MLB Ejection 014 - Ryan Wills (1; John Schneider)

HP Umpire Ryan Wills ejected Blue Jays manager John Schneider (strike one call to Vladimir Guerrero; QOCN) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Yankees-#BlueJays game. With two out and one on, Blue Jays batter Guerrero took a first-pitch sinker from Yankees pitcher Clay Holmes for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -0.12, pz 1.48 [sz_bot 1.75 / RAD 1.63 / MOE 1.55]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 6-4. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

This is Ryan Wills (20)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

*This pitch was located 0.84 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 14th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 5th manager ejection of 2024.

Ejection Tally: 5 Managers, 2 Coaches, 7 Players.

This is Toronto's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st in the AL East (TOR 2; BOS, NYY 1; BAL, TB 0).

This is John Schneider's 1st ejection since Aug 10, 2023 (Jeremie Rehak; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ryan Wills' 1st ejection since May 14, 2023 (Bryce Harper; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays, 4/17/24 | Video as follows:

John Libka's Time Play Washout and Umpiring Mechanics

Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez's heads up play to throw Reds runner Elly De La Cruz out at third base after catching Nick Martini's fly ball saved Seattle a run, as HP Umpire John Libka ruled R3 Jake Fraley did not score prior to the time play's third out.

We review umpiring mechanics for time play situations—especially of the sacrifice fly-turned-inning-ending-double-play variety—and clarify (again) that an appeal play on a runner for failing to retouch (tag up) after a caught fly ball is not considered a force play, and thus, subject to time play rules.

Time Play Basics: Official Baseball Rule 5.08(a) states that, "One run shall be scored each time a runner legally advances to and touches first, second, third and home base before three players are put out to end the inning." This means that on plays where a third out may occur, it is incumbent on the home plate umpire to prepare for the possibility that they will have to determine whether or not a preceding runner touched home plate prior to the third out being recorded behind them.

On this play, HP Umpire Libka lined up to see both Cincinnati baserunner R3 Fraley's impending touch of home plate and Seattle third baseman Josh Rojas' diving tag attempt on Reds runner R2 De La Cruz. When 3B Umpire Jonathan Parra, himself moving with the play to find the keyhole angle, called R2 De La Cruz out on the tag for the inning's third out, Libka emerged from behind home plate to indicate via the washout signal (similar to a "safe" sign except the arms are more elevated) that R3 Fraley's run would not score, as Fraley hadn't yet touched home plate prior to the third out on De La Cruz.

Exceptions to Time Plays: OBR 5.08(a) provides for three time play exceptions, meaning that even if a lead runner touches home prior to the third out, the run still will not count if the third out is a result of one of these scenarios. These are 1) a batter-runner retired before touching first base, 2) any runner being forced out, and 3) an appeal play for missing a base made on a preceding (ahead of) runner.

Appeal Plays: If any appeal play results on a preceding runner being declared out for the third out of the inning, no following runner is allowed to score. But if an appeal play is made on a following runner, then the preceding runner's run is treated as a Time Play—if the preceding runner touches home prior to the third out, the run will count. It is a rules myth that all tag-up or retouch appeals are treated as force plays—they are not, and are subject to timing rules if the runner being retired is trailing/following/behind the lead runner who is trying to score.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 013 - Laz Diaz (1; Skip Schumaker)

HP Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Marlins manager Skip Schumaker (pitch clock violation no-call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Giants-#Marlins game. With two out and none on, following Marlins batter Avisaíl García's strikeout, Giants manager Bob Melvin visited the mound to replace pitcher Ryan Walker. Giants left-handed relief pitcher Tyler Rogers, warming in the bullpen, entered the playing field and began jogging toward the infield, only for Melvin to then signal with his right arm that he wanted a right-handed pitcher instead. Rogers returned to the bullpen as relief pitcher Camilo Doval (having since warmed up where Rogers had been pitching from moments earlier) stepped onto the warning track. After subsequent Marlins batter Nick Gordon took a first-pitch strike from Doval to make the count 0-1, Schumaker was ejected arguing the count should be 1-1 due to a pitch clock violation on San Francisco for taking too long to provide a substitute pitcher.

The pitch timer rules state that when a substitute pitcher is called into the game, the pitching change timer is started upon the umpire's signal to the bullpen. However, regardless of how much time has expired, if the substitute pitcher steps onto the warning track with under two minutes remaining on the clock, then the timer is automatically reset to 2:00, which is what the clock operator in Miami did here. Furthermore, Official Baseball Rule 5.10(j) pertaining to substitutions states that a pitcher not yet announced is not considered into the game until "they take their place on the pitcher’s plate"; there is no mechanism for a pitch clock violation in this scenario provided the pitcher concluded his on-field warmups timely, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Giants were leading, 4-3. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Laz Diaz (63)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

This is the 13th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 4th manager ejection of 2024.

Ejection Tally: 4 Managers, 2 Coaches, 7 Players.

This is Miami's 1st ejection of 2023, T-1st in the NL East (MIA, NYM, WAS 1; ATL, PHI 0).

This is Skip Schumaker's 1st ejection since Sept 27, 2023 (Ramon De Jesus; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Laz Diaz's 1st ejection since September 7, 2023 (Turner Ward; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs Miami Marlins, 4/15/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 012 - Edwin Moscoso (1; Aroldis Chapman)

HP Umpire Edwin Moscoso ejected Pirates pitcher Aroldis Chapman (balls/strikes; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Pirates-#Mets game. With none out and none on, Mets batter Francisco Alvarez struck out, Jeff McNeil struck out but advanced to first on a wild pitch by Chapman, DJ Stewart walked, both runners stole bases, and Harrison Bader doubled to score both runners. During Chapman's appearance prior to ejection, Moscoso officiated 14-of-15 callable pitches correctly (93.3%), the call was correct.*

This is Edwin Moscoso (32)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

*The incorrect ball call during Alvarez's at-bat was the only miss of the inning; three pitches later, Alvarez was called out on strikes. By rule, 93% accuracy when the miss occurs during an at-bat that favors the ejected results in a QOCY decision.

This is the 12th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 7th player ejection of 2024. Prior to ejection, Chapman's line was 0.1 IP, 3 ER, L.

Ejection Tally: 3 Managers, 2 Coaches, 7 Players.

This is Pittsburgh's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st in the NL Central (PIT 2; CHC, CIN, MIL, STL 0).

This is Aroldis Chapman's 1st career MLB ejection.

This is Edwin Moscoso's 1st ejection since August 8, 2023 (Brandon Hyde; QOC = Y [Out/Safe]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs New York Mets, 4/15/24 | Video as follows:

Nestor Cortes Fake Pitch - Legal or Illegal?

Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes executed an unusual delivery against Cleveland, pantomiming a fake pitch during his windup to Guardians batter Andrés Giménez. HP Umpire Mark Carlson and crew no-called the peculiar sequence, but with such a bizarre pitch, was there a rules violation to enforce?

This isn't Cortes' first unorthodox delivery, as in early 2023, Cortes reacted to HP Umpire Reed Basner's quick pitch (automatic ball) call by drawing out his windup and throwing a "slow pitch" instead. We discussed its legality, finding that although the quick pitch comes with its own penalty (automatic ball with the bases empty or a balk with runners on base), a "slow" pitch does not.

Article: Legality of Nestor Cortes' Delay from Windup Position (3/28/23).

This time around, Cortes added a fake pitch motion prior to his actual throw, leading to similar questions as to its legality. Official Baseball Rule 5.07(a)(1) governing Windup Position states, "Any natural movement associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without interruption or alteration. He shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in his actual delivery of the ball to the batter, he may take one step backward, and one step forward with his free foot."

If an umpire deems Cortes failed to heed the "without interruption or alteration" portion of this rule, the penalty wouldn't be the same as if Cortes were to have pitched from off the rubber (illegal pitch), thrown a quick return pitch (illegal pitch), or taken an additional step during delivery (treated as an illegal pitch). The penalty for all these would be an automatic ball added to the count; had there been runners on base, it would be treated as a balk instead.

But simple violation of the "without interruption or alteration" part of the rule alone, while grounds for a potential balk call had there been runners on base (e.g., under OBR 6.02(a)(1)), with the bases empty, there is no penalty as there would be for a bona fide illegal pitch.

Accordingly, the only remedy is a "don't do that" instruction to the pitcher, which does not carry with it a ball added to the count or other real gameplay penalty.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 011 - Derek Thomas (1; Tim Hill)

HP Umpire Derek Thomas ejected White Sox pitcher Tim Hill (balls/strikes; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Reds-#WhiteSox game. With none out and none, Reds batter Nick Martini singled (advanced to second on an error), Tyler Stephenson lined out (R2 Martini advanced to third), Jonathan India hit a sacrifice fly (Martini scored), and Benson was called out on strikes. Replays indicate of the seven callable pitches thrown by Hill during his appearance, Thomas officiated all properly (7/7 = 100% accuracy), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 11-4. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 11-4.

This is Derek Thomas (106)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

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

The 2-2 pitch to Martini was located 1.06 horizontal inches (px -0.84) from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 11th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 6th player ejection of 2024. Prior to ejection, Hill's line was 1.0 IP, R, SO.

Ejection Tally: 3 Managers, 2 Coaches, 6 Players.

This is Chicago's 1st ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL Central (CWS, MIN 1; CLE, DET, KC 0).

This is Tim Hill's 1st career MLB ejection.

This is Derek Thomas' 1st ejection since August 3, 2023 (David Bell; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs Chicago White Sox, 4/14/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 010 - John Libka (1; Joey Gallo)

HP Umpire John Libka ejected Nationals 1B Joey Gallo (strike two and three calls; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Nationals-#Athletics game. With one out and none on, Gallo took a 2-1 changeup and 3-2 fastball from A's pitcher Lucas Erceg for called second and third strikes. Replays indicate the pitch ruled strike two was located over the outer edge of home plate and belt-high (px -0.76, pz 2.94) and the pitch ruled strike three was located over the outer edge of home plate and waist-high (px -0.71, pz 3.26 [sz_top 3.52]), the call was correct.

This is John Libka (84)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

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

The 2-1 pitch was located 1.85" & 3-2 pitch was 2.45 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 10th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 5th player ejection of 2024. Prior to ejection, Gallo was 0-3 (2 SO) in the contest.

Ejection Tally: 3 Managers, 2 Coaches, 5 Players.

This is Washington's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL East (WAS 2; NYM 1; ATL, MIA, PHI 0).

This is Joey Gallo's 1st ejection since August 25, 2023 (Carlos Torres; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is John Libka's 1st ejection since July 7, 2023 (Andy Haines; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Washington Nationals vs Sacramento Las Vegas Oakland Athletics | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 009 - Clint Vondrak (1; Bob Melvin)

HP Umpire Clint Vondrak ejected Giants manager Bob Melvin (strike three call to Jorge Soler; QOCY) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Giants-#Rays game. With two out and two on, Giants batter Soler took a 2-2 slider from Rays pitcher Colin Poche for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.71, pz 1.60 [sz_bot 1.79 / RAD 1.67 / MOE 1.59]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 2-1. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

This is Clint Vondrak (15)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

*This pitch was located 0.12 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 9th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 3rd manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 3 Managers, 2 Coaches, 4 Players.

This is San Francisco's 1st ejection of 2024, 1st in the NL West (SF 1; ARI, COL, LAD, SD 0).

This is Bob Melvin's 1st ejection since July 16, 2023 (Dan Bellino; QOC = Y [Pitch Clock Violation]).

This is Clint Vondrak's 1st ejection since August 20, 2023 (Elvis Andrus; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs Tampa Bay Rays, 4/12/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 008 - Jeremie Rehak (1; Reese McGuire)

HP Umpire Jeremie Rehak ejected Red Sox catcher Reese McGuire (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Orioles-#RedSox game. With none out and none on, Red Sox batter McGuire took a 3-2 fastball from Orioles pitcher Craig Kimbrel for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and belt-high (px -0.54, pz 2.86 [sz_top 3.33]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 9-4, in 10 innings.

This is Jeremie Rehak (35)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

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

This pitch was located 4.49 horizontal and 8.11 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 8th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 4th player ejection of 2024. Prior to ejection, McGuire was 0-4 (2 SO) in the contest.

Ejection Tally: 2 Managers, 2 Coaches, 4 Players.

This is Boston's 1st ejection of 2024, T-1st in the AL East (BOS, NYY, TOR 1; BAL, TB 0).

This is Reese McGuire's first career MLB ejection.

This is Jeremie Rehak's 1st ejection since Sept 12, 2023 (Chris Johnson; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs Boston Red Sox, 4/11/24 | Video as follows:

A's-Rangers Double Play - Infield Fly or Ordinary Effort?

Oakland turned an inning-ending double play against Texas when Rangers batter Jared Walsh's soft infield pop fly evaded diving A's second baseman Zack Gelof near the pitcher's mound, with 2B Umpire Tom Hanahan initially appearing to signal an infield fly, before declaring the batter safe, electing not to invoke the infield fly rule because none of the Athletics infielders could have caught the batted ball with ordinary effort.

With one out and runners on first and second base in the bottom of the 7th inning, Walsh's quasi-fly ball initially attracted speculation that the infield fly rule would be invoked, but as second baseman Gelof slid in an unsuccessful attempt to catch the batted ball, Oakland recovered and turned the inning-ending double play when umpires ruled the infield fly rule did not apply.

Gelof's slide may have tipped the scales against ruling this play an infield fly, as pitcher Austin Adams would have had to range backwards, off the mound to field the ball and Gelof was the other closest infielder, meaning that according to the umpire, no infielder was in a place where this ball could have been caught with ordinary effort.

This might be the infield fly counterweight to LF Umpire Sam Holbrook's infamous postseason infield fly call in Atlanta, when the umpire ruled that a shortstop deep into left field could have caught a fly ball with ordinary effort because he was camped under the ball before suddenly vacating that position.

Although formally termed an "infield fly" the definition and rule may more accurately be deemed the "infielder fly rule."

An infield fly is defined as "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," and the infield fly rule results in the batter being declared automatically out while the ball itself remains live.

When Walsh's batted ball fell to the ground and the infield fly rule was not invoked, that forced both preceding baserunners R1 and R2 to advance, allowing pitcher Adams to turn a double play when both R1 Adolis García and R1 Jonah Heim didn't advance.

Video as follows: