Ejections: Mark Ripperger (1)

HP Umpire Mark Ripperger ejected Red Sox Manager Terry Francona for arguing an out call in the top of the 4th inning of the Red Sox-Mariners game. With one out and two on, Red Sox batter Dustin Pedroia hit a 2-2 fastball from Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez to right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, who threw home in attempt to double off tagging Red Sox baserunner R3, Jacoby Ellsbury. After a violent collision with Mariners catcher Josh Bard, Ripperger ruled no out had been recorded due to a bobble. After umpire consultation, the call was reversed to an out. Replays are inconclusive as to whether Bard maintained possession of the ball throughout his tag attempt, while replays do conclusively show Ellsbury never touched home plate; therefore, the out call is correct.*^ At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 5-0. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Mark Ripperger (90)'s first ejection of 2011.
Mark Ripperger now has 5 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (0 Previous + 3 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 5)
Mark Ripperger was not drafted in 2011.
*This call is correct per UEFL Rule 6.b.ii.g.
^Ripperger is the Primary Umpire per UEFL Rule 6.b.iii.a.1.

This is the 156th ejection of 2011.
This is the 74th Manager ejection of 2011.
This is Francona's fourth ejection of 2011. All four of Francona's 2011 ejections are associated with a 'correct' QOC.
This is Mark Ripperger's first career ejection.

Wrap: Red Sox at Mariners 8/13/11
Video: Ellsbuy-Bard Collision at Home Plate Results in Reversed Call and Francona Ejection

Discussions: Quick Pitch

Baseball is a sport of rules: there are 10 of them. Basketball has between eight and 14 (depending on who you ask), Football; 18, Hockey has a whopping 87 of them (albeit divided into 10 "sections"), and Soccer doesn't have rules at all; they're called Laws and there are 17 of them. But back to baseball, from the Objectives of the Game (Rule 1) to the Official Scorer (Rule 10), baseball has only one rule that specifically concerns the defense; only one rule specifically targeted towards one position player. Rule 8 is titled "The Pitcher," and defines - in detail - what a pitcher may and may not do. UEFL'er Garrett writes...

Can we start a discussion on [Royals' pitcher Bruce Chen's] "quick pitch"?

With HP Umpire Mike Everitt presiding, Bruce Chen was called for an illegal pitch while facing White Sox batter Brent Morel... but was it really a "quick pitch?" Rule 8.01 defines two legal pitching positions: the Windup and Set [or Stretch] Positions. In this clip, Chen uses the Windup Position, wherein "any natural movement associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without interruption or alteration." In the clip shown, it appears Chen jumbled several movements together, including a 'misstep' with his left (pivot) foot while in contact with the rubber, which under Rule 8.01(d), is an illegal pitch, the penalty for which (with the bases unoccupied) is a ball. From the Windup, the pitcher may move his free foot one step back, not his pivot foot. Rule 8.05(e) Comment specifically defines the 'Quick Pitch' as a ball delivered before the batter is "reasonably set in the batter's box," the penalty for which is an automatic ball (as in Rule 8.01[d]). 8.05(e) Comment shifts the focus from the pitcher to the batter. Discussion: Were Chen's actions illegal? Under 8.01(a), 8.05(e) Comment, or both? In a related story, Anonymous writes....

Does anyone know what happened here, I thought that with no runners on, a quick pitch was ruled a ball. Did the umpire have the stop sign up because he himself wasnt ready, or was it a quick pitch because posada wasn't ready

This half-month old comment refers to a call made by Home Plate umpire Ed Rapuano during the July 19th Yankees-Rays game. In the top of the 9th inning, with a 0-2 count and one out with nobody on base, Rays pitcher Joel Peralta threw a pitch to Yankees batter Jorge Posada. The pitch was deemed by Rapuano to be a quick pitch (illegal pitch); curiously, Rapuano did not call for an automatic ball as prescribed by rule: the count remained 0-2. Discussion: Was this the correct call? Why wasn't a ball added to the count, or was the scorer just not paying attention?

Though these two plays did not result in ejection, Rules 8.01 & 8.05(e) Comment have played a part in two heave-hos so far this season. Both ejections, Rob Drake (1) and Ed Hickox (1), were quick pitch no calls and both were ruled to have a Quality of Correctness of Correct.

