MLB Ejection 099: Chad Fairchild (5; Jayson Werth)

HP Umpire Chad Fairchild ejected Nationals RF Jayson Werth for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 10th inning of the Dodgers-Nationals game. With one out and none on, Nationals batter Ian Desmond

Fairchild called the red pitch strike three.

took a 3-2 cutter from Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jansen for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located knee high and over the inner half of home plate (sz_bot 1.470, pz 1.561; px -0.594), the call was correct. Immediately prior to Desmond's at bat, Werth had been called out on strikes, on a pitch located within the strike zone (sz_bot 1.590, sz_top 3.670, pz 2.598; px 0.792). At the time of the ejection, the Dodgers were leading, 3-1. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 3-1, in 10 innings.

This is Chad Fairchild (75)'s fifth ejection of 2013.
Chad Fairchild now has 17 points in the UEFL (13 + 2 + 2 = 17).
Crew Chief Jeff Kellogg now has 7 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (6 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 7).

This is the 99th ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 45th player ejection of 2013. Prior to his ejection, Werth was 0-5 in the contest.
This is the Nationals' 4th ejection of 2013, T-2nd in the NL East (ATL 5; NYM, WAS 4; MIA, PHI 2).
This is Jayson Werth's first career ejection.
This is Chad Fairchild's first ejection since July 11, 2013 (Luke Putkonen, Jim Leyland; QOC = U).

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals, 7/20/13
Video: After striking out to go 0-5, Werth witnesses another called third strike and is tossed arguing (Soon)

MLB Ejection 098: Mike Everitt (2; Brett Gardner)

HP Umpire Mike Everitt ejected Yankees CF Brett Gardner for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 5th inning of the Yankees-Red Sox game. With two out and one on, Gardner took a 3-2 fastball from Red Sox pitcher Felix Doubront for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located knee high and over the

Joe Girardi discusses Everitt's ejection.

heart of the plate (sz_bot 1.470, pz 1.568) but the 2-1 pitch, ruled strike two, was located off the outer edge of home plate (px -1.018), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Red Sox were leading, 3-2. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is Mike Everitt (57)'s second ejection of 2013.
Mike Everitt now has 2 points in the UEFL (4 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = 2).
Crew Chief Tim Welke now has 6 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (6 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 6).

This is the 98th ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 44th player ejection of 2013. Prior to his ejection, Gardner was 0-2 in the contest.
This is the Yankees' 2nd ejection of 2013, 5th in the AL East (TOR 8; BAL, BOS, TB 4; NYY 2).
This is Brett Gardner's 1st ejection of 2013 and first since July 21, 2010 (Paul Emmel; QOC = U).
This is Mike Everitt's first ejection since July 4, 2013 (John Buck; QOC = Y).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox, 7/19/13
Video: Gardner fires his helmet into the ground after being called out on strikes and is tossed (NYY)

Rehab: Jim Wolf in Triple-A Charlotte

Umpire Jim Wolf worked his first professional game since May on Thursday, a Triple-A affair between the Norfolk Tides and Charlotte Knights of the International League. Wolf umpired at first base, joining Home

File: Wolf entertains Wright.

Plate Umpire Ben May, 2B Umpire David Rackley and 3B Umpire Jeff Gosney.

Wolf has not worked an MLB regular season game in two months, his spot on chief Jim Joyce's crew largely shared amongst minor league fill-in umpires after Wolf's departure in May, mainly Cory Blaser of MiLB's Pacific Coast League. Blaser worked the plate with Joyce's crew Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

With Ed Hickox now projected to be out after sustaining a probable concussion Friday night, if Wolf indeed returns, the crew will likely still operate with Blaser, Hickox's replacement Lance Barrett or another MiLB call-up.

Wolf has zero ejections and zero points through the 2013 All-Star Break.

UEFL at a Glance: 2013 Midseason Review

As the All-Star break ends, it's time for a UEFL midseason review of umpire ejections, the calls and characters that got us here. From teams to players and beyond, here is a recap of all the first-half action:

This fight helped Fagan claim the ejections lead.

By Umpire (Total Ejections):
8 Ejections; Clint Fagan (Ejections 057, 058 [Yadier Molina, Mike Matheny], Ejections 071-076 [Ian Kennedy, Kirk Gibson, Turner Ward, Mark McGwire, Yasiel Puig, Ronald Belisario]).
5 Ejections; Sam Holbrook (Ejections 003-006 [Carlos Quentin, Zack Greinke, Jerry Hairston Jr., Matt Kemp], Ejection 010 [B.J. Upton]).
5 Ejections; Marty Foster (Ejections 028, 029 [Joe Maddon, Edwin Encarnacion], Ejection 041 [Chris Getz], Ejections 045, 046 [Billy Butler, Mike Scioscia]).
4 Ejections; Dan Bellino, Chad Fairchild, Angel Hernandez, Tim Timmons.
3 Ejections; Baker, Fletcher, Hallion, Iassogna, Knight, Reynolds, Wendelstedt.
2; Bell, Bucknor, Carapazza, Darling, DiMuro, Hirschbeck, Marquez, Reyburn, Tichenor, Welke, West.
... 0 Ejections; Barksdale, L Barrett, T Barrett, Blaser, Carlson, Cederstrom, Culbreth, Danley, Davidson, Davis, DeMuth, Drake, Dreckman, Emmel, Estabrook, G Gibson, T Gibson, Gorman, Hamari, Hickox, Hoye, Hudson, Joyce, Kulpa, Layne, McClelland, Meals, Muchlinski, Nauert, Nelson, O'Nora, Rackley, Ripperger, Schrieber, T Welke, Wolf.

By Umpire (Total Points and Accuracy):
28 Points; Clint Fagan (100% Accuracy, 2 Correct / 2 QOC Callable Ejections [e.g., non-irrecusable]).
13 Points; Chad Fairchild (100%, 3/3).
12 Points; Dan Bellino (100%, 3/3), Andy Fletcher (100%, 3/3), Sam Holbrook (100%, 3/3).
11 Points; Dan Iassogna (100%, 3/3), Brian Knight (100%, 3/3).
10 Points; Hunter Wendelstedt (100%, 2/2), Angel Hernandez (75%, 3/4).
... -4 Points; Bill Welke (0%, 2/2).

The fight also added 6 pts to
Gorman's crew's total count.

By Umpire (Crew Chief Points):
8 Points; Brian Gorman (6 points incurred during the LAD-ARI fight).
6 Points; Sam Holbrook, Jeff Kellogg, Tim Welke, Mike Winters.
5 Points; Gerry Davis, Dana DeMuth, John Hirschbeck.
4 Points; Wally Bell, Tom Hallion, Jerry Layne.
3 Points; Ted Barrett, Tim McClelland, Dale Scott, Joe West.

By Team (Total Ejections) [43 AL, 54 NL / Division Leader is NL West (24)]:
8 Ejections; Los Angeles Dodgers (6 during fights), Toronto Blue Jays.
7 Ejections; Arizona Diamondbacks.
6 Ejections; Pittsburgh Pirates.
5 Ejections; Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Oakland Athletics.
4 Ejections; New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, Tampa Bay Rays.
... 0 Ejections; Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros

By Coach or Manager (Total Ejections):
4 Ejections; John Gibbons (Umpires made the correct call 3-of-4 times).
3 Ejections; Bruce Bochy, Ron Gardenhire, Clint Hurdle, Bob Melvin, Joe Maddon, Dale Sveum.
2 Ejections; Bud Black, Terry Collins, Francona, Kirk Gibson, Fredi Gonzalez, Mike Matheny, Redmond.

By Player (Total Ejections [Amongst players ejected twice this year, Umpires are 100% Accurate])
2 Ejections; Billy Butler (both NEC), Bryce Harper (both Correct Calls), B.J. Upton (both Correct Calls).

By UEFL League Member (Total Points):
51 Points; Turducken (Gary Darling -cc, Fairchild/Bellino -prm, Holbrook/Knight -sec).
46 Points; NorthStarUmpire#2 (Gerry Davis -cc, Baker/Holbrook -prm, Wendelstedt/Wegner -sec).
40 Points; toss 'em (Gary Darling -cc, Marquez/Holbrook -prm, Wendelstedt/Bellino -sec).
39 Points; Niicker (Joe West -cc, Hernandez/Wendelstedt -prm, Bellino/Iassogna -sec).
39 Points; RadioPearl (Gary Darling -cc, Bellino/Iassogna -prm, Marquez/Carapazza -sec).

By Reason: 38 Balls/Strikes, 22 Safe/Out, 10 Throwing At, 8 Fighting, 6 Int/Obstruct, 4 Fair/Foul, 2 Balk.
By Umpire Position: 71 Home Plate, 12 First Base, 9 Second Base, 5 Third Base.
By Day of Week: Tuesday (20), Saturday (19), Thursday/Sunday (16), Friday (13), Mon (8), Wed (5).
By Inning: 7th (21), 6th (16), 8th (13), 9th (12), 3rd (9), 4/5th (8), 1/2nd (4), 11th (1) / 44 Top, 53 Bot.
By Position (O/D): 57 Offense, 40 Defense (44 Visiting Team, 53 Home Team).
Quality of Correctness: 72.3% Accuracy, including... 47 Correct Calls, 18 Incorrect Calls [32 Irrecusable].
Prior to Ejection, Batters were hitting... 18-for-82, or .220.
Runs Scored After Ejection: 116 / Runs Allowed After Ejection: 178.
Prior to Ejection (Game Situation): 24 Winning, 51 Losing, 22 Tied.
After Ejection (Game Outcome): 29 Wins, 68 Losses (+5 Wins, +17 Losses).

UEFL Appeals Board: 30 Attempted Appeals of which 8 were denied = 22 adjudicated Appeals.
Of these 22, 21 were affirmed while one was reversed [incorrect to irrecusable] (95.5% rate of affirmation).

All-Star Game 2013: Close Call Video Analysis and Recap

The 2013 MLB All-Star Game is complete and the umpiring results are in. Consistent with ESPN's study finding only 1.3 calls per game were close enough for instant replay review, the 2013 All-Star Game contained two such calls.

The closest call of the night, Vanover gets right.

1: In the bottom of the 4th inning, Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen's stole second base off Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez and Twins catcher Joe Mauer. Replays indicate the tag by Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy was tardy, McCutchen's left hand touching the bag prior to the tag for a correct safe call by 2B Umpire Larry Vanover. QOC = Correct.

2: In the 5th, Hardy beat out a Troy Tulowitzki throw at first base on the backend of an attempted double play. Replays confirm 1B Umpire Wally Bell made the correct call. QOC = Correct.

Hon. Mention: In ASG comedy, we had Prince Fielder attempt to high-five (or low-five) 3B Umpire Paul Emmel after his ninth inning triple. Replays indicate the excited Prince missed his mark with the palm, but not with the funny.

For HP Umpire John Hirschbeck's calling of balls and strikes, refer to the following fastmap pitch f/x plots:

Balls: 82 / 88 total = 93.2% Accuracy
Called Strikes: 28 / 41 total = <90.0% Accuracy
Total Pitches: 110 / 129 total = <90.0% Accuracy

Wrap: American League All-Stars vs. National League All-Stars, 7/16/13

Stay tuned... 7/17/13 is the Triple-A All-Star Game, featuring HP Umpire Tripp Gibson (PCL), 1B Umpire Chad Whitson (IL), 2B Umpire Chris Segal (PCL) and 3B Umpire Brad Myers (IL).

MLB Confident of Expanded Instant Replay for 2014

Baseball is "close" to an agreement to expand the use of instant replay for the 2014 season. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig appeared with Executive Vice President for Baseball Development Joe Torre at Tuesday's annual Baseball Writers Association of America (BWAA) meeting, with Torre adding: "I'm pretty confident it will be in place for 2014," later stating, "we're still in the tweaking stages."

Super Baseball 2020 (SNES 1991) featured robot
players in a game officiated by robot umpires.

Added Selig at his Town Hall, "[Torre], Tony La Russa and [Braves president] John Scheurholz...have spent an enormous amount of time on this project."

Selig described his confidence level of adding expanded replay in 2014 as "hopeful," stating Opening Day 2014 is the goal.

Major League Baseball has failed to expand replay prior to the 2012 and 2013 seasons, despite previous attempts to incorporate the technology.

Selig was also asked a pointed question about baseball officials: "What specific steps are being taken to improve and ensure the accuracy of the calls made by umpires?"

The Commissioner responded, "I think the umpires for the most part have done well. And I used to be a guy that bitched about umpires all the time...If a call went against me, I was mad...I feel they do a great job. We have electronic devices that grade umpires on every call behind home plate and they remarkably well, I want to tell you, really, they do very well."

Very well... For instance, HP Umpire Mark Wegner called Tim Lincecum's no-hitter at a 96.8% accuracy rate.

News: Transcript of Commissioner Selig's Town Hall Chat (MLB)

MLB Ejection 097: Todd Tichenor (2; Jonny Gomes)

HP Umpire Todd Tichenor ejected Red Sox LF Jonny Gomes for arguing a time out request refusal in the top of the 9th inning of the Red Sox-A's game. With none out and none on, Gomes swung at and missed a 1-2

Tichenor denies Gomes' tardy plea for time.

slider from A's pitcher Grant Balfour for a swinging third strike. Replays indicate Gomes requested "time out" from Tichenor only after Balfour had begun his windup in contravention of Rule 6.02(b), the refused request was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 2-2. The A's ultimately won the contest, 3-2, in 11 innings.

This is Todd Tichenor (97)'s second ejection of 2013.
Todd Tichenor now has 2 points in the UEFL (-2 + 2 + 2 = 2).
Crew Chief Bill Miller now has 1 point in the UEFL's Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).
Prop Bet Winner (All-Star Break Eject #): backjudgejohn (97).
*Rule 6.02(b) Comment states, in part: "Umpires will not call “Time” at the request of the batter or any member of his team once the pitcher has started his windup or has come to a set position even though the batter claims “dust in his eyes,” “steamed glasses,” “didn’t get the sign” or for any other cause."

This is the 97th ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 43rd player ejection of 2013. Prior to his ejection, Gomes was 1-4 in the contest.
This is the Red Sox's 3rd ejection of 2013, T-3rd in the AL East (TOR 8; BAL, BOS, TB 4; NYY 1).
This is Jonny Gomes' 1st ejection of 2013 and first since June 5, 2008 (Jeff Kellogg; QOC = U [Fight]).
This is Todd Tichenor's first ejection since June 1, 2013 (Lance Berkman; QOC = N).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs. Oakland Athletics, 7/14/13
Video: Gomes requests "time" too late and is not granted his request, tossed arguing the no-call (BOS)

Freak No-Hitter: Lincecum Dices Padres for 2013 No-No 2

Tim Lincecum no-hit the Padres with plate umpire Mark Wegner presiding Saturday evening marking the second no-hitter of the 2013 MLB season. Wegner was joined by Laz Diaz (1B), Tim Timmons (2B) and crew chief Mike Winters (3B). This is Lincecum's first career no-hitter, a career-high 148-pitch performance.

Saturday's was Wegner's first plate no-hitter and the first MLB no-hitter since July 3, 2013 (Ed Hickox/Homer Bailey). Winters is the only other member of this crew to have called a no-hitter (8/17/1992; Kevin Gross).

Wegner received 73 callable pitches from Lincecum, a total of 50 balls and 23 called strikes; the look:

Balls: 72 called balls outside of strike zone / 0 called balls within strike zone = 72/72 = 100% Accuracy.
Strikes: 21 called strikes inside strike zone / 2 called strikes outside strike zone = 21/23 = 95.7% Accuracy.
Total Raw Accuracy Score = 93/95 = 97.9% Accuracy (+2 in favor of SF Giants/Lincecum).

Though colored the same (green), the hit-by-pitch is not included in the total callable pitches count.

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres, 7/13/13 (Lincecum: 9 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 13 SO)