MLB Ejection 156 - Mike Winters (4; Mike Scioscia)

HP Umpire Mike Winters ejected Angels Manager Mike Scioscia for arguing a strike two call in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Rangers-Angels game. With one out and one on, Angels batter Mike Trout took a 0-1 fastball from Rangers pitcher Sam Dyson for a called second strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and belt high (px 1.408, pz 2.938), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Rangers were leading, 8-5. The Rangers ultimately won the contest, 8-5.

This is Mike Winters (33)'s fourth ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Mike Winters now has 13 points in UEFL Standings (15 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 13).
Crew Chief Mike Winters now has 11 points in Crew Division (11 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 11).

This is the 156th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 62nd Manager ejection of 2016.
This is Anaheim's 6th ejection of 2016, 2nd in the AL West (HOU 7; LAA 6; OAK 5; TEX 4; SEA 2).
This is Mike Scioscia's first ejection since September 8, 2015 (Tripp Gibson; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).
This is Mike Winters' first ejection since August 27, 2016 (Bryce Harper; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 9/10/16 | Video available via "read more."

MLB Ejection 155 - Carlos Torres (4; Hernan Perez)

HP Umpire Carlos Torres ejected Brewers 1B Hernan Perez for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 8th inning of the Brewers-Cardinals game. With two out and the bases loaded, Perez took a 2-2 sinker from Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh high (px 1.119, pz 2.451), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Brewers were leading, 1-0. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 5-1.

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

This is the 155th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 72nd player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Perez was 1-4 (SO) in the contest.
This is Milwaukee's 3rd ejection of 2016, T-3rd in the NL Central (PIT 12; CIN 6; CHC, MIL 3; STL 1).
This is Hernan Perez's first career MLB ejection.
This is Carlos Torres' first ejection since August 2, 2016 (Kendrys Morales; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 9/10/16 | Video available via "Read more"

MLB Ejection 154 - Dale Scott (7; Welington Castillo)

HP Umpire Dale Scott ejected Diamondbacks C Welington Castillo for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 12th inning of the Giants-Diamondbacks game. With one out and two on, Castillo took a 3-2 sinker from Giants pitcher Cory Gearrin for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and knee high (px .796, pz 1.794 [sz_bot 1.43]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Giants were leading, 7-6. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 7-6, in 12 innings.

This is Dale Scott (5)'s seventh ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Dale Scott now has 8 points in UEFL Standings (4 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 8).
Crew Chief Dale Scott now has -6 points in Crew Division (-7 Previous + 1 Correct Call = -6).

This is the 154th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 71st player ejection of 2016. Prior to ejection, Castillo was 0-6 (3 SO) in the contest.
This is Arizona's 6th ejection of 2016, 1st in the NL West (ARI 6; COL 5; LAD, SF 4; SD 3).
This is Welington Castillo's first career MLB ejection.
This is Dale Scott's first ejection since May 21, 2016 (Yunel Escobar; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 9/9/16 | Video available via "Read more"

Injury - Brian Knight Leaves After Double HBP

Umpire Brian Knight took a chin-shot on a ball that first hit Marlins batter Ichiro Suzuki, resulting in Knight's injury-prompted removal from Friday's Dodgers-Marlins contest.

With two out in the bottom of the 5th inning, Dodgers pitcher Josh Fields threw a 95-mph fastball that first hit Miami's Suzuki's right shoulder before deflecting into the lower right portion of Knight's traditional-style facemask.

Knight was replaced for the remainder of the contest behind the plate by 2B Umpire and Crew Chief Bill Miller with Tony Randazzo and Tom Woodring holding their positions at first and third base, respectively.

Knight previously left a game due to a head injury on April 18, 2015, when Nationals pitcher Blake Treinen threw a fastball into Knight's mask when catcher Jose Lobaton failed to catch the pitch.

MLB Ejection 153 - Jim Joyce (1; AJ Hinch)

HP Umpire Jim Joyce ejected Astros Manager AJ Hinch for arguing a ball (foul no-call) and wild-pitch call in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the Astros-Indians game. With two out and the bases loaded, Indians batter Lonnie Chisenhall attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 curveball from Indians pitcher David Paulino, resulting in a wild pitch and two runs scoring. Replays indicate the pitch appeared to make contact with Chisenhall's bat; the play is not reviewable, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Indians were leading, 4-1. The Indians ultimately won the contest, 10-7.

This is Jim Joyce (66)'s first ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Jim Joyce now has -7 points in UEFL Standings (-5 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = -7).
Crew Chief Jim Joyce now has -7 points in Crew Division (-7 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = -7).

This is the 153rd ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 61st Manager ejection of 2016.
This is Houston's 7th ejection of 2016, 1st in the AL West (HOU 7; LAA, OAK 5; TEX 4; SEA 2).
This is AJ Hinch's 3rd ejection of 2016, 1st since July 3 (Ryan Blakney; QOC = U [Warnings]).
This is Jim Joyce's first ejection since May 21, 2015 (Will Smith; QOC = U [Ilegal Substance]).

Wrap: Houston Astros vs. Cleveland Indians, 9/8/16 | Video available via "Read more"

MiLB 2016 Postseason Umpire Roster - PCL & IL Playoffs

The following umpires will officiate the 2016 MiLB postseason, including the Pacific Coast League and International League semi-finals, League championships, and AAA championship, according to a source. The following umpire crews are listed in their Game 1 alignment.

ROUND 1 - IL and PCL Conference Championship Series
International League Semifinal 1 (IL-S1/GWN vs COL)
HP: Derrick Mollica* -cc
1B: Jonathan Bailey
2B: Joe Born*
3B: Roberto Ortiz

International League Semifinal 2 (IL-S2/SWB vs LVH)
HP: Ben May#^ -cc
1B: Joey Amaral*
2B: Max Guyll*
3B: Jeremy Riggs

Pacific Coast League Semifinal 1 - American Conference (PCL-1/NSH vs OKC)
HP: Anthony "AJ" Johnson*^ -cc
1B: Nick Mahrley*
2B: Alberto Ruiz*
3B: Travis Eggert

Pacific Coast League Semifinal 2 - Pacific Conference (PCL-2/TAC vs ELP)
HP: Alex Ortiz* -cc
1B: Chris Gonzalez*
2B: Brett Terry
3B: Thomas Newsom*

ROUND 2 - IL and PCL League Championship Series
International League Championship (IL/GWN or COL vs SWB or LVH)
HP: Ben May #^ -cc
1B: Joe Born*
2B: Derrick Mollica*
3B: Max Guyll*

Pacific Coast League Championship (PCL/NSH or OKC vs TAC or ELP)
HP: Alex Ortiz* -cc
1B: Anthony "AJ" Johnson*^
2B: Nick Mahrley*
3B: Thomas Newsom*

ROUND 3 - Triple-A Championship Series/Game (IL Champion vs PCL Champion)
HP: Alex Ortiz* -cc [Representing the Pacific Coast League].
1B: Ben May#^ [Representing the International League].
2B: Nick Mahrley* [Representing the Pacific Coast League].
3B: Derrick Mollica* [Representing the International League].

-cc denotes playoffs crew chief, * denotes regular season crew chief in Triple-A, # denotes AAA rover, ^ denotes MLB fill-in umpire.

Case Play 2016-10 - Watch Your Step [Solved]

Tagging out a runner can be hazardous when glove and foot collide. Watch Your Step is our 10th Case Play of the 2016 season and concerns a Replay Review decision flagged for discussion by tmac.

Wainwright's glove is possessed...by the ball.

The Play: With one out and one on (R1), Mets batter James Loney hit a first-pitch fastball from Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright to shallow left field, where it was scooped up on a bounce (or few) by left fielder Brandon Moss, who threw to third base as baserunner R1 Cespedes tried to advance, pitcher Wainwright covering for his third baseman. Replays indicate that after Wainwright received the throw and staged his glove to apply the tag ahead of Cespedes' arrival, ensuing contact resulted in Wainwright's glove becoming detached from his hand as Cespedes appeared to step on Wainwright's gloved hand during the course of his pop-up slide (wherein the baserunner essentially kicks off of the base in order to "pop-up" or get back to a standing position). Ruled "safe" by HP Umpire Marty Foster (who Mets broadcaster Ron Darling nearly-obsessively criticized for not getting "in proper position to make the call," and then for calling it "late"), the call was confirmed following a Replay Review and Manager's Challenge by Cards skipper Mike Matheny.

Question: Given the aforementioned play, what is the proper call for each of the following scenarios?
(A) As occurred, is Foster's (and the Replay Official)'s call correct?
(B) B1 Loney runs to second base as the glove comes off.
(C) All else equal, the third baseman standing next to the play throws his own glove off and puts his hand inside Wainwright's glove, so as to securely hold it, as Cespedes remains standing with his foot in contact with the ball-possessing glove (e.g., Cespedes is not touching the base).
(D) All else equal to [C], except the third baseman retains his glove and simply grabs Wainwright's glove from under Cespedes using his free hand. When he pulls the glove up, it is apparent that the baseball is securely lodged within the closed glove.

Answer: (A) Foster's ruling is correct. The runner is safe. The fielder is not considered as "holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove" if he is not wearing his glove, in a similar vein as dropping the ball immediately following his touching a runner.
(B) The play is live—there is no interference on the runner's part—and B1's advance will stand.
(C) & (D) The definition of "tag" simply requires that the ball be held securely and firmly in hand or glove. If the fielder demonstrates secure and firm possession of the ball (or of the glove, which in turn, securely holds the ball) and tags the runner off his base, the runner is out.

In regards to the lodged ball in glove issue, we had a question on whether this (that the ball remains live and in play) is true for all codes. The answer is NO. This is a rule exclusive to NCAA (college) and professional ball, allowing fielders to play a glove with a ball stuck in it. Under NFHS (high school/FED), the ball is immediately dead and the award is one base from time-of-dead-ball.

Official Baseball Rules Library
OBR 5.09(b)(4): "Any runner is out when—He is tagged, when the ball is alive, while off his base."
Definition of Terms (Tag): "A TAG is the action of a fielder in touching a base with his body while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove; or touching a runner with the ball, or with his hand or glove holding the ball (not including hanging laces alone), while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove. It is not a tag, however, if simultaneously or immediately following his touching a base or touching a runner, the fielder drops the ball. In establishing the validity of the tag, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove that he has complete control of the ball. If the fielder has made a tag and drops the ball while in the act of making a throw following the tag, the tag shall be adjudged to have been made."

Video available via "Read more"

MLB Ejection 152 - Joe West (4; Terry Francona)

HP Umpire Joe West ejected Indians Manager Terry Francona for arguing a check swing (strike three) call by 3B Umpire Mark Ripperger in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Marlins-Indians game. With none out and two on (R1, R2), Indians batter Jason Kipnis attempted to check his swing on a 0-2 changeup from Marlins pitcher Fernando Rodney. Ruling was reviewed and affirmed by the UEFL Appeals Board (8-0-1), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Marlins were leading, 5-3. The Indians ultimately won the contest, 6-5.

This is Joe West (22)'s fourth ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Joe West now has 8 points in UEFL Standings (5 Previous + 2 MLB + 1 Correct Call-Crewmate = 8).
Crew Chief Joe West now has 7 points in Crew Division (6 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 7).

This is the 152nd ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 60th Manager ejection of 2016.
This is Cleveland's 6th ejection of 2016, T-3rd in the AL Central (DET 10; CWS 7; CLE, MIN 6; KC 5).
This is Terry Francona's 3rd ejection of 2016, 1st since August 3 (Fieldin Culbreth; QOC = N [Replay]).
This is Joe West's first ejection since July 26, 2016 (Angel Pagan; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs. Cleveland Indians, 9/4/16 | Video available via "Read more"

MLB Ejection 151 - Brian Gorman (3; Craig Counsell)

2B Umpire Brian Gorman ejected Brewers Manager Craig Counsell for arguing an obstruction (Type A/1) call by 1B Umpire Mark Carlson in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the Brewers-Pirates game. With two out and one on, Brewers batter Hernan Perez hit a 2-1 fastball on the ground to Pirates third baseman Adam Frazier, who threw to first baseman John Jaso as Perez ran to first base, ruled obstruction (Type A/1) by 1B Umpire Carlson. Replays indicate that Jaso jumped in an attempt to catch Frazier's high throw, and that after the attempt proved unsuccessful, but while still airborne, Frazier collided with Perez, who himself was attempting to achieve first base, the call was correct (see footnote for the relevant rule).* At the time of the ejection, the Brewers were leading, 1-0. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 10-0.

