MLB Ejections 175: Eric Cooper (2; Munenori Kawasaki)

1B Umpire Eric Cooper ejected Blue Jays DH Munenori Kawasaki for arguing an out call in the top of the 8th inning of the Blue Jays-Red Sox game. With one out and one on, Blue Jays batter Kawasaki hit a 2-2 fastball

Foot on base, ball in flight.

from Red Sox pitcher Ryan Dempster back to Dempster, deflected to second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who threw to first baseman Will Middlebrooks as Kawasaki arrived. Replays indicate Kawasaki's left foot contacted the first base bag prior to the ball entering Middlebrooks' glove, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 3-2. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is Eric Cooper (56)'s second ejection of 2013.
Eric Cooper now has -4 points in the UEFL (-2 + 2 MLB + -4 N = -4).
Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has 0 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (0 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 0).

This is the 175th ejections of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 79th player ejection of 2013. Prior to ejection, Kawasaki was 0-4 in the contest.
This is the Blue Jays' 13th ejection of 2013, 1st in MLB & AL East (TOR 13; BOS 9; TB 6; BAL 5; NYY 4).
This is Munenori Kawasaki's first career MLB ejection.
This is Eric Cooper's first ejection since June 14, 2013 (Elvis Andrus; QOC = Incorrect).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox, 9/21/13
Video: Cooper tosses Kawasaki for abuse of helmet equipment in protest of call at first base (TOR)

Solution for Case Play 2013-09: Whose Base is it Anyway?

The answer to Iassogna's double Case Play: Whose Base is it Anyway (2013-09) is now available below:

To refresh, with one out and two runners aboard (R1 Lawrie and R3 Reyes) in the Yankees-Blue Jays game, B1 Adam Lind hit a ground ball to F1 Kuroda, who threw to F2 Stewart as R3 Reyes attempted to return to third base. After the brief rundown, R3 dove back into third base as R1 Lawrie stepped on the bag. F2 Stewart threw the ball to F5 Reynolds, who tagged R1 before tagging R3 Reyes, resulting in 3B Umpire Dan Iassogna's double play call.

Answer, Lightning Case Play 2013-09
In responding to the scenario, the following rule was properly identified and referenced: OBR Rule 7.08(c), which states a runner is out when "he is tagged, when the ball is alive, while off his base."

Also introduced was Rule 7.03(a) - "Two runners may not occupy a base, but if, while the ball is alive, two runners are touching a base, the following runner shall be out when tagged and the preceding runner is entitled to the base, unless Rule 7.03(b) applies."

Rule 7.03(b) applies in the event of a force play situation, when the following runner is entitled to the base. We can stipulate 7.03(b) does not apply as this is not a force situation (R1's forced base is 2B/R3 none).

Entitlement to a base specifies a runner who has permission to touch a base (and be declared "safe" if tagged while on the base). In this situation, R3 is entitled to third base over R1 (priority entitlement); However, if R3 does not physically touch third base, R1 is entitled to it. Entitlement is not a binding action—it just means the runner is authorized to legally touch a base, if he so chooses. R1 loses entitlement if R3 touches 3B.

R1 is entitled to (touch) third base as long as R3 is not touching third base, but R3 is always entitled to 3B:

If R1 is not touching third base and R3 is not touching third base, then R1 & R3 are entitled to third base.

If R1 is touching third base, but R3 is not touching third base, then R1 & R3 are entitled to third base.

If R1 is not touching third base, but R3 is touching third base, then R3 is entitled to third base.

If R1 is touching third base and R3 is touching third base, then R3 is entitled to third base.

The MLB Umpire Manual (35-35) confirms this: "If two runners are touching a base at the same time, the following runner is out when tagged (unless, of course, the lead runner is forced)."

Rule 7.01 states, "A runner acquires the right to an unoccupied base when he touches it before he is out. He is then entitled to it until he is put out, or forced to vacate it for another runner legally entitled to that base." Rule 7.01, however, does not apply because of the principle of occupation.

R3 still does occupy third base, as portrayed in Rule 7.08(b) Comment ("a runner is considered to occupy a base until he legally has reached the next succeeding base"); however, trail/following runner R1 may touch third base and be declared safe (unless R3 is simultaneously touching) because with no other runner touching third base, R1 (along with R3) is entitled to it. R3 is entitled to the base over R1, but is not mandated to actually return and touch it. R3 acquired title to the base during the preceding play when he became R3, as opposed to R2, R1 or B1. A runner need not touch a base to occupy it.

Analysis of Rule 7.03(a) produces the following conditional statement, "If two runners are touching a base, [then] the following runner [is] out..." (For the next part, assume both runners are touching a base.)

The simplest proof from this point finds that because the "two runners are touching a base" condition was not satisfied, the conclusion "the following runner is out" cannot apply, as far as 7.03(a) is concerned. Alternately, the indicator for Rule 7.03(a) [the condition it must satisfy for it to be applicable] is "two runners are touching a base." Because two runners were not touching a base at the time of either tag, Rule 7.03(a) does not apply and cannot account for either runner being declared out.

By logical law, the contrapositive of this statement must be true (see: Logical Equivalence, p. 47): "If the following runner is out, then two runners are touching a base." Error: 2 runners were not touching the base.

Read on for a definition of concepts used (entitled, occupy, touch, acquire title) and the CP's conclusion:

MLB Ejection 174: Mark Carlson (2; Clint Hurdle)

HP Umpire Mark Carlson ejected Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle for arguing warnings (Unsportsmanlike-NEC)

Davis takes Baker while Carlson gets Hurdle.

in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Reds-Pirates game. With none out and none on, Pirates batter Andrew McCutchen took a 2-2 fastball from Reds pitcher Sam LeCure for a hit by pitch. Replays indicate the pitch struck McCutchen's upper left arm, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 5-2. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 6-5, in 10 innings.

This is Mark Carlson (6)'s second ejection of 2013.
Mark Carlson now has 0 points in the UEFL (-2 + 2 MLB + U = 0).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has 7 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (6 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 7).

This is the 174th ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 83rd Manager ejection of 2013.
This is the Pirates' 9th ejection of 2013, 1st in the NL Central (PIT 9; CHC 7; STL 6; MIL 3; CIN 0).
This is Clint Hurdle's 6th ejection of 2013 and first since August 10, 2013 (Adrian Johnson; QOC = Correct).
This is Mark Carlson's first ejection since August 7, 2013 (Bo Porter; QOC = Incorrect).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 9/20/13
Video: Inbound reliever LeCure drills McCutchen with a 2-2 heater, warnings issued; Hurdle tossed (PIT)

Case Play 2013-09: Whose Base is it Anyway?

Lightning Case Play: Whose Base is it Anyway? With one out and runners on first and third (R1 Brett Lawrie,

Iassogna declares a double play at third base.

R3 Jose Reyes), batter Adam Lind hits a come-backer to pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, who throws to catcher Chris Stewart, who runs R3 Reyes back towards third base before throwing to third baseman Mark Reynolds. As R3 Reyes dives back towards third, R1 Lawrie comes from first to step on the base. F5 Reynolds tags R1 Lawrie followed by R3 Reyes, resulting in a double play call from 3B Umpire Dan Iassogna.

Question: What happened? Who is entitled to occupy third base at all stages of this play? What rules apply and how is this a double play?

*A lightning case play is a "simple" scenario worth one point. This case play expires Saturday.

Video: Yankees score inning-ending double play with a timed tag at third in Toronto (MLB Must C)

MLB Ejection 173: Bill Welke (4; Randy Knorr)

HP Umpire Bill Welke ejected Nationals Bench Coach Randy Knorr for arguing warnings (Unsportsmanlike-NEC) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the Marlins-Nationals game. With one out and two on, Nationals batter

Welke warns after 1st inning HR => HBP.

Bryce Harper hit a 2-2 slider from Marlins pitcher Henderson Alvarez for a three-run home run while ensuing batter Ian Desmond took a 3-0 fastball from Alvarez for a hit by pitch. Replays indicate the two-seamer struck Desmond's left shoulder, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Nationals were leading, 3-1. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Bill Welke (52)'s fourth ejection of 2013.
Bill Welke now has -4 points in the UEFL (-6 + 2 MLB + 0 U = -4).
Crew Chief Fieldin Culbreth now has 4 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (3 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 4).

This is the 173rd ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the Nationals' 9th ejection of 2013, 2nd in the NL East (ATL 10; WAS 9; NYM 6; PHI 4; MIA 2).
This is Randy Knorr's first career MLB ejection; he was never ejected as a player (1991-2001).
This is Bill Welke's first ejection since August 16, 2013 (Mike Carp; QOC = Incorrect).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs. Washington Nationals, 9/19/13
Video: Desmond HBP produces warnings against retaliation, further bean balls; Knorr tossed (WAS)

MLB Ejection 172: Andy Fletcher (5; Adrian Gonzalez)

2B Umpire Andy Fletcher ejected Dodgers 1B Adrian Gonzalez for arguing an out call by 1B Umpire Jim Joyce in the top of the 5th inning of the Dodgers-Diamondbacks game. With one out and one on, Gonzalez hit

Joyce rules Young out on Montero's diving tag.

a 2-1 sinker from Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon McCarthy for a double to left fielder Adam Eaton, who threw to shortstop Chris Owings to catcher Miguel Montero as Dodgers baserunner R1 attempted to score. Replays indicate Young's left hand touched home plate prior to Montero's glove touching Young's arm, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Diamondbacks were leading, 4-2. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 9-4.

This is Andy Fletcher (49)'s fifth ejection of 2013.
Andy Fletcher now has 8 points in the UEFL (8 Previous + 2 MLB + -2 Incorrect Call [Crewmate] = 8).
Crew Chief Joe West now has 4 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (4 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 4).

This is the 172nd ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 78th player ejection of 2013. Prior to ejection, Gonzalez was 2-3 in the contest.
This is the Dodgers' 13th ejection of 2013, 1st in the NL West (LAD 13; ARI 9; SF 4; COL, SD 3).
This is Fredi Gonzalez's 4th ejection of 2013 and first since July 25, 2013 (Chad Fairchild; QOC = Incorrect).
This is Adrian Gonzalez's first ejection of 2013 and first since August 15, 2012 (Mike Everitt; QOC = Correct).
This is Andy Fletcher's first ejection since September 14, 2013 (Alex Rios; QOC = Incorrect).

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 9/18/13
Video: D-Backs' relay reaches the plate as Young is crossing it, rotated 1B Umpire Joyce with the call (ARI)
Video: After hitting a double, Gonzalez laments his lost RBI, allegedly criticizing Joyce's hustle (LAD)

MLB Ejections 170, 171: CB Bucknor (3, 4; Gonzalez, Wood)

HP Umpire CB Bucknor ejected Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez for arguing a ball four call and Braves pitcher Alex Wood for Unsportsmanlike-NEC in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Braves-Nationals game.

Pitch f/x: Ball 4 call was proper.

With one out and two on, Nationals batter Jayson Werth took a 3-2 fastball from Wood for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located belt high and off the inner edge of home plate (px -0.842) while earlier pitches in the at bat and the preceding four-pitch walk to Ryan Zimmerman were officiated properly, the call was correct. After a first-pitch sacrifice fly by Bryce Harper, Wood was removed from the game and continued to argue, leading to ejection during a pitching change. Because Gonzalez was previously ejected arguing the ball four call, Wood's ejection is USC-NEC (previously argued call/repeat visit - no balls thrown to Harper), irrecusable. At the time of the Gonzalez ejection, the Nationals were leading, 1-0. At the time of the Wood ejection, the Nationals were leading, 2-0. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 5-2.

These are CB Bucknor (54)'s third and fourth ejections of 2013.
CB Bucknor now has 12 points in the UEFL (6 + 2*[2 MLB] + 2 Y + 0 U = 12).
Crew Chief Dale Scott now has 7 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (5 Previous + 2 Correct/U Call = 7).

These are the 170th and 171st ejections of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 82nd Manager ejection of 2013.
This is the 77th player ejection of 2013. Prior to ejection, Wood's line was 4.2 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 2 BB.
This is the Braves' 9th/10th ejection of 2013, 1st in the NL East (ATL 10; WAS 8; NYM 6; PHI 4; MIA 2).
This is Fredi Gonzalez's 4th ejection of 2013 and first since July 25, 2013 (Chad Fairchild; QOC = Incorrect).
This is Alex Wood's first career MLB ejection.
This is CB Bucknor's first ejection since May 19, 2013 (Clint Hurdle; QOC = Correct).

Wrap: Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals, 9/18/13
Video: After Wood walks Werth to force in a run, Bucknor calmly tosses Gonzalez as Wood is fired up (ATL)
Video: After losing focus, Wood ejected arguing a pitch computers prove was correctly ruled a ball (Soon)

Roster: MiLB Triple-A Championship Umpires

MiLB Triple-A's Championship umpiring crew headed by Chad Whitson of the International League worked Tuesday's Storm Chasers-Bulls one-run duel, won by the Storm Chasers in regulation, 2-1. The umpiring crew for the 2-hour, 58-minute championship game, played in front of 9,602 at Coca-Cola Park, was comprised of four regular season crew chiefs:

HP Umpire: Chad Whitson, International League (Regular Season Crew Chief, 0 Ejections).
1B Umpire: Gerard Ascani, Pacific Coast League (Regular Season Crew Chief, 6 Ejections).
2B Umpire: David Soucy, International League (Regular Season Crew Chief, 1 Ejection).
3B Umpire: Kellen Levy, Pacific Coast League (Regular Season Crew Chief, 7 Ejections).

Wrap: Omaha Storm Chasers vs. Durham Bulls, 9/17/13

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

Case Play 2013-08 (Wolf's Two Strike Strikeout) is now final. Answer appears below.

To refresh, with one out and none on, B1 swings at and misses a 1-1 pitch, resulting in a second strike. B1, mistakingly under the belief that he has struck out, returns to the team dugout as PU declares an out. The scenario asked, "Does batter abandonment (1) appear within the rules and (2) govern this situation...Do umpires have an obligation to call the batter back to home plate if [the batter] mistakenly retreats to the dugout on a strike two pitch?"

Answer, Case Play 2013-08
In responding to the scenario, the following rule was properly identified and referenced: OBR Rule 6.02(c).

6.02(c) - "If the batter refuses to take his position in the batter's box during his time at bat, the umpire shall call a strike on the batter. The ball is dead, and no runners may advance. After the penalty, the batter may take his proper position and the regular ball and strike count shall continue. If the batter does not take his proper position before three strikes have been called, the batter shall be declared out."
The umpire has the discretion, but is under no obligation, to place the batter back in the batter's box.

To understand the language of Rule 6.02(d), it is necessary to grasp its history. Rule 6.02(d) was introduced to the minor leagues in 2005 as a "pace-of-game" experiment. The experimental procedure was adopted unchanged into the 2006 Official Rules, albeit as a provision that applies to the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (NAPBL), now more commonly known as Minor League Baseball. Accordingly, when pace-of-game became a point of emphasis at the Major League level in 2008, Rules 6.02(a), 6.02(b), 6.02(c) and 8.04 were emphasized as 6.02(d) did not exist at the MLB level.

In order to be adopted at the Major League level, the Players Association would have to approve the rule. Since 2006, the MLBPA did not approve or adopt Rule 6.02(d), so it remained a NAPBL rule.

The rule contains several key directives meant to quicken the pace of a game, for instance, a batter must keep at least one foot in the batter's box during his entire time at bat unless specific situations occur, such as (1) a swinging strike, (2) a pitch forces him out of the box [e.g., chin music], (3) "Time" is granted, (4) a play is attempted on a runner, (5) the batter feigns a bunt, (6) a wild pitch/passed ball occurs, (7) the pitcher leaves the dirt area of the mound after receiving the ball, or (8) the catcher leaves the catcher's box to give defensive signals.

Similar language in the Official Baseball Rules regarding provisions adopted by National Association Leagues includes 4.12(7)(8)(9), which pertains to suspended games and clearly apply to MiLB, but not MLB (e.g., mandating a regularly scheduled game be shortened to seven innings if a suspended game which is not yet regulation is continued prior to the regularly scheduled game). This rule is prefaced by, "National Association Leagues may also adopt the following rules for suspended games."

Also included is Rule 8.02(a)(2)-(6) Penalty (a), mandating a 10-game automatic suspension for a pitcher ejected for illegal action in doctoring a baseball ("In National Association Leagues, the automatic suspension shall be for 10 games"). When Joel Peralta was ejected for an illegal/foreign substance on his glove (pine tar), he was suspended only eight games (Ejection 074: Tim Tschida [3], 2012).

Rule 10.22(a) Minimum Standards for Individual Championships also makes the distinction between a "Major League" player and a "National Association player," as does Rule 1.16(b)-(c) ((b) double ear-flap helmets required in NAL; (c) single ear allowed in MLB). OBR clearly indicates that when mentioned by name, rules are exclusive to National Association or Major League play, as appropriate.

Accordingly, Rule 6.02(d)(i) [or any 6.02(d) variant] is not applicable as Rule 6.02(d) applies to National Association Leagues and not Major League play. Earlier this season, 2013 California League umpire of the year and "Doug Harvey Award" recipient Ron Teague ejected RockHounds batter Vinnie Catricala after calling two automatic strikes under the auspices of Rule 6.02(c)(d).

Rule 9.01(c) ("Each umpire has authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules") is also not applicable as this scenario is specifically covered by Rule 6.02(c).

Batter abandonment makes a de facto appearance in Rules 6.02(c) and (d), though only 6.02(c) applies.

One Point Awarded (+1): Penwhale, Turducken.

MLB Ejection 169: Ron Kulpa (2; Mike Napoli)

HP Umpire Ron Kulpa ejected Red Sox 1B Mike Napoli for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Yankees-Red Sox game. With two out and two on, Napoli took a 2-2 slider from Yankees pitcher

Napoli K's on a called third strike to end the 6th.

Joba Chamberlain for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located thigh high and over the outer half of home plate (sz_bot 1.490, pz 1.702; px 0.346), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Red Sox were leading, 7-1. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 9-2.

This is Ron Kulpa (46)'s second ejection of 2013.
Ron Kulpa now has 8 points in the UEFL (4 + 2 MLB + 2 Y = 8).
Crew Chief Ted Barrett now has 5 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (4 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 5).

This is the 169th ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 76th player ejection of 2013. Prior to ejection, Napoli was 1-3 in the contest with 2 strikeouts.
This is the Red Sox's 9th ejection of 2013, 2nd in the AL East (TOR 12; BOS 9; TB 6; BAL 5; NYY 4).
This is Mike Napoli's first career MLB ejection.
This is Ron Kulpa's first ejection since August 12, 2013 (AJ Pierzynski; QOC = Correct).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox, 9/15/13
Video: After taking Joba's breaking strike two slider for K3, Napoli is ejected for persistent protest (ESPN)

MLB Ejection 168: James Hoye (1; Emilio Bonifacio)

1B Umpire James Hoye ejected Royals 2B Emilio Bonifacio for arguing an out call in the top of the 3rd inning of the Royals-Tigers game. With two out and one on, baserunner R1 Bonifacio was picked off at first base by

Bonifacio's objection earns ejection.

Tigers pitcher Doug Fister. Replays indicate the tag applied by first baseman Prince Fielder touched Bonifacio's hand while he was not in contact with first base, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 1-0. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

This is James Hoye (92)'s first ejection of 2013.
James Hoye now has 4 points in the UEFL (0 + 2 MLB + 2 Y = 4).
Crew Chief John Hirschbeck now has 7 points in the UEFL's Crew Division (6 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 7).

This is the 168th ejection of the 2013 MLB season.
This is the 75th player ejection of 2013. Prior to ejection, Bonifacio was 0-1 in the contest.
This is the Royals' 5th ejection of 2013, T-4th in the AL Central (DET 10; CLE 7; CWS 6; KC, MIN 5).
This is Emilio Bonifacio's first ejection since July 4, 2011 (Vic Carapazza; QOC = Incorrect).
This is James Hoye's first ejection since July 1, 2012 (Mike Scioscia; QOC = Correct).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers, 9/14/13
Video: Bonifacio is called out to end the 3rd and spikes his helmet in disgust, spurring an ejection (DET)