.

This is Adam Hamari (78)'s seventh Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is Crew Chief Bill Miller's 41st supervised Replay Review of the 2014 Season.

This is the 679th Instant Replay Review of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the Houston Astros' 18th Replay Review of 2014.
Umpires are now 354/679 (.522 Affirmation Rate) in Replay Reviews during the 2014 MLB season.

Wrap: Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers, 7/8/14
Video: Play confirmed; Astros' challenge of out at second is confirmed by Replay Review (HOU)

Delayed Posting of Replays, Ejections, 7/8

Please be advised that all Replay Reviews and Ejections from Tuesday, July 8's games will be posted following the conclusion of July 9's contests.

This includes:
LAD-DET: Tigers challenge out call, overturned;
PIT-STL: Pirates challenge out call, stands;
MIA-ARI: Marlins challenge safe call, stands;
HOU-TEX: Astros challenge out call, confirmed;
SF-OAK: Giants challenge out call, stands;
TOR-LAA: Angels challenge safe call, overturned;
TOR-LAA: Blue Jays challenge safe call, stands;
MIN-SEA: Mariners challenge out call, overturned.

And
LAD-DET: HP Umpire Paul Schrieber ejected Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly (Balls/Strikes);
SF-OAK: HP Umpire Angel Hernandez ejected Giants P Jean Machi (NEC [DiMuro Rule], Balk).

Thank you.

Roster: 2014 MLB All-Star Game Umpires

MLB announced umpires for the 2014 All-Star Game on July 15 at Minnesota's Target Field, selecting a younger umpiring crew to join the young stadium for its inaugural Mid-Summer Classic. The umpires are:

HP Umpire Gary Cederstrom (crew chief): This is Cederstrom's second All-Star Game and first as its senior arbiter (2003, Chicago, Third Base). 2014 Ejections: 1 (6/11: 084, Terry Collins).

1B Umpire Jeff Nelson: Rookie regular season crew chief Jeff Nelson will officiate his second career All-Star Game (2006). 2014 Ejections: 2 (4/8: 001, Rick Renteria; 4/15: Phil Plantier).

2B Umpire Bob Davidson: Acting as a crew chief for the bereaved John Hirschbeck, Davidson enters the 2014 Mid-Summer Classic with the most All-Star Game experience, having officiated two previously, though none in the past 20 years (1987, 1993). 2014 Ejections: 3 (4/13: 005, John Farrell; 4/14: 006, Matt Carpenter; 6/9: 082, Mike Scioscia).

3B Umpire Scott Barry: This is Barry's first All-Star Game. 2014 Ejections: 0.

LF Umpire Todd Tichenor: This is Todd Tichenor's first All-Star Game. 2014 Ejections: 1 (6/4: 072, Rick Renteria).

RF Umpire Vic Carapazza: This is Vic Carapazza's first All-Star Game. 2014 Ejections: 4 (5/10: 038, Mike Maddux; 6/21: 099-100, Alex Rios & Michael Choice; 7/4: 112, Kevin Seitzer).

Replay Official Jerry Layne: (Obviously) his first All-Star Replay assignment.

Pursuant to UEFL Rule 2-2-a, all All-Star Game umpires will receive one League point for appearing in the contest while Cederstrom will receive two points for his role as crew chief. No points are awarded to the Replay Official (must "appear[] in that game").

MiLB All-Star Futures Game Umpires:

HP Umpire Travis Eggert (AAA, PCL), 1B Umpire Jansen Visconti (AA, Eastern League), 2B Umpire Nate White (AA, Texas League), 3B Umpire Matt McCoy (AA, Southern League). All will work the Home Run Derby while McCoy and White will officiate the Legends and Celebrity Softball Game.

UEFL's The Left Field Corner: July 2014 Edition

The Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's publication The Left Field Corner has been released for July 2014, featuring our monthly recap of recent rumblings in the UEFL officiating world.

UEFL's July edition of The Left Field Corner.

The July 2014 edition of The Left Field Corner, which is available online as a PDF document via, and can be downloaded from, the UEFL Portal care of Google Drive/Docs. This month's edition includes the following articles:
> Moving Day: Wolcott Hired, Darling Retires, Ump Crew Changes.
> The Other Shoe: Another Can Opens on Mid-play Overturn.
> Force the Issue: MLB Removes Force Plays from Rule 7.13 Praxis.
> Crunching the Numbers: Most Common Overturn Reason is...

In addition to our usual features:
> Gil's Call (Formerly UEFL Update): Patience is Key. The UEFL is proud to take the time to get it right.
> Replay Review Success Rates: The best and worst teams in MLB when it comes to Replay Affirmation and Overturn rates.
> Just the Stats: A glimpse at the UEFL Leaderboards for member divisions, ump ejections and points.
> From the Board: A look at Recent UEFL Appeals Board Cases.

If there is anything Close Call Sports/UEFL can do to tailor The LF Corner more to your interests or if you wish to provide any other feedback, please comment here or send an e-mail reply to info [at] closecallsports [dot] com.

Current & past issues of The Left Field Corner are accessible from the UEFL Portal's LF Corner page.