This is Brian Gorman (9)'s third ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Brian Gorman now has 9 points in UEFL Standings (6 Previous + 2 MLB + 1 Correct-Crewmate = 9).
Crew Chief Brian Gorman now has 10 points in Crew Division (9 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 10).

*Rule 6.01(h)(1) [formerly 7.06(a)] pertains to this form of obstruction (underlining is mine): "If a play is being made on the obstructed runner, or if the batter-runner is obstructed before he touches first base, the ball is dead and all runners shall advance, without liability to be put out, to the bases they would have reached, in the umpire’s judgment, if there had been no obstruction."
*In addition to OBR, the MLB Umpire Manual divides batter-runner obstruction before first base into three cases: (1) BR is obstructed on a ground ball to an infielder, (2) BR is obstructed on a pop-up or line drive to an infielder, (3) BR is obstructed on any hit to the outfield. The present play is an example of Case (1): "'Time' is called immediately and batter-runner is awarded first base." Regarding an overthrow, prior to 1B, this falls under "umpire's judgment."

*Because the obstruction occurred while the ball was in flight, the crew is advised to consider the result (e.g., the final resting place) of the wild throw. For instance, if the throw were to have gone into the dugout or other dead ball territory, the two-base penalty (from time of pitch) would be applied (BR to second, R1 to third). Because the ball stayed on the playing field, the proper call is, as illustrated by the aforementioned MLBUM play, an immediate dead ball, with awards, pursuant to OBR 6.01(h)(1), "the bases they would have reached, in the umpire's judgment, if there had been no obstruction." Naturally, the ball became dead as R1 Arcia stood several feet past second base; because the ball became dead immediately at the instance of obstruction, Arcia's actions in rounding third base—an act which occurred notably after the ball became dead—are largely irrelevant in determining what base he would have reached absent the obstruction. In a similar vein, B1 Perez's action in running to, and getting "thrown out" at, second base are also irrelevant as the sequence occurred significantly after the ball first became dead. When the ball is dead, no bases may be run and no runs may be scored unless as the result of an award or penalty as prescribed by rule (e.g., a four-base award for a home run, etc.). In this play, the ball was dead long before R1 Arcia ran home and B1 Perez ran to second.

This is the 151st ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 59th Manager ejection of 2016.
This is Milwaukee's 2nd ejection of 2016, 4th in the NL Central (PIT 12; CIN 6; CHC 3; MIL 2; STL 1).
This is Craig Counsell's 2nd ejection of 2016, 1st since August 12 (Bill Miller; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Brian Gorman's first ejection since April 22, 2016 (Don Mattingly; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 9/4/16 | Video available via "Read more"

MLB Ejection 150 - Pat Hoberg (4; John Gibbons)

HP Umpire Pat Hoberg ejected Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 4th inning of the Blue Jays-Rays game. With one out and none on, Blue Jays batter Russell Martin took a 2-2 slider from Rays pitcher Chris Archer for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and midpoint high (px .074, pz 3.461 [sz_top 3.450 / MOE 3.533]), and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 3-1. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Pat Hoberg (31)'s fourth ejection of the 2016 MLB regular season.
Pat Hoberg now has 17 points in UEFL Standings (12 Previous + 3 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 17).
Crew Chief Jeff Kellogg now has 7 points in Crew Division (6 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 7).

This is the 150th ejection report of the 2016 regular season.
This is the 58th Manager ejection of 2016.
This is Toronto's 15th ejection of 2016, 1st in MLB & AL East (TOR 15; BOS 6; BAL 3; NYY, TB 2).
This is John Gibbons' MLB-leading 7th ejection of 2016, 1st since July 1 (Vic Carapazza; QOC = Y [K3]).
This is Pat Hoberg's first ejection since August 10, 2016 (Don Cooper; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 9/4/16 | Video available via "Read more"