MLB Ejection 064: Andy Fletcher (2; Yunel Escobar)

HP Umpire Andy Fletcher ejected Nationals 3B Yunel Escobar for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 7th inning of the Nationals-Reds game. With one out and none on, Escobar took a 1-2 slider from Reds pitcher Ryan Mattheus 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 .433, pz 1.594 [sz_bot 1.5]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Nationals were leading, 5-4. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 8-5.

This is Andy Fletcher (49)'s second ejection of 2015.
Andy Fletcher now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct = 6).
Crew Chief Jerry Meals now has 9 points in Crew Division (8 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 9).

This is the 64th ejections of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 31st player ejection of 2015. Prior to ejection, Escobar was 2-4 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is the Nationals' 5th ejection of 2015, 1st in the NL East (WAS 5; ATL, NYM 2; PHI 1; MIA 0).
This is Yunel Escobar's first ejection since July 29, 2014 (Bill Welke; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Andy Fletcher's first ejection since May 3, 2015 (Craig Gentry; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Washington Nationals vs. Cincinnati Reds, 5/30/15
Video: Sinking slider fools Escobar on strikeout, argument gets him run from the game (WAS)

MLB Ejections 062-063: Todd Tichenor (1-2; Napoli, Farrell)

HP Umpire Todd Tichenor ejected Red Sox 1B Mike Napoli and Manager John Farrell for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 8th inning of the Red Sox-Rangers game. With two out and none on, Napoli took a 2-2 fastball from Rangers pitcher Ross Ohlendorf for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and thigh-high (px .408, pz 1.757 [sz_bot 1.44]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejections, the Rangers were leading, 5-4. The Rangers ultimately won the contest, 7-4.

These are Todd Tichenor (13)'s first and second ejections of 2015.
Todd Tichenor now has 7 points in the UEFL Standings (-1 Previous + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct] = 7).
Crew Chief Tim Welke now has 6 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 2 Correct Calls = 6).

These are the 62nd and 63rd ejections of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 27th Manager ejection of 2015.
This is the 30th player ejection of 2015. Prior to ejection, Napoli was 0-2 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is the Red Sox' 2/3rd ejection of 2015, T-1st in the AL East (BAL, BOS 3; TB 2; NYY 1; TOR 0).
This is Mike Napoli's first ejection since August 10, 2014 (CB Bucknor; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is John Farrell's first ejection since August 17, 2014 (Doug Eddings; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).
This is Todd Tichenor's first ejection since June 5, 2014 (Rick Renteria; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers, 5/29/15
Video: Having struck out looking, Napoli earns a profane ride home, as does skipper Farrell (BOS)

MLB Ejections 060-061: Mike Winters (1; Mattingly, Ellis)

HP Umpire Mike Winters ejected Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 7th and Dodgers catcher AJ Ellis for arguing a ball four call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Dodgers-Cardinals game. In the top of the 7th, with none out and two on, Dodgers batter Andre Ethier took a 2-2 fastball from Cardinals pitcher John Lackey for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -.23, pz 1.64 [sz_bot 1.65 / MOE 1.57]), the call was correct. In the bottom of the 7th, with one out and one on, Cardinals batter Matt Carpenter took a 3-1 fastball from Dodgers pitcher JP Howell for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and below of the hollow of the knee (px -.12, pz 1.79 [sz_bot 1.73 / MOE 1.81]), and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Cardinals were leading, 2-0. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 3-0.

These are Mike Winters (33)'s first and second ejections of 2015.
Mike Winters now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct] = 8).
Crew Chief Mike Winters now has 11 points in Crew Division (9 Previous + 2 Correct Calls = 11).

These are the 60th and 61st ejections of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 26th Manager ejection of 2015.
This is the 29th player ejection of 2015. Prior to ejection, Ellis was 0-3 in the contest (3 SO).
This is the Dodgers' 3/4th ejection of 2015, 2nd in the NL West (SD 5; LAD 4; COL 3; SF 1; ARI 0).
This is Don Mattingly's 3rd ejection of 2015, 1st since May 13 (Bob Davidson; QOC = U [Replay]).
This is AJ Ellis' first career MLB ejection.
This is Mike Winters' first ejection since July 31, 2014 (Mike Redmond; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 5/29/15
Video: Unhappy with Molina's receipt of Lackey's pitch, Donnie Baseball earns an early shower (LAD)
Video: After walk, Ellis ejected during Wallach's double switch, prompting the rare triple switch (LAD)

MLB Ejection 059: Angel Hernandez (1; Ryne Sandberg)

HP Umpire Angel Hernandez ejected Phillies Manager Ryne Sandberg for arguing a ball (check swing) call made by 1B Umpire Scott Barry in the top of the 9th inning of the Rockies-Phillies game. With none out and two on, Rockies batter Nolan Arenado attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 fastball from Phillies pitcher Luis Garcia for a called third ball, affirmed as no swing by Barry. Play was reviewed and reversed by the UEFL Appeals Board (0-8-0), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Rockies were leading, 2-0. The Rockies ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

This is Angel Hernandez (55)'s first ejection of 2015.
Angel Hernandez now has x points in the UEFL Standings (2 Previous + 2 MLB + x Crewmate = x).
Crew Chief Ted Barrett now has x points in Crew Division (3 Previous + x Call = x).
(Appeals Board plays do not display league points.)

This is the 59th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 25th Manager ejection of 2015.
This is the Phillies' 1st ejection of 2015, 4th in the NL East (WAS 4; ATL, NYM 2; PHI 1; MIA 0).
This is Ryne Sandberg's first ejection since August 2, 2014 (Chris Guccione; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Angel Hernandez's first ejection since July 8, 2014 (Jean Machi; QOC = Y [Balk]).

Wrap: Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 5/29/15
Video: When an appealed check swing fails to strike out Arenado, Sandberg gets tossed (PHI)

MLB Ejection 058: Toby Basner (1; Manny Machado)

HP Umpire Toby Basner ejected Orioles 3B Manny Machado for arguing a strike three (check swing) call in the bottom of the 8th inning of the White Sox-Orioles game. With two out and none on, Machado attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 changeup from White Sox pitcher Chris Sale. Play was reviewed and affirmed by the UEFL Appeals Board (8-0-0), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the White Sox were leading, 2-0. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Toby Basner (99)'s first ejection of 2015.
Toby Basner now has ? points in the UEFL Standings (3 Previous + 3 AAA + ? Call = ?).
Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has ? points in Crew Division (-2 Previous + ? Call = ?).

This is the 58th ejection of the 2015 MLB Regular Season.
This is the 28th player ejection of 2015. Prior to ejection, Machado was 0-4 in the contest (3 SO).
This is the Orioles' 3rd ejection of 2015, 1st in the AL East (BAL 3; TB 2; BOS, NYY 1; TOR 0).
This is Manny Machado's first ejection since June 8, 2014 (Adrian Johnson; QOC = U [USC-NEC]).
This is Toby Basner's first ejection since August 7, 2014 (Lloyd McClendon; QOC = U [Warnings]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles (Doubleheader Game 1), 5/28/15
Video: A deuces-wild strikeout call on Machado procedures a slammed bat and immediate toss (BAL)

Case Play 2015-03, A Mid-Field Collision and Obstruction [Solved]

A shortstop-runner collision and obstruction call in Arizona gave the Padres' baserunner a second life and gave us our latest UEFL Case Play. With one out and one on (R1) in the top of the 4th inning of the Mother's Day Padres-Diamondbacks game, Padres baserunner Justin Upton hit a line drive into right field. Shortly after Padres baserunner R1 Will Myers passed second base, he collided with Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed. At the time of this collision, the baseball was being fielded in right field. Shortly thereafter, R1 Myers, who briefly attempted to continue onto third base, was tagged. 2B Umpire Jim Joyce, meanwhile, had declared obstruction and, upon the conclusion of the play, awarded R1 Myers third base.

Following a plea from D-Backs skipper Chip Hale, U2 Joyce convened his crew and sent Myers back to second base, prompting an unsuccessful argument from Padres Manager Bud Black (This is not the first time Black has unsuccessfully argued an obstruction call at second base). Play resumed with one out, R1 and R2.

Case Play Question 2015-03: Was the umpire crew's ruling in placing the runner at second base correct? The broadcasters stated there was no obstruction. What rule(s) and call accurately describe what happened (e.g., was the obstruction call overturned, or upheld with a different penalty imposed)?

Case Play Answer 2015-03: The determination of placing the runners is a judgment call and may be correct, if the judgment prescribed by rule was proper.

Since replays indicate no play was being made on the runner R1 at the time of the obstruction, which occurred as the result of R1 being impeded by F6 in his attempt to run the bases, we turn to Rule 7.06(b) [OBR 2015 Rule 6.01(h)(2)], which states, "If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no further action is possible. The umpire shall then call 'Time' and impose such penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction."

Thus, the umpires properly waited until the play's completion before enforcing the remedy of the rule. Had obstruction occurred while a play was actively being made on the obstructed runner (Type A obstruction), play would have been halted immediately upon the infraction ("Time" called).

Rule 7.06(b) [OBR 2015 6.01(h)(2)] Comment states, "When the ball is not dead on obstruction and an obstructed runner advances beyond the base which, in the umpire’s judgment, he would have been awarded because of being obstructed, he does so at his own peril and may be tagged out. This is a judgment call." In other words, umpires would have been supported by rule had they declared R1 out when he was tagged attempting to advance to third base, since the umpires only awarded, or protected R1 back to, second base. Because this is a judgment call, umpires are authorized to impose any penalties that will "nullify the act of obstruction." If the umpires believed R1 would have remained safely at second base had obstruction not occurred, then the decision to place R1 at second base is the correct call.

Thanks to all participants, each of whom shall receive two points for discussion of this play.

Related: Joyce's most famous obstruction call at third base during the 2013 World Series in St. Louis
Related: Hawk Harrelson doesn't disappoint when he fails to see obstruction at shortstop in 2007

Related Rule: Rule 7.06: Obstruction, What a Pickle! (UEFL Article from June 14, 2012)

Video: R1 Myers falls after colliding with F6 Ahmed, and is returned to second base (SD)

MLB Replay Reviews, Week 7 (May 18 - May 25, 2015)

MLB umpires experienced 48 instant replay reviews during the week of May 18 - May 25, 2015 (-5 over prior week). Games played during this period featured the following MLB Replay Review decisions: