Ejection 059: Tim McClelland (1)

HP Umpire Tim McClelland ejected Rangers catcher Yorvit Torrealba for arguing a safe call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Rangers-Angels game. With one out and three on, Angels batter Kendrys Morales hit a 2-0 fastball from Rangers pitcher Koji Uehara to right fielder Nelson Cruz, who threw to catcher Torrealba as baserunner Mike Trout attempted to score from third base on the sacrifice fly. Replays indicate Trout's foot contacted home plate scarcely prior to Torrealba's tag contacting Trout's person, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Angels were leading, 3-1.

This is Tim McClelland (36)'s first ejection of 2012.

Tim McClelland now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).

Crew Chief Tim McClelland now has 2 points in the UEFL's Crew division (1 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 2).

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 59th ejection of 2012.

This is the 22nd player ejection of 2012.

This is Yorvit Torrealba's first ejection since his ejection by Venezuelan League Umpire Dario Rivero, Jr. in December. Torrealba was suspended by the Winter League for subsequently battering Rivero, Jr. by throwing an open hand slap at Rivero, Jr.'s face mask. MLB declined supplemental discipline.

This is Tim McClelland's first ejection since September 25, 2011.

This is the Texas Rangers' second ejection of 2012 and fourth ejection overall today.

Wrap: Rangers at Angels, 6/2/12

Video: McClelland Rules Trout Safe, Torrealba Throws Tantrum, is Promptly Ejected for Theatrics
Video: Torrealba Tossed Immediately While Arguing 'Safe' Call on Play at Plate (Rangers Feed)

Ejections 057, 058: Bob Davidson (2, 3)

HP Umpire Bob Davidson ejected Yankees Manager Joe Girardi and Batting Coach Kevin Long for arguing a strike call in the top of the 7th inning of the Yankees-Tigers game. With one out and two on, Yankees batter Curtis Granderson took a 0-0 changeup from Tigers pitcher Joaquin Benoit for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located knee high and off the outer edge of home plate (px value of -1.204), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Tigers were leading, 2-1. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

These are Bob Davidson (61)'s second and third ejections of 2012.

Bob Davidson now has 0 points in the UEFL (4 Previous + 2*[2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call] = 0).

Crew Chief Jerry Layne now has 4 points in the UEFL's Crew division (4 Previous + 0 Incorrect Calls = 4).
*This ruling has been affirmed in a 3-0-1 decision by the UEFL Appeals Board.

UEFL Standings Update

These are the 57th and 58th ejections of 2012.

This is the 30th Manager ejection of 2012.

This is Joe Girardi's 14th ejection as Yankees Manager.
This is Long's first ejection as Yankees Batting Coach.

This is Bob Davidson's first ejection since May 15, 2012.

Wrap: Tigers at Yankees, 6/2/12

Video: New York Yankees Coach Long, Manager Girardi ejected arguing Davidson's strike zone

Pitch f/x courtesy Brooks Baseball

Ejection 056: Paul Schrieber (1)

HP Umpire Paul Schrieber ejected Kansas City Royals catcher Humberto Quintero for arguing a ball call in the top of the 7th inning of the A's-Royals game. With none out and none on, A's batter Jemile Weeks took a 1-1 fastball for from Royals pitcher Louis Coleman for a called second ball. Replays indicate the 1-1 pitch to Weeks was located at the bottom of the knees and over home plate (Lower Bound, Upper Bound of [-1.0912, -0.9019]) and the 0-0 pitch was located at the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the jersey pants (Lower Bound, Upper Bound of [0.9746, 1.1639]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the A's led, 6-2. The A's ultimately won the contest, 9-3.

This is Paul Schrieber (43)'s first ejection of 2012.

Paul Schrieber now has -2 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = -2).

Crew Chief Tim Welke now has 0 points in the UEFL's Crew division (0 Previous + 0 Correct Call = 0).

*Under the Miller Rule (UEFL Rule 6-2-b-2 and Comment), when at any point the Lower Bound, Upper Bound is less than |1.000|, the pitch may be a strike. 

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 56th ejection of 2012.

This is the 21st player ejection of 2012.

This is Humberto Quintero's first ejection of 2012.

This is the Kansas City Royals' first ejection of 2012.

This is Paul Schrieber's first ejection since September 26, 2011.

Wrap: A's at Royals (6/2/12)

Video: Quintero has words with Schrieber in the top of the 7th, gets ejected

Mets' Johan Santana Pitches No-Hitter, 3B Umpire Adrian Johnson Earns Save

Mets pitcher Johan Santana and 3B Umpire Adrian Johnson combined for a little Friday night magic in New York as Santana completed the first no-hitter in Mets franchise history.

Here's how. Santana, who had kept the St. Louis Cardinals hitless through five innings, faced Cardinals slugger Carlos Beltran in the top of the sixth inning. With a 1-0 count, Beltran connected on an 88 miles-per-hour fastball from Santana, sending a line drive screaming past third base and down the left field line.

Ruled a foul ball by Johnson, the broadcasters and replays indicate the ball traversed the front edge of the third base bag in fair territory before striking the ground past third base, also in fair territory and on the chalk line; had an ejection resulted from the animated argument between Johnson, 3B Coach Jose Oquendo and Manager Mike Matheny, the Quality of Correctness would have been incorrect (because of where the line drive first touched the ground, not because of where it passed over third base as the Cardinals broadcasters incorrectly cited, though the answer to both questions is one and the same).

Nonetheless, as the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League traditionally does after a no-hitter, here is the instant analysis of how plate umpire Gary Cederstrom called Johan Santana's no-hitter.

Callable Pitches: 77 (57-20)
Called Balls: 54 of 57 Correct = 94.7% Accuracy
Called Strikes: 16 of 20 Correct = <90.0% Accuracy
Total Accuracy: 70 of 77 Correct = 90.9% Accuracy

As the above statistics indicate, Santana was the beneficiary of four incorrect strike calls (called strikes located outside of the strike zone) while he was the victim of three incorrectly ruled balls (called balls located within the strike zone), a net result of one incorrect strike call or one beneficial call.

This of course does not include 3B Umpire Adrian Johnson's huge foul ball call on Beltran, which is why at least one Cardinals writer who was in the Citi Field pressbox reported the question, "Will 3B Umpire Adrian Johnson get the save?"

After the contest, Santana addressed the incorrect foul ball call during his press conference: "There are times where one play, one call makes the whole difference ... tonight that was that call. I can't say anything about, I just went with it, the umpire made his call and that was the end of it. I just stayed with my game."

Wrap: Cardinals at Mets 6/1/12
Video: Umpire Johnson Erroneously Rules Beltran's Liner Foul; Preserves Santana's No-Hitter
Video: Santana's post-game press conference, addresses foul ball call

Does Adrian Johnson's Missed Call Cheapen Johan Santana's No-Hitter?

Bud Selig Meets with Ken Hawk Harrelson over Umpire Rant

Ken "Hawk" Harrelson and MLB Commissioner Bud Selig spoke on Thursday regarding comments Harrelson had made during Wednesday's White Sox-Rays game after home plate umpire Mark Wegner ejected Chicago pitcher Jose Quintana for throwing at Tampa Bay right fielder Ben Zobrist. Manager Robin Ventura was ejected during the subsequent pitching change for arguing Quintana's ejection.

White Sox/Comcast/WGN broadcaster Ken Hawk Harrelson

News of Selig's meeting with Harrelson was broken by the Hawk himself: "I talked to Bud Selig yesterday, we had a talk. Actually, Bud talked and I listened. If it was a prize fight, they would have stopped it in the first round."

White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf also addressed Harrelson regarding his on-air comments directed at Wegner, while Sox senior vice president of sales & marketing Brooks Boyer said Harrelson will address his behavior during Friday night's broadcast: "We've discussed it, and we'll talk about it on the air and it will be gone as of tonight."

Boyer additionally hinted his support of Wegner's call while obliquely criticizing Harrelson's judgment in choosing to blast the umpire: "I could certainly be wrong but I think this was a good way for [Harrelson] to understand the importance of what's going on on the field. I think moving forward those type of bursts and snaps will be limited if not eliminated."

On Wednesday, Harrelson angrily vented and ranted about Wegner and several other unnamed MLB umpires: "You've got to be bleepin' me! What in the hell are you doing? What are you doing Wegner? You've got to be kidding me. That is so bad that is absolutely brutal. That is unbelievable."

Umpire Odds & Ends: Ejections on Par with 2011 Pace

Update: With the month of May in the books, 763 games have been played in all thus far for the season, 425 games in May, and 142 games since first looking into our season's ejection pace on the 21st of May.

The Ejection Rate is as follows (As of the end of play on May 31):
Season: 1 in 13.87 games (7.21%) compared to 6.6% for April and the first 21 days of May.
May: 1 in 10.65 games (9.41%)
Since May 21: 1 in 10.14 games (9.86%) compared to a 9.19% rate for the first 21 days of May.

MLB Ejections on Par with 2011 Pace: At the conclusion of Sunday's games, Major League Baseball has seen 621 regular season games played. On Sunday, Hunter Wendelstedt ejected Tim Dillard of the Milwaukee Brewers for the 41st ejection of the season. With Wendelstedt's ejection, 2012 has featured one ejection per 15.15 games or an ejection in 6.60% of all games played to date.

MLB Umpire Ejection Rates, April-May, 2011 & 2012

Last season, Major League Baseball saw its 620th game played at the conclusion of play on May 17, 2011. That day saw the 40th ejection of the season, with Jerry Meals tossing Seattle Mariners Manager Eric Wedge. The 41st ejection of the 2011 season occurred the very next day. The ejection rate after the 620th game of last season was 1 per 15.5 games or an ejection in 6.45% of games played to date.

The ejection pace between April and May (so far) this season has been significantly different, with a greater ejection rate in May. With 338 games played in April, there were 15 ejections, or an ejection once every 22.53 games or 4.44% of all games. However, May has seen 283 games played thus far and 26 ejections. To this point in May, there has been an ejection once every 10.88 games or 9.19% of all games, or a 107% increase in ejections from April-to-May 2012. In April of last year, 381 games were played with 21 ejections occurring (1 in 18.14 games or 5.15%). In May of last year, 431 games were played in all with 38 ejections occurring in all (1 in 11.34 games or 8.17%), just a 59% increase in ejection from April-to-May 2011.

Do you believe the ejection pace will continue at its current rate for May? Will we continue to see a similar pace to last year or do you think things may be starting to heat up between players, managers and umpires with ejections like that of Brett Lawrie and Charlie Manuel?

Ejection 055: Jeff Nelson (1)

1B Umpire Jeff Nelson ejected Detroit Tigers First Base Coach Tom Brookens for Unsportsmanlike-NEC in the top of the 2nd inning of the Tigers-Red Sox game. With none out and none on, Tigers batter Prince Fielder came to bat, but prior to the first pitch of the top of the 2nd, Brookens was ejected Nelson for arguing. In the top of the 1st inning, with one out and none on, Detroit Tigers batter Brennan Boesch grounded out to Red Sox shortstop Mike Aviles to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Replays indicate that Boesch touched first base just prior to when Gonzalez possessed the throw from Aviles. However, because this ejection occurred beyond the half inning break immediately following the half inning in which the call occurred, the ejection is not eligible for a post-inning exemption.* It is also unknown if this is the exact reason for ejection, but this was the only visibly close call made prior to the ejection. There has been speculation that it may have been due to a disagreement about Brookens' placement in the coach's box. The call was irrecusable.  At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 0-0. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 7-3.

This is Jeff Nelson (45)'s first ejection of 2012.

Jeff Nelson now has 2 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 2).

Crew Chief Tim Tschida now has 3 points in the UEFL's Crew division (2 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 3).

*This call is not eligible for a post-inning exemption under UEFL Rule 6-5-c-2, therefore the reason for ejection is Unsportsmanlike-NEC and an irrecusable call.

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 55th ejection of 2012.

This is the 6th Coach ejection of 2012 (non-Managers).

This is Tom Brookens 2nd ejection of 2012, most for Coaches (non-Managers).
Last year, Texas Rangers First Base Coach Gary Pettis was the only Coach (non-Manager) ejected multiple times (twice).

This is the Detroit Tigers seventh ejection of 2012 (most in Majors).

This is Jeff Nelson's first ejection since August 19, 2011.

Wrap: Tigers at Red Sox 5/31/12

Video: Brookens argues prior to the beginning of the top of the 2nd and is ejected by annoyed Nelson

MLB "Looking Into" Laz Diaz, Russell Martin Spat

A Major League Baseball spokesman said Thursday that the league was "looking into" a spat between umpire Laz Diaz and New York Yankees catcher Russell Martin. The spat occurred last night in Anaheim, when Diaz was behind the plate for the Yankees 6-5 victory over the Angels. Only Martin has discussed the incident and all known accounts are from him. Diaz was not able to comment because Martin had made the comments an hour after the conclusion of the game and the umpires had already left.

According to Martin, the spat began in the second inning after he and Diaz argued over the strike zone. Instead of being ejected from the game, Martin says Diaz found an unconventional way to punish him: not allowing him to throw the ball back to the pitcher after a foul ball. For this, Martin says Diaz "is a d**k. Write it hard."

Martin's account of the incident said it began with Diaz saying "that it was a privilege that I had to earn, for me to throw the ball back." Martin went on to say, "that's never happened to me before. I even told him, because there's guys on base, I like to keep my arm loose. Nope. 'I'm not letting you throw the ball back.' That's pretty strange, to me. That's a good story, huh?"

Ejections 053, 054: Mark Wegner (1, 2)

HP Umpire Mark Wegner ejected Chicago White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana for throwing at Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Ben Zobrist and White Sox Manager Robin Ventura for Unsportsmanlike Conduct-NEC in the bottom of the 4th inning of the White Sox-Rays game. With two out and none on, Rays batter Ben Zobrist took a 0-0 fastball inside, behind his legs for a called ball. Wegner immediately ejected Quintana for the inside pitch, the call was irrecusable.* After Ventura made a pitching change, he was ejected by Wegner for arguing the Quintana ejection, the call was irrecusable.* At the time of the ejections, the White Sox were leading, 3-1. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

These are Mark Wegner (47)'s first and second ejections of 2012.
Mark Wegner now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call] = 4).*
Crew Chief Mike Winters now has 3 points in the UEFL's Crew division (1 Previous + 2*[1 Irrecusable Call] = 3).
*These calls are irrecusable under new UEFL Rule 6-2-b(5).

UEFL Standings Update

These are the 53rd and 54th ejections of 2012.
This is the 20th player ejection of 2012.
This is the 29th Manager ejection of 2012.
This is Jose Quintana's first ejection of 2012.
This is Robin Ventura's first ejection of 2012, and first career ejection as a Manager.
Prior to his ejection, Quintana's line was 3.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER.
This is Mark Wegner's first ejections since August 30, 2011.

Wrap: White Sox at Rays 5/30/12
Video: Quintana throws behind Zobrist, gets ejected by Wegner; Ventura argues and joins Quintana
Video: White Sox broadcaster Ken "Hawk" Harrelson blows a gasket over Wegner's ejection
Video: Extended rant by Hawk Harrelson

Ejection 052: Doug Eddings (1)

HP Umpire Doug Eddings ejected Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters for arguing ball calls in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Orioles-Blue Jays game. With two out and two on, Blue Jays batter Rajai Davis hit a 2-2 fastball from Orioles pitcher Miguel Gonzalez for a RBI single. Both the 0-1 (pitch #2 of the at bat) and the 1-2 (pitch #5 of the at bat) were called for balls. Replays indicate that both pitches were belly button high, however inside off the plate (pitch #2 had a px value of -1.127 and pitch #5 had a px value of -1.053, well within the ball range). There were no incorrect callable pitches in the at bat, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays led, 8-1. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 8-6.

This is Doug Eddings (88)'s first ejection of 2012.

Doug Eddings now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).

Crew Chief Dana DeMuth now has 1 point in the UEFL's Crew division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).

*This call is correct under the Kulpa Rule (UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1) because the pitches in question had px values of -1.127 and -1.053, respectively. The ball range begins with a px value of |0.935|.

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 52nd ejection of 2012.

This is the 19th player ejection of 2012.

This is Matt Wieters first ejection of 2012.

This is the Baltimore Orioles' 2nd ejection of 2012.

This is Doug Eddings' first ejection since April 21, 2011.

Wrap: Orioles at Blue Jays 5/29/12

Video: After Davis singles, Wieters continually jaws at Eddings over ball calls and is ejected

Ejection 051: Bill Welke (2)

1B Umpire Bill Welke ejected Tigers Manager Jim Leyland for Unsportsmanlike-NEC in the top of the 3rd inning of the Tigers-Red Sox game. In the bottom of the 2nd inning, with two out and one on, Red Sox batter Mike Aviles hit an 0-2 pitch from Tigers pitcher Doug Fister for a called foul ball by HP Umpire Jeff Nelson. Nelson originally ruled that Aviles foul tipped the ball and was successfully caught by Tigers catcher Gerald Laird. 1B Umpire Bill Welke then gave Nelson a no catch foul tip signal, and Nelson changed the call to a foul ball (no catch). Replays indicate Laird successfully caught the ball off the tip from Aviles without the ball touching the ground. The call was incorrect, however Leyland left the dugout at the time of the call and made a visit regarding the call. He was not ejected at the time of this visit, then later during the inning break restarted the argument that lead to his ejection, therefore the call is irrecusable for an Unsportsmanlike-NEC ejection.* At the time of the ejection, the Red Sox led, 4-1. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-4.

This is Bill Welke (52)'s second ejection of 2012.
Bill Welke now has 0 points in the UEFL (-2 Previous + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 0).
Crew Chief Tim Tschida now has 2 points in the Crew Division (1 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 2).
*Unlike the Gene Lamont ejection by 3B Umpire Tim Tschida, Leyland had already made a visit regarding the call when the call was made. When Leyland was ejected, it was during his second visit and argument regarding the call. Under UEFL Rule 6-2-b-5-b (the DiMuro Rule), the second visit makes the reason for the ejection Unsportsmanlike-NEC, and by rule a Quality of Correctness of irrecusable.

This is the 51st ejection of 2012.
This is the 28th Manager ejection of 2012. 

This is Jim Leyland's third ejection of 2012, tops in all of Major League Baseball for non-umpires.
This is the Detroit Tigers' sixth ejection of 2012, tops in all of Major League Baseball for teams.
This is Bill Welke's first ejection since April 24.

Wrap: Tigers at Red Sox 5/28/12 (Memorial Day)

Video: Lamont, Leyland both go after arguing a foul ball call by Nelson after calling a foul tip, strike three
Related Post: Ejection 050: Tim Tschida (2)

Ejection 050: Tim Tschida (2)

3B Umpire Tim Tschida ejected Tigers Third Base Coach Gene Lamont for arguing a foul ball call in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the Tigers-Red Sox game. With two out and one on, Red Sox batter Mike Aviles hit an 0-2 pitch from Tigers pitcher Doug Fister for a called foul ball by HP Umpire Jeff Nelson. Nelson originally ruled that Aviles foul tipped the ball and was successfully caught by Tigers catcher Gerald Laird. 1B Umpire Bill Welke then gave Nelson a no catch foul tip signal, and Nelson changed the call to a foul ball (no catch).* Replays indicate Laird successfully caught the ball off the tip from Aviles without the ball touching the ground, the call was incorrect.** At the time of the ejection, the Red Sox led, 4-1.The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-4.

This is Tim Tschida (4)'s second ejection of 2012.

Tim Tschida now has 4 points in the UEFL (4 Previous + 2 MLB + -2 Incorrect Call [Crewmate] = 4).

Crew Chief Tim Tschida now has 1 point in the UEFL's Crew division (1 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 1).

*Jeff Nelson is the calling umpire, as he ultimately ruled the call of a foul ball. Tim Tschida is considered the secondary umpire.

**Gene Lamont was ejected just prior to the first pitch of the 3rd inning. His ejection was a continuance of an argument that went throughout the inning break immediately following the inning in which the call in question was made. Lamont did not leave his position or argue the call at the time it was made, therefore he is not subjected to UEFL Rule 6-2-b-5-b (the DiMuro Rule) because it was not a repeat visit. However, this ejection is granted a post-inning exemption under UEFL Rule 6-5-c-2 because the argument began and was sustained throughout the inning break immediately after the inning in which the call was made.

UEFL Standings Update

This is the 50th ejection of 2012.

This is the 5th Coach ejection of 2012 (non-Managers).

This is Gene Lamont's first ejection of 2012.
This is Tim Tschida's first ejection since May 22.

This is the Tiger's fifth ejection of 2012.

Wrap: Tigers at Red Sox 5/28/12 (Memorial Day)

Video: Lamont, Leyland both go after arguing a foul ball call by Nelson after calling a foul tip, strike three
Related Post: Ejection 051: Bill Welke (2)

Memorial Day: Honoring Umpiring's Greatest Sacrifice

This Memorial Day, we remember the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces—the US Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard—and on this website, we reflect on the significant relationship between war and baseball.

For every glorified story of a professional baseball superstar who served his country overseas, most notably during World War II, there exists a quiet tale of the consummate professional who dutifully performed during wartime and peacetime alike.

For every Hank Greenberg, there exists a Kent Greenfield—or in the umpiring world—every Al Barlick who served in the US Coast Guard or Nestor Chylak in the US Army can be met with a Bill Andress or Shag Crawford, both of the US Navy.

Indeed, a total of 18 Major League umpires served during WWII alone, with countless others pooled from the Minor League, semi-pro, collegiate and even high school ranks.

Of these, at least four Minor League umpires have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. This Memorial Day, we remember their service both on and off the field.

Umpire Odds & Ends: Danley Down, But Not Out

As Close Call Sports discussed earlier this week, umpire injuries are a part of the game. There is equipment, positioning and mechanics that can lessen one's chances of being injured during the course of a game, but injury is not always avoidable. Eventually, for all (whether it be player, coach or umpire), the ball, bat or injury bug will find its way to someone on the baseball field. However for some, they are bitten by the injury bug with greater occurrence than others.

Take for instance, the oft-injured Kerwin Danley. Lady Luck and the baseball gods have not been too friendly to the veteran umpire in his 15th season as a full-time Major League umpire. Danley has suffered two major injuries in his MLB career that resulted him being taken off the field in a stretcher. The first and most serious, was when he was struck by a 96 mph fastball from Brad Penny to the jaw at Dodger Stadium in 2008, that required him to be taken off by amublance. The second incident was nearly a year to the date of his concussion in Los Angeles where he took a broken Hank Blalock bat to the head in Texas that left him with a mild concussion and required him to leave by stretcher.

On Sunday, Danley suffered another injury that was not as severe or threatening, but certainly painful. Although he was able to continue and complete the game as the plate umpire, Danley took a not so pleasant shot to the groin during the Sunday Night Baseball match up between the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves. Danley took the hit off a direct pitched ball in the dirt off the hands of Atlanta Braves pitcher Brandon Beachy. With Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper batting, the 85 mph slider from Beachy managed to find its way under the legs of Braves catcher J.C. Boscan to find Danley's groin. Danley quickly went to the ground and stayed down on the ground for moments, while he was tended to by the Braves medical staff. He was able to recuperate and remain in the game to completion. What the hit to the groin made noticeable on the play, was Danley's mechanics and setup, with his inner leg (leg closest to the plate) set on the ground. Did this mechanic and setup contribute to Danley being hit in the groin. Could he have avoided such hit, if his knee were not set on the ground? It is quite possible, however could he have taken a hit elsewhere? Luckily for Danley (or maybe not) this time, he was able to keep consciousness and remain in the game.

Tim Welke Apologizes for Dodgers-Rockies Missed Call

When MLB Umpire Tim Welke missed an out call at first base during a Dodgers vs. Rockies game earlier this month, he was assailed for blowing a seemingly obvious call, a phenomenon one UEFL commenter referred to as, "an opportunity for the all-too-familiar ump bashing on TV."

In what drew comparisons to Jim Joyce's infamously missed call in 2010 that ended Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga's attempt at a perfect game, the casual sports observer or fan demanded an immediate mea culpa from crew chief Welke.

For the adversely affected player back on May 2—Dodgers infielder Jerry Hairston, Jr.—Los Angeles' weekend series vs. the Astros provided a stage for a reunion of sorts, with Hairston and Welke meeting at home plate on Friday night.

Hairston has the call:

He said he was sorry. He's been a really good umpire for a long time and, you know what, obviously because of the angle he didn't see it. It's over and done with. But I told him if I get stuck on 2,999 [hits], I'm calling him. He got a kick out of that.

Hairston concluded his remarks with praise for the veteran crew chief, demonstrating a sense of sportsmanship not generally seen between players and umpires, at least not since Joyce and Galarraga:

[The apology] shows character, but [Welke] always had the highest character. I've been dealing with him for 14 years. People lose sight of the fact that one play doesn't change that. It's amazing, we as players make errors and, obviously, umpires do too. It's the human element of the game. People don't realize how fast the game moves. Everybody else has the benefit of watching the replay on TV. The umpires don't have that. It was just one of those freaky plays.

It is unclear whether Hairston and Welke will meet again to present the ESPY Award for Best Sportsmanship Moment of 2012. The duo has likewise not announced whether a book deal is in the works.

News: Tim Welke Admits, Apologizes to Hairston for Missed Call Weeks Earlier
Video: Tim Welke rules Jerry Hairston, Jr. out on Incorrect Call; First Baseman Todd Helton Missed the Base