MLB Ejection 038 - Carlos Torres (1; Terry Collins)

HP Umpire Carlos Torres ejected New York Mets Manager Terry Collins for arguing a foul ball call in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the Mets-Rockies game. With one out and the bases loaded, Rockies batter Tony Wolters attempted to strike a 2-2 curveball from Mets pitcher Logan Verrett, ruled a foul ball. Replays indicate Wolters' bat did not appear to make contact with the pitched baseball, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Rockies were leading, 3-1. The Rockies ultimately won the contest, 7-4.

This is Carlos Torres (37)'s first ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Carlos Torres now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Previous + 3 AAA - 1 Pen - 4 QOCN = 0).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has -1 points in Crew Division (-1 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = -1).

This is the 38th ejection report of the 2016 MLB regular season.
This is the 18th Manager ejection of the 2016 season.
This is the Mets' 1st ejection of 2016, T-2nd in the NL East (MIA 3, ATL, NYM, WAS 1; PHI 0).
This is Terry Collins' first ejection since September 30, 2015 (Bob Davidson; QOC = U [Throwing At]).
This is Carlos Torres' first career MLB ejection.

Wrap: New York Mets vs. Colorado Rockies, 5/14/16
Video: Collins sees a swing and a miss, Torres sees/hears a foul ball, and Terry gets tossed ("Read more")

Major League Debut of Umpire Roberto Ortiz (40)

Umpire Roberto Ortiz makes his MLB debut during the Marlins-Nationals game on May 14 in Washington, DC, joining Larry Vanover's crew for two games of the MIA-WAS doubleheader, serving as the first base umpire alongside HP Umpire David Rackley, 2B Umpire Alfonso Marquez, and 3B Umpire Chris Guccione for Game 1, and as the third base umpire alongside HP Umpire Larry Vanover, 1B Umpire Marquez, and 2B Umpire Guccione for Game 2.

Photo: Roberto Ortiz.

Ortiz is on the International League roster for the 2016 season, which is his first season in the IL and third overall in Triple-A (2014-15 PCL). He has also worked the Gulf Coast, New York-Penn, South Atlantic, Florida State, Eastern, Arizona Instructional, and Arizona Fall Leagues, in addition to MLB Spring Training.

He is the first Puerto Rican-born umpire to officiate at the Major League level since Delfin Colon, who was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico.

Ortiz wears the uniform number 40 at the Major League level, which was last worn by Jeff Gosney, and makes his MLB debut at the age of 31. He resides in Orlando, Florida and is the third (and, presumably, final) new fill-in umpire to make his debut this season following Nic Lentz (April 20) and Ramon De Jesus (April 22).

MLB Ejection 037 - Brian Knight (2; Ray Searage)

HP Umpire Brian Knight ejected Pirates Pitching Coach Ray Searage for arguing a ball four call in the bottom of the 4th inning of the Pirates-Cubs game. With none out and none on, Cubs batter Ben Zobrist took a 3-2 fastball from Pirates pitcher Jeff Locke for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and belt high (px 1.419, pz 2.329) and that all other pitches in the at bat had been properly officiated, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Cubs were leading, 3-2. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 8-2.

This is Brian Knight (91)'s second ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Brian Knight now has 9 points in the UEFL Standings (5 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 9).
Crew Chief Bill Welke now has 2 points in Crew Division (1 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 2).

This is the 37th ejection report of the 2016 MLB regular season.
This is the first non-player, non-Manager ejection of the 2016 season.
This is the Pirates' 3rd ejection of 2016, 1st in the NL Central (PIT 3; CIN 2; CHC 1; MIL, STL 0).
This is Ray Searage's first career MLB ejection.
This is Brian Knight's first ejection since May 9, 2016 (Bryce Harper; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs, 5/14/16
Video: Ray Searage covertly complains to Brian Knight at the mound and gets run ("Read more")

Passing the Torch - Papi Out, Harper In as Biggest Hothead

Bryce Harper is baseball's biggest hothead player, according to ejection statistics. Big Papi previously held the title, but with David Ortiz's impending retirement, along with fellow former top-10 hothead Torii Hunter leaving the game, it's time to recalibrate and reevaluate our Ejection Rate study.

Ejection Rate: Games-per-Ejection (GPE).

Ejection Rate is presented in the format of Games-per-Ejection, or, simply, GPE. For instance, Ortiz in 2015 held the highest mark for veteran players with a 197 Games rating, or one ejection per 197 games played; after his ejection May 6, 2016 (Ejection 026 - Ron Kulpa), Papi's rating is now 175 GPE, which is only sixth-most in baseball today. The Hothead monicker is defined, objectively, as the player who holds the highest ejection rate, or is ejected most often per games played. Turning the page to the newest generation, we now include all players with over 500 games (approximately three-to-four seasons) to their name; pitchers are not included.* (See Footnote.)

Sorting active players by ejection rate, the following list portrays the players most prone to ejection:

Bryce Harper, seen here arguing with umpire
Jerry Meals, is the league's #1 hothead player.

1 (MLB's Biggest Hothead Player). Bryce Harper - 77 GPE.
2 (Hothead Player Runner-Up). Matt Kemp - 106 GPE.
3 (The Bronze Hothead). Yunel Escobar - 134 GPE.
4. BJ / Melvin Upton, Jr. - 135 GPE.
5. Manny Machado - 157 GPE.
6. Joey Votto - 163 GPE.
*Honorary Benchmark - David Ortiz - 175 GPE*
7. Troy Tulowitzki - 186 GPE.
8. AJ Pierzynski - 199 GPE.
9. Justin Upton - 201 GPE.
10. Carlos Gomez - 215 GPE.
Sean Rodriguez - 260 GPE, Miguel Cabrera - 279 GPE.

In sum, only six players in the game today beat out the "Papi line" of 175 GPE: Harper, Kemp, Yunel Escobar, Melvin Upton, Machado, and Votto. Others, like Francisco Cervelli, have played fewer than 500 games over a span of many seasons (Cervelli has been active since 2008, but never played over 100 games per season until 2015), but otherwise would have made the list (Cervelli's GPE is 194); Yasiel Puig, for instance, holds a 117 GPE, which would place him in third place between Kemp and Y Escobar, but has played fewer than 400 games.

Harper also holds the dubious distinction of being the only MLB player with at least two full seasons of service to have been ejected at least once every calendar year during which he appeared in the Majors, dating back to his 2012 debut (note: Harper's 2014 Spring Training ejection was not included in the above GPE calculation).
2012: Ejection 143 - CB Bucknor (2).
2013: Ejection 027 - John Hirschbeck (1); Ejection 096 - Hunter Wendelstedt (3).
2014: Ejection S7 - Jeff Gosney (Spring Training 1).
2015: Ejections 043 - Rob Drake (1); Ejection 051 - Marvin Hudson (1); Ejection 140 - Jerry Meals (2).
2016: Ejection 032 - Brian Knight (1)...

With his latest ejection, Harper passed Gary Sheffield (78 GPE), but has some work to do to match the modern era's hothead leader, Milton Bradley, whose 55 GPE is tops for all in the 21st century.

*PITCHERS: GPE is particularly tricky or misleading for pitchers, as a regular starter may only appear in 30 games per season yet sits on the bench for a majority of other games. For instance, Clayton Kershaw has pitched in about 250 games and holds three ejections since coming into the league in 2008, meaning his GPE is 83. Jake Peavy, another starter, has four ejections over 362 games pitched, or a 91 GPE. Jonathan Papelbon—a closer—on the other hand has three ejections over 650 games, or a 217 GPE. Nonetheless, we know the biggest hothead [starting] pitcher in baseball is Yordano Ventura (68 games pitched, 2 ejections = 34 GPE).

MLB Ejections 033-036 - Alan Porter, Jeff Kellogg (PIT-CIN)

2B Umpire Alan Porter ejected Pirates LF Starling Marte & HP Umpire Jeff Kellogg ejected Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle for arguing Replay Review (overturned call) in the top of the 6th, and HP Umpire Kellogg ejected Reds P Ross Ohlendorf and Manager Bryan Price for throwing at Pirates batter David Freese in the top of the 9th inning of the Pirates-Reds game. In the 6th, with two out and one on, Pirates baserunner R1 Starling Marte attempted to steal second base off Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart, who threw to second baseman Brandon Phillips as Marte arrived at second base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Reds Manager Bryan Price, 2B Umpire Porter's safe call was overturned as Phillips' glove appeared to Marte's hand while Marte was not in contact with the base, the call was correct. At the time of the Pirates' ejections, the Reds were leading, 4-2. In the 9th, with two out and one on (R2), Pirates batter Freese took a 2-0 fastball from Reds pitcher Ohlendorf for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Freese on the left arm, the call was irrecusable; warnings had previously been issued and there were six HBP in the game.* At the time of the Reds' ejections, the Pirates were leading, 5-4. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Alan Porter (64)'s first ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
These are Jeff Kellogg (8)'s second, third, and fourth ejections of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Alan Porter now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 8).
Jeff Kellogg now has 14 pts in the UEFL Standings (6 Previous + 3*[2 MLB] + 2 QOCY + 0 QOCU = 14).
Crew Chief Jeff Kellogg now has 8 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 2 QOCY + 2 QOCU = 8).
*MLB suspended Ohlendorf 3 games, Price 1 game, for the intent HBP with warnings in effect.

These are the 33rd, 34th, 35th, and 36th ejection reports of the 2016 MLB regular season.
These are the 18th and 19th player ejections of 2016. Prior to ejection, Marte was 0-2 in the contest.
These are the 16th and 17th Manager ejections of 216.
This is the Pirates' 1/2nd ejections of 2016, T-1st in the NL Central (CIN, PIT 2; CHC 1; MIL, STL 0).
This is the Reds' 1/2nd ejections of 2016, T-1st in the NL Central (CIN, PIT 2; CHC 1; MIL, STL 0).
This is Starling Marte's first career MLB ejection.
This is Clint Hurdle's first ejection since August 2, 2015 (DJ Reyburn; QOC = U [Arguing Ejection]).
This is Ross Ohlendorf's first career MLB ejection.
This is Bryan Price's first ejection since September 9, 2015 (Bill Welke; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Alan Porter's first ejection since August 27, 2015 (Francisco Cervelli; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Jeff Kellogg's first ejection since April 8, 2016 (Dave Roberts; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds, 5/11/16
Video: Replay Review produces two ejections; hit batsman takes two more later on ("Read more")

Lost HR - Runner Passing Case Play 2016-3 [Solved]

A passing the runner replay review overturned a home run in Miami, when the Milwaukee Brewers successfully challenged whether Marlins batter-runner J.T. Realmuto passed preceding baserunner R1 Marcell Ozuna during his apparent home run.

The Play: With none out and one on in the bottom of the 2nd inning of a 0-0 game, B1 Realmuto hit a fly ball over the left-center field wall for a home run. As Realmuto rounded first base, preceding baserunner R1 Ozuna retreated to tag in case of a catch in the outfield. Replays indicate that Realmuto appeared to round first base—running several steps past the base, and in doing so, breaking contact with the bag—at the same moment that Ozuna stepped onto first base in anticipation of the potential tag-up play. Originally ruled legal by 1B Umpire Mike DiMuro, the ruling was overturned and the Marlins received only one run while the Brewers received one out.

Question: Under the official rules of professional baseball, answer Marlins broadcaster Preston Wilson's question: "Does this affect the stat—who gets the run scored, who gets the home run? Does Realmuto get the home run and Ozuna not get the run scored? What happens here?"

Once you've answered that question, answer this one: Assume the same sequence of events occurred when there were already two outs in the inning, such that the pass would have resulted in the third out of the inning. Would this affect any of the scoring decisions?

Answer: The trail runner—B1 Realmuto—is declared out for passing the preceding runner—R1 Ozuna—pursuant to OBR Rule 5.09(b)(9), which states that a runner is out when, "he passes a preceding runner before such runner is out." Note that passing may occur based on the trail runner's actions or the actions of the preceding runner. Passing is an immediate out call and is not an appeal play. Scoring Rules 9.05(a)(1) and 9.06(a) indicate Realmuto is credited with a single since he touched first base and failed to touch second base before being declared out, and an RBI [9.04(a)(1)], as R1 Ozuna's ability to score a run was not harmed by Realmuto's passing activity.

Had the same sequence occurred when there were already two outs in the inning, the question of whether R1 Ozuna scored becomes a time play: did R1 score before the third out was recorded? As indicated above, B1 Realmuto is out immediately upon passing R1 Ozuna. Therefore, because the passing and third out occurred prior to R1 Ozuna's arrival at home plate, no run may be scored. To find the specific rule that ties all this together, refer to 7.01(g) APPROVED RULING which relates to a hypothetical game-winning home run: "The batter hits a home run out of the playing field to win the game in the last half of the ninth or an extra inning, but is called out for pass- ing a preceding runner. The game ends immediately when the winning run is scored, unless there are two out and the winning run has not yet reached home plate when the runner passes another, in which case the inning is over and only those runs that scored before the runner passes another shall count." (See underlined text.)

NOTE regarding differences between rulesets: Under high school (FED) rules, R1 would score since his awarded base trumps the third out. In other words, the time play does not apply to R1 scoring, since he was awarded free passage to home plate. NCAA rules, however, mirror OBR with regard to passed runners and time plays, so the run would not score in college ball.

Video: Home run turns into chaos in Miami as Marlins lose a run on bad base running ("Read more")

Calling Time to Avoid a Balk - When a Ball Becomes Dead

A potential Rays balk in Seattle was averted when Jerry Layne called "time" as Tampa Bay pitcher Drew Smyly stopped his pitching motion, resulting in a balk-turned-no balk call at Safeco Field.

HP Umpire Jerry Layne convenes his crew.

With two out and a runner on third base, Rays catcher Curt Casali requested "time" as pitcher Smyly began his pitching motion, from Windup Position, to Mariners batter Dae-Ho Lee. Replays indicate that as HP Umpire Layne acknowledged the "Time" request, Smyly stopped his motion, prompting Layne to call Smyly for a balk and award Mariners baserunner R3 Nelson Cruz home plate.

After an argument from Rays Manager Kevin Cash and consultation with crewmates, Crew Chief Layne reversed the balk call and sent Cruz back to third base, ruling that he had erroneously called "Time" prior to Smyly's start-stop balk.

Question into the UEFL: "What in the world just happened at the Mariner's game in the 1st inning?"

A: Official Baseball Rule 5.12(b) concerns Calling "Time" and Dead Balls, and states that, "The ball becomes dead when an umpire calls 'Time.'" However, the rule also states, "Except in the cases stated in paragraphs (2) and (3)(A) (which concern light failure and an accident which incapacitates a player or umpire) of this rule, no umpire shall call “Time” while a play is in progress."

In other words, although it was possible and likely probable that Smyly actually did balk by stopping his delivery in response to catcher Casali—and not umpire Layne—'s request for time out, Layne killed the play prior to the potential balk, meaning that the potential balk violation was washed out. Had Layne not granted Casali's request for time and Smyly's start-stop action remained the same, then the balk would likely have been enforced.

Realizing his error in calling "Time" while a play was in progress—Smyly had started his delivery, which constitutes a play in progress—Layne reset the play by returning R3 to third, explaining the umpire's version of an inadvertent whistle to Mariners Manager Scott Servais, who put up a brief but fortuitously understanding argument.

Video: ("Read More")

MLB Ejection 032 - Brian Knight (1; Bryce Harper)

HP Umpire Brian Knight ejected Nationals RF Bryce Harper for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Tigers-Nationals game. With none out and none on, Nationals batter Danny Espinosa took a 3-2 slider from Tigers pitcher Mark Lowe for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and diaphragm high (px -.025, pz 3.415 [sz_top 3.630]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 4-4. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Brian Knight (91)'s first ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Brian Knight now has 5 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 5).
Crew Chief Bill Miller now has 6 points in Crew Division (5 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 6).
*MLB suspended Bryce Harper one-game for returning to the field after the ejection.

This is the 32nd ejection report of the 2016 MLB regular season.
This is the 17th player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Harper was 0-2 (SO) in the contest.
This is the Nationals' 1st ejection of 2016, T-2nd in the NL East (MIA 3; ATL, WAS 1; NYM, PHI 0).
This is Bryce Harper's first ejection since July 31, 2015 (Jerry Meals; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Brian Knight's first ejection since August 17, 2015 (Bob Melvin; QOC = Y [Interference]).

Wrap: Detroit Tigers vs. Washington Nationals, 5/9/16
Video: Knight dumps Harper; A batter later, Harper returns to the field & f-bombs BK ("Read more")

MLB Ejections 030|031 - Laz Diaz (1|2; Cabrera, Banister)

HP Umpire Laz Diaz ejected White Sox LF Melky Cabrera for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 6th and Jeff Banister for arguing a ball three call in the top of the 9th inning of the White Sox-Rangers game. In the 6th, with two out and none on, Cabrera took a 2-2 fastball from Rangers pitcher Colby Lewis for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and knee high (px -.918, pz 1.852 [sz_bot 1.630]), the call was incorrect. In the 9th, with one out and one on, White Sox batter Alex Avila took a 2-2 changeup from Rangers pitcher Shawn Tolleson. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the midpoint (px -.453, pz 3.265 [sz_top 3.470 / MOE 3.387]), the call was incorrect. At the time of Cabrera's ejection, the White Sox were leading, 2-0. At the time of Banister's ejection, the game was tied. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 8-4, in 12 innings.

These are Laz Diaz (63)'s first and second ejections of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Laz Diaz now has -4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 2*[2 MLB - 4 QOCN] = -4).
Crew Chief Jeff Nelson now has 3 points in Crew Division (3 Previous + 2*[0 Incorrect Call] = 3).
*The strike call to Cabrera would have been correct had its px value been |.916| or less.

These are the 30th and 31st ejection reports of the 2016 MLB regular season.
This is the 16th player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Cabrera was 0-3 (SO) in the contest.
This is the 15th Manager ejection of 2016.
This is the Sox's 1st ejection of 2016, 2nd in the AL Central (MIN 4; CWS 3; DET 2; KC 1; CLE 0).
This is the Rangers' 2nd ejection of 2016, T-1st in the AL West (HOU, TEX 2; LAA, OAK, SEA 0).
This is Melky Cabrera's first career MLB ejection.
This is Jeff Banister's first ejection since September 18, 2015 (Chris Guccione; QOC = Y [Fair/Foul]).
This is Laz Diaz's first ejection since April 16, 2015 (Kevin Cash; QOC = U [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs. Texas Rangers, 5/9/16
Video: Melky and Banister are ejected for arguing separate ball and strike calls ("Read more")