HP Umpire Bob Davidson ejected Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel for arguing an umpire interference no call in the top of the 8th inning of the Astros-Phillies game. With none out and none on, Astros batter Jason Castro struck out swinging on a wild pitch curveball from Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee. As the ball bounded away from catcher Brian Schneider, the catcher & Davidson briefly collided as Schneider attempted to retrieve the loose ball and Davidson completed his swinging mechanic. OBR Rule 2.00(c) (Interference) defines umpire interference as "when a plate umpire hinders, impedes or prevents a catcher's throw attempting to prevent a stolen base or retire a runner on a pick-off play." This and Rule 5.09(b) do not authorize umpire interference on a wild pitch; an umpire is part of the playing field, the call was correct.* At the
time of the ejection, the Phillies were leading, 3-1. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 4-3, in 10 innings.
This is Bob Davidson (61)'s first ejection of 2012.
Bob Davidson now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Jerry Layne now has 2 points in the Crew Division (1 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 2).
*After review, Quality of Correctness has been affirmed in a 4-0 decision by the UEFL Appeals Board.
UEFL Standings Update
This is the 31st ejection of 2012.
This is the 19th Manager ejection of 2012.
This is Charlie Manuel's and the Phillies' second ejection of 2012.
Wrap: Astros at Phillies 5/15/12
Video: Davidson and Schneider incidentally bump on wild pitch, Manuel argues and is ejected from dugout
Related Video: Carlos Lee collides with 1B Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt in 1st
Embedded UEFL video: