MLB Denies Rays Instant Replay Review Timing Protest

MLB denied the Rays' protest over Toronto's Replay Review that occurred Saturday, August 23 at the Rogers Centre. With one out and one on in the Rays-Blue Jays game, Blue Jays pitcher Mark Buehrle threw to first base in an attempt to pick off Rays baserunner R1 Will Myers, who was ruled safe by 1B Umpire Bill Welke. Following a Manager's Challenge by Jays skipper John Gibbons, Welke's ruling was overturned and Myers declared out. The Jays ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

Maddon lodges his protest with CC Davidson

Following the reversal, Rays Manager Joe Maddon elected to protest the game, asserting that Crew Chief Bob Davidson's decision to honor Gibbons' request for challenge was in error because Gibbons did not challenge the play until Buehrle was back on the mound in contact with the pitcher's plate and batter Yunel Escobar was in the batter's box.

Replay Review Regulation II.D.1 states, in part, that "a Manager must exercise his challenge...before commencement of the next play or pitch...For purposes of these Regulations, the next "play" shall commence when the pitcher is on the rubber preparing to start his delivery and the batter has entered the batter's box."

Replay Review Regulation II.D.5 states, "The Crew Chief shall have final authority to determine whether a Manager's Challenge is timely. The judgment of the Crew Chief regarding the timeliness of a Manager's Challenge shall be final and binding on both Clubs, and shall not be reviewable by Replay Review or otherwise."

Replay Review Regulation II.K.4 states, "Official Baseball Rule 4.19 shall have no applicability to these Replay Regulations. No protest shall ever be permitted on judgment decisions by the Replay Official. Moreover, a violation of any rule or procedure set forth herein shall not constitute a basis for protesting a game."

Pursuant to the above terms (II.D.5 and II.K.4), whether Gibbons' protest was timely may have resulted in Tampa Bay's request to protest the game, but such protest cannot be upheld.

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 8/23/14
Video: Quick pickoff results in out after Replay Review in the 4th (TOR) | Maddon protests game (TB)
News: MLB denies protest by Rays over replay challenge (MLB.com)

MiLB: Anthem Ejection, Sean Allen Cal League Ump of Yr

HP Umpire Ryan Wilhelms ejected Jhoan Urena for delay of game (anthem standoff) after Urena ignored Wilhelms' two warnings and instructions to return to his team's dugout following the pre-game performance of the national anthem. Minor League Baseball previously issued a memo regarding anthem standoffs with instructions to umpires to warn, then eject, for delay of game caused by a player's refusal to return to the dugout following the anthem's completion.

Cal president Charlie Blaney, Allen & Harvey.
Photo: Chris Martin (MiLB.com)

Meanwhile at Bakersfield's Sam Lynn Ballpark, umpire Sean Allen (Fresno, CA) received the California League's 2014 Doug Harvey Award, which honors that league's top umpire. The only Umpire of the Year award in both Minor and Major League Baseball (other than the UEFL's Umpire of the Year Award), the Doug Harvey Award recognizes the umpire voted as best by managers of the Cal League. Hall of Famer Doug Harvey (Visalia, CA) began his professional umpiring career in the California League in 1958. The Doug Harvey Award has been given to the Cal League's top umpire annually since 2010 when Harvey himself was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The 29-year-old Allen will serve as crew chief for the Cal League's Championship Series in September.

MLB Ejection 164: Doug Eddings (2; Bruce Bochy)

HP Umpire Doug Eddings ejected Giants Manager Bruce Bochy for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Rockies-Giants game. With none out and one on, Giants batter Buster Posey took a 2-2 fastball from Rockies pitcher Adam Ottavino for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and below the hollow of the knees (px .312, pz 1.477 / sz_bot 1.58 [MOE 1.497]), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Rockies were leading, 3-2. The Rockies ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Doug Eddings (88)'s second ejection of 2014.
Doug Eddings now has 1 point in the UEFL Standings (3 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 1).
Crew Chief Jim Joyce now has -3 points in Crew Division (-3 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = -3).

This is the 164th ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 79th Manager ejection of 2014.
This is the Giants' 7th ejection of 2014, T-1st in the NL West (COL, LAD, SF 7; ARI 5; SD 3).
This is Bruce Bochy's first ejection since June 15, 2014 (Mike Muchlinski; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Doug Eddings' first ejection since August 17, 2014 (John Farrell; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Colorado Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants, 8/25/14
Video: Continued dispute of the strike zone culminates with skip Bochy's eighth-inning removal (SF)

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1020-1029: August 25, 2014

August 25, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

R	1020	2B	Cederstrom, Gary	14	WAS	32	Matt Williams	7	Safe	Overturned
R	1021	2B	Guccione, Chris	13	BOS	37	John Farrell	7	Out	Overturned
R	1022	1B	Gibson, Tripp	15	TOR	45	John Gibbons	9	Out	Confirmed
r	1023	2B	Guccione, Chris	14	TOR	46	John Gibbons	10	Safe	Confirmed
R	1024	HP	Barrett, Lance	16	NYY	27	Joe Girardi	7	Out	Overturned
r	1025	2B	Wolcott, Quinn	16	MIA	30	Mike Redmond	6	Not HR	Confirmed
r	1026	HP	Schrieber, Paul	14	SD	29	Bud Black	2	Out	Stands
R	1027	1B	Marquez, Alfonso	8	MIL	23	Ron Roenicke	4	Safe	Overturned
R	1028	1B	Fagan, Clint	16	TEX	36	Ron Washington	4	Out	Stands
R	1029	HP	Eddings, Doug	16	SF	38	Bruce Bochy	7	Safe	Overturned

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1020: WSH@PHI: Nats challenge safe call, overturned in 7th
Video 1021: BOS@TOR: Red Sox challenge out, overturned in 7th
Video 1022: BOS@TOR: Blue Jays challenge out, confirmed in 9th
Video 1023: BOS@TOR: Umpires review stolen base in the 10th, confirmed
Video 1024: NYY@KC: Yankees challenge out, overturned in 7th
Video 1025: MIA@LAA: Umpires review potential homer in 6th, confirmed
Video 1026: MIL@SD: Umpires review out at home, stands in 2nd
Video 1027: MIL@SD: Brewers challenge safe, overturned in 4th
Video 1028: TEX@SEA: Rangers challenge out, call stands in 4th
Video 1029: COL@SF: Giants challenge safe call, overturned in 7th

MLB Ejections 162, 163: Paul Emmel (2, 3; Peavy, Hudson)

3B Umpire Paul Emmel ejected Giants P Jake Peavy and P Tim Hudson (both off days) for arguing a balk no-call in the top of the 3rd inning of the Giants-Nationals game. With none out and one on, Giants batter Buster Posey took a 2-1 changeup from Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg for a called third ball. Replays indicate Strasburg did not violate Rule 8.05(m) concerning non-stop balks from Set Position, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Giants were leading, 2-0. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 14-6.

This is Paul Emmel (50)'s second, third ejection of 2014.
Paul Emmel now has 10 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct Call] = 10).
Crew Chief Jerry Meals 9 points in Crew Division (7 Previous + 2 Correct Call = 9).

This is the 162nd, 163rd ejection of 2014.
This is the 67th, 68th player ejection of 2014. Prior to ejection, Peavy/Hudson did not appear in this game.
This is the Giants' 5th/6th ejection of 2014, 3rd in the NL West (COL, LAD 7; SF 6; ARI 5; SD 3).
This is Jake Peavy's first ejection since June 16, 2007 (Mike Everitt; QOC = U [Fighting]).
This is Paul Emmel's first ejection since June 15, 2014 (Ned Yost; QOC = Y [Balk]).

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs. Washington Nationals, 8/24/14
Video: On his day off, bench player Peavy is run for arguing the umpiring crew's balk no-call (SF)

MLB Ejection 161: Bill Welke (2; Jose Bautista)

HP Umpire Bill Welke ejected Blue Jays RF Jose Bautista for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Rays-Blue Jays game. With one out and none on, Bautista took a 3-2 slider from Rays pitcher Chris Archer for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and knee high (px .584, pz 1.719 / sz_bot 1.69), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 1-0. The Blue Jays Rays ultimately won the contest, 2-1, in 10 innings.

This is Bill Welke (52)'s second ejection of 2014.
Bill Welke now has 1 point in the UEFL Standings (-3 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 1).
Crew Chief Bob Davidson now has 10 points in Crew Division (9 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 10).

This is the 161st ejection of 2014.
This is the 66th player ejection of 2014. Prior to ejection, Bautista was 0-3 in the contest.
This is the Blue Jays' 5th ejection of 2014, 4th in the AL East (BOS 13; TB 10; NYY 7; TOR 5; BAL 3).
This is Jose Bautista's first ejection since July 28, 2013 (Sam Holbrook; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Bill Welke's first ejection since July 29, 2014 (Yunel Escobar; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 8/24/14
Video: Bautista takes strike three on the outside corner, argues without leaving and is hooked (TOR)
Video: Manager John Gibbons comments on Bautista's early exit during a post game press session (0:45)

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1014-1019: August 24, 2014

August 24, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

r	1014	1B	Danley, Kerwin	13	HOU	29	Bo Porter	7	Not HR	Confirmed
R	1015	1B	Hoye, James	10	TB	47	Joe Maddon	5	Out	Overturned
r	1016	HP	Welke, Bill	13	TB	48	Joe Maddon	10	Out	Confirmed
R	1017	3B	Hernandez, Angel	16	BOS	36	John Farrell	1	Out	Overturned
R	1018	3B	Hernandez, Angel	17	SEA	34	Lloyd McClendon	6	Out	Confirmed
R	1019	1B	DiMuro, Mike	16	KC	33	Ned Yost	7	Safe	Overturned

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1014: HOU@CLE: Umpires review a foul, confirmed in 7th
Video 1015: TB@TOR: Rays challenge out, overturned in 5th
Video 1016: TB@TOR: Umpires review out, confirmed | Longoria's single gives Rays the lead in 10th
Video 1017: SEA@BOS: Red Sox challenge out, overturned in 1st
Video 1018: SEA@BOS: Mariners challenge out, confirmed in 6th
Video 1019: KC@TEX: Royals challenge safe call, overturned in 7th

MLB Ejection 160: Vic Carapazza (5; David Ross)

1B Umpire Vic Carapazza ejected Red Sox C David Ross for arguing a check swing (strike three) call in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Mariners-Red Sox game. With none out and one on, Ross attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 fastball from Mariners pitcher Yoervis Medina. Replays indicate Ross attempted to strike the pitch, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 7-3. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 7-3.

This is Vic Carapazza (19)'s fifth ejection of 2014.
Vic Carapazza now has 19 points in the UEFL Standings (15 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 19).
Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has 3 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 3).

This is the 160th ejection of 2014.
This is the 65th player ejection of 2014. Prior to ejection, Ross was 1-4 in the contest.
This is the Red Sox's 13th ejection of 2014, 1st in the AL East (BOS 13; TB 10; NYY 7; TOR 4; BAL 3).
This is David Ross' first career MLB ejection.
This is Vic Carapazza's first ejection since July 4, 2014 (Kevin Seitzer; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox, 8/23/14
Video: After striking out in the 8th inning, Ross jaws down the first base line, is warned, then tossed (BOS)

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1001-1013: August 23, 2014

August 23, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

r	1001	2B	Fletcher, Andy	11	CWS	32	Robin Ventura	6	HR	Confirmed
R	1002	2B	Fletcher, Andy	12	NYY	26	Joe Girardi	6	Out	Overturned
R	1003	1B	Welke, Bill	12	TOR	44	John Gibbons	4	Safe	Overturned
r	1004	HP	Segal, Chris	8	CHC	50	Rick Renteria	7	Out	Confirmed
R	1005	3B	Culbreth, Fieldin	12	CHC	51	Rick Renteria	8	Out	Stands
r	1006	2B	Bellino, Dan	13	STL	28	Mike Matheny	9	2B	Confirmed
R	1007	1B	Reyburn, DJ	21	STL	29	Mike Matheny	10	Out	Stands
R	1008	1B	Everitt, Mike	11	LAA	35	Mike Scioscia	3	Out	Overturned
R	1009	HP	Fairchild, Chad	7	OAK	36	Bob Melvin	6	Out	Stands
r	1010	2B	Johnson, Adrian	14	OAK	37	Bob Melvin	7	Out	Confirmed
R	1011	2B	DiMuro, Mike	15	KC	32	Ned Yost	6	Safe	Confirmed
R	1012	HP	Wendelstedt, Hunter	11	TEX	35	Ron Washington	7	Safe	Confirmed

R

1013

3B

Scheurwater, Stu

7

DET

34

Brad Ausmus

3

Out

Overturned

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1001: CWS@NYY: Umpires confirm Beltran's homer in 6th
Video 1002: CWS@NYY: Yanks challenge after Prado ruled out in 6th
Video 1003: TB@TOR: Challenge overturns safe call at first in 4th | Rays protest game
Video 1004: BAL@CHC: Umpires confirm no violation of 7.13 in 7th
Video 1005: BAL@CHC: Out at third stands after challenge in 8th
Video 1006: STL@PHI: Umpires confirm ground-rule double in 9th
Video 1007: STL@PHI: Out call stands after challenge in the 10th
Video 1008: LAA@OAK: Pujols safe after challenge in the 3rd
Video 1009: LAA@OAK: Angels' relay to home stands in the 6th
Video 1010: LAA@OAK: Umpires confirm out at second in the 7th
Video 1011: KC@TEX: Andrus' stolen base confirmed in the 6th
Video 1012: KC@TEX: Cain confirmed safe at home in the 7th
Video 1013: DET@MIN: Hunter safe at third after challenge in 3rd

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 995-1000: August 22, 2014

August 22, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

r	995	HP	Culbreth, Fieldin	11	BAL	30	Buck Showalter	5	Out	Confirmed
r	996	HP	Muchlinski, Mike	15	CWS	31	Robin Ventura	6	Out	Confirmed
r	997	3B	Hoberg, Pat	9	BOS	34	John Farrell	2	Not HR	Stands
R	998	3B	Hoberg, Pat	10	BOS	35	John Farrell	4	Safe	Overturned
R	999	3B	Little, Will	17	MIL	22	Ron Roenicke	6	Out	Stands
R	1000	2B	Scott, Dale	13	NYM	32	Terry Collins	4	Out	Stands

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 995: BAL@CHC: Cubs' play at the plate reviewed in 5th
Video 996: CWS@NYY: Umpires confirm no violation of 7.13 in 6th
Video 997: SEA@BOS: Umpires review foul in the 2nd, call stands
Video 998: SEA@BOS: Red Sox win challenge on Betts' catch in 4th
Video 999: PIT@MIL: Brewers challenge out in 6th, call stands
Video 1000: NYM@LAD: Mets challenge out in 4th, call stands