Ejections: Tim Timmons (2)

HP Umpire Tim Timmons ejected Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano for throwing at Braves batter Chipper Jones call in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Cubs-Braves game. With one out and none on, Jones took a 1-1 cutter inside for a ball. Zambrano surrendered back to back home runs to the two batters previous to Jones (Freeman and Uggla). Replays indicate the pitch was directed inside at the body of Jones, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Braves were leading, 8-1. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 10-4.

This is Tim Timmons (95)'s second ejection of 2011.
Tim Timmons now has 2 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (-2 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 2)
Tim Timmons is owned as a Primary Umpire by clement30, who is now tied for 26th place in the UEFL with 8 points.
Tim Timmons is owned as a Primary Umpire by IWU_Titan, who is in 28th place in the UEFL with 5 points.
Tim Timmons is owned as a Secondary Umpire by ump_24, who is now in 7th place in the UEFL with 20 points.
*This call is correct under UEFL Rule 6.b.ii.e.

This is the 155th ejection of 2011.
This is the 73rd player ejection of 2011.
Prior to his ejection, Zambrano's line was 4.1 IP, 8 ER.

Wrap: Cubs at Braves 8/12/11 Wrap
Video: Timmons Ejects Zambrano

Umpire Odds & Ends: An Analysis of the Strike Three Mechanic

Earlier this season, we asked about umpire strike three calls; specifically, "Which umpire has the best called strike and/or strike three mechanic?"In Polls: Strike Mechanic, 38% of voters chose Tom Hallion's athletic, back torquing twist & yowl. In second place, 13% chose Dale Scott's subtle and cadenced thwack, followed by 12% for Jim Joyce's consistent verbalization of... something, 11% for James Hoye, and rounding out the top five was a tie at 7% between CB Bucknor and Mike Winters (to see the winners' mechanics, click here).

Seems the UEFL isn't the only place out there interested in the art of "strike three." UEFL'er Troy sent us an article from the Wall Street Journal, which, as you might expect, took a very analytical approach to the strike three call.

"It's kind of like a pitcher's signature pitch," said New York Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey. "The strike-three call has always been the one thing the umpire can make his own."

The WSJ article features a superb graphical breakdown of four styles of strike three calls based on the likes of Bob Davidson (The Saturday Night Fever), Fieldin Culbreth (The Kung Fu Grip), Dan Iassogna (The Speed Skater), and Tom Hallion (The Tasmanian Devil). Split into three categories (side-puncher, middle-puncher, and wild card [for those who do not fit the side- or middle-puncher categories]), the WSJ placed all 68 full time umpires (including Todd Tichenor) into their corresponding strike three call category. In case you're wondering, yes, Tom Hallion fell under "wild card"; then again, so did Wally Bell with the note, "seemingly changes every game."

"Every time I see Tom I tell him, 'I will not have you go 'Hiii-Yahhhhhh' on me tonight, that's my goal," said San Diego Padres infielder Orlando Hudson, imitating the motion as he spoke. "He's got the best strike-three call in the game."

As it relates to our poll, after Tom Hallion's Wild Card tactic ("turns 135-degrees hard and makes explosive punch,"), Dale Scott is a side-puncher, as are Jim Joyce, James Hoye & CB Bucknor. Mike Winters is the only middle-puncher to make the top five (or top six). The article continues to discuss the challenges in developing mechanics and in finding a balance between standing out and standing out. All in all, another unique take on umpiring at the major league level.

On the other hand, umpires with dramatic strike-three calls constantly tread the murky water between showmanship and ridicule. Or, as big-league umpire Jeff Nelson put it, "There's a fine line between good taste and Leslie Nielsen," a reference to the late movie actor's turn as an overly exuberant umpire in "The Naked Gun."

News: Baseball's Masked Men Show Their Inner Hams on Strike Three by Jared Diamond, Wall Street Journal Online 

Ejections: Vic Carapazza (5)

HP Umpire Vic Carapazza ejected Mets Batting Coach Dave Hudgens for arguing a strike three call to end the bottom of the 5th inning of the Padres-Mets game. With two out and three on, Mets batter Nick Evans took a 1-2 slider from Padres pitcher Cory Luebke for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located thigh high and over the inner half of home plate, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Mets were leading, 2-0. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Vic Carapazza (85)'s fifth ejection of 2011.
Vic Carapazza now has 11 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (6 Previous + 3 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 11).
Vic Carapazza was not drafted in 2011.

This is the 154th ejection of 2011.

Wrap: Padres at Mets 8/11/11
Video: Carapazza Throws Out Hudgens

Pitch f/x courtesy Brooks Baseball

Ejections: Greg Gibson (2)

1B Umpire Greg Gibson ejected Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa for arguing a safe call in the top of the 9th inning of the Brewers-Cardinals game. With none out and one on, Brewers batter Josh Wilson hit a sacrifice bunt. Wilson reached on a throwing error by Cardinals pitcher Marc Rzepczynski, as Gibson ruled first basemen Albert Pujols failed to touch the base. Replays indicate that although Pujols missed touching first base in his first attempt, he was able to contact the base on his second attempt before Wilson reached the base, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Brewers were leading, 3-1. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 5-1.

This is Greg Gibson (53)'s second ejection of 2011.
Greg Gibson now has 2 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (4 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = 2).
Greg Gibson is owned as a Primary Umpire by TonyTheRed, who is now tied for 24th in the UEFL with 8 points.
Greg Gibson is owned as a Primary Umpire by HIGHSCHOOLUMP, who is now tied for 24th place in the UEFL with 8 points.
Greg Gibson is owned as a Primary Umpire by BrooklynUmp, who is now in 27th place in the UEFL with 7 points.
Greg Gibson is owned as a Secondary Umpire by rasseul, who is now tied for 37th place in the UEFL with 0 points.
*Quality of Correctness was challenged and confirmed ("Incorrect" ==> "Incorrect").

This is the 153rd ejection of 2011.
This is the 73rd Manager ejection of 2011.
This is Tony La Russa's second ejection of 2011.

Wrap: Brewers at Cardinals 8/10/11 Wrap
Video: Gibson Runs La Russa for Arguing

Ejections: Chris Guccione (2)

HP Umpire Chris Guccione ejected Angels Manager Mike Scioscia for arguing a check swing call in the top of the 6th inning of the Angels-Yankees game. With two out and three on, Angels batter Jeff Mathis was ruled to have swung on a 0-0 knuckle curve from Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett for strike one. Replays indicate Mathis was unable to check his swing and made an attempt to strike the ball, the call was correct. Mathis hit the next pitch for a two-run ground-rule double. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 1-1. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

This is Chris Guccione (68)'s second ejection of 2011.
Chris Guccione now has 8 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (4 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call) = 8.
Chris Guccione is owned as a Secondary Umpire by tt49, who is now tied for 11th place in the UEFL with 16 points.

This is the 152nd ejection of 2011.
This is the 72nd Manager ejection of 2011.
This is Mike Scioscia's second ejection of 2011.

Wrap: Angels at Yankees 8/9/11 Wrap
Video: Guccione Gives Scioscia the Hook

Ejections: Phil Cuzzi (2)

3B Umpire Phil Cuzzi ejected Orioles Manager Buck Showalter for arguing an out call in the bottom of the 5th inning of the White Sox-Orioles game. With one out and two on, Orioles R2 Nick Markakis was caught stealing 3rd base, White Sox catcher A. J. Pierzynski to third baseman Brent Morel while Orioles batter Vladimir Guerrero was at bat. Replays indicate that Markakis contacted 3rd base with his hands prior to being tagged by Morel, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the White Sox were leading, 4-3. This White Sox ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Phil Cuzzi (10)'s second ejection of 2011.
Phil Cuzzi now has -4 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (-2 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = -4)
Phil Cuzzi was undrafted in 2011.

This is the 151st ejection of 2011.
This is the 71st Manager ejection of 2011.
This is Buck Showalter's second ejection of 2011.

Wrap: White Sox at Orioles 8/9/11
Video: Cuzzi Ejects Showalter

Ejections: Hunter Wendelstedt (3, 4)

HP Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ejected Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez for arguing a ball call in the bottom of the 4th inning and Braves first basemen Freddie Freeman for arguing a swinging strike three call in the top of the 8th inning of the Braves-Marlins game. Prior to the Gonzalez ejection, with none out and none on, Marlins batter Bryan Petersen took a 1-2 sinker from Braves pitcher Derek Lowe for a called ball two. Replays indicate the pitch was located thigh high and caught the inner corner of the plate, the call was incorrect.* Prior to the Freeman ejection, with two out and none on, Freeman struck out swinging on a 2-2 slider from Marlins pitcher Steve Cishek. Replays indicate that Freeman did make an attempt to swing the bat, the call was correct.^ At the time of the Gonzalez ejection, the Braves were leading, 4-2. At the time of the Freeman ejection, the Braves were leading, 8-2. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 8-5.

These are Hunter Wendelstedt (21)'s third and fourth ejections of 2011.
Hunter Wendelstedt now has 11 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (9 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 11).
Hunter Wendelstedt is owned as a Primary Umpire by tt49, who is now tied for 12th place in the UEFL with 15 points.
Hunter Wendelstedt is owned as a Secondary Umpire by kickersrule, who is now in 3rd place in the UEFL with 24 points.
*Quality of Correctness was challenged and confirmed ("Incorrect" ==> "Incorrect"). This pitch carries a px value of 0.846, which falls under the "always a strike" category of the UEFL's Kulpa Rule (Rule 6.b.ii.a.).
^Quality of Correctness was challenged and confirmed ("Correct" ==> "Correct").

These are the 149th and 150th ejections of 2011.
This is the 70th Manager ejection of 2011.
This is the 72nd player ejection of 2011.
This is Fredi Gonzalez's third ejection of 2011.
This is Freddie Freeman's first career ejection.
Prior to his ejection, Freeman was 2-4 in the contest.

Wrap: Braves at Marlins 8/8/11
Video (1): Gonzalez is Ejected
Video (2): Freeman is ejected after throwing helmet, bat

Pitch f/x courtesy Brooks Baseball

Umpire Odds & Ends: Interview with Wendelstedt

Now that many Umpire Fantasy observers have speculated about the circumstances surrounding Ejections: Hunter Wendelstedt (1, 2), we turn to the man in the middle himself. Hunter Wendelstedt recently sat down with MLB Network Radio to discuss the incident in question, wherein he ejected Angels pitcher Jered Weaver and Manager Mike Scioscia for throwing at Tigers batter Alex Avila last week in an apparent response to what Weaver (and many UEFL'ers, too) perceived as inappropriate posturing on the part of Carlos Guillen after Guillen hit a home run off Weaver. Wendelstedt had warned both teams immediately following the Guillen HR, but Weaver was ejected for throwing at the head of Avila on the very next pitch.

Click here to listen to Hunter's take. He speaks about growing and maturing on the baseball field, as it relates to both players (Weaver) and umpires (himself), and the unwritten rules of the game.

Ejections: Rob Drake (8, 9)

HP Umpire Rob Drake ejected Royals left fielder Alex Gordon and Manager Ned Yost for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Tigers-Royals game. With none out and none on, Gordon took a 3-2 fastball from Tigers pitcher Duane Below for a called third strike. Replays indicate the called third strike was hollow of the knee high and over the heart of home plate, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 4-3. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

These are Rob Drake (30)'s eighth and ninth ejections of 2011.
Rob Drake now has 30 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (22 Previous + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct Call] = 30).
Rob Drake is owned as a Secondary Umpire by BSBALLUMP, who is now in 2nd place in the UEFL with 25 points.

These are the 147th and 148th ejections of 2011.
This is the 71st player ejection of 2011.
This is the 69th Manager ejection of 2011.
This is Gordon's first career ejection.
This is Yost's second ejection of 2011.
Prior to his ejection, Gordon was 0-3 in the contest.
This is Rob Drake's second consecutive plate game with at least one ejection.

Wrap: Tigers at Royals 8/7/11 Wrap
Video: Gordon and Yost Ejected by Drake

Pitch f/x courtesy Brooks Baseball