MLB Ejection 238 - Phil Cuzzi (5; Will Benson)

HP Umpire Phil Cuzzi ejected Reds RF Will Benson (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Cardinals-#Reds game. With two out and one on, Reds batter Benson took a 2-2 fastball from Cardinals pitcher Jacob Barnes for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.12, pz 1.69 [sz_bot 1.81 / RAD 1.69]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 19-2. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 19-2.

This is Phil Cuzzi (10)'s 5th ejection of 2023.

This pitch was located 1.00 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 238th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 95th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 108 Managers, 95 Players, 34 Coaches.

This is Cincinnati's 10th ejection of 2023, T-2nd in the NL Central (STL 14; CIN, PIT 10; CHC, MIL 8).

This is Will Benson's 1st career MLB ejection.

This is Phil Cuzzi's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since Sept 19 (Alex Cintron; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds, St Louis Cardinals, 9/29/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 237 - Angel Hernandez (1; Bryce Harper)

3B Umpire Angel Hernandez ejected Phillies 1B Bryce Harper (check swing strike three call) in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the #Pirates-#Phillies game. With one out and none on, Harper attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 slider from Pirates pitcher Luis Ortiz, ruled a ball by HP Umpire James Hoye and called a swinging strike on appeal by 3B Umpire Hernandez. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Angel Hernandez (5)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

This is the 237th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 95th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 108 Managers, 95 Players, 34 Coaches.

This is Philadelphia's 12th ejection of 2023, 2nd in the NL East (MIA 16; PHI 12; NYM 6; ATL 4; WAS 3).

This is Bryce Harper's 4th ejection of 2023, 1st since Sept 15 (Alex Tosi; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Angel Hernandez's 1st ejection since April 24, 2022 (Kyle Schwarber; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Philadelphia Phillies, 9/28/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 235-6 - Ramon De Jesus (6-7; MIA x2)

HP Umpire Ramon De Jesus ejected Marlins DH Jake Burger and manager Skip Schumaker (strike three call; QOCN) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Marlins-#Mets game. With two out and the bases loaded, Marlins batter Burger took a 1-2 fastball from Mets pitcher Phil Bickford for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and waist-high (px 0.97, pz 2.94), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejections, the game was tied, 2-2. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

These are Ramon De Jesus (18)'s 6th and 7th ejections of 2023.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 0.67 horizontal inches from being deemed correct.

These are the 235th and 236th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 94th player ejection of 2023. 108th manager ejection of 2023.

Ejection Tally: 108 Managers, 94 Players, 34 Coaches.

This is Miami's 15/16th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL East (MIA 16; PHI 11; NYM 6; ATL 4; WAS 3).

This is Jake Burger's first career MLB ejection.

This is Skip Schumaker's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since Aug 9 (Bill Miller; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ramon De Jesus' 6/7th ejection of 2023, 1st since Aug 7 (Chris Morel; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs New York Mets (Game 2), 9/27/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 234 - Dan Bellino (6; Brian Snitker)

3B Umpire Dan Bellino ejected Braves manager Brian Snitker (foul ball no-call by HP Umpire Shane Livensparger; QOCN) in the top of the 2nd inning of the #Cubs-#Braves game. With one out and two on, Cubs batter Jeimer Candelario took a first-pitch fastball from Braves pitcher Darius Vines for a called first strike, ruled a passed ball by catcher Sean Murphy that allowed Cubs baserunner R3 Cody Bellinger to score and R1 Seiya Suzuki to advance to second base. Replays indicate the pitched ball first made contact with the batter's bat before passing the catcher, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 6-5, in 10 innings.

This is Dan Bellino (2)'s 6th ejection of 2023.

This is the 234th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 107th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 107 Managers, 93 Players, 34 Coaches.

This is Atlanta's 4th ejection of 2023, 4th in the NL East (MIA 14; PHI 11; NYM 6; ATL 4; WAS 3).

This is Brian Snitker's 6th ejection of 2023, 1st since Sept 9 (Bill Miller; QOC = U [USC-NEC]).

This is Dan Bellino's 6th ejection of 2023, 1st since July 26 (Martin Maldonado; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs Atlanta Braves, 9/27/23 | Video as follows:

That Time SF Scored On Barry Bonds' Infield Fly Rule Play

San Francisco scored a tying run on a pop fly in front of home plate when the defense seemingly forgot or didn't know the infield fly rule and tagged the base instead of the runner attempting to score in this throwback to Barry Bonds' oddest run-producing hit in 2003.

With one out and the bases loaded in the 5th inning on May 13, 2003, Giants batter Bonds hit a fair fly ball, which Montreal infielders failed to catch. HP Umpire Jim Joyce, however, had signaled "Infield Fly, If Fair" and when the ball dropped and was touched in fair territory, Giants baserunner R3 Neifi Perez slyly jogged home from third base, waiting for the Expos to clear the way and subtly stepping on home plate, scoring the tying run for San Francisco.

As soon as HP Umpire Joyce signaled R3 Perez safe, the Montreal infield turned to argue with the umpire as Giants trailing runners R2 Marquis Grissom and R1 Rich Aurilia advanced to third and second base, respectively.

When Expos Manager Frank Robinson emerged from his dugout and strode to home plate, he yelled not at Joyce, but at his players, for failing to know the infield fly rule.

To review, the infield fly rule's core criteria are:

> Less than two out;

> Runners on first and second or bases loaded;

and the call is effectuated when

> The batter hits a fair fly ball that can be caught by an infielder employing ordinary effort.

After Joyce signaled the infield fly (if fair), then pointed the ball fair when it was touched on the bounce, he signaled batter-runner Bonds out, thus removing the force play on all baserunners (with no batter-runner in the picture, the runners are no longer forced to advance and thus may remain at their original bases).

Montreal didn't appear to know the infield fly rule removes the force out, as fielders stepped on home plate, as if to try and force out R3 Perez. HP Umpire Joyce made no signal (as there was no call to make), only signaling "safe" when R3 Perez successfully ran to and touched home plate without Montreal trying to tag his person.

And that's the story of how Barry Bonds drove in a run (although it was technically not an RBI) on an infield fly ball.

Video as follows:

On-Deck Interference, A Bunt HBP & Fair-Foul at Home

An on-deck batter interference in Chicago, batter hit by a pitch while attempting a bunt in Cincinnati and catcher pouncing on a fair ball over home plate in New York comprise a trio of umpire Ask CCS questions over the past week.

On-Deck Interference: Cubs batter Patrick Wisdom's foul fly ball near Chicago's third base dugout drew two Pirates, including third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, who collided with Cubs on-deck batter Alexander Canario, who was trying to get out of the catcher's way but accidentally backed into the oncoming third baseman. After consultation, Crew Chief Alan Porter signaled batter Wisdom out for interference of his teammate Canario (who then came up to bat).

Official Baseball Rule 6.01(b), known as Fielder Right of Way, prescribes that, "The players, coaches or any member of a team at bat shall vacate any space (including both dugouts or bullpens) needed by a fielder who is attempting to field a batted or thrown ball." Whether intentional or not, an on-deck batter, dugout coach, etc. who hinders a fielder attempting to field a batted ball is guilty of interference, and the at-bat batter shall be called out for the interference of their teammate.

HBP During Bunt: Reds batter Luke Maile's attempted bunt ended unsuccessfully, as the pitched ball made contact with his hand coiled around the bat, either instead of or (more importantly) before contacting the bat. Play continued and Minnesota retired Maile at first base. Umpires went to Replay Review as the result of a Reds challenge and Replay HQ overturned the call, Crew Chief Marvin Hudson announcing that a dead ball strike would be charged to Maile for the ball hitting his hands first.

Fair or Foul at Home: Yankees batter-runner Gleyber Torres remained in the right-handed batter's box on a chopper at home plate as Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk waited for the batted ball to spin back toward home plate and into fair territory before fielding the ball and tagging Torres out.

OBR's diagram of home plate confirms that the base itself is entirely in fair territory, with the intersection of the two foul lines (which themselves are within fair territory too) located at the point of home plate.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 233 - Lance Barrett (5; Aaron Boone)

HP Umpire Lance Barrett ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone (strike one call to Oswald Peraza; QOCN) in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the #BlueJays-#Yankees game. With one out and one on, Yankees batter Peraza took a first-pitch fastball from Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px 0.72, pz 1.28 [sz_bot 1.63 / RAD 1.51 / MOE 1.43]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 6-1.

This is Lance Barrett (94)'s 5th ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 1.76 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 233rd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 106th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 106 Managers, 93 Players, 34 Coaches.

This is New York's 11th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL East (NYY 11; BOS 7; BAL, TB, TOR 6).

This is Aaron Boone's 7th ejection of 2023, 1st since August 7 (Laz Diaz; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Lance Barrett's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since June 23 (Derek Shomon; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs New York Yankees, 9/20/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 232 - Brian Knight (1; Kris Bryant)

HP Umpire Brian Knight ejected Rockies 1B Kris Bryant (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 5th inning of the #Rockies-#Padres game. With two out and two on, Bryant took a 1-2 sweeper from Padres pitcher Seth Lugo for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and at the midpoint (px 0.14, pz 1.65 [sz_bot 1.71 / RAD 1.59]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rockies were leading, 2-1. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Brian Knight (91)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 1.72 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 232nd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 93rd player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 105 Managers, 93 Players, 34 Coaches.

This is Colorado's 5th ejection of 2023, 3rd in the NL West (SD 10; ARI 7; COL 5; LAD 4; SF 2).

This is Kris Bryant's 1st ejection since July 25, 2017 (Lance Barksdale; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Brian Knight's 1st ejection since Sept 23, 2022 (Aaron Boone; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Colorado Rockies vs San Diego Padres, 9/20/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 231 - Jansen Visconti (2; Mark Kotsay)

1B Umpire Jansen Visconti ejected A's manager Mark Kotsay (check swing ball one call to Julio Rodriguez) in the top of the 5th inning of the #Mariners-#Athletics game. With two out and none on, Rodriguez attempted to check his swing on a 0-1 slider from A's pitcher Paul Blackburn, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Ron Kulpa and affirmed as no swing on appeal by 1B Umpire Visconti. At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 2-0. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 7-2.

This is Jansen Visconti (52)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

This is the 231st ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 105th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 105 Managers, 92 Players, 34 Coaches.

This is Oakland's 10th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL West (OAK 10; SEA, TEX 8; LAA 7; HOU 5).

This is Mark Kotsay's 6th ejection of 2023, 1st since Aug 27 (David Rackley; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Jansen Visconti's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since June 5 (Mark Kotsay; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs Texas Rangers, 9/19/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 230 - Ben May (3; Bruce Bochy)

HP Umpire Ben May ejected Rangers manager Bruce Bochy (ball four call to Luis Urias; QOCY) in the top of the 7th inning of the #RedSox-#Rangers game. With one out and one on, Red Sox batter Urias took a 3-2 fastball from Rangers pitcher Andrew Heaney for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and above the midpoint (px -0.71, pz 3.18 [sz_top 3.05 / RAD 3.17 / MOE 3.09]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Rangers were leading, 4-3. The Rangers ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

This is Ben May (97)'s 3rd ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 1.08 vertical inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

This is the 230th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 104th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 104 Managers, 92 Players, 34 Coaches.

This is Texas' 8th ejection of 2023, T-2nd in the AL West (OAK 9; SEA, TEX 8; LAA 7; HOU 5).

This is Bruce Bochy's 4th ejection of 2023, 1st since June 20 (DJ Reyburn; QOC = N [Replay Review]).

This is Ben May's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since July 26 (Don Mattingly; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs Texas Rangers, 9/19/23 | Video as follows: