MLB Ejection 154: Tony Randazzo (1; Lloyd McClendon)

HP Umpire Tony Randazzo ejected Mariners Manager Lloyd McClendon for arguing ball two and three calls in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the Mariners-Tigers game. With one out and two on, Tigers batter Eugenio Suarez took a 1-2 changeup and 2-2 slider from Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez for called second and third balls. Replays indicate the pitches were located over the outer edge of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (ball two; px .729, pz 1.307 / sz_bot 1.540) and off the outer edge of home plate and thigh high (px .920, pz 2.451), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is Tony Randazzo (11)'s first ejection of 2014.

Tony Randazzo now has 1 point in the UEFL Standings (-3 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 1).

Crew Chief Brian Gorman now has 11 points in Crew Division (10 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 11).

This is the 154th ejection of 2014.
This is the 74th Manager ejection of 2014.

This is the Mariners' 7th ejection of 2014, T-1st in the AL West (SEA, TEX 7; OAK 5; HOU 2; LAA 1).

This is Lloyd McClendon's first ejection since August 7, 2014 (Toby Basner; QOC = U [Warnings]).

This is Tony Randazzo's first ejection since Sept 7, 2013 (Axford, Matheny; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

Wrap: Seattle Mariners vs. Detroit Tigers, 8/16/14

Video: Continued arguing of strike zone gets McClendon booted from ballgame (SEA)

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 962-963: August 16, 2014

August 16, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

962	HP	Baker, Jordan	10	ARI	35	Kirk Gibson	1	Out	Confirmed
963	1B	Hoye, James	9	STL	27	Mike Matheny	2	Safe	Overturned

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):

Video 962: ARI@MIA: Umpires review play at home plate in 1st

Video 963: SD@STL: Matheny challenges safe call at first in 2nd

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 953-961: August 15, 2014

August 15, 2014 featured the following MLB Umpire Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

r	953	2B	Hickox, Ed	12	BAL	28	Buck Showalter	5	HR	Confirmed
R	954	1B	Randazzo, Tony	13	SEA	33	Lloyd McClendon	4	Safe	Overturned
R	955	2B	Hoberg, Pat	8	BOS	30	John Farrell	8	Safe	Stands
r	956	HP	Blaser, Cory	10	BOS	31	John Farrell	8	Safe	Confirmed
R	957	2B	Barrett, Ted	12	ATL	25	Fredi Gonzalez	1	Safe	Overturned
R	958	3B	Segal, Chris	7	KC	31	Ned Yost	4	Safe	Stands
R	959	HP	Welke, Tim	14	CWS	29	Robin Ventura	2	K	Stands
R	960	HP	Guccione, Chris	11	TEX	33	Ron Washington	9	HBP	Confirmed
R	961	3B	Morales, Gabe	16	PHI	30	Ryne Sandberg	4	Out	Confirmed

Instant Replay Review Decision Video Clips (MLB.com/MLBAM):
Video 953: BAL@CLE: Home run confirmed in the 5th inning
Video 954: SEA@DET: Safe call overturned in the 4th inning
Video 955: HOU@BOS: Red Sox challenge play in the 8th
Video 956: HOU@BOS: Petit eludes tag for run on wild sequence
Video 957: OAK@ATL: Safe call overturned in the 1st inning
Video 958: KC@MIN: Safe call stands in the 4th inning
Video 959: TOR@CWS: Ruled foul tip stands in the 2nd inning
Video 960: LAA@TEX: Hit-by-pitch confirmed in the 9th inning
Video 961: PHI@SF: Out call confirmed in the 4th inning

MLB Ejection 153: Bob Davidson (5; Bud Black)

HP Umpire Bob Davidson ejected Padres Manager Bud Black for arguing a Replay Review decision that upheld Davidson's out call in the top of the 9th inning of the Padres-Cardinals game. With one out and three on, Padres batter Jake Goebbert hit a 0-0 fastball from Cardinals pitcher Trevor Rosenthal on a line drive to right fielder Shane Robinson, who threw to catcher A.J. Pierzynski as Padres baserunner R2 Alexi Amarista slid into home plate. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Padres Manager Black, Davidson's ruling was affirmed. Replays indicate Pierzynski applied his tag on Amarista prior to Amarista's arrival at home plate, the call was correct. At the time of the review and ejection, the Cardinals were leading, 4-3. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Bob Davidson (61)'s fifth ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
Bob Davidson now has 21 points in the UEFL Standings (17 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 21).
Crew Chief Bob Davidson now has 12 points in Crew Division (11 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 12).

This is the 153rd ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 73rd Manager ejection of 2014.
This is the Padres' third ejection of 2014, 5th in the NL West (COL, LAD 7; ARI 5; SF 4; SD 3).
This is Bud Black's first ejection since June 23, 2014 (Brian O'Nora; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).
This is Bob Davidson's first ejection since July 12, 2014 (Brad Miller; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: San Diego Padres vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 8/14/14
Video: Waiting for the play to complete before making the call, Davidson tosses Black post-Replay (SD)
Video: Play stands; Tag on the grass is upheld with lack of clear evidence to suggest otherwise (STL)
Video: Matheny discusses AJ going back to tag, explaining "there's an ability to continue the play" (STL)

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 949-952: August 14, 2014

August 14, 2014 featured the following MLB Umpire Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

r	949	HP	Barksdale, Lance	12	LAD	35	Don Mattingly	9	Out	Confirmed
R	950	HP	Gorman, Brian	11	NYM	31	Terry Collins	9	Ball	Confirmed
R	951	HP	Davidson, Bob	18	SD	26	Bud Black	9	Out	Stands
R	952	3B	Hallion, Tom	8	OAK	35	Bob Melvin	7	Safe	Stands

Instant Replay Review Decision Video Clips (MLB.com/MLBAM):
Video 949: LAD@ATL: Crew chief review confirms out in the 9th
Video 950: WSH@NYM: Mets challenge hit-by-pitch in 9th inning
Video 951: SD@STL: Out call stands in the 9th inning *Ejection*
Video 952: OAK@KC: Melvin challenges safe call at third in 7th

Solution for Case Play 2014-3: Extra Ball on Field

Our extra ball on field Case Play 2014-3 is now in the books with the solution below. To refresh:

With none out and two on (R1, R3), B1 hit a double to F9, who threw to F4 to F6 as a ball from the defensive bullpen flew onto the field near F4. F6 threw to F5 as R1 dove back to third and was tagged out. Q: Is this the proper call and application of rules?

Relevant Video: Reds 'pen airmails a pitch, throwing a second baseball on the playing field (CIN)

Answer: OBR Rule 5.02 states that after the umpire calls "Play" and until the umpire calls "Time," or until for legal cause (e.g., hit batsman, umpire or offensive interference, foul ball, etc.), the ball is alive. Rule 5.10 lists several additional opportunities to call "Time," including weather/darkness, light failure, an accident, mound visit, examination of baseball, fielder falls out of play, and the umpire orders a person removed.

Rule 5.10(h) states, "Except in the cases stated in paragraphs (b) and (c)(1) of this rule, no umpire shall call 'Time' while a play is in progress." Accordingly, the umpires were correct to keep this play alive.

The play cannot be Rule 2.00 [Interference] or [Obstruction] since no fielder impeded the runner's progress.

Accordingly, the play was properly officiated. Remedial action pursuant to Rule 9.01(c) may only be authorized if the umpires ruled the bullpen pitcher's act as unsportsmanlike, intentional and purposefully designed to put the opposition in jeopardy, and that this act did directly and overtly result in the out at third base. "Nullify the act" principles may have then been employed with the bullpen pitcher ejected pursuant to the unsportsmanlike clause of Rule 9.01(d).

Thanks to all Contributors: Arik G, Ben, BK, Bob Abouy, bwburke94, cyclone14, Doupetrob, KB, kylegoluba, RadioPearl, SJR, SMJ, toss 'em, Turducken

2 points have been awarded to all aforementioned who are UEFL league participants.

MLB Ejection 152: Gerry Davis (2; Joe Girardi)

HP Umpire Gerry Davis ejected Yankees Manager Joe Girardi for arguing an interference (out) call in the top of the 7th inning of the Yankees-Orioles game. With two out and none on, Yankees batter Stephen Drew hit a 1-1 cutter from Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman on the ground to catcher Nick Hundley, who threw toward first baseman Steve Pearce as Drew ran to first base. Replays indicate Drew did not appear to interfere with Pearce's ability to field Hundley's throw, which did not appear to qualify as a quality throw with realistic opportunity to retire Drew pursuant to interpretation, the call was incorrect.*^ At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 2-1. The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Gerry Davis (12)'s second ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
Gerry Davis now has -3 points in the UEFL Standings (-1 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = -3).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has 2 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 2).
*Rule 6.05(k) states that the batter is out if, "In running the last half of the distance from home base to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, he runs outside (to the right of) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line, and in the umpire’s judgment in so doing interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base, in which case the ball is dead; except that he may run outside (to the right of) the three-foot line or inside (to the left of) the foul line to avoid a fielder attempting to field a batted ball." The lines marking the lane are part of that lane.
^Wendelstedt: "The determination is not whether the throw is true but whether it could still reasonably retire the runner."

This is the 152nd ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 72nd Manager ejection of 2014.
This is the Yankees' 7th ejection of 2014, 3rd in the AL East (BOS 11; TB 10; NYY 7; TOR 4; BAL 3).
This is Joe Girardi's first ejection since May 13, 2014 (Jerry Layne; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Gerry Davis' first ejection since April 23, 2014 (Michael Pineda; QOC = U [Illegal Substance]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles, 8/13/14
Video: Runner's lane interference call brings forth the 7th inning stretch and Girardi's ejection (NYY)

MLB Ejection 151: Fieldin Culbreth (5; Robin Ventura)

3B Umpire Fieldin Culbreth ejected White Sox Manager Robin Ventura for arguing a Replay Review decision that overturned HP Umpire Chris Segal's Rule 7.13 violation-no call (out) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the White Sox-Giants game. With one out and two on, Giants batter Joe Panik hit a 1-1 fastball from White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana on the ground to first baseman Jose Abreu, who threw to catcher Tyler Flowers as Giants baserunner R3 Gregor Blanco slid towards home plate. Upon Replay Review as the result of a request by Giants Manager Bruce Bochy and initiation by Crew Chief Culbreth, Segal's ruling was reversed and Blanco declared safe for a Giants run, the ensuing argument producing Ventura's ejection, the call was correct. At the time of the review, the White Sox were leading, 1-0. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 7-1.

This is Fieldin Culbreth (25)'s fifth ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
Fieldin Culbreth now has 15 points in the UEFL Standings (11 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 15).
Crew Chief Fieldin Culbreth now has 12 points in Crew Division (11 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 12).

This is the 151st ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 71st Manager ejection of 2014.
This is the White Sox's 4th ejection of 2014, T-2nd in the AL Central (KC 5; CWS, DET, MIN 4; CLE 1).
This is Robin Ventura's first ejection since June 4, 2014 (Kerwin Danley; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Fieldin Culbreth's first ejection since April 20, 2014 (Brewers-Pirates x3; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs. San Francisco Giants, 8/13/14
Video: Sox-Giants experience a 10-minute delay on Rule 7.13 review, overturn, ejection & argument (SF)
Video: Ventura bolts from the dugout and is promptly tossed, kicks dirt on home plate (CWS)

Quote from Ken "Hawk" Harrelson, WGN Sports (CWS):

This is something that's going to have to be changed. It's too ambiguous. It's going to leave it up to where it's a decision made by a crew in New York, so to speak. But it's not definitive enough, the rule is just not definitive enough. First of all, it's a bad rule, that's number one... So we'll see how long this takes... After the game last night, I got a couple of texts about comments made about catchers getting hit. Well, it's part of the game, it always has been and in my opinion, it's a bad rule. You had a couple of guys, Buster Posey being one and Yadier Molina, got hit real hard a couple of times, but there have been a lot of ball games won by knocking the ball out of the catcher's hand. People forget about the runner. The runner, most of hte time, is going to take more of a hit than the catcher. The catcher is going to bury you. Scioscia, Tennis, they're going to bury you. I would say probably over the course of my career, more runners were hurt than catchers. In my opinion, if Buster Posey had not taken that hit, we would have not had this rule. That's just my opinion... It's just not definitive enough, it's going to be an umpire crew in New York's discretion. And now, Robin is going to come out and absolutely... Boy, I tell you, this is what I'm talking about right here. This rule is BS, pure simple BS. They cannot have a crew of umpires in New York making this decision even with the video they have. It's just a bad rule, it's a bad rule, it's just that simple. I tell you, that's just - it's not baseball, it's just not baseball. Just like they're trying to do things in football. What're they going to make that, a little girls' game? He's got the line just like Posey had last night... This rule is going to cause so many problems, it's ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. It's a terrible rule, it's just that simple... Unbelievable really, it's not baseball. Boy I tell you what, this is one of those times I wish I could cuss. Unbelievable. They're going to have to get four impartial people in New York, not umpires, to make those decisions... One out, two on and a one-one tie - because of that ridiculous rule. Next thing you know, we're going to have catchers wearing skirts out there... Quintana who pitched terrific, a recipient of a ridiculous call. He departs and we'll be back.

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 939-948: August 13, 2014

August 13, 2014 featured the following MLB Umpire Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

R	939	1B	Johnson, Adrian	13	HOU	27	Bo Porter	3	Out	Stands
r	940	HP	Segal, Chris	6	SF	37	Bruce Bochy	7	Out	Overturned
R	941	1B	DeMuth, Dana	12	SD	24	Bud Black	1	Out	Overturned
R	942	2B	Kulpa, Ron	9	SD	25	Bud Black	8	Out	Stands
R	943	3B	Marquez, Alfonso	7	DET	31	Brad Ausmus	4	Safe	Stands
R	944	1B	Barksdale, Lance	11	ATL	24	Fredi Gonzalez	8	Safe	Overturned
R	945	1B	Eddings, Doug	15	MIA	28	Doug Eddings	5	Out	Stands
r	946	HP	Scheurwater, Stu	6	NYM	30	Terry Collins	9	Out	Confirmed
r	947	3B	West, Joe	9	TB	46	Joe Maddon	2	Not HR	Confirmed
R	948	1B	Bucknor, CB	13	SEA	32	Lloyd McClendon	9	Safe	Stands

Instant Replay Review Decision Video Clips (MLB.com/MLBAM):
Video 939: MIN@HOU: Out call stands after challenge in the 3rd
Video 940: CWS@SF: Review overturns call in 7th, Ventura ejected
Video 941: COL@SD: Challenge overturns out at first in the 1st
Video 942: COL@SD: Out cal at second stands after review in 8th
Video 943: PIT@DET: Safe call at third stands in 4th inning
Video 944: LAD@ATL: Safe call at first base overturned in 8th
Video 945: STL@MIA: Out call at first stands in 5th
Video 946: WSH@NYM: Umpires confirm no violation of 7.13 in 9th
Video 947: TB@TEX: Umps confirm ball is in play in 2nd inning
Video 948: TOR@SEA: Mariners challenge play at first in the 9th (stands)

UEFL's The Left Field Corner: August 2014 Edition

The Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's publication The Left Field Corner has been released for August 2014, featuring our monthly recap of recent rumblings in the UEFL officiating world.

UEFL's August edition of The Left Field Corner.

The August 2014 edition of The Left Field Corner is available online as a PDF document via, and can be downloaded from, the UEFL Portal care of Google Drive/Docs. This month's edition includes the following articles:
> About Accuracy: Revisiting Pre-Season Replay Review Predictions.
> Ump Sabermetrics: Evaluating Ejection and Replay Statistics.
> Don't Block the Plate: Calling the Impossible Play to Call.
> Case Play Corner: What of an Extra Ball on the Field (2014-3).

In addition to our usual features:
> Gil's Call: The Blame Game. Thinking about the Psychology of Scapegoating and Ejections.
> Replay Review Success Rates: The best and worst teams in MLB when it comes to Replay Affirmation and Overturn rates.
> Just the Stats: A glimpse at the UEFL Leaderboards for member divisions, ump ejections and points.
> From the Board: A look at Recent UEFL Appeals Board Cases.

If there is anything Close Call Sports/UEFL can do to tailor The LF Corner more to your interests or if you wish to provide any other feedback, please comment here or send an e-mail reply to info [at] closecallsports [dot] com.

Current & past issues of The Left Field Corner are accessible from the UEFL Portal's LF Corner page.

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 931-938: August 12, 2014

August 12, 2014 featured the following MLB Umpire Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

R	931	2B	Schrieber, Paul	13	DET	30	Brad Ausmus	7	Safe	Overturned
R	932	1B	Meals, Jerry	13	CIN	26	Bryan Price	9	Safe	Overturned
R	933	2B	Morales, Gabe	14	TB	44	Joe Maddon	5	Safe	Overturned
r	934	HP	West, Joe	8		6		7	Ball 2	Confirmed
R	935	1B	Foster, Marty	11	TB	45	Joe Maddon	10	Out	Confirmed
R	936	2B	Morales, Gabe	15	TEX	32	Ron Washington	10	Out	Confirmed
R	937	1B	Hoye, James	8	MIN	29	Ron Gardenhire	8	Out	Stands
r	938	HP	Culbreth, Fieldin	9	CWS	28	Robin Ventura	10	Out	Confirmed

Instant Replay Review Decision Video Clips (MLB.com/MLBAM):
Video 931: DET@PIT: Safe call at second gets overturned in 7th
Video 932: BOS@CIN: Safe call at first overturned in 9th
Video 933: TB@TEX: Safe call at second base overturned in 5th
Video 934: TB@TEX: Umpires review the count in the 7th
Video 935: TB@TEX: Out call at first confirmed in 10th inning
Video 936: TB@TEX: Out call at first confirmed in 10th inning
Video 937: MIN@HOU: Nunez's out call at first stands in 8th
Video 938: CWS@SF: Out call at home confirmed in 10th inning