MLB Ejection 057: Clint Fagan (1; Justin Upton)

HP Umpire Clint Fagan ejected Padres LF Justin Upton for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 8th inning of the Dodgers-Padres game. With none out and none on, Upton took a 1-2 cutter from Dodgers pitcher Mike Bolsinger for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and midpoint high (px .455, pz 3.552 [sz_top 3.510 / MOE 3.593]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Dodgers were leading, 2-0. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 2-0.

This is Clint Fagan (82)'s first ejection of 2015.
Clint Fagan now has 5 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 3 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 5).
Crew Chief Jeff Kellogg now has 5 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 5).

This is the 57th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 27th player ejection of 2015. Prior to ejection, J Upton was 0-3 in the contest.
This is the Padres' 5th ejection of 2015, 1st in the NL West (SD 5; COL 3; LAD 2; SF 1; ARI 0).
This is Justin Upton's first ejection since June 22, 2014 (Mark Carlson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Clint Fagan's first ejection since August 30, 2014 (Bud Black; QOC = N [Check Swing]).

Wrap: San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 5/23/15
Video: Upton takes a pitch up in the zone for a strikeout, continues barking and is run (SD)

MLB Ejection 056: Paul Emmel (2; Brian Matusz)

3B Umpire Paul Emmel ejected Orioles P Brian Matusz for an illegal substance in the bottom of the 12th inning of the Orioles-Marlins game. With two out and on on, prior to the 0-0 pitch to Marlins batter Christian Yelich, Marlins Manager Dan Jennings requested an inspection of Matusz' person from HP Umpire Jordan Baker. After further investigation, Emmel discovered an illegal substance on Smith's right forearm and ejected the pitcher from the game pursuant to the penalty prescribed by Rule 8.02(b), the call was irrecusable.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 1-0, in 13 innings.

This is Paul Emmel (50)'s second ejection of 2015.
Paul Emmel now has 9 points in the UEFL Standings (7 Previous + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable = 9).
Crew Chief Paul Emmel now has 1 point in Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 1).
*Rule 8.02(b) [OBR 2015 Rule 6.02(c)(7)] states that no pitcher shall, "have on his person, or in his possession, any foreign substance. For such infraction of this section (b) the penalty shall be immediate ejection from the game."

This is the 56th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 26th player ejection of 2015. Prior to ejection, Matusz' line was 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER.
This is the Orioles' 2nd ejection of 2015, T-1st in the AL East (BAL, TB 2; BOS, NYY 1; TOR 0).
This is Brian Matusz' first career MLB ejection.
This is Paul Emmel's first ejection since May 4, 2015 (Don Mattingly; QOC = Y [Balk]).
This is the first illegal substance ejection since May 21, 2015 (Jim Joyce/Will Smith).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs. Miami Marlins, 5/23/15
Video: For second time this week, a pitcher is ejected for a foreign substance on his arm (FOX)

MLB Ejection 055: Jim Reynolds (1; Bryan Price)

2B Umpire Jim Reynolds ejected Reds Manager Bryan Price for Unsportsmanlike-NEC prior to the first inning of the Reds-Indians game. During the pre-game lineup card exchange and conference at home plate, Reynolds ejected Price, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Indians ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

This is Jim Reynolds (77)'s first ejection of 2015.
Jim Reynolds now has 3 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Previous + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable = 3).
Crew Chief Jim Reynolds now has 4 points in Crew Division (3 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 4).

This is the 55th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 24th Manager ejection of 2015.
This is the Reds' 3rd ejection of 2015, T-1st in the NL Central (CIN, MIL 3; CHC 2; PIT 1; STL 0).
This is Bryan Price's first ejection since April 12, 2015 (Joe West; QOC = Y-C [HBP/Foul]).
This is Jim Reynolds' first ejection since June 13, 2013 (Jim Wright; QOC = Y-C [Balk]).
This is the first pre-game ejection since August 25, 2013 (Jerry Layne/Mark Parent).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Indians, 5/23/15
Video: In a 2nd-game-of-series oddity, Manager Price delivers the Reds lineup & draws an ejection (CIN)

MLB Ejection 054: Jim Joyce (4; Will Smith)

2B Umpire Jim Joyce ejected Brewers P Will Smith for an illegal substance in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Brewers-Braves game. With one out and three on, prior to the 0-1 pitch to Braves batter Todd Cunningham, Braves Manager Fredi Gonzales requested an inspection of Smith's person from HP Umpire Chris Segal. After further investigation, Joyce discovered an illegal substance on Smith's right forearm and ejected the pitcher from the game pursuant to the penalty prescribed by Rule 8.02(b), the call was irrecusable.* At the time of the ejection, the Braves were leading, 2-1. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 10-1.

This is Jim Joyce (66)'s fourth ejection of 2015.
Jim Joyce now has 9 points in the UEFL Standings (7 Previous + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 9).
Crew Chief Jim Joyce now has 3 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 3).
*Rule 8.02(b) [OBR 2015 Rule 6.02(c)(7)] states that no pitcher shall, "have on his person, or in his possession, any foreign substance. For such infraction of this section (b) the penalty shall be immediate ejection from the game."

This is the 54th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 25th player ejection of 2015. Prior to ejection, Smith's line was 0.0 IP, ER.
This is the Brewers' 3rd ejection of 2015, 1st in the NL Central (MIL 3; CHC, CIN 2; PIT 1; STL 0).
This is Will Smith's first career MLB ejection.
This is Jim Joyce's first ejection since May 19, 2015 (Larry Rothschild; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is the first Illegal Substance (Pine Tar) ejection since April 23, 2014 (Gerry Davis/Michael Pineda).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Atlanta Braves, 5/21/15
Video: With the bases juiced in the bottom of the 7th, umpires examine Smith, who is expelled (ATL)

MLB Ejection 053: John Tumpane (3; Kyle Seager)

HP Umpire John Tumpane ejected Mariners 3B Kyle Seager for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 5th inning of the Mariners-Orioles game. With one out and one on, Seager took a 3-2 fastball from Orioles pitcher Brad Brach for a called third strike as catcher Ryan Lavarnway threw to shortstop JJ Hardy to retire Mariners baserunner R1 Robinson Cano. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and thigh high (px 0.530, pz 2.184 [sz_bot 1.410, sz_top 3.350]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Orioles were leading, 4-3. The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s third ejection of 2015.
John Tumpane now has 12 points in the UEFL Standings (7 Previous + 3 AAA + 2 Correct = 12).
Crew Chief John Hirschbeck now has 8 points in Crew Division (7 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 8).

This is the 53rd ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 24th player ejection of 2015. Prior to ejection, Seager was 2-3 in the contest.
This is the Mariners' 2nd ejection of 2015, T-1st in the AL West (OAK, SEA 2; HOU, LAA, TEX 1).
This is Kyle Seager's first career MLB ejection.
This is John Tumpane's first ejection since April 24, 2015 (Bruce Bochy; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Seattle Mariners vs. Baltimore Orioles, 5/21/15
Video: Strike-'em-out-throw-'em-out combination ends both the inning and Seager's day (SEA)

MLB Ejections 051-052: Hudson (1-2; Harper, Williams)

HP Umpire Marvin Hudson ejected Nationals RF Bryce Harper and Manager Matt Williams for arguing a strike one call in the top of the 3rd inning of the Yankees-Nationals game. With two out and none on, Harper took a 0-0 slider from Yankees pitcher Adam Warren for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was over the inner half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px .252, pz 1.418 [sz_bot 1.610 / MOE 1.527]), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejections, the Yankees were leading, 2-1. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

These are Marvin Hudson (51)'s first and second ejections of 2015.
Marvin Hudson now has -4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 2*[2 MLB - 4 Incorrect] = -4).
Crew Chief Jim Joyce now has 2 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 2).

These are the 51st and 52nd ejections of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 23rd player ejection of 2015. Prior to ejection, Harper was 0-1 in the contest (LOB).
This is the 23rd Manager ejection of 2015.
This is the Nationals' 3/4th ejection of 2015, 1st in the NL East (WAS 4; ATL, NYM 2; MIA, PHI 0).
This is Bryce Harper's first ejection since May 13, 2015 (Rob Drake; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).
This is Matt Williams' first ejection since May 13, 2015 (Rob Drake; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).
This is Marvin Hudson's first ejection since August 17, 2013 (Scott Hairston; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs. Washington Nationals, 5/20/15
Video: After a first-pitch strike call, Nats complain enough for a double tossing (WAS)
Video: YES Network's broadcast documents the ejection of Matt Williams, dirt kicking (NYY)

Overview of the Reorganized 2015 Official Baseball Rules

MLB's Playing Rules Committee restructured the Official Baseball Rules prior to the 2015 season, electing to reorganize and rectify the document into what the Committee felt is a more logical and organized manner. These changes to OBR are in organization and placement, not content, yet in several instances differ quite significantly from the 2014 (and earlier) version. This post is an overview as to the differences between OBR circa-2014 and the present year's edition in an attempt at clarification for our Case Plays and other rules-related discussions. Accordingly...Note that as the 2015 season progresses, the UEFL will continue to primarily cite the 2014 edition of OBR in its discussion of Case Plays and other rules, although both rules sets will be referenced. This will allow for a period of transition before all labels and references pertain solely to 2015-era OBR beginning in the 2016 season.

Table of Contents - 2014 & 2015 Official Baseball Rules Listed Side-by-Side
Rule #	2014 OBR	2015 OBR
1.00	Objectives of the Game, Playing Field, Equipment	Objectives of the Game
2.00	Definition of Terms	The Playing Field
3.00	Game Preliminaries	Equipment & Uniforms
4.00	Starting and Ending the Game	Game Preliminaries
5.00	Putting the Ball in Play, Dead & Live Ball	Playing the Game
6.00	The Batter	Improper Play, Illegal Action & Misconduct
7.00	The Runner	Ending the Game
8.00	The Pitcher	The Umpire
9.00	The Umpire	The Official Scorer
10.00	The Official Scorer	-
Postscript	-	Definition of Terms and Appendices

Conversion Table / List of Rules Correspondences (e.g., The 2014-to-2015 OBR Dictionary)
Generally speaking, the following 2014 provisions (in italics) correspond to these 2015 rules (bold):
1.01-1.03, 5.04-5.06 = Rule 1
1.04-1.08 = Rule 2
1.09-1.17, 3.02, 3.14159 = Rule 3
3.01, 3.09-3.11, 3.13, 3.18, 4.01, 4.13-4.14 = Rule 4
3.03-3.08, 3.12, 3.17, 4.02-4.05, 4.09, 5.01-5.03, 5.10-5.11, 6.01-6.06, 6.08-6.10, 7.01-7.05, 7.08, 7.10, 7.12, 8.03-8.04, 8.06 = Rule 5
3.15-3.16, 4.06-4.08, 5.07-5.09, 6.07, 7.06-7.07, 7.09, 7.11, 7.13, 8.01-8.02, 8.05 = Rule 6
4.10-4.12, 4.15-4.19 = Rule 7
9.01-9.05 = Rule 8
10.01-10.23 = Rule 9
2.00 [All Definitions] = Definition of Terms (in the postscript of the new OBR)

MLB Ejection 050: Jim Joyce (3; Larry Rothschild)

HP Umpire Jim Joyce ejected Yankees Pitching Coach Larry Rothschild for arguing balls and strikes following the conclusion of the bottom of the 9th inning of the Yankees-Nationals game. Pursuant to UEFL Rule 6-5-d, a Balls/Strikes Exemption has been applied, which allows for analysis of Joyce's performance during the half inning immediately preceding ejection. Replays indicate that of Joyce's 12 callable pitches during the bottom of the 9th, Joyce officiated 12 correctly for an accuracy rating of 100%, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 6-6. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 8-6, in 10 innings.

This is Jim Joyce (66)'s third ejection of 2015.
Jim Joyce now has 7 points in the UEFL Standings (3 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 7).
Crew Chief Jim Joyce now has 2 points in Crew Division (1 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 2).

This is the 50th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the Yankees' 1st ejection of 2015, T-2nd in the AL East (TB 2; BAL, BOS, NYY 1; TOR 0).
This is Larry Rothschild's first ejection since August 30, 2011 (Mark Wegner; QOC = Y [HBP-USC]).
This is Jim Joyce's first ejection since April 19, 2015 (Alcides Escobar; QOC = U [Unsporting-NEC]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs. Washington Nationals, 5/19/15
Video: Yankees dugout voices complaint over Joyce's strike zone as Larry is sent to the clubhouse (NYY)

MLB Ejection 049: Tripp Gibson (3; Brad Ausmus)

HP Umpire Tripp Gibson ejected Tigers Manager Brad Ausmus for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Brewers-Tigers game. With one out and one on, Tigers batter Ian Kinsler took a 0-2 sinker from Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -.652, pz 1.494 [sz_bot 1.46]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Brewers were leading, 7-1. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 8-1.

This is Tripp Gibson (73)'s third ejection of 2015.
Tripp Gibson now has 12 points in the UEFL Standings (8 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 12).
Crew Chief Brian Gorman now has 9 points in Crew Division (8 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 9).

This is the 49th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 22nd Manager ejection of 2015.
This is the Tigers' 2nd ejection of 2015, 3rd in the AL Central (KC 9; CWS 3; DET 2; CLE 1; MIN 0).
This is Brad Ausmus' first ejection since April 23, 2015 (Gerry Davis; QOC = Y [Balk]).
This is Tripp Gibson's first ejection since April 9, 2015 (Bud Black; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Detroit Tigers, 5/19/15
Video: With Kinsler out on strikes during a blowout affair, Ausmus chirps and is thrown out (DET)

MLB Ejection 048: Hunter Wendelstedt (1; Nick Hundley)

1B Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ejected Rockies C Nick Hundley for arguing a strike two (check swing) call in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Phillies-Rockies game. With two out and two on, Hundley attempted to check his swing on a 2-1 slider from Phillies pitcher Luis Garcia. Play was reviewed and affirmed (check swing), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Phillies were leading, 4-2. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Hunter Wendelstedt (21)'s first ejection of 2015.
Hunter Wendelstedt now has 5 point in the UEFL Standings (1 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct = 5).
Crew Chief Jerry Layne now has 7 points in Crew Division (6 Previous + 1 Call = 7).

This is the 48th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 22nd player ejection of 2015. Prior to ejection, Hundley was 0-4 in the contest (4 LOB).
This is the Rockies' 3rd ejection of 2015, 2nd in the NL West (SD 4; COL 3; LAD 2; SF 1; ARI 0).
This is Nick Hundley's first ejection since May 25, 2009 (Eric Cooper; QOC = Y [Safe/Out]).
This is Hunter Wendelstedt's first ejection since Sept 6, 2014 (Scott Fletcher; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies, 5/18/15
Video: Upset with a swinging strike from earlier in the at-bat, Hundley is tossed after flying out (COL)

MLB Replay Reviews, Week 6 (May 11 - May 17, 2015)

MLB umpires experienced 53 instant replay reviews during the week of May 11 - May 17, 2015 (+18 over prior week). Games played during this period featured the following MLB Replay Review decisions:

MLB Ejection 047: Marty Foster (2; Charlie Blackmon)

HP Umpire Marty Foster ejected Rockies LF Charlie Blackmon for arguing a strike two call in the top of the 5th inning of the Rockies-Dodgers game. With two out and two on, Blackmon took a 1-1 cutter from Dodgers pitcher Mike Bolsinger for a called second strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and above the midpoint (px -0.600, pz 3.647 [sz_top 3.450 / MOE 3.533]), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Dodgers were leading, 1-0. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

This is Marty Foster (60)'s second ejection of 2015.
Marty Foster now has 4 point in the UEFL Standings (6 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 4).
Crew Chief Mike Winters now has 4 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 4).

This is the 47th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 21st player ejection of 2015. Prior to ejection, Blackmon was 0-3 in the contest (3 SOs).
This is the Rockies' 2nd ejection of 2015, T-2nd in the NL West (SD 4; COL, LAD 2; SF 1; ARI 0).
This is Charlie Blackmon's first career MLB ejection.
This is Marty Foster's first ejection since April 25, 2015 (Matt Kemp; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 5/17/15
Video: Having struck out swinging, Blackmon complains about strike two and is run from LA (COL)