MLB Ejection 127 - Alan Porter (3; Jose Altuve)

HP Umpire Alan Porter ejected Astros 2B Jose Altuve for arguing a called third strike in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Rangers-Astros game. With one out and none on, Altuve took a 1-2 fastball from Rangers pitcher Jeremy Jeffress for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located thigh high and off the outer edge of home plate (px .954, pz 2.230), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Rangers were leading, 2-1. The Rangers ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Alan Porter (64)'s third ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Alan Porter now has 10 points in the UEFL Standings (12 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 10).
Crew Chief Ted Barrett now has 3 points in Crew Division (3 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 3).

This is the 127th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 61st player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Altuve was 0-3 (SO) in the contest.
This is Houston's 5th ejection of 2016, T-1st in the AL West (HOU, OAK 5; LAA, TEX 4; SEA 1).
This is Jose Altuve's first career MLB ejection.
This is Alan Porter's first ejection since June 8, 2016 (Matt Joyce; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros, 8/6/16 | Video available via "Read more"

MLB Ejection 126 - Mike Estabrook (3; Danny Valencia)

HP Umpire Mike Estabrook ejected Athletics 3B Danny Valencia for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Cubs-Athletics game. With one out and two on, Valencia took a 2-2 fastball for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and knee high (px .601, pz 1.788 [sz_bot 1.650]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Cubs were leading, 7-2. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 7-2.

This is Mike Estabrook (83)'s third ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Mike Estabrook now has 13 points in the UEFL Standings (9 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 13).
Crew Chief Dana DeMuth now has 5 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 5).

This is the 126th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 60th player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Valencia was 0-3 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is Oakland's 5th ejection of 2016, 1st in the AL West (OAK 5; HOU, LAA, TEX 4; SEA 1).
This is Danny Valencia's first ejection since Aug 22, 2011 (Hunter Wendelstedt; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Mike Estabrook's first ejection since July 15, 2016 (Bruce Bochy; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs. Oakland Athletics, 8/5/16 | Video available via "Read more"

MLB Ejection 125 - Eric Cooper (1; Khris Davis)

HP Umpire Eric Cooper ejected Athletics DH Khris Davis for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 8th inning of the Athletics-Angels game. With none out and none on, Davis took a 3-2 slider from Angels pitcher Joules Chacin. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh high (px 1.226, pz 2.354) and the strikeout was called on the pitch location (this supersedes the issue of check swing), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Athletics were leading, 6-5. The Athletics ultimately won the contest, 8-6.

This is Eric Cooper (56)'s first ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Eric Cooper now has -3 points in the UEFL Standings (-1 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = -3).
Crew Chief Gary Cederstrom now has 7 points in Crew Division (7 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 7).

This is the 125th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 59th player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Davis was 1-4 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is Oakland's 4th ejection of 2016, T-1st in the AL West (HOU, LAA, OAK, TEX 4; SEA 1).
This is Khris Davis' first career MLB ejection.
This is Eric Cooper's first ejection since June 23, 2015 (Mickey Callaway; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs. Los Angeles Angels, 8/4/16 | Video available via "Read more"

MLB Ejections 122-124 - Culbreth, Reynolds (3|4, 1; CLE)

2B Umpire Fieldin Culbreth ejected Indians Manager Terry Francona and Pitching Coach Mickey Callaway for arguing a Replay Review decision that upheld 1B Umpire Jim Reynolds' no catch (safe) call in the top of the 3rd and 1B Umpire Jim Reynolds ejected Indians bench player Corey Kluber for arguing an out call (non-replay) in the top of the 5th inning of the Twins-Indians game. In the 3rd, with two out and two on (R2, R3), Twins batter Max Kepler hit a 1-2 cutter from Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer on a soft fly ball to right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall, who dove in an attempt to catch the ball before it hit the ground. Upon Replay Review as there result of a challenge by Indians Manager Francona, Reynolds' no-catch call was upheld. Play was reviewed and reversed by the UEFL Appeals Board (5-3-1), the call was incorrect. In the 5th, with none out and none on, Indians batter Abraham Almonte swung and missed at a 0-2 knuckle curve in the dirt from Twins pitcher Tyler Duffey and arrived at first base as catcher Juan Centeno's subsequent throw entered first baseman Joe Mauer's glove. Replays indicate the ball hit Mauer's glove prior to Almonte's foot touching first base, the call was correct (the Indians were unable to challenge the play due to their unsuccessful challenge earlier in the game). At the time of Francona and Callaway's ejections, the Twins were leading, 8-2. At the time of Kluber's ejection, the Twins were leading, 8-4. The Twins ultimately won the contest, 13-5.

This is Fieldin Culbreth (25)'s third, fourth ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
This is Jim Reynolds (77)'s first ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Fieldin Culbreth now has 2 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev + 2*[2 MLB - 2 Incorrect-Crewmate] = 2).
Jim Reynolds now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 8).
Crew Chief Fieldin Culbreth now has 2 points in Crew Division (1 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 2).

This is the 122nd, 123rd, 124th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 52nd Manager ejection of 2016.
This is the 58th player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Kluber did not play nor appear in the game.
This is Cleveland's 2/3/4th ejection of 2016, 5th in the AL Central (CWS 6; DET, KC, MIN 5; CLE 4).
This is Terry Francona's 2nd ejection of 2016, 1st since May 30 (Manny Gonzalez; QOC = N [RLI]).
This is Mickey Callaway's first ejection since June 23, 2015 (Eric Cooper; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Corey Kluber's first career MLB ejection.
This is Fieldin Culbreth's first ejection since June 7, 2016 (Manny Machado; QOC = U [Fighting]).
This is Jim Reynolds' first ejection since June 23, 2015 (Matt Kemp; QOC = Y-C [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Indians, 8/3/16 | Video available via "Read more"

MiLB Ejection - David Arrieta (Montgomery Meltdown)

Montgomery Biscuits Manager Brady Williams blew a gasket at HP Umpire David Arrieta after the ejection of Biscuits starter Chih-Wei Hu for throwing at an opposing batter in the Double-A Southern League on Monday.

Williams ejected, throws balls & bats on field.

In the top of the sixth inning of the Generals-Biscuits game, Generals batter Steve Baron hit a home run to left center field off Biscuits pitcher Hu. Ensuing Generals batter Kyle Petty then took the first pitch thrown above his head for called ball, resulting in Hu's ejection as HP Umpire Arrieta ruled Hu had intentionally thrown at the head of batter Petty; Williams was automatically ejected as warnings had previously been issued. This was Williams' second consecutive game being ejected, having been tossed the preceding night by Arrieta's crewmate, HP Umpire Joe George. At the time of the ejections, the Generals were leading, 4-2. The Generals ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

Jackson and Montgomery are the Double-A affiliates of the Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays.

Wrap: Jackson Generals vs. Montgomery Biscuits (SL), 8/1/16 | Video available via "Read more"

MLB Ejection 121 - Carlos Torres (3; Kendrys Morales)

HP Umpire Carlos Torres ejected Royals DH Kendrys Morales for arguing a strike two call in the top of the 9th inning of the Royals-Rays game. With none out and none on, Morales took a 1-1 changeup from Rays pitcher Dylan Floro for a called second strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and at the knees (px -.951, pz 1.624 [sz_bot 1.5]), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 3-2. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This ejection was not officially reported during Tuesday's game when it occurred, but Torres filed a report following the event, including an allegation that Morales returned to field after his ejection. For this, MLB issued Morales a one-game suspension for returning to the field.

This is Carlos Torres (37)'s third ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Carlos Torres now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (6 Prev + 3 AAA - 1 Penalty - 4 QOCN = 4).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has -2 points in Crew Division (-2 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = -2).

This is the 121st ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 57th player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Morales was 0-4 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is Kansas City's 5th ejection of 2016, T-2nd in the AL Central (CWS 6; DET, KC, MIN 5; CLE 1).
This is Kendrys Morales' first career MLB ejection.
This is Carlos Torres' first ejection since June 26, 2016 (Scott Servais; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 8/2/16 | Video of pitch available in Comments.

Unofficial Ejection - Bob Davidson Requests Fan Removal

HP Umpire Bob Davidson requested ejection of a Phillies fan for inappropriate conduct in the top of the 6th inning of the Giants-Phillies game. With one out and one on, Giants batter Denard Span took a 0-1 fastball from Phillies pitcher Luis Garcia for a called first strike. Prior to the next pitch of the at-bat, Davidson called "Time" and walked over to the Giants' third base dugout, pointed out a spectator to be removed sitting in the section behind the dugout, and returned to home plate as security removed the offender. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and belt high (px .635, pz 3.081 [sz_top 3.290]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Phillies were leading, 7-6. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 13-8.

This is the first umpire-initiated ejection of a fan during play since Tim Welke's ejection of a Bryce Harper heckler on September 16, 2014. Prior to this, Davidson ejected a fan in 2010 for allegedly aiming a homophobic slur at Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina.

After the game, Davidson provided this statement: "This guy starts yelling, 'You suck!' You could tell he was [drunk]. And so, all right, 'suck' is not bad. Then he kept it up for two hitters completely. Then the third hitter after the first pitch, he says, 'I own property on 69th street. You could come over and suck!' That's when I turned around and said, 'You know what, get rid of this guy.'...People cheered me, which is unusual in this town for me."

The question of umpire authority to have the fan removed is answered by OBR Rule 8.01(b): "Each umpire is the representative of the league and of professional baseball, and is authorized and required to enforce all of these rules. Each umpire has authority to order a player, coach, manager or club officer or employee to do or refrain from doing anything which affects the administering of these rules, and to enforce the prescribed penalties." Thus, when Davidson ordered security (e.g., game management/the club employee) to remove the fan, Davidson himself was employing Rule 8.01(b). The key is that Davidson went through a team employee to have the fan removed, rather than directly ejecting the culprit himself ("I turned around and had the guy get rid of him" -Davidson).

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 8/2/16 | Video available via "Read more"

UEFL's MLB Umpire Sabermetrics Update - July 2016

MLB Umpire Sabermetrics are now available for all games played through the end of July, featuring 120 ejections and 966 Replay Reviews through 1,558 games played.

We presently expect 187 ejections this season, and 1,507 Replay Reviews. As previously noted, ejections dropped off after the Joe Torre memo, but so too did Replay Reviews, which, on July 27, made MLB history when the seasonal number of overturned calls outnumbered those upheld by instant replay for the first time since not only expanded replay was introduced in 2014, but since limited replay was introduced in 2008, as well.

Summary, Ejections.
>> 120 Total Regular Season Ejections through July 31, 2016 (on pace for 187 ejections this season).
>> Umpires were 67.1% accurate on calls associated with ejection.
>> The Blue Jays were ejected more often than any other team (a trend which continues in July).
>> Manager John Gibbons of the Toronto Blue Jays continued to lead all managers in ejections.
>> Player Yunel Escobar of the LA Angels led all players in ejections.
>> Umpire Dale Scott led all umpires in ejections.
>> Chief Dale Scott's crew led all umpire crews in ejections.
>> Most ejections occurred in the 8th inning; Ejections from 7th and on comprised 46% of all tosses.
>> Most ejections occurred on Sundays. Weekend series (Fri-Sun) featured 54% of all heave-ho's.
>> The most common reason for ejection was Balls/Strikes, followed by Throwing At.
>> All else equal, a team tied at the time of ejection ended up winning the game 90.5% of the time.

Summary, Replay Reviews.
>> 966 Total Replay Reviews, of which calls were affirmed 49.6% of the time (50.4% overturned).
>> The Colorado Rockies used replay more than any other team, and beat the league average.
>> The Kansas City Royals were the League's most successful teams in review.
>> The Oakland Athletics experienced fewer reviews than any other team.
>> Umpire Mark Carlson had 19 calls reviewed, more than any other umpire.
>> Jeff Nelson's crew led all of baseball in replay activity, and performed at about the league average.
>> Umpire Scott Barry led the league in accuracy with all of his calls affirmed by replay.
>> Umpire Dan Iassogna experienced the highest rate of his calls being overturned by replay.
>> The 7th inning had more reviews than any other inning. 42% of all reviews occurred from 7th-on.
>> Most reviews occurred on Sundays; Calls were most often overturned in daytime conditions.
>> The most common reason for review was Out/Safe, followed by Pulled Foot and HBP/No HBP.

For detailed sabermetric analysis of MLB umpire ejections and instant replay review outcomes, follow the "read more" link below.

Tmac's Teachable Moments - Pitched Ball Hits Bat or Wrist

A pitched ball hitting the bat vs. the batter's wrist is today's Tmac Teachable Moment.

Lately, I've discussed plays that benefit umpires working three-man, so today to kick off August, let's take a look at a play that can benefit any home plate umpire.  The play you are about to view has several layers to it, but can be umpired well, or lead to problems.

Joyce lets the play finish, then calls "Time."

It's the ninth inning and Jim Joyce has the dreaded ball hitting wrist, which believe it or not sounds a little like ball hitting bat.  Notice that our plate umpire delays his call—and attempts to get a read on the batter. In this case the batter is lying face-down and writhing in pain, so Joyce takes the educated guess that Ryan Zimmerman has been hit.  The call will later be confirmed by replay.  Zimmerman is hit at the :03 second mark of the video (see below).  Notice JJ's call doesn't come until the :06 second mark in which he puts his hands in the air and then awards first base.

Ball hitting bone can sound like it hit the bat.

There are some schools of though that you put your hands up and don't verbalize foul or HBP and then make your determination.  That may be a little more seamless but the important factor for us to realize is, "it's NOTHING until you call it."  You can really get into the soup if you quick call this in an attempt to sell it.  What makes this play especially more difficult is the sound on ball on wrist.  Once all is deciphered, Zimmerman is correctly awarded first base.  Let's change the play for a second.  One of the things I like to do on this play is look into the eyes of out batter when we are trying to decipher foul vs HBP.

"Ooh, my arm. It's broken."

It is nearly impossible to be fooled when reading a person's eyes—few players are quick enough to deceive in real time. The deception is more like Rodney Dangerfield's in Caddyshack. You can get a feel for whether the player is hit or he fakes it a few seconds later. In most cases the player will show you with disappointment as he knows it has hit the bat.  This needs to be instinctual as if you delay reading the batter you may be susceptible to get fooled by a clever hitter.

Here's what happens if you get the play wrong.....

Molina's reaction says he was not hit.

We have a ball that clearly hits the bat and a batter that stays at the plate.  Don't we feel silly giving him 1st!!  We've all done it and that's how we get better!!  Here the award is too quick, but the luxury of replay allows the play to be corrected.

[Sometimes, it is very difficult to tell whether the ball has hit the bat or the player, as evidenced by this Derek Jeter act in Tampa Bay from 2010, that resulted in Joe Maddon's ejection for arguing the HBP call.]

So what can we take away from this play... Always have good timing.  Slow down and read the batter, as he's going to tell you what's happened.

Los Angeles Lodged Ball Leads to Base Award, Run

Arizona scored in Los Angeles when a pitched ball lodged in catcher Yasmani Grandal's gear, prompting HP Umpire Todd Tichenor to call "Time" and award one base to each of two Diamondbacks baserunners, including R3 Jake Lamb's award of home plate and Arizona's second run of the game.

Tichenor applies the lodged base award.

With two out and runners at the corners, Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling threw a ball into the dirt at home plate, which bounced past batter Chris Owings into catcher Grandal's facemask before deflecting and lodging into the area between Grandal's chest protector and uniform shirt.

Rule 5.06(c)(7) states that the ball becomes dead when—"A pitched ball lodges in the umpire’s or catcher’s mask or paraphernalia, and remains out of play, runners advance one base."

Accordingly, Tichenor, upon realizing that the pitched ball was stuck in Grandal's gear, called "Time" and imposed the base awards: R1 to second base and R3 to home plate.

The only question—as replays indicate that immediately after or as Tichenor's moved to call "Time," the lodged ball fell out of Grandal's gear (thanks to Grandal's own movements in attempting to free the ball—is whether, because the ball subsequently fell back onto the ground, the "and remains out of play" criterion of OBR 5.06(c)(7) was satisfied.

Tichenor called "Time" as the ball came free.

The importance of this requirement is further elucidated by Rule 5.06(b)(4)(I), which pertains solely to the umpire and batter-runner: "One base, if the batter becomes a runner on Ball Four or Strike Three, when the pitch passes the catcher and lodges in the umpire’s mask or paraphernalia."

Thus, when it concerns the umpire, all ambiguity is removed and the play is dead immediately and regardless of whether the ball "remains out of play." This takes any possible discretion away from the umpire in whether his subsequent movement has caused the ball to "dislodge," and removes any potential bias that may be levied at an umpire. It doesn't matter what the umpire does afterward, for the ball is dead immediately upon the ball becoming lodged.

Not so with the catcher, which begs the question, did the ball "remain out of play" with Grandal? The answer to this question is yes. As soon as Tichenor notices the ball legally fell out of play and did not timely become loose, he instinctively moved to kill the play by announcing, "Time." Because Tichenor called for "Time" immediately before (or, to give the benefit of the doubt, simultaneously when) the ball came free and dropped back onto the playing field, the play was already dead.

Because the play was, at this point, dead, the umpire is to consider why the play became dead using  the information gleaned prior to the play becoming dead (and, thus, his reason for calling the play dead). That information suggested the ball indeed lodged in the catcher's paraphernalia and, yes, remained out of play, which effectively validates Tichenor's call as correct.

Video available via "Read more"

MLB Ejection 120 - Gabe Morales (2; John Farrell)

HP Umpire Gabe Morales ejected Red Sox Manager John Farrell for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 5th inning of the Red Sox-Angels game. With one out and two on (R1, R2), Red Sox batter Dustin Pedroia took a 2-2 curveball from Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and at the midpoint (px .277, pz 3.442 [sz_top 3.38 / MOE 3.463]) and that all other pitches during the at-bat had been properly officiated, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Gabe Morales (47)'s second ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Gabe Morales now has 3 points in the UEFL Standings (-2 Prev + 3 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 3).
Crew Chief Joe West now has 13 points in Crew Division (12 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 13).

This is the 120th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 51st Manager ejection of 2016.
This is Boston's 5th ejection of 2016, 2nd in the AL East (TOR 14; BOS 5; BAL 3; TB 2; NYY 1).
This is John Farrell's 2nd ejection of 2016, 1st since May 17 (Bill Miller; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Gabe Morales' 1st ejection since June 19, 2016 (Cameron Maybin; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Angels vs. Boston Red Sox, 7/31/16 | Video available via "Read more"