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Thursday, October 9, 2025

Cubs Wanted Infield Fly Rule on Dropped Ball in Chicago

Cubs manager Craig Counsell sought an infield fly rule call after Chicago 1B Michael Busch lost track of Brewers batter William Contreras' fly ball in the sun, allowing Milwaukee to load the bases in the 1st inning of NLDS Game 3.

With runners on first and second base with one out, Contreras hit a high fly ball in front of first base, on the infield.

The Official Baseball Rules defines the infield fly: "An INFIELD FLY is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who stations themself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule."

Accordingly, the infield fly rule has four criteria: 1) first and second (or bases loaded), 2) before two are out, 3) the batter hits a fair fly ball (not line drive nor bunt), 4) that can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort.

The first three criteria were plainly satisfied, which leaves us with #4: the ordinary effort criterion.

We thus turn to OBR's definition of that term: "ORDINARY EFFORT is the effort that a fielder of average skill at a position in that league or classification of leagues should exhibit on a play, with due consideration given to the condition of the field and weather conditions."

Because F3 Busch, the fielder we would expect to make a play on this ball, lost the ball in the afternoon Chicago sun, the "weather conditions" provision of the ordinary effort definition gets triggered: 1B Umpire Lance Barksdale, looking directly at Busch, ruled that this particular weather condition turned Busch's potential catch from requiring effort that was ordinary into extraordinary.

Umpires therefore ruled ordinary effort was not satisfied, which is why an infield fly was not declared.

Video as follows:

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Catcher's Interference No-Call in TOR-NYY ALDS

Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk did not interfere with Yankees batter Trent Grisham in Game 3 of the Toronto-New York ALDS, following a Replay Review that upheld HP Umpire Jordan Baker's interference no-call as Grisham's bat came awfully close to making contact with catcher Kirk's mitt.

With none out and none on in the bottom of the 3rd inning of Game 3, batter Grisham attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 knuckle curve from Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber, ruled ball three. 

Upon Replay Review as the result of a manager's challenge by Yankees manager Aaron Boone, HP Umpire Baker's call was upheld, with Replay HQ ruling "call stands" as to the question of catcher's interference. 

Specifically, clear and convincing evidence did not exist to indicate whether or not catcher Kirk interfered. Because of the "call stands" ruling, we know the Replay Official judged the play solely on the merits of whether or not Grisham's bat made contact with Kirk's mitt.

The Official Baseball Rules defines catcher's interference as defensive interference: "an act by a fielder that hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch."

Because replay only concerned itself with potential batt-glove contact, the judgment call as to whether hinderance actually existed (beyond the question of whether contact occurred) was not on the table.

In high school (NFHS), catcher's interference is called catcher's obstruction, as NFHS defensive interference is specifically an act that occurs prior to the pitch.

OBR 6.01(c) specifies the penalty for catcher's interference: "The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided they advance to and touches first base) when the catcher or any fielder interferes with them."

Video as follows:

Saturday, September 27, 2025

MLB Ejection 174 - John Bacon (6; Mark Kotsay)

HP Umpire John Bacon ejected A's manager Mark Kotsay (foul ball call to Bobby Witt Jr; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Royals-#Athletics game. With one out and one on, Royals batter Witt Jr swung at a 1-2 curveball from A's pitcher Hogan Harris, ruled a foul ball by HP Umpire Bacon. Replays indicate that the bat appeared to make slight contact with the pitched ball during the swing before the ball fell into the dirt behind home plate, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 4-2. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is John Bacon (70)'s 6th ejection of 2025.

This is the 174th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.
This is the 91st manager ejection of 2025.Ejection Tally: 91 Managers, 28 Coaches, 55 Players.
This is Sacramento's 5th ejection of 2025, 3rd in the AL West (LAA 8; HOU, OAK 5; SEA, TEX 4).
This is Mark Kotsay's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since August 2 (John Bacon; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is John Bacon's 6th ejection of 2025, 1st since August 14 (Rocco Baldelli; QOC = Y [Foul Tip]).

MLB Ejections 172-3 - Brock Ballou (2-3; ATL x2)

HP Umpire Brock Ballou ejected Braves manager Brian Snitker and 1B Matt Olson (batter-runner interference call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Pirates-#Braves game. With none out and none on, Braves batter Olson hit a 3-1 changeup from Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler on a fly ball into foul territory, whereupon catcher Henry Davis and Olson collided, resulting in an interference call by HP Umpire Ballou. Replays indicate that after hitting the fly ball, batter-runner Olson remained at home plate and failed to avoid catcher Davis as required by rule, and that the tangle-untangle exemption to the interference rule did not apply because Olson did not attempt to run toward first base, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejections, the Pirates were leading, 3-1. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 3-1.

These are is Brock Ballou (41)'s 2nd and 3rd ejections of 2025.
*Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(10): "It is interference by a batter or a runner when they fail to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball, or intentionally interfere with a thrown ball, provided that if two or more fielders attempt to field a batted ball, and the runner comes in contact with one or more of them, the umpire shall determine which fielder is entitled to the benefit of this rule."
OBR 6.01(a)(10) Comment on "Armbrister Tangle": "When a catcher and batter-runner going to first base have contact when the catcher is fielding the ball, there is generally no violation and nothing should be called."

These are the 172nd and 173rd ejections of the 2025 MLB regular season.
This is the 90th manager ejection of 2025.
This is the 55th player ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 90 Managers, 28 Coaches, 55 Players.
This is Atlanta's 3/4th ejection of 2025, 3rd in the NL East (WAS 10; NYM 5; ATL, MIA 4; PHI 3).
This is Brian Snitker's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since August 27 (Mark Wegner; QOC = U [Warnings]).
This is Matt Olson's first career MLB ejection.
This is Brock Ballou's 2/3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since July 7 (Ray Montgomery; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

MLB Ejection 171 - Ramon De Jesus (3; Aaron Boone)

HP Umpire Ramon De Jesus ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone (strike one/two calls to Aaron Judge; QOCN) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Orioles-#Yankees game. With one out and the bases loaded, Yankees batter Judge took a 0-0 fastball and 1-1 sinker from Orioles pitcher Grant Wolfram called first and second strikes. Replays indicate the 0-0 pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and waist-high (px -0.92, pz 2.99) and the 1-1 pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.89, pz 2.47), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 5-0. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 6-1.

This is Ramon De Jesus (18)'s 3rd ejection of 2025.
*The 0-0 pitch was located 0.12 horizontal inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 171st ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.
This is the 89th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 89 Managers, 28 Coaches, 54 Players.
This is New York's 17th ejection of 2025, 2nd in the AL East (NYY 17; TOR 11; BOS 7; BAL 5; TB 4).
This is Aaron Boone's 7th ejection of 2025, 1st since Sept 3 (Brian Walsh; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Ramon De Jesus' 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since Sept 2 (José Caballero; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

MLB Ejections 169-70 - Gabe Morales (4-5; TOR x2)

HP Umpire Gabe Morales ejected Blue Jays 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr and hitting coach David Popkins (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #RedSox-#BlueJays game. With none out and none on, Blue Jays batter Guerrero took a 1-2 sinker from Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and above the hollow beneath the knee (px -0.77, pz 2.15), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Red Sox were leading, 4-0. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-1.

These are Gabe Morales (47)'s 4th and 5th ejections of 2025.
*This pitch was located 1.73 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

These are the 169th and 170th ejection reports of the 2025 MLB regular season.
This is the 28th coach ejection of 2025.
This is the 54th player ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 88 Managers, 28 Coaches, 54 Players.
This is Toronto's 10/11th ejection of 2025, 2nd in the AL East (NYY 16; TOR 11; BOS 7; BAL 5; TB 4).
This is Vladimir Guerrero Jr's 1st ejection since Aug 30, 2019 (Mike Estabrook; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is David Popkins' 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since July 29 (Nick Mahrley; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Gabe Morales' 4/5th ejection of 2025, 1st since June 11 (JP Sears; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

MLB Ejection 168 - Chad Fairchild (5; Mike Shildt)

HP Umpire Chad Fairchild ejected Padres manager Mike Shildt (strike three call to Freddy Fermin; QOCY) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Brewers-#Padres game. With one out and the bases loaded, Padres batter Fermin took a 2-2 slider from Brewers pitcher Nick Mears for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and above the hollow beneath the knee (px 0.51, pz 1.48 [sz_bot 1.55 / RAD 1.43]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Brewers were leading, 2-1. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 3-1.

This is Chad Fairchild (4)'s 5th ejection of 2025.
*This pitch was located 1.56 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 168th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.
This is the 88th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 88 Managers, 27 Coaches, 53 Players.
This is San Diego's 11th ejection of 2025, 3rd in the NL West (SD 11; SF 7; ARI, COL 5; LAD 3).
This is Mike Shildt's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since August 18 (James Hoye; QOC = N [Replay Review]).
This is Chad Fairchild's 5th ejection of 2025, 1st since Aug 15 (Troy Snitker; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Monday, September 22, 2025

MLB Ejection 167 - Manny Gonzalez (6; Miguel Cairo)

HP Umpire Manny Gonzalez ejected Nationals manager Miguel Cairo (check swing ball four call to Ha-Seong Kim) in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the #Nationals-#Braves game. With none out and two on, Braves batter Kim attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 sinker from Nationals pitcher Jackson Rutledge, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Dan Iassogna and affirmed as no swing by 1B Umpire Gonzalez. At the time of the ejection, the Braves were leading, 2-1. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 11-5.

This is Manny Gonzalez (79)'s 6th ejection of 2025.

This is the 167th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.
This is the 87th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 87 Managers, 27 Coaches, 53 Players.
This is Washington's 10th ejection of 2025, 1st in the NL East (WAS 10; NYM 5; MIA 4; PHI 3; ATL 2).
This is Miguel Cairo's 5th ejection of 2025, 1st since Sept 10 (Laz Diaz; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).
This is Manny Gonzalez's 6th ejection of 2025, 1st since Sept 2 (Dan Wilson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Washington Nationals vs Atlanta Braves, 9/22/25 | Video as follows:

Sunday, September 21, 2025

MLB Ejection 166 - John Tumpane (2; Mark Vientos)

HP Umpire John Tumpane ejected Mets DH Mark Vientos (check swing strike three call by 1B Umpire Chris Conroy) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Nationals-#Mets game. With two out and two on, Mets batter Vientos attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 curveball from Nationals pitcher Mitchell Parker, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Tumpane and called a swinging strike on appeal by 1B Umpire Conroy. At the time of the ejection, the Nationals were leading, 3-2. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s 2nd ejection of 2025.
*This pitch was located 0.53 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 166th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.
This is the 53rd player ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 86 Managers, 27 Coaches, 53 Players.
This is New York's 5th ejection of 2025, 2nd in the NL East (WAS 9; NYM 5; MIA 4; PHI 3; ATL 2).
This is Mark Vientos' first career MLB ejection.
This is John Tumpane's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since June 13 (Aaron Boone; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Washington Nationals vs New York Mets, 9/21/25 | Video as follows:

Saturday, September 20, 2025

MLB Ejection 165 - Stu Scheurwater (2; Bruce Bochy)

HP Umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected Rangers manager Bruce Bochy (strike three call to Cody Freeman; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Marlins-#Rangers game. With none out and none on, Rangers batter Freeman took a 1-2 slider from Marlins pitcher Ronny Henriquez for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and at the hollow beneath the knee (px 0.87, pz 1.32 [sz_bot 1.44 / RAD 1.32]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Marlins were leading, 4-2. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Stu Scheurwater (85)'s 2nd ejection of 2025.
*This pitch was located 0.53 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 165th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.
This is the 86th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 86 Managers, 27 Coaches, 52 Players.
This is Texas' 4th ejection of 2025, 3rd in the AL West (LAA 8; HOU 5; OAK, SEA, TEX 4).
This is Bruce Bochy's 3rd ejection of 2025, 1st since June 14 (Junior Valentine; QOC = U [Check Swing]).
This is Stu Scheurwater's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since June 9 (Craig Counsell; QOC = Y [RLI]).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs Rangers, 9/20/25 | Video as follows: