MLB Ejections 166, 167: Fletcher, West (4, 4; Rios, Garza)

3B Umpire Andy Fletcher ejected Rangers RF Alex Rios for arguing an out call in the bottom of the 8th inning and 1B Umpire Joe West ejected Rangers P Matt Garza for arguing a ball (check swing) call by U3 Fletcher in

Crisp attempts to check his swing.

the top of the 9th inning of the Athletics-Rangers game. In the 8th, with two out and one on, Rangers batter Adrian Beltre hit a 1-0 fastball from A's pitcher Sean Doolittle for a line drive single to left fielder Yoenis, who threw to third baseman Josh Donaldson as baserunner R1 Rios attempted to advance to third base. Replays indicate Rios' hand contacted the third base bag before Donaldson's glove tagged Rios, the call was incorrect. In the 9th, with two out and none on, A's batter Coco Crisp attempted to check his swing on a 0-0 slider from Rangers pitcher Jason Frasor. Replays indicate Crisp did not attempt to strike the pitch, the call was correct. At the time of both ejections, the A's were leading, 9-8. The A's ultimately won the contest, 9-8.

This is Andy Fletcher (49)'s fourth ejection of 2013.
This is Joe West (22)'s fourth ejection of 2013.
Andy Fletcher now has 10 points in the UEFL (12 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = 10).
Joe West now has 5 points in the UEFL (2 Previous + 2 MLB + 1 Correct Call [Crewmate] = 5).
Crew Chief Joe West now has 4 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (3 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 4).

These are the 166th and 167th ejections of 2013.
These are the 73rd and 74th player ejection of 2013. Prior to ejection, Rios was 1-5 in the contest.
This is the Rangers' 4th/5th ejection of 2013, 2nd in the AL West (OAK 6; TEX 5; HOU 4; LAA 2; SEA 1).
This is Alex Rios' 1st ejection of 2013 and first since June 14, 2012 (Jeff Nelson; QOC = Correct).
This is Matt Garza's first career MLB ejection.
This is Andy Fletcher's first ejection since June 8, 2013 (Terry Francona; QOC = Correct).
This is Joe West's first ejection since September 6, 2013 (Joba Camberlain; QOC = Incorrect).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers, 9/13/13
Video: Oakland ends the Rangers' 8th inning threat with an out at third leading to Rios' dismissal (OAK)
Video: Washington discusses the call at third base, explaining Rios said some "choice words" (TEX)
Video: After Crisp's check, TEX dugout protests, Rob Drake warns Wash and West ejects Garza (Soon)

Group Case Play 2013-08: Wolf's Two Strike Strikeout

Yankees batter Chris Stewart struck after seeing just two strikes Thursday night, a foul ball and swinging strike from the arm of Orioles pitcher Bruce Chen. In this week's Ask the UEFL feature, we examine Stewart's two-K strikeout on just two thrown pitches for strikes and open the floor to a group Case Play.

Wolf gestures strike two as Stewart walks away.

As we have previously discussed, a baserunner who retreats to the dugout before being legally put out can be ruled out for abandoning his effort to touch the next base under Rule 7.08(a)(2). Previous Case Plays have delved into similar territory, finding in 2012 that the instance of a runner retreating from home to third base and continuing up the left field foul line may be declared out for abandonment as he is no longer attempting to touch a base.

Yet the present Stewart scenario concerns not the runner as in Rule 7.00 but the batter as in Rule 6.00 as Stewart saw three pitches—ball, foul and swinging strike. Q: Does batter abandonment (1) appear within the rules and (2) govern this situation, does the batter here become a runner and become subject to Rule 7.08(a)(2) or does another rule apply? Do umpires, as Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay suggests, have an obligation to call the batter back to home plate if he mistakenly retreats to the dugout on a strike two pitch?

Video: After three pitches—one ball and two strikes—Stewart walks away for an out (NYY)

NFL Ejections: Carl Cheffers' Crew (D Ferguson, W Colon)

Referees Carl Cheffers' crew ejected Jets left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and left guard Willie Colon for fighting in the 4th quarter of the Jets-Patriots game. With 0:03 remaining in the 4th period, Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib intercepted a pass from Jets quarterback Geno Smith and proceeded along the sideline and out of bounds as Jets center Nick Mangold tackled Talib's lower legs for a late hit penalty, producing a fighting incident during which Ferguson was ejected for punching Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard and Colon was ejected for pushing an official. At the time of the ejection, the Patriots were leading, 13-10. The Patriots ultimately won the contest, 13-10.

Wrap: New York Jets vs. New England Patriots, 9/12/13
Video: After perceived showboating, Mangold cuts Talib OOB, producing a mini-melee and ejections (NFL)

WNBA Ejection: T Mauer, C Inouye, T Nunez (C Parker)

Referees Tom Mauer (crew chief), Cameron Inouye (R) and Thomas "Tommy" Nunez (R2/umpire) ejected Sparks forward-center Candice Parker for a second technical foul in the 3rd quarter of the Lynx-Sparks game. With 6:58 remaining in the 3rd period, Parker rebounded a missed field goal and attempted to score a put back shot, splitting two defenders to do so. As Parker's lay-up attempt missed and no shooting foul was called, Parker displayed an overt action indicating resentment to the no-call—an air punch—resulting in Parker's first technical foul. Parker continued to violate the WNBA Respect for the Game guidelines by slapping her forearm to simulate a foul and was administered her second technical foul, resulting in disqualification. At the time of the ejection, the Sparks were leading, 43-33. The Sparks ultimately won the contest, 85-84.

Wrap: Minnesota Lynx vs. Los Angeles Sparks, 9/12/13
Video: Parker tries to score in the paint, bemoans the lack of a foul call multiple times and is thrown out (LAS)

MLB Ejection: 165: Bill Miller (3; Ron Gardenhire)

1B Umpire Bill Miller ejected Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire for arguing a fair (reversed) call in the top of the 4th inning of the Athletics-Twins game. With none out and three on, A's batter Jed Lowrie hit a 0-1 curveball

Crew Scott convenes to discuss the play.

from Twins pitcher Josh Roenicke past first base and towards the foul right field wall. Initially ruled a foul ball and changed to a fair ball double with mandatory minimum runner placement of two bases after crew conference (since the batter was awarded two bases, the runners were forced to advance two bases lest be declared out), replays indicate the line drive first contacted the ground in fair territory, on the foul line, before bounding into shallow right field, caroming off the side wall, the call was correct. At the time of ejection, the A's were leading, 8-1. The A's ultimately won the contest, 18-3.

This is Bill Miller (26)'s third ejection of 2013.
Bill Miller now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Dale Scott now has 5 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (4 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 5).

This is the 165th ejection of 2013.
This is the 81st Manger ejection of 2013.
This is the Twins' 5th ejection of 2013, 4th in the AL Central (DET 10; CLE 7; CWS 6; MIN 5; KC 4).
This is Ron Gardenhire's 5th ejection of 2013 & first since August 29, 2013 (Alan Porter; QOC = Irrecusable).
This is Bill Miller's first ejection since August 1, 2013 (Don Mattingly; QOC = Irrecusable).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs. Minnesota Twins, 9/11/13
Video: Lowrie lines a bullet down the first base line, which appears to hit the line on its way past Miller (OAK)
Video: After umpires Miller, Scott, Tichenor & Bucknor confer and change the call, Gardy is ejected (MIN)

Related Play and Video: After Chris Guccione rules a fly down the line foul, Crew Hallion convenes but ultimately declines to modify the initial ruling, which renders the issue of runner placement moot (STL, 9/11)

Umpires Restrain Sparring Yanks' Girardi, Oriole Showalter

Umpires had to restrain Yankees Manager Joe Girardi and Baltimore's Buck Showalter after the two entered into a shouting match across the diamond at Camden Yards. After the conclusion of the 1st inning of Monday's Yankees-Orioles game, Girardi and Showalter  exited their respective dugouts, drawing a bench

Ed Hickox wrangles BAL's Buck Showalter as
Jim Wolf restrains NYY's Joe Girardi.

clearing incident in which no punches were thrown.

Replays indicate HP Umpire Ed Hickox placed both arms around Showalter and 3B Umpire Jim Wolf restrained Girardi as 1B Umpire and crew chief Jim Joyce stepped in the middle to address the managers. Umpires convened and discussed the incident with both managers, opting not to warn or eject. Neither before nor after the bench-clearing event did the game experience a hit-by-pitch or other overtly or potentially unsportsmanlike act. At the time of the incident, the contest was tied, 1-1. The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

After the game, Girardi alluded to accusations that Orioles 3B Coach Bobby Dickerson was stealing signs or otherwise attempting to communicate pitch location information to Oriole batters while Showalter stated he was upset that Girardi addressed his third base coach in such an aggressive and/or accusatory manner.

Wrap: New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles, 9/9/13
Video: Girardi's address of Orioles 3B Coach Bobby Dickerson draws ire from skipper Showalter (BAL)
Video: Showalter and Girardi yell at each other across field, intercepted and restrained by umpires (Must C)
Video: Girardi and Showalter comment on the on-field incident during post-game press conferences (MLB)
Video: MLB Network analyzes the fiery bench clearance, concluding pitch tipping was unlikely (MLBN)

MLB Ejections 163, 164: B Gorman (1, 2; Cabrera, Leyland)

HP Umpire Brian Gorman ejected Tigers 3B Miguel Cabrera and Manager Jim Leyland for arguing a dead ball strike (check swing) call in the top of the 1st inning of the Tigers-White Sox game. With two out and none

Leyland argues Miggy's 2nd PA ejection of 2013.

on, Cabrera attempted to check his swing on a 0-1 slider from White Sox pitcher Chris Sale. Replays indicate the inside pitch hit Cabrera's shin as or in temporal proximity to Cabrera's bona fide attempt to strike the pitch, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 0-0. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 5-1.

These are Brian Gorman (9)'s first and second ejections of 2013.
Brian Gorman now has 8 points in the UEFL (0 + 2*[2 + 2 Y =8]).
Crew Chief Brian Gorman now has 14 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (12 Previous + 2 Correct Call = 14).

These are the 163rd and 164th ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 72nd player ejection of 2013. Prior to ejection, Cabrera did not register an at bat and was 0-0.
This is the 80th Manger ejection of 2013.
This is the Tigers' 9th/10th ejection of 2013, 1st in the AL Central (DET 10; CLE 7; CWS 6; KC, MIN 4).
This is Miguel Cabrera's 2nd ejection of 2013 and first since July 28, 2013 (Chad Fairchild; QOC = Correct).
This is Jim Leyland's 4th ejection of 2013 and first since August 17, 2013 (Bob Davidson; QOC = Incorrect).
This is Brian Gorman's first ejection since August 4, 2012 (Clint Hurdle; QOC = Irrecusable).

Wrap: Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox, 9/9/13
Video: Gorman rules a swing for a dead ball strike; Cabrera tossed mid-AB for the 2nd time this season (DET)
Video: Cabrera discusses the shock at his ejection during a post-game locker room interview (DET)
Related Video: In the 6th, Ramon Santiago strikes out swinging on a slider from Sale that hits him (DET)

MLB Ejection 162: Tom Hallion (6; Kirk Gibson)

1B Umpire Tom Hallion ejected Diamondbacks Manager Kirk Gibson for arguing an out (reversed) call in the top of the 10th inning of the Diamondbacks-Giants game. With two out and two on, Diamondbacks

Hallion tosses Gibby as Guccione & Kulpa look on.

batter Aaron Hill hit a 1-1 slider from Giants pitcher George Kontos to first baseman Buster Posey, who threw to Kontos, covering first. Initially ruled safe and reversed to an out upon umpire crew conference, replays indicate Kontos' foot contacted the top of the first base bag prior to Hill's arrival, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 2-2. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 3-2, in 11 innings.

This is Tom Hallion (20)'s sixth ejection of 2013.
Tom Hallion now has 8 points in the UEFL (4 + 2 + 2 Y =8).
Crew Chief Tom Hallion now has 6 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (5 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 6).

This is the 162nd ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 79th Manger ejection of 2013.
This is the Diamondbacks' 9th ejection of 2013, 2nd in the NL West (LAD 12; ARI 9; SF 4; COL, SD 3).
This is Kirk Gibson's 4th ejection of 2013 and first since September 5 (Tom Hallion; QOC = Incorrect).
This is Tom Hallion's first ejection since Thursday, September 5, 2013 (Kirk Gibson; QOC = Incorrect).

Wrap: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants, 9/8/13
Video: Giants receive an out after umpires confer and properly change course on key call (SF)
Video: Gibson rejects Hallion's "getting it right" approach and is ejected defending the point (ARI)

MLB Ejection 161: Hunter Wendelstedt (4; Bo Porter)

HP Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ejected Astros Manager Bo Porter for arguing a ball four call in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Astros-Athletics game. With two out and one on, A's batter Daric Barton took a 3-1

HW wants nothing to do with Bo and turns his back.

changeup from Astros pitcher Erik Bedard for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located chest high (above the midpoint) and over the inner half of home plate (sz_top 3.540, pz 3.786) and that all pitches during at bat were properly officiated (#1; pz 3.555), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the A's were leading, 7-1. The A's ultimately won the contest, 7-2.

This is Hunter Wendelstedt (21)'s fourth ejection of 2013.
Hunter Wendelstedt now has 14 points in the UEFL (10+2+2=14).
Crew Chief Jerry Layne now has 13 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (12 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 13).

This is the 161st ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 78th Manger ejection of 2013.
This is the Astros' 4th ejection of 2013, 2nd in the AL West (OAK 6; HOU 4; TEX 3; LAA 2; SEA 1).
This is Bo Porter's 3rd ejection of 2013 and first since Thursday, Sep 5 (Mark Ripperger; QOC = Correct).
This is Hunter Wendelstedt's first ejection since July 13, 2013 (Bryce Harper; QOC = Correct).

Wrap: Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics, 9/8/13
Video: After two consecutive walks—with a 100% accuracy rating for umpire Hunter—Porter tossed (HOU)

MLB Ejection 160: Gary Darling (4; Mike Aviles)

2B Umpire Gary Darling ejected Indians PR Mike Aviles for arguing an out call in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Mets-Indians game. With one out and one on, Indians pinch runner R1 Mike Aviles attempted to steal

Aviles is thrown out by inches at second base.

second base on Mets pitcher LaTroy Hawkins and catcher Anthony Recker. Replays indicate second baseman Daniel Murphy fielded Recker's throw and tagged Aviles' rear right thigh prior to Aviles's right foot contacting second base, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Mets were leading, 2-1. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

This is Gary Darling (37)'s fourth ejection of 2013.
Gary Darling now has 12 points in the UEFL (8+2+2=12).
Crew Chief Gary Darling now has 3 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (2 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 3).

This is the 160th ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 71st player ejection of 2013. Prior to ejection, Aviles entered as a PR and was caught stealing.
This is the Indians' 7th ejection of 2013, 2nd in the AL Central (DET 8; CLE 7; CWS 6; KC, MIN 4).
This is Mike Aviles' 2nd ejection of 2013 and first since June 5 (Tony Randazzo; QOC = Irrecusable).
This is Gary Darling's first ejection since July 24, 2013 (Robin Ventura; QOC = Correct).

Wrap: New York Mets vs. Cleveland Indians, 9/8/13
Video: Aviles called for the second out of the 9th is ejected by Darling vehemently protesting the ruling (CLE)