Case Play 2014-3: What of an Extra Ball on the Field?

An extra ball flew onto Cleveland's playing field during play, producing confusion that ultimately resulted in an out at third base. With none out and two on (R1, R3), Indians batter Yan Gomes hit a double off Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto to deep right field and off the outfield wall, where it was fielded by right fielder Jay Bruce, who threw to cut-off man second baseman Kris Negron to shortstop Zack Cozart, who threw to third baseman Ramon Santiago as Indians R1 David Murphy, who had rounded third base, attempted to dive back into the bag as the tag was applied, resulting in the inning's first out as called by 3B Umpire Gerry Davis.

Replays indicate that during play and while the live ball was being thrown back towards the infield, Reds pitcher Jumbo Diaz, warming in the right field bullpen, completely airmailed a practice toss over the outfield fence and onto the playing field, where the bullpen ball coincidentally rolled toward F4 Negron, who was busy catching F9 Bruce's throw. After being tagged out at third, R1 Murphy pointed toward the second, unauthorized baseball as the argument was picked up, to no avail, by Terry Francona.

Question: Is this the proper call and application of rules? If not, what should have transpired and what rule(s) or interpretation (e.g., MLBUM) supports this? If any runners should be placed, do so (if applicable).

This Case Play is of the Group variety and expires no earlier than the final out of the final regularly scheduled game Friday, August 8. Participants may receive up to two UEFL points for discussion and solution.

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Indians, 8/5/14
Video: Reds 'pen airmails a pitch, throwing a second baseball on the playing field, distracting Murphy

MLB Ejection 145: Mark Ripperger (5; Matt Holliday)

HP Umpire Mark Ripperger ejected Cardinals LF Matt Holliday for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Red Sox-Cardinals game. With two out and one on, Holliday took a 1-2 sinker from Red Sox pitcher Burke Badenhop for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px 0.81, pz 1.82 / sz_bot 1.83 [MOE 1.75]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 2-2. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Mark Ripperger (90)'s fifth ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
Mark Ripperger now has 9 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 3 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 9).
Crew Chief Gary Cederstrom now has 0 points in Crew Division (-1 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 0).

This is the 145th ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 61st player ejection of 2014. Prior to ejection, Holliday was 1-4 in the contest.
This is the Cardinals' 5th ejection of 2014, 3rd in the NL Central (PIT 8; CHC 7; STL 5; MIL 4; CIN 3).
This is Matt Holliday's first ejection since June 25, 2011 (Marvin Hudson; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Mark Ripperger's first ejection since July 22, 2014 (Joe Maddon; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 8/5/14
Video: After striking out to end the 7th, Holliday slams his bat, yells and is promptly dismissed (STL)

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 880-887: August 5, 2014

August 5, 2014 featured the following MLB Umpire Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

R	880	HP	Gibson, Greg	11	CIN	24	Bryan Price	9	Out	Stands
r	881	1B	Cuzzi, Phil	15	CIN	25	Bryan Price	9	Safe	Overturned
r	882	HP	Nauert, Paul	7	WAS	30	Matt Williams	6	Out	Confirmed
R	883	1B	Gibson, Tripp	11	SF	35	Bruce Bochy	3	Out	Overturned
R	884	1B	Gibson, Tripp	12	MIL	20	Ron Roenicke	9	Safe	Overturned
R	885	1B	Hudson, Marvin	11	SD	23	Bud Black	6	Safe	Overturned
R	886	2B	Gorman, Brian	10	ATL	22	Fredi Gonzalez	3	Safe	Stands
R	887	1B	Reynolds, Jim	19	LAD	31	Don Mattingly	1	Safe	Stands

Instant Replay Review Decision Video Clips (MLB.com/MLBAM):
Video 880: CIN@CLE: Out call at home stands after review in 9th
Video 881: CIN@CLE: Overturned call ends game, gives Cueto CG
Video 882: NYM@WSH: Campbell nabs runner, call confirmed in 6th
Video 883: SF@MIL: Pence's out call at first overturned in 3rd
Video 884: SF@MIL: Call at first base overturned in 9th inning
Video 885: SD@MIN: Safe call at first overturned in the 6th
Video 886: ATL@SEA: Safe call at second stands in 3rd inning
Video 887: LAA@LAD: Trout's single off Kershaw stands in 1st

MLB Ejection 144: Quinn Wolcott (4; Joe Maddon)

1B Umpire Quinn Wolcott ejected Tampa Bay Rays Manager Joe Maddon for arguing a check swing (ball) call in the bottom of the 10th inning of the Rays-Athletics game. With one out and two on, Athletics batter Josh Donaldson attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 fastball from Rays pitcher Grant Balfour for a called third ball. Replays indicate Donaldson did not attempt to strike the pitch (abuse of discretion standard, as in E-045 Barksdale 1), the call was correct. After review by the UEFL Appeals Board, the call is now incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 2-2. The Athletics ultimately won the contest, 3-2, in 10 innings.

This is Quinn Wolcott (81)'s fourth ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
Quinn Wolcott now has 12 points in the UEFL Standings (14 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 12).
Crew Chief Dale Scott now has 1 point in the Crew Division (1 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 1).
*The UEFL Appeals Board reversed the Original Ruling (QOCY => QOCN) in a 3-1-0 vote.

This is the 144th ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 67th Manager ejection of 2014.
This is the Rays' 10th ejection of 2014, T-1st in the AL East (BOS, TB 10; NYY 6; TOR 4; BAL 2).
This is Joe Maddon's first ejection since July 22, 2014 (Mark Ripperger; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Quinn Wolcott's first ejection since June 21, 2014 (Bob Melvin; QOC = U [USC/DiMuro]).

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Oakland Athletics, 8/4/14
Video: Tossed upon exiting the dugout, Maddon gets Wolcott's "silently chewing gum treatment" (OAK)

MLB Ejection 143: Ben May (1; Terry Collins)

HP Umpire Ben May ejected Mets Manager Terry Collins for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Giants-Mets game. With two out and none on, Mets batter Lucas Duda took a 3-2 fastball from Giants pitcher Javier Lopez for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px .347, pz 1.42 / sz_bot 1.86), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Ben May (97)'s first ejection of the 2014 season.
Ben May now has -2 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 3 AAA - 1 Penalty - 4 Incorrect Call = -2).
Crew Chief Brian O'Nora now has 1 point in the Crew Division (1 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 1).

This is the 143rd ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 66th Manager ejection of 2014.
This is the Mets' 6th ejection of 2014, T-1st in the NL East (ATL, NYM, PHI 6; MIA 5; WAS 1).
This is Terry Collins' first ejection since June 11, 2014 (Gary Cederstrom; QOC = U [Replay Review]).
This is Ben May's first career MLB ejection.

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs. New York Mets, 8/4/14
Video: Several Metropolitans dispute May's low strike, ultimately culminating in Collins' exile (NYM)

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 877-879: August 4, 2014

August 4, 2014 featured the following MLB Umpire Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

r	877	2B	Baker, Jordan	8	CWS	27	Robin Ventura	3	Not HR	Confirmed
R	878	1B	Gibson, Greg	10	CLE	34	Terry Francona	6	Safe	Overturned
R	879	2B	Tumpane, John	10	TB	41	Joe Maddon	2	Out	Overturned

Instant Replay Review Decision Video Clips (MLB.com/MLBAM):
Video 877: TEX@CWS: Umpires review potential home run in the 3rd
Video 878: CIN@CLE: Safe call overturned in the 6th inning
Video 879: TB@OAK: Out call at second overturned in the 2nd

MLB Ejection & Replay Review Stats: Week 18 Sabermetrics

Ejection & Instant Replay Review Statistics and Sabermetrics are now available for MLB Week 18. As the numbers and trends solidify, 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 Ejection & 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 18 of the MLB Regular Season in the books, the UEFL recaps traditional ejections, plus professional baseball's "this time it counts" living experiment with Instant Replay Reviews.

We begin this week's sabermetric analysis with umpire ejections. Games Played: 1663 of 2430.
Ejections: 142 (on pace for 207 [-2 from last wk] Ejections). (Compare to: 180 Ejections in 2013)
"Team most active" (Team with most Ejections): Boston Red Sox - 10 (Rays - 9, Pirates - 8).
"Team least active" (Team with least Ejections): CLE Indians, LA Angels, WAS Nationals - 1.
"Manager ejections leader" (Manager ejected most often): Rick Renteria, Ron Gardenhire - 5.
"Player ejections leader" (Player ejection leader): Yunel Escobar - 3.
"Umpire leader" (Umpire with most Ejections): Dan Bellino - 6.
"Crew most active" (Crew Chief whose crew has most Ejections): Bill Miller - 12.
"Most accurate umpire" (Umpire with greatest Simple QOC): Mark Carlson - 1.000 in 4/4.
"Overall QOC percentage" (Overall QOC Y value): .757 (81 Y / 26 N) + 35 Irrecusable = 142 Total.
"Team Status Pre-Ejection" (Winning-Losing-Tied [W-L-T] Record prior to Ejection): 35-75-32.
"Team Status Post-Ejection" (Game Record [W-L]): 53-89. (Delta: 18-14; WPCT: .563).

Next up is the category of Instant Replay Reviews.
Replay Reviews & Decisions Rendered: 876 (on pace for 1,278 [+16 from last wk] Replay Reviews)
- Crew Chief Reviews (Replay Reviews initiated by the Umpire Chief): 148 (17%), .715 RAP.
- Manager's Challenges (Replay Reviews initiated by the Club Manager): 728 (83%), .484 RAP.
"Team Most Used" (Made use of Replay Review most often): Chicago Cubs - 42.
"Team Least Used" (Least use of Replay): Milwaukee Brewers - 19.
"Manager's Challenge Leaders" (Most challenges filed): Rick Renteria - 38.
"Most successful Manager" (Manager with highest CSP): Mike Redmond - .761 (16/21).
"League average Manager" (Average CSP for all Managers): .517.
"Least successful Manager" (Manager with lowest CSP): Mike Matheny - .211 (4/19).
"Most successful team in review" (Team with highest TSP): New York Yankees - .667 (16/24).
"Least successful team in review" (Team with lowest TSP): Toronto Blue Jays - .237 (9/38).
"Umpire most questioned" (Most Replay Reviews): Jim Reynolds - 18 (.667 RAP).
"Crew most questioned" (Crew Chief whose crew has most Reviews): Bill Miller - 51 (.313 RAP).
"Most accurate umpire" (Umpire with greatest RAP): Chris Guccione - 1.000 in 9/9.
"Ump of greatest overturn" (Umpire with lowest RAP): Tom Woodring - .000 in 0/4.
"Overall affirmation or QOC percentage" (Overall RAP): .527 (462/876 Affirmed Replay Reviews).
Team Status Pre-Review (Winning or Losing prior to review [Win-Loss-Tied]): 300-343-228.
Team Status Post-Review (Game Record [W-L]): 415-456. (Delta: 115-113; WPCT: .504).

Actual data (Raw Data for Replay Reviews):

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 869-876: August 3, 2014

August 3, 2014 featured the following MLB Umpire Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

R	869	1B	Winters, Mike	11	CIN	23	Bryan Price	3	Safe	Stands
R	870	2B	Gibson, Tripp	10	WAS	29	Matt Williams	5	Safe	Stands
R	871	HP	Danley, Kerwin	12	CWS	26	Robin Ventura	8	Foul	Overturned
R	872	2B	Barrett, Lance	15	ARI	33	Kirk Gibson	3	Safe	Overturned
r	873	HP	Hickox, Ed	11	PIT	38	Clint Hurdle	8	Out	Confirmed
R	874	2B	Scheurwater, Stu	3	SD	21	Bud Black	4	Out	Overturned
R	875	2B	Scheurwater, Stu	4	SD	22	Bud Black	8	Safe	Overturned
R	876	2B	Scheurwater, Stu	5	ATL	21	Fredi Gonzalez	8	Out	Confirmed

