MLB has announced umpires for the Championship Series, the third round of the 2013 postseason.
American League Championship Series (ALCS Game One Alignment Below)
HP: Joe West -cc (7 Previous + 2 Championship Series + 1 Crew Chief Assignment Bonus = 10).
1B: Rob Drake (2 Previous + 2 Championship Series = 4).
2B: Ron Kulpa (8 Previous + 3 Championship Series = 11).^
3B: Alfonso Marquez (2 Previous + 3 Championship Series = 5).^
LF: Dale Scott (5 Previous + 2 Championship Series = 7).
RF: Dan Iassogna (12 Previous + 2 Championship Series = 14).
National League Championship Series (NLCS Game One Alignment Below)
HP: Gerry Davis -cc (2 Previous + 2 Championship Series + 1 Crew Chief Assignment Bonus = 5).
1B: Mark Carlson (0 Previous + 3 Championship Series = 3).*^
2B: Mike Everitt (3 Previous + 2 Championship Series = 5).
3B: Bruce Dreckman (0 Previous + 3 Championship Series = 3).^
LF: Ted Barrett (5 Previous + 2 Championship Series = 7).
RF: Greg Gibson (7 Previous + 2 Championship Series = 9).
-cc denotes Crew Chief, * denotes first AL/NLCS assignment, ^ denotes first 2013 Postseason assignment. Per UEFL Rule 4-3-c, all umpires selected to appear in the AL and NL Championship Series shall receive two bonus points for this appearance, three if the umpire has not appeared during an earlier postseason game (e.g., Wild Card). Crew chiefs shall receive one additional bonus point for this role (three points total).
Friday, October 11, 2013
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
ALDS Game 4 (OAK-DET): The Fan Interference Home Run
A fan interference home run in Detroit, RF Umpire Gary Darling presiding, tied the Athletics-Tigers game at four during Game 4 of the American League Division Series. The terminology "fan interference home run" is used because this play, without a doubt, qualifies under the rules book definition of spectator interference—the implications of which may be slightly different than a cursory skim of the rules book might insinuate (see Long-Form Explanation for why). Relevant to the play is the impacted fielder, A's right fielder Josh Reddick.
Summary
The spectator interference, under Rule 3.16, does not prevent a home run from being called, though the umpire is obligated to "impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference." If the interference "clearly prevents a fielder from catching a fly ball," the batter is out. The call on the field was technically improper as spectator interference occurred. That said, the penalty to nullify the act of interference may very well have been a four-base award, as in a home run. Darling stated the fielder was not going to catch the ball and it was "clearly going to be a home run," making the result of the play proper. In other words, spectator interference does not imply an out, "ground rule double" or the like. All spectator interference means is a fan reached out of the stands and over the playing field and touched a live ball (or player), the penalty for which is to award bases or outs to nullify the act of interference.
The only improperly administered part of this play was failure to rule spectator interference so that ballpark security could have ejected the offending fan for violating the Comerica Code of Conduct and MLB Rule.
Related: Rule 3.16: Spectator Interference on Batted Ball
Related: Ejections: Joe West (7) (Charlie Manuel, 9/4/2011)
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| Replays confirm the spectator interference. |
The spectator interference, under Rule 3.16, does not prevent a home run from being called, though the umpire is obligated to "impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference." If the interference "clearly prevents a fielder from catching a fly ball," the batter is out. The call on the field was technically improper as spectator interference occurred. That said, the penalty to nullify the act of interference may very well have been a four-base award, as in a home run. Darling stated the fielder was not going to catch the ball and it was "clearly going to be a home run," making the result of the play proper. In other words, spectator interference does not imply an out, "ground rule double" or the like. All spectator interference means is a fan reached out of the stands and over the playing field and touched a live ball (or player), the penalty for which is to award bases or outs to nullify the act of interference.
The only improperly administered part of this play was failure to rule spectator interference so that ballpark security could have ejected the offending fan for violating the Comerica Code of Conduct and MLB Rule.
Related: Rule 3.16: Spectator Interference on Batted Ball
Related: Ejections: Joe West (7) (Charlie Manuel, 9/4/2011)
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Discussions: 2013 AL and NL Division Series
As the 2013 AL and NL Division Series get underway, we again open the umpire forum to discussion. Notes include home plate umpire performance according to pitch f/x and UEFL Rules 6-2-b-a (horizontal bound, "Kulpa Rule") and 6-2-b-b (vertical strike zone, "Miller Rule"). Plays include significant plays, if such plays occur. For future games, notes include home plate umpire probables. Call +/- also included/highlighted.
- 10/3, PIT@STL 1: HP Umpire Tony Randazzo: pfx (97/99 Balls, 42/46 Strikes = 139/145 = 95.9%) +0 NU.
- 10/3, LAD@ATL 1: HP Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt: pfx (104/107 B, 42/47 K = 146/154 = 94.8%) +0 NU.
- 10/4, PIT@STL, 2: HP Umpire Wally Bell: pfx (97/98 Balls, 50/55 Strikes = 147/153 = 96.1%) +1 STL.
- 10/4, TB@BOS, 1: HP Umpire Chris Guccione: pfx (104/106 Balls, 43/48 Strikes = 147/154 = 95.5%) +1 BO.
- 10/4, LAD@ATL, 2: HP Umpire Marvin Hudson: pfx (95/97 Balls, 30/39 Strikes = 125/136 = 91.9%) +2 ATL.
- 10/4, DET@OAK, 1: HP Umpire Mark Wegner: pfx (96/100 Balls, 40/47 Strikes = 136/147 = 92.5%) +4 OAK.
- 10/5, TB@BOS, 2: HP Umpire Eric Cooper: pfx (78/81 Balls, 35/42 Strikes = 113/123 = 91.9%) +3 TB.
- 10/5, DET@OAK, 2: HP Umpire CB Bucknor: pfx (107/109 Balls, 35/40 Strikes = 142/149 = 95.3%) +2 DET.
- 10/6, STL@PIT, 3: HP Umpire Jerry Layne: pfx (98/101 Balls, 31/41 Strikes = 129/142 = 90.8%) +1 STL.
- 10/6, ATL@LAD, 3: HP Umpire John Hirschbeck: pfx (114/116 B, 41/46 S = 155/162 = 95.7%) +1 ATL.
- 10/7, OAK@DET, 3: HP Umpire Gary Darling: pfx (109/110 B, 44/54 S = 153/164 = 93.3%) +0 NU.
- 10/7, STL@PIT, 4: HP Umpire Sam Holbrook: pfx (100/101 B, 34/38 S = 134/139 = 96.4%) +1 PIT.
- 10/7, BOS@TB, 3: HP Umpire Dana DeMuth: pfx (105/110 B, 43/44 S = 148/154 = 96.1%) +0 NU.
- 10/7, ATL@LAD, 4: HP Umpire Bill Miller: pfx (93/93 Balls, 43/46 Strikes = 136/139 = 97.8%) +1 LAD.
Series Complete: NLDS Dodgers defeat Braves (3-1), net advantage Atlanta, +2 pitches (lost series).
- 10/8, OAK@DET, 4: HP Umpire Jim Reynolds: pfx (105/110 B, 32/40 S = 137/150 = 91.3%) +3 OAK.
- 10/8, BOS@TB, 3: HP Umpire Paul Emmel: pfx (113/116 Balls, 44/47 Strikes = 157/163 = 96.3%) +4 BOS.
Series Complete: ALDS Red Sox defeat Rays (3-1), net advantage Boston, +2 pitches (won series).
- 10/9, PIT@STL, 5: HP Umpire Jim Joyce: pfx (74/76 Balls, 33/37 Strikes = 107/113 = 94.7%) +0 NU.
Series Complete: NLDS Cardinals defeat Pirates (3-2), net advantage St. Louis, +1 pitch (won series).
- 10/10, DET@OAK, 5: HP Umpire Tom Hallion: pfx (104/106 B, 30/40 S = 134/146 = 91.8%) +0 NU.
Series Complete: ALDS Tigers defeat Athletics (3-2), net advantage oakland, +5 pitches (lost series).
Plays (QOC Coloring: Green [Correct], Yellow [Irrecusable or Inconclusive] or Red [Incorrect])
- PIT@STL, NLDS 1: 1B Umpire Wally Bell punches out Russell Martin at first on a tough play
- LAD@ATL, NLDS 1: 3B Umpire Bill Miller rules Simmons' 7th-inning screecher foul at third
- PIT@STL, NLDS 2: 1B Umpire Jerry Layne rules Mercer safe on fumbled hard grounder
- TB@BOS, ALDS 1: 1B Umpire Eric Cooper doles out the safe sign on a Stephen Drew infield single
- LAD@ATL, NLDS 2: 3B Umpire Tim Welke rules Gattis' grounder to Uribe off third a foul ball
- LAD@ATL, NLDS 2: 1B Umpire John Hirschbeck rules Puig safe at first on infield single
- LAD@ATL, NLDS 2: 2B Umpire Bill Miller calls Dee Gordon out on an attempted 9th inning steal
- DET@OAK, ALDS 1: 1B Umpire CB Bucknor rules Iglesias out at first as Barton fields Lowrie's throw
- DET@OAK, ALDS 1: 1B Umpire CB Bucknor calls Infante safe on infield hit to third baseman Donaldson
- DET@OAK, ALDS 1: 2B Umpire Gary Darling calls Torii Hunter out at second on attempted steal
- TB@BOS, ALDS 2: 1B Umpire Dana DeMuth bangs Myers out on slick play by John Lackey
- TB@BOS, ALDS 2: 2B Umpire Paul Emmel spots the quick tag on Dustin Pedroia's backside
- DET@OAK, ALDS 2: 3B Umpire Tom Hallion rules Moss safe at third, ahead of Cabrera's lunging tag
- STL@PIT, NLDS 3: 1B Umpire Sam Holbrook calls Beltran out on bang-bang play at first
- STL@PIT, NLDS 3: 3B Umpire Paul Nauert rules Francisco safe at third on a strike out-stolen base
- ATL@LAD, NLDS 3: 1B Umpire Bill Miller deems Puig safe as 1B Coach Lopes argues for a balk
- ATL@LAD, NLDS 3: 2B Umpire Tim Welke calls Puig safe on a force out, error advance to second
- ATL@LAD, NLDS 3: 3B Umpire Laz Diaz calls "Time" on Mark Ellis' foul ground ball wide of third
- OAK@DET, ALDS 3: HP Umpire Gary Darling issues warnings after benches clear in the 9th
- BOS@TB, ALDS 3: 1B Umpire Paul Emmel calls Middlebrooks out at first on Cobb's gem
- BOS@TB, ALDS 3: 2B Umpire Mike Winters punches Loney out on Napoli's double play toss
- BOS@TB, ALDS 3: HP Umpire Dana DeMuth rules batted ball that bounces over catwalk foul
- BOS@TB, ALDS 3: 3B Umpire Larry Vanover finds Ellsbury safe by razor thin margin at third
- BOS@TB, ALDS 3: 1B Umpire Paul Emmel calls Escobar safe at first on slow chopper to Drew
- BOS@TB, ALDS 3: 2B Umpire Mike Winters has Berry safe on stolen base attempt in the eighth
- ATL@LAD, NLDS 4: 2B Umpire Laz Diaz rules Hanley Ramirez safe on series' first stolen base
- ATL@LAD, NLDS 4: 1B Umpire Tim Welke calls Elliot Johnson out on Juan Uribe's quick throw
- ATL@LAD, NLDS 4: RF Umpire John Hirschbeck sees a fair ball on Johnson's missed catch attempt
- ATL@LAD, NLDS 4: 3B Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt calls foul on Juan Uribe's bullet down the line
- OAK@DET, ALDS 4: RF Umpire Gary Darling rules home run, upholds call after instant replay review
- PIT@STL, NLDS 5: 1B Umpire Paul Nauert finds Morneau safe on close play at first base
- PIT@STL, NLDS 5: 1B Umpire Paul Nauert gets Mercer out on the backend of a double play
- DET@OAK, ALDS 5: LF Umpire Gary Darling calls Peralta's fly ball a foul ball, inches off the line
Division Series Complete: 33 Close Calls, 26.5 Correct, 3.5 Incorrect, 3 Irrecusable = 80.3% Accuracy.
- 10/3, PIT@STL 1: HP Umpire Tony Randazzo: pfx (97/99 Balls, 42/46 Strikes = 139/145 = 95.9%) +0 NU.
- 10/3, LAD@ATL 1: HP Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt: pfx (104/107 B, 42/47 K = 146/154 = 94.8%) +0 NU.
- 10/4, PIT@STL, 2: HP Umpire Wally Bell: pfx (97/98 Balls, 50/55 Strikes = 147/153 = 96.1%) +1 STL.
- 10/4, TB@BOS, 1: HP Umpire Chris Guccione: pfx (104/106 Balls, 43/48 Strikes = 147/154 = 95.5%) +1 BO.
- 10/4, LAD@ATL, 2: HP Umpire Marvin Hudson: pfx (95/97 Balls, 30/39 Strikes = 125/136 = 91.9%) +2 ATL.
- 10/4, DET@OAK, 1: HP Umpire Mark Wegner: pfx (96/100 Balls, 40/47 Strikes = 136/147 = 92.5%) +4 OAK.
- 10/5, TB@BOS, 2: HP Umpire Eric Cooper: pfx (78/81 Balls, 35/42 Strikes = 113/123 = 91.9%) +3 TB.
- 10/5, DET@OAK, 2: HP Umpire CB Bucknor: pfx (107/109 Balls, 35/40 Strikes = 142/149 = 95.3%) +2 DET.
- 10/6, STL@PIT, 3: HP Umpire Jerry Layne: pfx (98/101 Balls, 31/41 Strikes = 129/142 = 90.8%) +1 STL.
- 10/6, ATL@LAD, 3: HP Umpire John Hirschbeck: pfx (114/116 B, 41/46 S = 155/162 = 95.7%) +1 ATL.
- 10/7, OAK@DET, 3: HP Umpire Gary Darling: pfx (109/110 B, 44/54 S = 153/164 = 93.3%) +0 NU.
- 10/7, STL@PIT, 4: HP Umpire Sam Holbrook: pfx (100/101 B, 34/38 S = 134/139 = 96.4%) +1 PIT.
- 10/7, BOS@TB, 3: HP Umpire Dana DeMuth: pfx (105/110 B, 43/44 S = 148/154 = 96.1%) +0 NU.
- 10/7, ATL@LAD, 4: HP Umpire Bill Miller: pfx (93/93 Balls, 43/46 Strikes = 136/139 = 97.8%) +1 LAD.
Series Complete: NLDS Dodgers defeat Braves (3-1), net advantage Atlanta, +2 pitches (lost series).
- 10/8, OAK@DET, 4: HP Umpire Jim Reynolds: pfx (105/110 B, 32/40 S = 137/150 = 91.3%) +3 OAK.
- 10/8, BOS@TB, 3: HP Umpire Paul Emmel: pfx (113/116 Balls, 44/47 Strikes = 157/163 = 96.3%) +4 BOS.
Series Complete: ALDS Red Sox defeat Rays (3-1), net advantage Boston, +2 pitches (won series).
- 10/9, PIT@STL, 5: HP Umpire Jim Joyce: pfx (74/76 Balls, 33/37 Strikes = 107/113 = 94.7%) +0 NU.
Series Complete: NLDS Cardinals defeat Pirates (3-2), net advantage St. Louis, +1 pitch (won series).
- 10/10, DET@OAK, 5: HP Umpire Tom Hallion: pfx (104/106 B, 30/40 S = 134/146 = 91.8%) +0 NU.
Series Complete: ALDS Tigers defeat Athletics (3-2), net advantage oakland, +5 pitches (lost series).
Plays (QOC Coloring: Green [Correct], Yellow [Irrecusable or Inconclusive] or Red [Incorrect])
- PIT@STL, NLDS 1: 1B Umpire Wally Bell punches out Russell Martin at first on a tough play
- LAD@ATL, NLDS 1: 3B Umpire Bill Miller rules Simmons' 7th-inning screecher foul at third
- PIT@STL, NLDS 2: 1B Umpire Jerry Layne rules Mercer safe on fumbled hard grounder
- TB@BOS, ALDS 1: 1B Umpire Eric Cooper doles out the safe sign on a Stephen Drew infield single
- LAD@ATL, NLDS 2: 3B Umpire Tim Welke rules Gattis' grounder to Uribe off third a foul ball
- LAD@ATL, NLDS 2: 1B Umpire John Hirschbeck rules Puig safe at first on infield single
- LAD@ATL, NLDS 2: 2B Umpire Bill Miller calls Dee Gordon out on an attempted 9th inning steal
- DET@OAK, ALDS 1: 1B Umpire CB Bucknor rules Iglesias out at first as Barton fields Lowrie's throw
- DET@OAK, ALDS 1: 1B Umpire CB Bucknor calls Infante safe on infield hit to third baseman Donaldson
- DET@OAK, ALDS 1: 2B Umpire Gary Darling calls Torii Hunter out at second on attempted steal
- TB@BOS, ALDS 2: 1B Umpire Dana DeMuth bangs Myers out on slick play by John Lackey
- TB@BOS, ALDS 2: 2B Umpire Paul Emmel spots the quick tag on Dustin Pedroia's backside
- DET@OAK, ALDS 2: 3B Umpire Tom Hallion rules Moss safe at third, ahead of Cabrera's lunging tag
- STL@PIT, NLDS 3: 1B Umpire Sam Holbrook calls Beltran out on bang-bang play at first
- STL@PIT, NLDS 3: 3B Umpire Paul Nauert rules Francisco safe at third on a strike out-stolen base
- ATL@LAD, NLDS 3: 1B Umpire Bill Miller deems Puig safe as 1B Coach Lopes argues for a balk
- ATL@LAD, NLDS 3: 2B Umpire Tim Welke calls Puig safe on a force out, error advance to second
- ATL@LAD, NLDS 3: 3B Umpire Laz Diaz calls "Time" on Mark Ellis' foul ground ball wide of third
- OAK@DET, ALDS 3: HP Umpire Gary Darling issues warnings after benches clear in the 9th
- BOS@TB, ALDS 3: 1B Umpire Paul Emmel calls Middlebrooks out at first on Cobb's gem
- BOS@TB, ALDS 3: 2B Umpire Mike Winters punches Loney out on Napoli's double play toss
- BOS@TB, ALDS 3: HP Umpire Dana DeMuth rules batted ball that bounces over catwalk foul
- BOS@TB, ALDS 3: 3B Umpire Larry Vanover finds Ellsbury safe by razor thin margin at third
- BOS@TB, ALDS 3: 1B Umpire Paul Emmel calls Escobar safe at first on slow chopper to Drew
- BOS@TB, ALDS 3: 2B Umpire Mike Winters has Berry safe on stolen base attempt in the eighth
- ATL@LAD, NLDS 4: 2B Umpire Laz Diaz rules Hanley Ramirez safe on series' first stolen base
- ATL@LAD, NLDS 4: 1B Umpire Tim Welke calls Elliot Johnson out on Juan Uribe's quick throw
- ATL@LAD, NLDS 4: RF Umpire John Hirschbeck sees a fair ball on Johnson's missed catch attempt
- ATL@LAD, NLDS 4: 3B Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt calls foul on Juan Uribe's bullet down the line
- OAK@DET, ALDS 4: RF Umpire Gary Darling rules home run, upholds call after instant replay review
- PIT@STL, NLDS 5: 1B Umpire Paul Nauert finds Morneau safe on close play at first base
- PIT@STL, NLDS 5: 1B Umpire Paul Nauert gets Mercer out on the backend of a double play
- DET@OAK, ALDS 5: LF Umpire Gary Darling calls Peralta's fly ball a foul ball, inches off the line
Division Series Complete: 33 Close Calls, 26.5 Correct, 3.5 Incorrect, 3 Irrecusable = 80.3% Accuracy.