Roster - 2016 MiLB International League Umpires

The 2016 MiLB International League Umpire Roster appears below and features:

Ryan Additon (1st yr AAA) - IL Rookie, Previously in the Southern League (2014-15).
Joey Amaral (3rd yr AAA) - Previously in the Eastern League (2011-13) prior to the IL (2013-).
John Bacon (1st yr AAA) - IL Rookie, Previously in the Eastern League (2013-15).
Jonathan Bailey (3rd yr AAA) - Previously in Southern & Dominican Lg (2012-13) prior to IL (2014-).
Sean Barber (5th yr AAA) - Major League Baseball Fill-In Since 2014. AFL (2012-13, 2015).
Toby Basner (7th yr AAA) - Major League Baseball Fill-In Since 2012. AFL (2009-10, 2015).
Joe Born (3rd yr AAA) - Previously in the Eastern League (2011-13) prior to IL (2014-).
Ryan Clark (1st yr AAA) - IL Rookie, Previously in the Eastern League (2013-15).
Eric Gillam (1st yr AAA) - IL Rookie, Previously in the Eastern League (2013-15).
Max Guyll (4th yr AAA) - Previously in the Eastern League (2010-12) prior to IL (2013-).
Nic Lentz (3rd yr AAA) - Major League Baseball Fill-In Since 2016. AFL (2014-15).
Shane Livensparger (2nd yr AAA) - Previously in Southern League (2013-14) prior to IL (2015-).
Ben May (5th yr AAA) - Major League Baseball Fill-In Since 2014. AFL (2012, 15).
Matt McCoy (2nd yr AAA) - Previously in Southern League (2012-14) prior to IL (2015-).
Dan Merzel (1st yr AAA) - IL Rookie, Previously in Eastern League (2013-15).
Derek Mollica (3rd yr AAA) - Previously Southern League (2012-13) prior to IL (2014-). AFL (2014).
Robert Moreno (2nd yr AAA) - Previously in Eastern League (2014) prior to IL (2015-).
Roberto Ortiz (3rd yr AAA) - IL Rookie, Previously PCL (2014-15). MLB Since 2016. AFL (2015).
James Rackley (1st yr AAA) - IL Rookie, Previously in Southern League (2014-15).
Jeremie Rehak (1st yr AAA) - IL Rookie, Previously in Eastern League (2014-15).
Jeremy Riggs (1st yr AAA) - IL Rookie, Previously in Southern League (2013-15).
Chris Segal (6th yr AAA) - IL Rook, Previously PCL (2011-15). MLB Since 2014. AFL (2011-12, 15).
Carlos Torres (4th yr AAA) - Major League Baseball Fill-In Since 2015. AFL (2014-15).
Alex Tosi (1st yr AAA) - IL Rookie, Previously in Eastern League (2014-15).
John Tumpane (8th yr AAA) - Major League Baseball Fill-In Since 2011. AFL (2005, 2007-09).
Jansen Visconti (2nd yr AAA) - Previously in Eastern League (2013-14) prior to IL (2014-).
Chad Whitson (6th yr AAA) - Major League Baseball Fill-In Since 2014. AFL (2011-12, 2015).

Of these 27 umpires, nine were promoted to AAA in 2016, while the 10th and 11th International League newcomer are transfers from the Pacific Coast League. Nine IL umpires are MLB fill-ins while 10 have Arizona Fall League experience (including all nine MLB fill-ins).

Former International League Umpires presently on the full-time MLB staff include: Jordan Baker, Lance Barksdale, Lance Barrett, Scott Barry, Dan Bellino, C.B. Bucknor, Vic Carapazza, Mark Carlson, Chris Conroy, Fieldin Culbreth, Phil Cuzzi, Kerwin Danley, Laz Diaz, Doug Eddings, Paul Emmel, Mike Estabrook, Chad Fairchild, Marty Foster, Greg Gibson, Manny Gonzalez, Ed Hickox, John Hirshbeck, Sam Holbrook, James Hoye, Marvin Hudson, Dan Iassogna, Adrian Johnson, Jim Joyce, Jeff Kellogg, Will Little, Jerry Meals, Bill Miller, Paul Nauert, Brian O’Nora, Alan Porter, David Rackley, D.J. Reyburn, Jim Reynolds, Tim Timmons, Larry Vanover, Mark Wegner, Bill Welke, Hunter Wendelstedt.

Case Play 2016-2, Ball in the Pocket [Solved]

Does a hidden ball trick work if the baseball hides in a pocket? Such is the question prompted by a comedic Astros antic in Milwaukee on Sunday.

The Play: With one out and none on, batter Chris Carter hits a double to left field, fielded by left fielder Preston Tucker and thrown back to infielder Jose Altuve. As Altuve walks past batter-runner Carter standing on second base, he places the baseball behind his back and into his pants pocket. Carter remains on the base and Altuve subsequently retrieves the ball and throws it back to pitcher Dallas Keuchel.

Question: Using professional rules (and foregoing common sense, if applicable), what should 2B Umpire Tom Hallion's call have been if Carter, duped by the hidden ball trick, stepped off of second base and was tagged with the ball by Altuve?

Answer: The play is not specifically covered by any one particular rule, but we can piece together several points of information to adjudicate this play. Common sense likely dictates calling "Time" and placing the runner back at second base. Forgoing common sense, however, leads us to the issue of whether a fielder can place a live ball in his uniform pocket and subsequently retrieve the ball to tag out a runner. MLB Umpire Manual interpretation "Ball Going Into Player's Uniform" states, "If a batted or thrown ball inadvertently goes inside a player or coach's uniform...the umpire shall call 'Time.' He will, using common sense and fair play, place all runners in such a manner that, in the umpire's judgment, will nullify the action of the ball going out of play. In no case may any outs be recorded on such play."

Although this is decidedly not a case of an "inadvertently" created situation, the ball nonetheless is dead (defined as "a ball out of play") at the moment it goes inside the player's uniform pocket. Accordingly, we take stock of the situation at the moment the ball becomes dead: The runner is standing on second base not intending to advance; accordingly, the proper call is to place the runner on second base and resume play with one out and one on.

Note that this play does not involve a detached uniform piece or equipment, as in Rule 5.06(b), which means the base awards for a batted or thrown ball do not apply. Nor does this play involve a pitched live ball becoming lodged in catcher paraphernalia, meaning the associated base award does not apply.

Click through for the video and Case Play specifics:

Infield Fly and a Double Play - Back to Basics for Phillies

Baseball's infield fly rule is not Philadelphia's friend, at least not after the Phillies managed to run themselves into two double plays in less than a week during infield fly plays. Seeing as remedial baseball education seems to be in order at the sport's highest level (at least for Philadelphia), we shall once again review the infield fly rule. First, the definition:

An INFIELD FLY is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.

The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul. 

To summarize, there are three key considerations or criteria that must be satisfied in order for the infield fly rule (IFR) to potentially apply. All three criteria must be met in order for the IFR to be called, and the call of infield fly, mechanized by pointing upward and announcing "Infield Fly!" or "Infield Fly, If Fair!" if there is a question as to whether the fly ball will land in foul or fair territory, is made as soon as all three criteria are adjudged to have been met and the batter is out upon this call:

Criteria That Must Be Satisfied for the Infield Fly Rule to be Invoked
(1) First & second base must be occupied with less than two out (third may or may not be occupied).
(2) The batter must hit a fair fly ball (a ball hit into the air), which is not a line drive nor a bunt, that;
(3) In the umpire's judgment, can be caught by an infielder (F1 - F6) employing ordinary effort.

Confusion over the infield fly rule has produced either near-miss or successfully-executed double plays on a nearly annual basis over the past few seasons and, already, the young 2016 season is turning out to be no different. Here are the two plays that testify as to the Phillies' lack of infield fly rules knowledge.

New York (PHI-NYM), 4/8/16: With one out and runners on first and second, Phillies batter Odubel Herrera hit a fly ball to the pitcher's mound, where Mets third baseman David Wright attempted to catch the pop-up as HP Umpire Paul Nauert, having noticed that (1) first and second base were occupied with less than two out, (2) the batter hit a fair fly ball, and (3) F5 Wright had the opportunity to catch the ball with ordinary effort, signaled "Infield Fly" (Batter Out) as the ball descended toward Wright. Instead, Wright could not catch the ball, which bounced on the ground for Wright to retrieve. Upon picking up the ball, Wright turned his attention towards first base, where Phillies baserunner R1 Cesar Hernandez left the bag in a half-hearted attempt to take second, as if he had been forced. After a brief rundown, Hernandez was tagged out for the third out of the inning.

Philadelphia (SD-PHI), 4/11/16: With none out and the bases loaded, Phillies batter Darin Ruf hit a fly ball to left field, where Padres shortstop Alexei Ramirez retreated in an attempt to catch the batted ball. 3B Umpire Will Little, having noticed that (1) first and second [and third!] base were occupied with less than two out, and, (2) the batter hit a fair fly ball, ruled (3) F6 Ramirez could catch the ball with ordinary effort and accordingly called "Infield Fly" (Batter Out) while the ball was in the air and on its way down towards Ramirez. As it turns out, Ramirez did not catch the ball, which fell to the ground. Phillies baserunner R3 Cesar Hernandez (the same one as before), who had gone back to third base to tag up in case of a caught ball, fortuitously (for Philly) ran home and scored, while R2 Odubel Herrera (also, the same one as before), who either did not see U3 Little's call or still does not know the infield fly rule and didn't learn it since the 8th, ran towards third base, where he was tagged out by Padres third baseman Alexi Amarista barely before stepping on the bag, a call confirmed by replay review as the result of a challenge by Phillies Manager Pete Makanin.

SIDEBAR: Ted Barrett, Crew Chief during the Padres-Phillies play on 4/11/16, also presided over an infield fly no-call double play during a 2013 Twins-Angels game. During that game, HP Umpire Mike Muchlinski declined to call the infield fly during a none out, first-and-second infield fly ball situation because he ruled that Angels pitcher Ernesto Frieri (who was an infielder for the purposes of IFR) was unable to catch the ball with ordinary effort. For more information on ordinary effort, see STL-ATL Infield Fly (NL Wild Card): Why Call was Correct, and specifically, "a shortstop tracking a fly ball into left field and preparing himself to make a play or attempt prior to the ball arriving, as in the STL-ATL play, constitutes ordinary effort."

Note to MLB teams in eastern Pennsylvania: Please read the rule book, or least the one about infield flies.

MLB Ejection 004 - John Hirschbeck (1; Miguel Sano)

HP Umpire John Hirschbeck ejected Twins RF Miguel Sano for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 7th inning of the Twins-Royals game. With two out and none on, Sano took a 1-2 fastball from Royals pitcher Luke Hochevar for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh high (px 1.187*, pz 2.055), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Twins were leading, 3-1. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 4-3, in 10 innings.

This is John Hirschbeck (17)'s first ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
John Hirschbeck now has -2 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect = -2).
Crew Chief John Hirschbeck now has 0 points in Crew Division (0 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 0).
*Px would have to had been less than |.916| in order for the pitch to have been a strike.

This is the fourth ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
This is the 2nd player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Sano was 1-4 in the contest (3 SO).
This is the Twins' 1st ejection of 2016, T-1st in the AL Central (DET, MIN 1; CLE, CWS, KC 0).
This is Miguel Sano's first career MLB ejection.
This is John Hirschbeck's first ejection since October 19, 2015 (Troy Tulowitzki; QOC = Y [B/S]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals (American League Baseball), 4/10/16
Video: Sano argues a strike three call, points to the plate, and is run out of the game ("Read more")