Instant Replay Review Decision Video Clips (MLB.com/MLBAM):
Video 869: CIN@MIA: Reds challenge safe, stands in bottom 3rd
Video 870: PHI@WSH: Nationals challenge safe call, stands in 5th
Video 871: MIN@CWS: White Sox challenge foul, overturned in 8th
Video 872: PIT@ARI: D-backs challenge safe, overturned in 3rd
Video 873: PIT@ARI: Umps review out at plate, confirmed in 8th
Video 874: ATL@SD: Padres challenge out, overturned in 4th
Video 875: ATL@SD: Padres challenge safe call, overturned in 8th
Video 876: ATL@SD: Braves challenge out call, confirmed in 8th

MLB Ejection 141-142: Ron Kulpa (3, 4; Gibson, Delgado)

HP Umpire Ron Kulpa ejected Diamondbacks Manager Kirk Gibson for arguing a Replay Review decision that upheld 1B Umpire Ed Hickox's catch (out) call in the bottom of the 2nd and Diamondbacks pitcher Randall Delgado for throwing at Pirates batter Andrew McCutchen in the top of the 9th inning of the Pirates-Diamondbacks game. In the 2nd, with one out and one on, Diamondbacks batter Andy Marte hit a 0-0 fastball from Pirates pitcher Vance Worley on a line drive to center fielder McCutchen, who dove to catch the ball on the fly as it neared the outfield grass. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Diamondbacks Manager Gibson, Hickox's ruling was affirmed, the call was correct. At the time of the review and ejection, the game was tied, 0-0.

In the 9th, with one out and two on, Diamondbacks pitcher Delgado threw a 2-0 fastball that hit Pirates batter McCutchen. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and hit McCutchen on the lower back, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 5-1. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 8-3.

These are Ron Kulpa (46)'s third and fourth ejections of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
Ron Kulpa now has 7 points, UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 2*[2 MLB] + 2 Correct + 0 Irrecusable = 7).
Crew Chief Ron Kulpa now has 2 points in Crew Division (0 Previous + 2 QOCY & QOCU Call = 2).

These are the 141st and 142nd ejections of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 60th player ejection of 2014. Prior to ejection, Delgado's line was 0.1 IP, 3 ER.
This is the 65th Manager ejection of 2014.
This is the D-Backs' 4/5th ejections of 2014, 3rd in the NL West (COL 7; LAD 6; ARI 5; SF 4; SD 2).
This is Randall Delgado's first career MLB ejection.
This is Kirk Gibson's first ejection since July 18, 2014 (Cory Blaser; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Ron Kulpa's first ejection since May 26, 2014 (Tyler Flowers; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 8/2/14
Video: Play stands; Cutch's sliding catch is upheld as an out on D'Backs' challenge in the 2nd (ARI)
Video: Unsatisfied with the Replay Review's outcome, Gibby continues arguing the call for the toss (ARI)
Video: Delgado's intentional HBP targeting McCutchen produces immediate expulsion from game (PIT)

MLB Ejections 139-140: Chris Guccione (1, 2; Phillies x2)

HP Umpire Chris Guccione ejected Phillies pitcher A.J. Burnett and Manger Ryne Sandberg for arguing a ball one call in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the Phillies-Nationals game. With two out and none on, Burnett threw a 0-0 fastball to Nationals batter Jayson Werth for a called first ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh high (px 1.311, pz 2.721), the call was correct. At the time of the ejections, the Nationals were leading, 5-0. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 11-0.

These are Chris Guccione (68)'s first and second ejections of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
Chris Guccione now has 17 points in the UEFL Standings (9 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct] = 17).
Crew Chief Tom Hallion now has 11 points in Crew Division (9 Previous + 2 Correct Call = 11).

These are the 139th, 140th ejections of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 59th player ejection of 2014. Prior to ejection, Burnett's line was 1.2 IP, 5 R.
This is the 64th Manager ejection of 2014.
This is the Phillies' 5/6th ejection of 2014, T-1st in the NL East (ATL, PHI 6; MIA, NYM 5; WAS 1).
This is A.J. Burnett's first career MLB ejection.
This is Ryne Sandberg's first ejection since June 13, 2014 (Mark Ripperger; QOC = U [Throwing At]).
This is Chris Guccione's first ejection since April 19, 2013 (Dale Sveum; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals, 8/2/14
Video: Burnett's overt gesture in resentment of Gooch's call earns him an early shower, Ryne too (PHI)