MLB Ejection 187: Dale Scott (1; Johnny Narron)

HP Umpire Dale Scott ejected Brewers Hitting Coach Johnny Narron for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Reds-Brewers game. With two out and none on, Brewers batter Hector Gomez took a 0-2 knuckle curve from Reds pitcher Sam LeCure for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and thigh high (px -.344, pz 1.673 / sz_bot 1.56), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 4-1. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 5-1.

This is Dale Scott (5)'s first ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
Dale Scott now has 7 points in the UEFL Standings (3 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 7).
Crew Chief Dale Scott now has 7 points in Crew Division (6 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 7).

This is the 187th ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the Brewers' 6th ejection of 2014, 4th in the NL Central (CHC, PIT 8; STL 7; MIL 6; CIN 4).
This is Johnny Narron's first career MLB ejection.
This is Dale Scott's first ejection since June 4, 2013 (Mark Parent; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 9/13/14
Video: LeCure's knuckle-curve freezes Gomez to end the 7th; Narron kicked out for his objection (N/A)

MLB Ejection 186: Paul Nauert (1; Matt Joyce)

HP Umpire Paul Nauert ejected Rays LF Matt Joyce for arguing a strike two call in the top of the 9th inning of the Rays-Blue Jays game. With one out and none on, Joyce took a 1-1 cutter from Blue Jays pitcher Casey Janssen for a called second strike before striking out on the following changeup. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and thigh high (px .936, pz 1.813), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 6-3. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 6-3.

This is Paul Nauert (39)'s first ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
Paul Nauert now has 1 point in the UEFL Standings (3 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 1).
Crew Chief Tom Hallion now has 19 points in Crew Division (19 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 19).

This is the 186th ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 79th player ejection of 2014. Prior to ejection, Joyce was 0-4 in the contest.
This is the Rays' 11th ejection of 2014, 2nd in the AL East (BOS 13; TB 11; NYY 8; TOR 5; BAL 3).
This is Matt Joyce's first ejection since September 16, 2012 (Paul Emmel; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Paul Nauert's first ejection since September 25, 2013 (Carlos Gomez; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 9/13/14
Video: Joyce strikes out in the 9th and is tossed for his post-K comments enroute to the dugout (TOR)

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1163-1172: Sept 13, 2014

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

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

R	1163	1B	Hickox, Ed	14	BAL	34	Buck Showalter	1	Safe	Overturned
R	1164	3B	Vanover, Larry	17	MIN	37	Ron Gardenhire	7	Fair	Confirmed
R	1165	2B	Barrett, Ted	16	PIT	43	Clint Hurdle	7	Safe	Stands
R	1166	2B	Foster, Marty	12	PHI	37	Ryne Sandberg	3	Safe	Overturned
R	1167	1B	Layne, Jerry	14	DET	40	Brad Ausmus	8	Safe	Overturned
R	1168	1B	Nelson, Jeff	12	STL	34	Mike Matheny	9	Safe	Stands
r	1169	1B	Nelson, Jeff	13	STL	35	Mike Matheny	9	2B	Confirmed
r	1170	2B	Kellogg, Jeff	10	SD	36	Bud Black	6	Not HR	Stands
R	1171	1B	Eddings, Doug	19	LAD	42	Don Mattingly	6	Out	Overturned
R	1172	2B	Gorman, Brian	12	SEA	40	Lloyd McClendon	9	Safe	Overturned

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1163: NYY@BAL: Orioles challenge safe, overturned in 1st
Video 1164: MIN@CWS: Twins challenge fair ball, confirmed in 7th
Video 1165: CHC@PIT: Safe call at second stands in 7th
Video 1166: MIA@PHI: Safe call at second overturned in 3rd inning
Video 1167: CLE@DET: Safe call at first overturned in 8th inning
Video 1168: COL@STL: Safe call stands at first in the 9th
Video 1169: COL@STL: Umpires confirm McKenry's double in the 9th
Video 1170: SD@ARI: Umpires review triple in 6th, call stands
Video 1171: LAD@SF: Out call at first overturned in 6th inning
Video 1172: OAK@SEA: Safe call overturned at second in 9th

MLB Ejection 185: Dan Iassogna (2; Jack Hannahan)

HP Umpire Dan Iassogna ejected Reds PH Jack Hannahan for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 9th inning of the Reds-Brewers game. With two out and two on, Hannahan took a 3-2 fastball from Brewers pitcher Francisco Rodriguez for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and belt high (px .961, pz 2.496), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 2-2. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Dan Iassogna (58)'s second ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
Dan Iassogna now has 3 points in the UEFL Standings (5 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 3).
Crew Chief Dale Scott now has 6 points in Crew Division (6 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 6).

This is the 185th ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 78th player ejection of 2014. Prior to ejection, Hannahan was 0-1 in the contest.
This is the Reds' 4th ejection of 2014, 5th in the NL Central (CHC, PIT 8; STL 7; MIL 5; CIN 4).
This is Jack Hannahan's first ejection since June 26, 2012 (Mike DiMuro; QOC = U [USC/Prev Play]).
This is Dan Iassogna's first ejection since June 6, 2014 (Troy Tulowitzki; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 9/12/14
Video: After striking out looking to end the frame, Hannahan gets tossed for a prolonged complaint (CIN)

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1155-1162: Sept 12, 2014

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

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

r	1155	2B	Ripperger, Mark	13	PIT	42	Clint Hurdle	5	HR	Confirmed
R	1156	1B	Porter, Alan	17	PHI	36	Ryne Sandberg	6	Safe	Confirmed
R	1157	HP	Guccione, Chris	17	TB	54	Joe Maddon	8	HBP	Overturned
r	1158	2B	Hoye, James	13	WAS	40	Matt Williams	5	Not HR	Overturned
R	1159	1B	Welke, Bill	16	NYM	36	Terry Collins	5	Safe	Stands
R	1160	1B	Little, Will	21	ARI	41	Kirk Gibson	4	Out	Stands
R	1161	1B	Barrett, Lance	19	HOU	35	Tom Lawless	4	Out	Overturned
R	1162	2B	Hamari, Adam	13	SF	41	Bruce Bochy	1	Safe	Stands

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1155: CHC@PIT: Umpires review home run in the 5th inning, confirmed
Video 1156: MIA@PHI: Phillies challenge call at first in the 6th, confirmed
Video 1157: TB@TOR: Rays challenge hit by pitch in the 8th, overturned
Video 1158: WSH@NYM: Rendon's home run reviewed in the 5th, overturned
Video 1159: WSH@NYM: Mets challenge safe call at first in 5th, stands
Video 1160: SD@ARI: D-backs challenge a play at first in the 4th
Video 1161: HOU@LAA: Astros challenge out call at first in 4th
Video 1162: LAD@SF: Giants challenge safe call at second in 1st

MLB Ejections 181-184: Kellogg, Bellino (3-5, 7; Marlins x4)

HP Umpire Jeff Kellogg ejected Marlins Manager Mike Redmond for Unsportsmanlike-NEC and 3B Umpire Dan Bellino ejected Marlins 3B Casey McGehee for fighting in the top of the 5th inning and HP Umpire Jeff Kellogg ejected Marlins P Anthony DeSclafani and Bench Coach (Acting Manager) Rob Leary for throwing at Brewers batter Carlos Gomez in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Marlins-Brewers game. In the 5th, with two out and two on, Marlins batter Reed Johnson attempted to check his swing as he was struck in the hand by a 0-2 fastball from Brewers pitcher Mike Fiers, resulting in warnings. Replays indicate the pitch was located chest high and inside, the call was irrecusable. The call is now incorrect.* At the time of the ejections, the Brewers were leading, 4-0.

In the 6th, with two out and none on, Brewers batter Gomez took a 0-0 fastball from Marlins pitcher DeSclafani for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located chest high and inside, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejections, the Brewers were leading, 4-0. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is Dan Bellino (2)'s seventh ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
These are Jeff Kellogg (8)'s third, fourth and fifth ejections of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
Dan Bellino now has 28 points in the UEFL Standings (26 Prev + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 28).
Jeff Kellogg now has 11 points in the UEFL Standings (5 Prev + 3*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call] = 11).
Crew Chief Jeff Kellogg now has 15 points in Crew Division (11 Previous + 4 Irrecusable Calls = 15).
*The Original Ruling was challenged and overturned by the UEFL Appeals Board (3-0-1, 4-0-0).

These are the 181st, 182nd, 183rd, 184th ejections of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
These are the 75th, 76th player ejections of 2014. Prior to ejection, McGehee was 0-2 in the contest.
Prior to ejection, DeSclafani's line was 1.2 IP, 0 R.
This is the 86th Manager ejection of 2014.
This is the Marlins' 6-9th ejection of 2014, 1st in the NL East (MIA 9; NYM 8; ATL 7; PHI 6; WAS 1).
This is Mike Redmond's first ejection since July 31, 2014 (Mike Winters; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).
This is Casey McGehee's first ejection since Sept 7, 2011 (DJ Reyburn; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Rob Leary's first ejection since May 31, 2014 (Quinn Wolcott; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Anthony DeSclafani's first career MLB ejection.
This is Dan Bellino's first ejection since July 23, 2014 (Yunel Escobar; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 9/11/14
Video: Johnson strikes out attempting to check his swing, resulting in a confrontation on the infield (MIL)
Video: Johnson's hand injury is interpreted by Miami as an intentional act, producing a bench-clearer (MIA)
Related: Stanton hit in the face on dead ball strike, immediately before Johnson's half swing (MIA)
Video: Retaliation finds Carlos Gomez, producing the final two Marlin ejections of the inning (MIA)

MLB Ejections 179-180: John Tumpane (3, 4; Colon, Collins)

HP Umpire John Tumpane ejected Mets P Bartolo Colon for throwing at Nationals batter Jayson Werth and Mets Manager Terry Collins for arguing Colon's ejection in the top of the 4th inning of the Nationals-Mets game. With none out and one on, Nationals batter Anthony Rendon hit a home run off Colon. Ensuing batter Werth then took a 0-0 fastball from Colon for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located bicep high and inside, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Nationals were leading, 6-0. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 6-2.

These are John Tumpane (74)'s third and fourth ejections of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
John Tumpane now has 3 points in the UEFL Standings (-3 Prev + 2*[3 AAA + 0 Irrecusable Call] = 3).
Crew Chief Paul Emmel now has 9 points in Crew Division (7 Previous + 2 Irrecusable Calls = 9).

These are the 179th, 180th ejections of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 75th player ejection of 2014. Prior to ejection, Colon's line was 3.09 IP, 6 R (5 ER), 2 HR.
This is the 85th Manager ejection of 2014.
This is the Mets' 7/8th ejection of 2014, 1st in the NL East (NYM 8; ATL 7; PHI 6; MIA 5; WAS 1).
This is Bartolo Colon's first ejection since May 15, 2003 (Terry Craft; QOC = U [Throwing At]).
This is Terry Collins' first ejection since August 4, 2014 (Ben May; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is John Tumpane's first ejection since May 30, 2014 (Walt Weiss; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets, 9/11/14
Video: Werth is drilled following Rendon's home run, the 2nd post-HR HBP; Colon, Collins tossed (WAS)

MLB Instant Replay Review 1154: Sept 11, 2014

September 11, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decision:

1154 - r - 3B - Hoye, James - RU# 12 - RT# 35 - NYM - Terry Collins - HR - Confirmed

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1154: WSH@NYM: Home run call confirmed in the 4th inning

NHL Releases Rules Changes for 2014-15 Season

The National Hockey League released its rules changes for the 2014-15 NHL season. Notable modifications amongst Thursday's announcement include an expanded trapezoid, diving/embellishment fines and changes to overtime/shootout procedures.

Rule 1.8: The goalkeeper's restricted area has been expanded by two feet from the goal post on both sides of the net, which is the first significant change to the trapezoid since its introduction in 2005. The trapezoid was first introduced to give the attacking team a better chance of gaining puck control behind the goal line.

Rule 1.9: Hash marks at end zone circles will be expanded from three to five feet, seven inches apart in order to mirror the international rink dimension. This is a pre-season test and must be approved prior to the the regular season.

Rule 23: The league created a new Game Misconduct category while clipping, charging, elbowing, interference, kneeing, head-butting and butt-ending move from the General category into Physical Fouls with boarding and checking from behind. This allows for the automatic suspension of a player who incurs two game misconducts of this type (e.g., a charging game misconduct followed by a boarding game misconduct will, in 2015, result in a suspension).

Rule 24: The 'Spin-O-Rama' penalty shot move will be illegal in penalty shots and shootout situations as the puck's forward momentum and/or player control of the disc has ceased.

Rule 38: The video review process will now allow Hockey Operations to review a wider variety of issues relating to potential goals, including the referee's "out of sight" whistle or intent to blow. "Distinct kicking motion" will also require a higher threshold of evidence in order to overrule a call of good goal.

Rule 57: Tripping will encompass defender diving as a two-minute minor, regardless of the defender's ability to make contact with the puck, though first touch will negate the penalty shot call (2 PIM instead).

Rule 64: Diving and embellishment will now result in a fine issued to the player and to the head coach of the team whose player has incurred such a penalty. Similar in theory to the NBA model, the NHL will, like professional basketball, issue a warning on the first offence before fining the player incrementally for violating Rule 64. The player fine will be $2,000 on the second violation, $3k on the third, $4k on the fourth and $5k thereafter while the head coach will incur a $2,000 fine on the player's fourth violation, $3k on the fifth, $4k on the sixth and $5k thereafter.

Rule 76: Face-off violations by the defensive team following an icing (e.g., delay of game to account for the inability to substitute following an icing call) will still result in a warning for the first offence but the offending player will be required to remain within the circle to take the face-off. Subsequent violation will result in a two-minute minor bench penalty.

Rule 84: Teams will switch ends prior to the start of regular season overtime (which means teams will have the long change [benches opposite defensive zone] in OT, possibly leading to more breakaways), the ice will undergo a dry scrape and the head coach will no longer be required to submit his three shooters list in the shoot-out.

Rule 85: Wherein a face-off results after the puck goes out of bounds, the face-off will remain in the attacking zone when the whistle is blown for reasons of: shot breaks the glass, shot deflects off the net/post and out of play, shot deflects off the boards or glass and out of play, shot is tipped or deflected out of play by a teammate, and the shot becomes wedged in the goal netting.

MLB Ejection 178: Tom Hallion (2; John Lackey)

HP Umpire Tom Hallion ejected Cardinals P John Lackey for arguing ball calls in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the Cardinals-Reds game. With none out and none on, Reds batter Brayan Pena took a 2-1 fastball from Lackey for a called third ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and above the midpoint between the top of the uniform pants and shoulders [and that all other pitches in the at-bat were properly officiated] (Ball 1: px -.3, pz 1.244 / sz_bot 1.43; Ball 2: px -1.274, pz 1.393; Ball 3 px -.726, pz 3.464 / sz_top 3.2), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 2-2. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is Tom Hallion (20)'s second ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
Tom Hallion now has 10 points in the UEFL Standings (6 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 10).
Crew Chief Tom Hallion now has 20 points in Crew Division (19 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 20).

This is the 178th ejection of the 2014 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 74th player ejection of 2014. Prior to ejection, Lackey's line was 2.0 IP, 2 ER.
This is the Cardinals' 7th ejection of 2014, 3rd in the NL Central (CHC, PIT 8; STL 7; MIL 5; CIN 3).
This is John Lackey's first ejection since May 16, 2009 (Bob Davidson; QOC = U [Throwing At]).
This is Tom Hallion's first ejection since June 7, 2014 (Ryne Sandberg; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds, 9/10/14
Video: Disappointed with ball calls during an AB, Lackey yells from the mound and is tossed (STL)

MLB Instant Replay Reviews 1144-1153: Sept 10, 2014

September 10, 2014 featured the following MLB Instant Replay Review decisions:

Type

R#

Pos

Umpire

RU#

Team

RT#

Name

Inn

Pre

Result

R	1144	1B	Estabrook, Mike	16	TOR	50	John Gibbons	7	Out	Confirmed
R	1145	1B	Tumpane, John	14	KC	34	Ned Yost	1	Safe	Overturned
r	1146	HP	Hamari, Adam	12	LAA	41	Mike Scioscia	1	Out	Confirmed
R	1147	1B	Eddings, Doug	18	LAA	42	Mike Scioscia	5	Safe	Overturned
r	1148	HP	Bellino, Dan	15	MIL	28	Ron Roenicke	1	Out	Stands
R	1149	2B	Iassogna, Dan	17	OAK	39	Bob Melvin	8	Out	Confirmed
R	1150	2B	Barrett, Lance	17	LAD	40	Don Mattingly	1	Safe	Overturned
R	1151	2B	Barrett, Lance	18	LAD	41	Don Mattingly	5	Safe	Overturned
R	1152	1B	Kulpa, Ron	12	SD	35	Bud Black	6	Safe	Overturned
R	1153	2B	Rackley, Dave	8	ARI	40	Kirk Gibson	3	Safe	Overturned

MLB Instant Replay Review Videos (MLB Advanced Media):
Video 1144: CHC@TOR: Out call confirmed after challenge in 7th
Video 1145: KC@DET: Challenge overturns safe call in the 1st
Video 1146: LAA@TEX: Review confirms out at the plate in the 1st
Video 1147: LAA@TEX: Safe call at first overturned in the 5th
Video 1148: MIA@MIL: Out at home stands after crew chief review
Video 1149: OAK@CWS: Call confirmed after A's challenge in 8th
Video 1150: SD@LAD: Safe call at second is overturned in the 1st
Video 1151: SD@LAD: Safe call at second is overturned in the 5th
Video 1152: SD@LAD: Safe ruling on pickoff play overturned in 6th
Video 1153: ARI@SF: Safe call on a steal is overturned in the 3rd

MLB Issues Rule 7.13 Plate Blocking Clarification

MLB issued a clarification of home plate collision Rule 7.13 this week, stating that even though the letter of the law requires catchers to allow runners a lane to score (and, in turn, requires runners to avoid unnecessary contact with catchers), "common sense" shall prevail, both in real time and via instant replay review.

In other words, runners will still be ruled out, as in pre-2014 baseball, if the catcher gains possession of or imminently fields the throw before the runner arrives at home plate.

MLB Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Joe Torre's words:

If the runner would have been called out notwithstanding the catcher’s improper positioning in front of the plate, the out call will stand.

The clarification references hindrance and impedance, both elements of obstruction, suggesting in a sense that umpires may indeed adjudicate Rule 7.13 using the same principles that would otherwise apply to obstruction (or interference in the case of a runner deviating to contact the catcher) pursuant to Rule 2.00.

The only difference, naturally, is that Rule 2.00 [Obstruction] and [Interference] are not reviewable while Rule 7.13 is subject to Replay Review.

Tuesday night's Rule 7.13 review in New York resulted in a confirmed out call at home plate, with replay officials ruling that the baserunner would have been called out despite the catcher's positioning.

Video: Rule 7.13 Crew Chief Review highlight reel, featuring ejections and overturns (MLBAM)
Video: Greg Amsinger, John Smoltz and Harold Reynolds discuss the 7.13 clarification (MLB Network)