ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Takes to Anaheim, Phil Cuzzi

Bob Costas and MLB Umpire Phil Cuzzi brought the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to Anaheim, enlisting crewmates Gerry Davis, Greg Gibson and Will Little following the A's-Angels game broadcast on MLB Network Thursday, August 28. Gibson's interesting night as alluded to produced our Case Play 2014-4: Batter-Runner Obstruction Up the Line.

As Costas mentioned, Cuzzi is active in several ALS endeavors, including the ALS Association and Robert Luongo ALS Fund, which he started in 2003.

Video: ALS Ice Bucket Challenge : Bob Costas and Umpire Phil Cuzzi (YouTube)

Several MLB umpires have already accepted the challenge, including David Rackley, Hunter Wendelstedt, Jerry Meals and Adrian Johnson, in addition to Matt McKendry (Director, Umpire Administration) and Cathy Davis (Specialist, Umpiring Administration).

In a related story, the Gwinnett Officials Association has challenged Tom Hallion, Marvin Hudson, Toby Basner & Paul Nauert (Video: GOA Ice Bucket Challenge MLB Umpire Challenge).

MLB Ejection 169: Clint Fagan (1; Bud Black)

1B Umpire Clint Fagan ejected Padres Manager Bud Black for arguing a check swing (ball three) call in the top of the 10th inning of the Dodgers-Padres game. With two out and one on, Dodgers batter Yasiel Puig attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 fastball from Padres pitcher Tim Stauffer for a called third ball affirmed on appeal as no swing. Replays indicate Puig attempted to strike the pitch, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 2-1, in 10 innings.

This is Clint Fagan (82)'s first ejection of the 2014 season.
Clint Fagan now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev + 3 AAA - 1 Penalty - 4 Incorrect Call = 0).
Crew Chief Tim Timmons now has -1 points in the Crew Division (-1 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = -1).
*The pitch itself was located off the inner edge of home plate (px .989), the location ball call was proper.

This is the 169th ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 81st Manager ejection of 2014.
This is the Padres' 4th ejection of 2014, 5th in the NL West (LAD 8; COL, SF 7; ARI 5; SD 4).
This is Bud Black's first ejection since August 14, 2014 (Bob Davidson; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).
This is Clint Fagan's first ejection since June 12, 2013 (D'Backs-Dodgers x6; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres, 8/30/14
Video: As Puig's check swing is affirmed, Black erupts at Fagan for an extra inning ejection (SD)

MLB Ejection 168: Bill Welke (3; Mickey Callaway)

3B Umpire Bill Welke ejected Indians Pitching Coach Mickey Callaway for arguing a check swing (ball two) call in the bottom of the 1st inning of the Indians-Royals game. With two out and three on, Royals batter Raul Ibanez attempted to check his swing on a 1-2 slider from Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer for a called second ball affirmed on appeal as no swing. Replays indicate Ibanez attempted to strike the pitch, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Indians ultimately won the contest, 3-2, in 11 innings.

This is Bill Welke (52)'s third ejection of the 2014 season.
Bill Welke now has -1 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = -1).
Crew Chief Paul Emmel now has 5 point in the Crew Division (5 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 5).

This is the 168th ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the Indians' 2nd ejection of 2014, 5th in the AL Central (KC, MIN 5; CWS, DET 4; CLE 2).
This is Mickey Callaway's first career MLB ejection.
This is Bill Welke's first ejection since August 24, 2014 (Jose Bautista; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals, 8/30/14
Video: Trying to escape a bases-loaded jam, Callaway is tossed arguing for a swinging strikeout (CLE)

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1056-1063: August 30, 2014

August 30, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

r	1056	HP	Porter, Alan	13	CHC	53	Rick Renteria	2	Out	Overturned
R	1057	2B	Wegner, Mark	18	MIN	33	Ron Gardenhire	4	Out	Overturned
R	1058	1B	Estabrook, Mike	14	TB	50	Joe Maddon	4	Out	Stands
R	1059	1B	Kulpa, Ron	10	PHI	34	Ryne Sandberg	4	Safe	Overturned
R	1060	1B	Diaz, Laz	12	DET	35	Brad Ausmus	6	Out	Stands
R	1061	1B	Marquez, Alfonso	9	ARI	37	Kirk Gibson	5	Out	Stands
R	1062	2B	Wolcott, Quinn	17	MIL	25	Ron Roenicke	6	Safe	Overturned

Late Add: (R 1063 2B Wolcott, Quinn 18 MIL 26 Ron Roenicke 9 Out Confirmed)

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1056: CHC@STL: Out call at home overturned by review in 2nd
Video 1057: MIN@BAL: Twins challenge call at second in 4th, overturned
Video 1058: BOS@TB: Rays challenge out call at first in the 4th, stands
Video 1059: PHI@NYM: Phils challenge safe call at first in 4th, overturned
Video 1060: DET@CWS: Tigers challenge out call at first in 6th, stands
Video 1061: COL@ARI: D-backs challenge out call at first in 5th, stands
Video 1062: MIL@SF: Brewers challenge no-catch call in the 6th, overturned
Video 1063: MIL@SF: Brewers challenge out at second in the 9th, confirmed

MLB Instant Replays 1049-1055: August 29, 2014

August 29, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

R	1049	HP	Culbreth, Fieldin	13	PIT	41	Clint Hurdle	8	HBP	Stands
r	1050	3B	Wegner, Mark	17	MIN	32	Ron Gardenhire	5	HR	Stands
R	1051	HP	Everitt, Mike	12	TOR	48	John Gibbons	9	Safe	Overturned
r	1052	HP	Everitt, Mike	13	NYY	28	Joe Girardi	9	Out	Confirmed
R	1053	1B	Little, Will	19	LAA	36	Mike Scioscia	7	Safe	Stands
R	1054	1B	Tichenor, Todd	14	SD	30	Bud Black	6	Safe	Overturned
R	1055	1B	Blaser, Cory	12	WAS	33	Matt Williams	2	Out	Overturned

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1049: CIN@PIT: Phillips' hit-by-pitch stands in the 8th
Video 1050: MIN@BAL: Young's two-run homer stands in the 5th
Video 1051: NYY@TOR: Ellsbury out [overturned]
Video 1052: NYY@TOR: Ellsbury out, no violation confirmed in 9th
Video 1053: OAK@LAA: Sogard safe as call stands in the 7th
Video 1054: LAD@SD: Ramirez out after challenge in the 6th
Video 1055: WSH@SEA: Harper out after challenge in the 2nd

Case Play 2014-4: Batter-Runner Obstruction Up the Line

HP Umpire Greg Gibson's obstruction call in Anaheim led to an A's protest in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Athletics-Angels game. With none out and none on, Angels batter Erick Aybar hit a 2-1 sinker from Athletics pitcher Dan Otero on the ground up the first base line as Otero and first baseman Brandon Moss simultaneously attempted to field the batted ball as Aybar fell to the ground, resulting in a ruling of obstruction by HP Umpire Gibson. Crew Chief Gerry Davis clarified post-game that the obstruction call was on Moss.

PU Gibson points at F3 Moss, ruling obstruction.

Replays indicate that F3 Moss ran into F1 Otero after which BR Aybar collided with Otero, who had fielded the baseball, causing Aybar to fall down as Otero retained possession of the ball and Gibson signaled obstruction. The call was confirmed after crew consultation with 1B Umpire Phil Cuzzi, 2B Umpire Will Little and 3B Umpire and Crew Chief Davis, prompting Athletics Manager Bob Melvin to protest the game.

Question: Is this the proper call and application of rules? Should this have been ruled incidental contact and a live ball out on the tag, interference, or obstruction? If the call was improper, was it incorrect because of an issue of umpire judgment or due to a misapplication or misinterpretation of rules (and which ones are they?)

This Case Play is of the Group variety and expires no earlier than the final out of the final regularly scheduled game Sunday, August 31. Participants may receive up to two UEFL points for discussion and solution.

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 8/28/14
Video: Broadcasters reignite the "interference vs obstruction" drinking game on OBS call in the 9th (LAA)

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1047-1048: August 28, 2014

August 28, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

R	1047	HP	Hudson, Marvin	13	SF	39	Bruce Bochy	8	Out	Confirmed
R	1048	1B	Rackley, Dave	7	HOU	32	Bo Porter	6	Safe	Overturned

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1047: COL@SF: Out call at home confirmed in 8th inning
Video 1048: TEX@HOU: Safe call overturned after challenge in 6th

MLB Ejection 167: Ben May (2; Chris Coghlan)

HP Umpire Ben May ejected Cubs LF Chris Coghlan for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 5th inning of the Cubs-Reds game. With one out and none on, Coghlan took a 0-2 fastball from Reds pitcher Dylen Axelrod for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and thigh high (px .096, pz 1.636 / sz_bot 1.520) while the first two strikes of the at bat were foul balls, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 6-0. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 7-2.

This is Ben May (97)'s second ejection of the 2014 season.
Ben May now has 2 points in the UEFL Standings (-3 Prev + 3 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 2).
Crew Chief Bill Miller now has 28 point in the Crew Division (27 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 28).

This is the 167th ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 70th player ejection of 2014. Prior to ejection, Coghlan was 0-2 in the contest.
This is the Cubs' 8th ejection of 2014, T-1st in the NL Central (CHC, PIT 8; MIL, STL 5; CIN 3).
This is Chris Coghlan's first career MLB ejection.
This is Ben May's first ejection since August 4, 2014 (Terry Collins; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds, 8/28/14
Video: Coghlan strikes out for a second time on a pitch well within the zone, but off F2's target (CHC)

MLB Ejection 166: Mark Ripperger (6; Ron Roenicke)

HP Umpire Mark Ripperger ejected Brewers Manager Ron Roenicke for arguing ball one and two calls in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Brewers-Padres game. With none out and none on, Padres batter Rene Rivera took consecutive first and second-pitch fastballs from Brewers pitcher Francisco Rodriguez for called first and second balls before hitting a solo home run on the next pitch. Replays indicate both pitches were located off the outer edge of the strike zone and thigh high ([1] px .938, pz 2.610; [2] px 1.312, pz 2.215), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 2-2. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 3-2, in 10 innings.

This is Mark Ripperger (90)'s sixth ejection of 2014.
Mark Ripperger now has 14 points in the UEFL Standings (9 Prev + 3 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 14).
Crew Chief Ted Barrett now has 8 points in Crew Division (7 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 8).
*UEFL Rule 6-5-c(b): "YES (Defense) = x-2, 1-x, 2-x or 3-x ==> Called Ball."

This is the 166th ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 80th Manager ejection of 2014.
This is the Brewers' 5th ejection of 2014, T-2nd in the NL Central (PIT 8; CHC 7; MIL, STL 5; CIN 3).
This is Ron Roenicke's first ejection since July 11, 2014 (Mark Carlson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Mark Ripperger's first ejection since August 5, 2014 (Matt Holliday; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. San Diego Padres, 8/27/14
Video: Rivera's game-tying solo shot fires up Roenicke, who is tossed for arguing balls one and two (MIL)

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1042-1046: August 27, 2014

August 27, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

R	1042	1B	May, Ben	1	CHC	52	Rick Renteria	5	Safe	Overturned
r	1043	HP	Drake, Rob	10	CWS	33	Robin Ventura	7	Out	Stands
R	1044	2B	DiMuro, Mike	17	HOU	30	Bo Porter	9	Safe	Stands
r	1045	1B	Basner, Toby	9	HOU	31	Bo Porter	9	Out	Confirmed
R	1046	1B	Barrett, Ted	13	MIL	24	Ron Roenicke	8	Safe	Overturned

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1042: CHC@CIN: Safe call at first is overturned in the 5th
Video 1043: CLE@CWS: Umpires review out at home in 7th, stands
Video 1044: OAK@HOU: A safe call is reviewed in the 9th, stands
Video 1045: OAK@HOU: An out call at first is reviewed in the 9th, confirmed
Video 1046: MIL@SD: Umpires review safe call at first in the 8th, overturned

MiLB Rookie Ball Forfeit Overturned on Upheld Protest

MiLB Ogden Raptors' forfeit was overturned on a protest upheld by the Pioneer League Wednesday. After a 47-minute rain delay before first pitch, Tuesday night's Raptors-Rockies game continued uninterrupted until the 7th inning, whereupon the Raptors, leading 4-2 against first-place Grand Junction, argued that the field was unfit for further play due to rain throughout the evening. The umpires disagreed and deemed the field playable.

McDowell pleads with 1B Umpire Jordan Johnson.

HP Umpire Andy Stukel ejected Raptors Pitching Coach Greg Sabat for arguing the decision to continue playing while Raptors Manager Jack McDowell elected to keep his team from taking the field after the seventh-inning stretch. Following a 15-minute delay caused by Ogden's refusal to assume its defensive positions, UIC Stukel forfeited the contest in favor of Grand Junction by the score of 9 to 0, for Ogden's violation of Rule 4.17, which states, "A game shall be forfeited to the opposing team when a team is unable or refuses to place nine players on the field." Rule 4.15(c) provides similar basis for forfeit wherein a team abandons its effort to continue play or  "refuses to continue play during a game unless the game has been suspended or terminated by the umpire-in-chief."

In affirming Ogden's protest, the Pioneer League applied Rule 4.12(a)(3), which states that a game shall become suspended and must be completed at a future date due to, "Light failure or malfunction of a mechanical field device under control of the home club. (Mechanical field device shall include automatic tarpaulin or water removal equipment.)" This was the same basis for Major League Baseball's decision last week to uphold its first protest in 28 years.

However, Rule 4.01(e) states that once a game has commenced (defined as the point in time when the lineup cards are exchanged and handed to the plate umpire), "the umpire-in- chief shall have sole authority to determine when a game shall be called, suspended or resumed on account of weather or the condition of the playing field."

Box Score: Ogden Raptors vs. Grand Junction Rockies (MiLB Rookie Pioneer League), 8/26/14

MLB Ejection 165: Will Little (4; Andre Ethier)

HP Umpire Will Little ejected Dodgers PH Andre Ethier for arguing a strike one call in the top of the 7th inning of the Dodgers-Diamondbacks game. With two out and two on, Ethier took a 1-0 cutter from Diamondbacks pitcher Will Harris for a called first strike before grounding out on the next pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px .326, pz 1.488 / sz_bot 1.660 [MOE 1.577]); pursuant to UEFL Rule 6-5-c-5, the call was irrecusable.* At the time of the ejection, the Dodgers were leading, 9-3. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 9-5.

This is Will Little (93)'s fourth ejection of 2014.
Will Little now has 24 points in the UEFL Standings (21 Prev + 3 AAA + 0 Irrecusable Call = 24).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has 1 point in Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 1).
*UEFL Rule 6-5-c states, "Quality of Correctness only applies to the call made directly prior to ejection, or, if balls/called strikes during a single at-bat, any pitch called during that at bat, provided that the call was against the ejected person (or his team) and this call realistically resulted in a different outcome of the at-bat." Rule 6-5-c-5 defines this term:

As it relates to balls and strikes, whether an improperly ruled pitch has "realistically resulted in a different outcome" shall be adjudged pursuant to the following schedule, given that such contributing pitch has preceded a decisive pitch (not necessarily consecutively):

     (a) YES (Offense) = x-1,* x-2 or 3-x ==> Called Strike (*Unless x-2 results in a foul ball); or

     (b) YES (Defense) = x-2, 1-x, 2-x or 3-x ==> Called Ball; and

     (c) NO (Offense) = 0-0, 1-0, 2-0 ==> Called Strikes; or 

    (d) NO (Defense) = 0-0, 0-1 ==> Called Ball.

This is the 165th ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 69th player ejection of 2014. Prior to ejection, Ethier was 0-1 in the contest.
This is the Dodgers' 8th ejection of 2014, 1st in the NL West (LAD 8; COL, SF 7; ARI 5; SD 3).
This is Andre Ethier's first ejection since May 20, 2013 (Dan Bellino; QOC = U [Warnings]).
This is Will Little's first ejection since August 1, 2014 (Mike Matheny; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 8/26/14
Video: After grounding out as a pinch hitter, Ethier is tossed for continuing to jaw at Little (ARI)

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1030-1041: August 26, 2014

August 26, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

r	1030	HP	Hoberg, Pat	11	TB	49	Joe Maddon	1	Out	Stands
r	1031	HP	Hoberg, Pat	12	BAL	31	Buck Showalter	3	Ball 3	Confirmed
R	1032	1B	Cederstrom, Gary	15	PHI	32	Ryne Sandberg	1	Safe	Overturned
R	1033	1B	Cederstrom, Gary	16	PHI	33	Ryne Sandberg	8	Out	Overturned
r	1034	HP	Gibson, Tripp	16	BOS	38	John Farrell	1	Out	Confirmed
R	1035	1B	Guccione, Chris	15	TOR	47	John Gibbons	2	Safe	Stands
R	1036	2B	Cooper, Eric	9	BOS	39	John Farrell	11	Out	Overturned
R	1037	2B	Wegner, Mark	16	ATL	29	Fredi Gonzalez	4	Safe	Stands
r	1038	HP	Little, Will	18	LAD	36	Don Mattingly	4	Out	Overturned
R	1039	1B	Davis, Gerry	12	LAD	37	Don Mattingly	4	Out	Overturned
R	1040	2B	Gibson, Greg	14	LAD	38	Don Mattingly	5	Safe	Stands
R	1041	1B	Timmons, Tim	15	TEX	37	Ron Washington	3	Out	Overturned

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1030: TB@BAL: Umpires rule home-plate call stands in 1st
Video 1031: TB@BAL: Umpires verify 3-2 count after replay
Video 1032: WSH@PHI: Phils challenge safe call in 1st
Video 1033: WSH@PHI: Out call at first overturned in 8th inning
Video 1034: BOS@TOR: Umpires confirm no 7.13 violation in 1st
Video 1035: BOS@TOR: Safe call at first stands in 2nd inning
Video 1036: BOS@TOR: The Red Sox win their challenge in the 11th
Video 1037: ATL@NYM: Safe call at second stands in 4th inning
Video 1038: LAD@ARI: Crawford scores after overturned call in 4th
Video 1039: LAD@ARI: Dodgers win challenge on out call in the 4th
Video 1040: LAD@ARI: Call stands after Dodgers' challenge in 5th
Video 1041: TEX@SEA: Andrus ruled safe after challenge in the 3rd