About Cubs LF Matt Shaw's Fair Infield Single in San Diego

What is a fair ball? Cubs batter Matt Shaw hit an infield single in San Diego when Padres 3B Ty France picked up a batted ball as it rolled along the foul line, HP Umpire Dan Merzel explaining to manager Craig Stammen what he saw as Padres fans expressed outrage at the call.

So what happened?

This play comes up every few years, so we refer to the 2023 season's case of a fair infield single in New York, when HP Umpire Lance Barrett ruled Royals batter Bobby Witt Jr's bunt a fair ball after Yankees 3B DJ LeMahieu swiped his glove at the ball in fair territory.

Related Post: Why Was This Ball Called Fair in New York? (7/23/23).

To begin, we review the Official Baseball Rules' definition: "A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first, second or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first base or third base, or that, while on or over fair territory touches the person of an umpire or player, or that, while over fair territory, passes out of the playing field in flight."

There are two main standards for judging fair/foul: situations that consider whether a ball is on fair territory and situations that consider whether a ball is over fair territory.

A ball must be on fair territory to be considered fair in the case of: a batted ball settling between home and first/third base or first falling on fair territory beyond first/third base (e.g., in the outfield).

A ball must be over fair territory to be considered fair (whether or not it also touches [or is on] fair territory) for: a batted ball bounding to the outfield past first/third base, a batted ball that touches an umpire or player, or passes out of the playing field in flight (home run).

And, finally, a batted ball that touches first/second/third base is a fair ball.

Eagle-eyed viewers might also notice the rulebook's definition of foul ball is extremely similar, just substituting the phrase "foul territory" for "fair territory."

Thus we must also consider the following definitions: "FAIR TERRITORY is that part of the playing field within, and including the first base and third base lines, from home base to the bottom of the playing field fence and perpendicularly upwards. All foul lines are in fair territory"; "FOUL TERRITORY is that part of the playing field outside the first and third base lines extended to the fence and perpendicularly upwards."

Finally, the MLB Umpire Manual interprets FAIR BALL as, "When in contact with the ground, a ball must be in contact with fair territory and not merely over fair territory in order to be adjudged to be fair."

MLBUM added this interpretation following the introduction of Replay Review ahead of the 2014 season, and it works well for outfield fair/foul decisions on reviewable plays in which the ball may or may not fall on the foul line, generally observed from a parallax-prone camera angle.

For the infield fair/foul decision regarding a batted ball that contacts a person, however, a few key differences arise. First, this is the infield not the outfield. Second, this is not presently a reviewable play. Third, the rulebook criteria for this infield play remains on or over fair territory, as opposed to the outfield play's on foul territory criterion. Fourth, the umpire's angle in calling this play generally positions their head above the foul line, not entirely "top-down" but at an angle greater than 45-degrees and, thus, closer to top-down than ground level.

And herein lies the problem: The umpire, looking from above the height of the ball (unless they were to place their head directly on the dirt), generally will see a baseball over fair territory, all else equal, if any part of the baseball is over the foul line, even if the baseball itself is not in contact with the line (it's a sphere, after all). Pursuant to the Official Baseball Rules, the umpire calls this a fair ball when touched by the fielder, which conflicts with the MLBUM interpretation, which itself conflicts with OBR. Lovely.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 018 - Chad Whitson (1; Pete Maki)

3B Umpire Chad Whitson ejected Twins pitching coach Pete Maki (check swing ball four call to Chandler Simpson) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Twins-#Rays game. With one out and none on, Rays batter Simpson attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 splitter from Twins pitcher Taj Bradley, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Bill Miller and affirmed as no swing by 1B Umpire Whitson. At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 4-1. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 6-2.

This is Chad Whitson (62)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

This is the 18th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 2nd coach ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 12 Managers, 2 Coaches, 4 Players.

This is Minnesota's 3rd ejection of 2026, 1st in the AL Central (MIN 3; KC 1; CWS, CLE, DET 0).

This is Pete Maki's first career MLB ejection.

This is Chad Whitson's 1st ejection since July 20, 2025 (Justin Verlander; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs Tampa Bay Rays, 4/24/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 017 - Cory Blaser (1; Clayton McCullough)

1B Umpire Cory Blaser ejected Marlins manager Clayton McCullough (balk call; QOCY) in the top of the 2nd inning of the #Brewers-#Marlins game. With one out and one on, Marlins pitcher Eury Pérez attempted to pick off Brewers baserunner Brandon Lockridge, ruled a balk by 1B Umpire Blaser because Marlins 1B Connor Norby was not positioned at first base, and the throw was to the fielder, not directly to the base, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Marlins were leading, 3-0. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Cory Blaser (89)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

MLB Umpire Manual Interpretation of Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a): "The pitcher shall be charged with a balk if, while in contact with the rubber, they throw to a fielder who is either in front of or behind first or third base and obviously not making an attempt at retiring the runner at that base. However, there is no violation if the pitcher throws the ball directly to first or third base in this situation."

This is the 17th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 12th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 12 Managers, 1 Coaches, 4 Players.

This is Miami's 1st ejection of 2026, 1st in the NL East (ATL, MIA, PHI 1; NYM, WAS 0).

This is Clayton McCullough's 1st ejection since June 26, 2025 (Alfonso Márquez; QOC = U [Warnings]).

This is Cory Blaser's 1st ejection since August 16, 2024 (Michael Crdar; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs Miami Marlins, 4/19/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 016 - Adrian Johnson (1; Kyle Snyder)

HP Umpire Adrian Johnson ejected Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder (denied ABS challenge/timing; QOCN) in the bottom of the 13th inning of the #Rays-#Pirates game. With two out and two on, Pirates batter Konnor Griffin took a 1-1 sweeper from Rays pitcher Roendrys Gómez for a called second ball, with Johnson denying Rays catcher Nick Fortes' challenge request. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and belt-high (px -0.85, pz 3.35), but that pitcher Gómez timely requested an ABS challenge of Johnson's ball call prior to Fortes' head-tap, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 8-6. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 8-7, in 13 innings.

This is Adrian Johnson (80)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

*QOC for this ABS denial refers to the umpire's decision to the deny the challenge request.

This is the 16th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 4th coach ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 11 Managers, 1 Coaches, 4 Players.

This is Tampa Bay's 1st ejection of 2026, 2nd in the AL East (NYY 2; BAL, BOS, TB, TOR 1).

This is Kyle Snyder's 1st ejection since August 2, 2024 (Doug Eddings; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Adrian Johnson's 1st ejection since May 10, 2025 (Rocco Baldelli; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs Pittsburgh Pirates, 4/18/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 015 - Nic Lentz (1; Derek Shelton)

HP Umpire Nic Lentz ejected Twins manager Derek Shelton (check swing ball call by 1B Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Reds-#Twins game. With two out and two on, Reds batter Elly De La Cruz attempted to check his swing on a 1-1 sweeper from Twins pitcher Kody Funderburk, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Lentz and affirmed as no swing on appeal by 1B Umpire Wendelstedt. At the time of the ejection, the Twins were leading, 4-3. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Nic Lentz (59)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

This is the 15th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 11th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 11 Managers, 1 Coaches, 3 Players.

This is Minnesota's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st in the AL Central (MIN 2; KC 1; CWS, CLE, DET 0).

This is Derek Shelton's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st since March 29 (Chris Segal; QOC = Y [ABS]).

This is Nic Lentz's 1st ejection since August 17, 2025 (Oliver Marmol; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs Minnesota Twins, 4/18/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 014 - Nestor Ceja (1; Matt Quatraro)

2B Umpire Nestor Ceja ejected Royals manager Matt Quatraro (balk no-call; QOCN) in the top of the 1st inning of the #Royals-#Yankees game. With two out and one on, Yankees pitcher Will Warren faced Royals batter Jac Caglianone while operating out of Set Position, with no balk called. Replays indicate that prior to the 1-0 pitch, Warren engaged the rubber, moved from stretch to set by bringing his hands together, and then removed his pitching hand from his glove to access his PitchCom system, before returning his hand to his glove and delivering the ball to the batter; this is a balk, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 13-4.

This is Nestor Ceja (33)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

*Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(10): "If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher, after coming to a legal pitching position, removes one hand from the ball other than in an actual pitch, or in throwing to a base."

Related Post: PitchCom Fails, Causes Balk in Mets-Cubs Game (5/25/23).

This is the 14th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 10th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 10 Managers, 1 Coaches, 3 Players.

This is Kansas City's 1st ejection of 2026, 1st in the AL Central (KC, MIN 1; CWS, CLE, DET 0).

This is Matt Quatraro's 1st ejection since August 15, 2025 (Tom Hanahan; QOC = N [Obstruction]).

This is Nestor Ceja's 1st ejection since September 19, 2025 (John Schneider; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals vs New York Yankees, 4/18/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 013 - Junior Valentine (1; Connor Phillips)

HP Umpire Junior Valentine ejected Reds pitcher Connor Phillips (throwing at Giants batter Willy Adames) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Giants-#Reds game. With two out and two on, Adames took a 0-1 fastball from Phillies for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Adames on the left thigh, with the HBP following a 0-0 fastball similarly thrown inside, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Giants were leading, 3-0. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 3-0.

This is Junior Valentine (25)'s 1st ejection of 2026.
Official Baseball Rule 6.02(c)(9) (Intentionally Pitch at Batter): "if, in the umpire's judgment, such a violation occurs, the umpire may elect either to: (A) Expel the pitcher, or the manager and the pitcher from the game, or (B) may warn the pitcher and the manager of both teams that another such pitch will result in the immediate expulsion of that pitcher [or a replacement] and the manager."

This is the 13th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 3rd player ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 9 Managers, 1 Coaches, 3 Players.

This is Cincinnati's 1st ejection of 2026, 1st in the NL Central (CIN, PIT; CHC, MIL, STL 0).

This is Connor Phillips' first career MLB ejection.

This is Junior Valentine's 1st ejection since September 10, 2025 (Ryan Goins; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs Cincinnati Reds, 4/16/26 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 012 - Will Little (1; Aaron Boone)

HP Umpire Will Little ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone (balk call on Ryan Yarbrough; QOCY) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Angels-#Yankees game. With two out and two on, during Angels batter. Mike Trout's at-bat, Yankees pitcher Yarbrough attempted to pick off Angels baserunner R1 Zach Nieto, but was called for a balk by 1B Umpire Ryan Additon for failing to throw to the base, as first baseman Ben Rice was not at first base when the throw occurred. Replays indicate first baseman Ben Rice received the throw off first base and that the throw itself was not to the base; Additon concluded that Rice did not attempt to retire the runner because of a lack of tag attempt, the call was correct.*

This is Will Little (93)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

MLB Umpire Manual Interpretation of Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a): "The pitcher shall be charged with a balk if, while in contact with the rubber, they throw to a fielder who is either in front of or behind first or third base and obviously not making an attempt at retiring the runner at that base. However, there is no violation if the pitcher throws the ball directly to first or third base in this situation."

This is the 12th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 9th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 9 Managers, 1 Coaches, 2 Players.

This is New York's 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st in the AL East (NYY 2; BAL, BOS, TOR 1; TB 0).

This is Aaron Boone's 1st ejection since September 27, 2025 (Ramon De Jesus; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Will Little's 1st ejection since May 26, 2025 (Justin Viele; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Angels of Somewhere vs New York Yankees of Bronx, 4/16/26 | Video as follows:

Alonso Strikes Out on Pitch Clock Violation, Orioles Argue

After striking out on a pitch clock violation, Orioles 1B Pete Alonso argued HP Umpire John Tumpane's automatic strike call, claiming that because Diamondbacks pitcher Kevin Ginkel wasn't looking at him at the timer's eight-second mark, he shouldn't be called for a batter violation for not looking at the pitcher. O's manager Craig Albernaz briefly discussed the call with Tumpane before returning to the dugout.

Let's clear up the pitch clock confusion.

When Major League Baseball introduced the pitch clock prior to the 2023 season, the league released a set of procedures outlining the pitcher, catcher, and batter's responsibilities. Because we are concerned with a timer-specific violation, let's review the timer-specific requirements:

At 9 seconds remaining on the timer, the catcher must be in the catcher's box.

At 8 seconds on the clock, the batter must be in the batter's box and alert to the pitcher.

Prior to 0 seconds on the clock, the pitcher must begin delivery (or disengage if there are runner(s)).

HP Umpire Tumpane called batter Alonso for failing to be alert to pitcher Ginkel at the eight-second mark, but Alonso's (and the Baltimore broadcasters') argument that he shouldn't have been called for a violation because pitcher Ginkel wasn't similarly alert to (or looking at) the batter doesn't have any basis in the pitch clock rules or procedures.

To be clear, the batter is required to be alert to the pitcher by eight seconds remaining on the clock, but the pitcher is not required to be alert to the batter: the pitcher's only obligation is to deliver the pitch (or disengage the rubber [e.g., attempt a pickoff] if there are runners) prior to the expiration of time.

The pitcher is not required to be alert to the batter at eight seconds; the batter is required to be alert to the pitcher at eight seconds, and thus, HP Umpire Tumpane called a batter violation when Alonso wasn't alert at eight seconds.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 011 - Adam Beck (1; Kurt Suzuki)

HP Umpire Adam Beck ejected Angels manager Kurt Suzuki (runner's lane interference call; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Angels-#Reds game. With none out and none on, Angels batter Logan O'Hoppe struck out swinging on a 2-2 slurve from Reds pitcher Tony Santillan, which went uncaught by catcher Tyler Stephenson, who retrieved the baseball and threw to 1B Sal Stewart, ruled interference by HP Umpire Beck. Replays indicate batter-runner O'Hoppe failed to run within the three-foot runner's lane and in doing so interfered with 1B Stewart's ability to receive the throw, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 5-3. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 7-3.

This is Adam Beck (38)'s 1st ejection of 2026.

Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(11): "A batter is out when, in running the last half of the distance from home base to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, they run outside (to the right of) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line and on the infield grass, and in the umpire’s judgment in so doing interfere with the fielder taking the throw at first base, in which case the ball is dead."

This is the 11th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.

This is the 8th manager ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 8 Managers, 1 Coaches, 2 Players.

This is Los Angeles' 2nd ejection of 2026, 1st in the AL West (LAA 2; HOU, OAK?, SEA, TEX 0).

This is Kurt Suzuki's 1st ejection since May 12, 2013 (John Tumpane; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Adam Beck's 1st ejection since April 20, 2025 (Aaron Boone; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Angels of Somewhere vs Cincinnati Reds of Cincinnati, 4/11/26 | Video as follows: