MLB Ejections 099-100 - Laz Diaz & Jeff Nelson (BOS x2)

3B Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Red Sox bench coach Will Venable and HP Umpire Jeff Nelson ejected bench player Kevin Plawecki (check swing strike three call) in the top of the 6th inning of the #RedSox-#Yankees game. With two out and the bases loaded, Red Sox batter Christian Vazquez attempted to check his swing on a 0-2 slider from Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Nelson and a swinging third strike on appeal by 1B Umpire Manny Gonzalez. Play was reviewed and adjudicated by the UEFL Appeals Board (8-0), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 3-1, in 6 innings.

This is Laz Diaz (63)'s 2nd ejection of 2021.

This is Jeff Nelson (45)'s 2nd ejection of 2021.

Laz Diaz now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (3 Prev + 2 MLB + 1 Call-Crewmate = 6).

Jeff Nelson now has 7 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 2 MLB + 1 Call-Crewmate = 7).

Crew Chief Jeff Nelson now has 3 points in Crew Division (1 Previous + 2 Call = 3).

These are the 99th and 100th ejection reports of the 2021 MLB regular season.

This is the 37th player ejection of 2021. Prior to ejection, Plawecki did not appear in the game.

This is Boston's 4/5th ejection of 2021, 2nd in the AL East (NYY 6; BOS 5; TOR 3; BAL 2; TB 0).

This is Will Venable's 1st ejection since April 9, 2015 (Tripp Gibson; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

This is Kevin Plawecki's first career MLB ejection.

This is Laz Diaz's 2nd ejection of 2021, 1st since April 11 (Scott Servais; QOC = U [Warnings]).

This is Jeff Nelson's 2nd ejection of 2021, 1st since June 6 (Edgar Valera; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees, 7/17/21 | Video as follows:

Umpires Removed Tribute Patch as FTX Took Its Place

Not too long ago, we were asked why umpires removed the traditional black-and-white memorial patch for deceased colleagues from their left sleeve, and now we have a three letter answer: FTX, MLB's new advertiser and cryptocurrency exchange partner, whose patch as of the 2021 All-Star Game now appears on both the umpire jersey's left chest and left sleeve.

Umpires began the 2021 season with two memorial patches in honor of former major league officials who had passed away during the fall of 2020: 34-year AL and MLB umpire Derryl Cousins, who died in October 2020, and NL/MLB umpire Paul Schrieber, who died in November 2020.

Related Post: Former MLB Umpire Derryl Cousins Dead at 74 (10/20/20).

Related Post: Retired MLB Umpire Paul Schrieber Dies at 54 (11/13/20).

When FTX first appeared on umpire uniforms at the 2021 All-Star Game, it effectively replaced the memorial patches on the umpire's left sleeve. According to MLB's partnership announcement, FTX logo patches will continue to adorn all umpire uniforms for all MLB games.

Related Post: MLB Debuts Umpire Uniform Ads During All-Star Game (7/13/21).

At one point in 2017, the umpiring community was besieged by five concurrent deaths and wound up placing a fifth patch on the opposite sleeve, above the umpires' uniform numbers. Will the memorial patch tradition be afforded the opportunity to continue in that form? Only time will tell.

Related Post: Umpires Add 5th Memorial Patch for Bob Motley (9/30/17).

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 098 - Greg Gibson (3; Charlie Montoyo)

HP Umpire Greg Gibson ejected Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo (untimely Replay Review challenge of out call at 1B; QOCY) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Rangers-#BlueJays game. With two out and none on, Blue Jays batter Cavan Biggio hit a 1-0 slider from Rangers pitcher Joe Barlow on the ground to second baseman Nick Solak, who threw to Barlow as Biggio arrived at first base, ruled out by 1B Umpire Stu Scheurwater for the inning's third out. Gibson subsequently denied Montoyo's attempt to challenge Scheurwater's out call, ruling that Montoyo had consumed more than 20 seconds from the end of the play until announcing his intent to challenge/request a review of the play in contravention of Replay Review regulations. Replays do not indicate that Montoyo informed Gibson of an intent to challenge the preceding play, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 6-0. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 10-2.

This is Greg Gibson (53)'s third ejection of 2021.

Greg Gibson now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 6).

Crew Chief Greg Gibson now has 3 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 3).

Related Ejection: MLB Ejection 018 - Greg Gibson (2; Aaron Boone) (4/26/21).

This is the 98th ejection report of the 2021 MLB regular season.

This is the 48th manager ejection of 2021.

This is Toronto's 3rd ejection of 2021, T-2nd in the AL East (NYY 6; BOS, TOR 3; BAL 2; TB 0).

This is Charlie Montoyo's 1st ejection since August 16, 2020 (Vic Carapazza; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Greg Gibson's 3rd ejection of 2021, 1st since April 26 (Aaron Boone; QOC = N [Replay Timing]).

Wrap: Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays of Buffalo, 7/16/21 | Video as follows:

MLB Debuts Umpire Uniform Ads During All-Star Game

Major League Baseball unveiled its new partnership with cryptocurrency exchange FTX with ad patches debuting on umpire uniforms during the 2021 MLB All-Star Game, a notable choice for MLB's first-ever umpire uniform sponsor given Joe West's 2018 comment, regarding money and gambling in baseball: "it scares me to death."

MLB announced its partnership with FTX Trading Limited and West Realm Shires Services in June, writing that professional sports' first Official Cryptocurrency Exchange brand partnership would adorn umpire jerseys...which is somewhat of an ironic placement.

While umpires are largely entrusted with enforcing the rules of the game, cryptocurrencies are largely unregulated financial instruments that aren't exactly beholden to existing rules for securities, though recent comments from the SEC indicate a desire to craft new policy. Perhaps regulators could ask the umpires for help.

MLB Ejection 097 - Jansen Visconti (2; Brad Miller)

HP Umpire Jansen Visconti ejected Phillies DH Brad Miller (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Phillies-#RedSox game. With none out and none on, Miller took a 1-2 knuckle curve from Red Sox pitcher Matt Barnes for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px 0.36, pz 1.71 [sz_bot 1.41 / RAD 1.29 / MOE 1.20]) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Phillies were leading, 5-4. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Jansen Visconti (52)'s 2nd ejection of 2021.

Jansen Visconti now has 11 points in the UEFL Standings (7 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 11).

Crew Chief Jerry Meals now has 4 points in Crew Division (3 Previous + 1 QOCY = 4).

*This pitch was located 6.08 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 97th ejection report of the 2021 MLB regular season.

This is the 36th player ejection of 2021. Prior to ejection, Brad Miller was 0-3 (2 SO) in the contest.

This is Philadelphia's 6th ejection of 2021, 1st in the NL East (PHI 6; MIA 5; NYM 4; WAS 2; ATL 0).

This is Brad Miller's 2nd ejection of 2021, 1st since May 20 (Dan Iassogna; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Jansen Visconti's 2nd ejection of 2021, 1st since April 10 (Manny Machado; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Boston Red Sox, 7/11/21 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 096 - Cory Blaser (2; Lance McCullers)

HP Umpire Cory Blaser ejected Astros bench player Lance McCullers Jr (check swing strike three call) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Yankees-#Astros game. With one out and one on (R1), Astros batter Yuli Gurriel attempted to check his swing on a 0-2 slider from Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole, ruled a swinging third strike by HP Umpire Blaser. This play is under review by the UEFL Appeals Board, the call was *PENDING*. At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 1-0. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 1-0.


This is Cory Blaser (89)'s 2nd ejection of 2021.

Cory Blaser now has ? points in the UEFL Standings (-4 Prev + 2 MLB + ? Call = ?).

Crew Chief Tom Hallion now has ? points in Crew Division (2 Previous + ? Call = ?).

This is the 96th ejection report of the 2021 MLB regular season.

This is the 35th player ejection of 2021. Prior to ejection, McCullers did not appear in the game.

This is Houston's 3rd ejection of 2021, 2nd in the AL West (OAK 4; HOU 3; LAA, SEA, TEX 2).

This is Lance McCullers, Jr.' first career MLB ejection.

This is Cory Blasers' 2nd ejection of 2021, 1st since April 24 (David Ross; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros, 7/10/21 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 095 - Doug Eddings (1; Joey Votto)

3B Umpire Doug Eddings ejected Reds 1B Joey Votto (check swing strike three call) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Reds-#Brewers game. With one out and two on (R1, R2), Reds batter Votto attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 fastball from Brewers pitcher Brad Boxberger, called a ball by HP Umpire Gabe Morales and ruled a swinging strike on appeal by 3B Umpire Eddings. Play was reviewed and adjudicated by the UEFL Appeals Board, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Doug Eddings (88)'s 1st ejection of 2021.

Doug Eddings now has x points in the UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 2 MLB + ? Call = ?).

Crew Chief Doug Eddings now has ? points in Crew Division (4 Previous + ? Call = ?).

Also from this game: MLB Ejections 093-94 - Gabe Morales, John Libka (Counsell, Yelich).

This is the 95th ejection report of the 2021 MLB regular season.

This is the 34th player ejection of 2021. Prior to ejection, Votto was 0-3 (2 SO) in the contest.

This is Cincinnati's 7th ejection of 2021, 2nd in the NL Central (MIL 9; CIN 7; CHC 4; PIT 3; STL 2).

This is Joey Votto's 2nd ejection of 2021, 1st since June 19 (Ryan Additon; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

This is Doug Eddings' 1st ejection since September 10, 2020 (Max Muncy; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 7/10/21 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 093-94 - Morales, Libka (MIL x2)

HP Umpire Gabe Morales ejected Brewers manager Craig Counsell (balls/strikes; QOCY) in the top of the 6th and 1B Umpire John Libka ejected Brewers LF Christian Yelich (out call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Reds-#Brewers game. In the top of the 6th, Reds batter Jonathan India was hit by a pitch, Jesse Winker singled, and Nick Castellanos hit a home run; Counsell was ejected during the ensuing pitching change in which Brent Suter replaced Freddy Peralta. Replays indicate of the five callable pitches in the half inning preceding ejection, HP Umpire Morales' officiated five correctly (5/5 = 100% accuracy), the call was correct.

In the bottom of the 6th, with none out and none on, Brewers batter Yelich bunted a first-pitch fastball from Reds pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez on the ground to Gutierrez, who threw wildly to first base. As Yelich stood down the right field line, Reds second baseman Jonathan India, who had retrieved the ball, tagged Yelich. Replays indicate Yelich, after overrunning first base, made a motion to indicate an attempt to run to second before stopping his motion and remaining down the right field line, the call was correct.* At the time of both ejections, the Reds were leading, 3-1. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Gabe Morales (47)'s 2nd ejection of 2021.

This is John Libka (84)'s 3rd ejection of 2021.

Gabe Morales now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).

John Libka now has 12 points in the UEFL Standings (8 Prev + 2 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 12).

Crew Chief Doug Eddings now has 4 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 2 QOCY = 4).

*Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(11) declares a runner is out when the runner "fails to return at once to first base after overrunning or oversliding that base. If the runner attempts to run to second they are out when tagged."

Also from this game: Ejection 095 - Doug Eddings (Joey Votto [Check Swing]).

These are the 93rd and 94th ejection reports of the 2021 MLB regular season.

This is the 47th manager ejection of 2021.

This is the 33rd player ejection of 2021. Prior to ejection, Yelich was 2-3 in the contest.

This is Milwaukee's 8/9th ejection of 2021, 1st in the NL Central (MIL 9; CIN 6; CHC 4; PIT 3; STL 2).

This is Craig Counsell's 3rd ejection of 2021, 1st since May 18 (Brian Gorman; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).
This is Christian Yelich's 1st ejection since May 9, 2017 (Andy Fletcher; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Gabe Morales' 2nd ejection of 2021, 1st since June 6 (Phil Nevin; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is John Libka's 3rd ejection of 2021, 1st since April 20 (Luis Rojas; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 7/10/21 | Video as follows:

Checking in With RoboUmp's Auto Ball/Strike System

We check in with the MLB-partnered Atlantic League's automated ball/strike system (ABS) experiment colloquially referred to as RoboUmp during a recent Lexington Legends vs Lancaster Barnstormers series and find, similar to when the computerized umpire test began severals ago in the ALPB, that RoboUmp appears to still have trouble calling balls and strikes.

Because, frankly, we just don't have the time to sit through an entire game looking for close calls, we found a random smattering of...interesting...decisions by ABS, including a strike three call on a pitch that, well, let's just say evaded detection by the broadcast crew for a good period of time after the delayed strike three mechanic was actually made. 

Jordan Pacheco, the batter called for the strikeout, took to Twitter to express his frustration: "Thank you @MLB for putting the automated strike zone in the @AtlanticLg."

So much for that Trackman-to-Hawkeye upgrade. For a collection of articles about the computer strike zone, the Atlantic League, and beyond (including links to articles that contain video highlighting RoboUmp's best plate work), visit the following article.

Related Post: MLB Announces Atlantic League as First Partner (9/23/20).

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 092 - David Rackley (1; Jose Alvarez)

HP Umpire David Rackley ejected Giants pitcher Jose Alvarez (balls/strikes; QOCY) in the top of the 4th inning of the #Nationals-#Giants game. With none out and none on, Nationals batter Juan Soto singled, Josh Bell walked, Starlin Castro lined out, and Tres Barrera tripled; Alvarez was ejected during a pitching change. Replays indicate of the 11 callable pitches thrown by Alvarez during his appearance, Rackley officiated 11 properly (11/11 = 100% accuracy; closest pitch: ball one to Bell [px -0.50, pz 1.57 {sz_bot 1.63 / RAD 1.51 / MOE 1.59}]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Giants were leading, 3-2. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is David Rackley (86)'s 1st ejection of 2021.

David Rackley now has 5 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 5).

Crew Chief Marvin Hudson now has 5 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 1 QOCY = 5).

This is the 92nd ejection report of the 2021 MLB regular season.

This is the 32nd player ejection of 2021. Prior to ejection, Alvarez's line was 0.1 IP, 3 ER, BB.

This is San Francisco's 2nd ejection of 2021, T-3rd in the NL West (SD 9; ARI 3; COL, SF 2; LAD 1).

This is Jose Alvarez's first career MLB ejection.

This is David Rackley's 1st ejection since September 1, 2019 (Brad Ausmus; QOC = N [Balk]).

Wrap: Washington Nationals vs. San Francisco Giants, 7/9/21 | Video as follows: