MLB Ejection 180 - Gerry Davis (3; Miguel Diaz)

HP Umpire Gerry Davis ejected Padres pitcher Miguel Diaz (throwing at Rockies batter DJ LeMahieu; QOCU) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Padres-Rockies game. With one out and none on, Diaz gave up two singles and a three-run home run to Charlie Blackmon before throwing two fastballs inside to ensuing batter LeMahieu, resulting in a bench-clearing incident after the second hit him. Replays indicate the HBP struck LeMahieu on the left arm, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Rockies were leading, 10-0. The Rockies ultimately won the contest, 16-0.

This is Gerry Davis (12)'s third ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Gerry Davis now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 4).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has 5 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 5).

This is the 180th ejection report of 2017.
This is the 81st player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Diaz's line was 0.1 IP, 3 ER, HR.
This is San Diego's 4th ejection of 2017, T-4th in the NL West (LAD 8; ARI, COL 5; SD, SF 4).
This is Miguel Diaz's first career MLB ejection.
This is Gerry Davis' 3rd ejection of 2017, 1st since July 26 (Adrian Beltre; QOC = U [USC-NEC]).

Wrap: San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies, 9/16/17 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 179 - Jeff Nelson (2; Logan Morrison)

HP Umpire Jeff Nelson ejected Rays bench player Logan Morrison (ball three call; QOCN) in the top of the 6th inning of the Red Sox-Rays game. With one out and one on (R1), Rays pitcher Alex Cobb was called for a balk before Red Sox batter Rookie Betts took a 2-2 fastball from Cobb for a called third ball, singling into left field on the ensuing pitch. Replays indicate Cobb failed to step toward first base during his pickoff attempt, while the 2-2 pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px .497, pz 1.802 [sz_bot 1.487 / MOE 1.570]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Red Sox were leading, 1-0. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 3-1.

This is Jeff Nelson (45)'s second ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Jeff Nelson now has -6 points in the UEFL Standings (-4 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = -6).
Crew Chief Jeff Nelson now has 4 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 4).
*Rule 6.02(a): "If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when...(3)  The pitcher, while touching his plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base."
*Rule 6.02(a)(3) Comment: "If a pitcher turns or spins off of his free foot without actually stepping or if he turns his body and throws before stepping, it is a balk."
*This pitch was located 2.784 vertical and 3.012 horizontal inches from being deemed a correct call.

This is the 179th ejection report of 2017.
This is the 80th player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Morrison did not appear in the game.
This is Tampa Bay's 7th ejection of 2017, 3rd in the AL East (NYY 11; TOR 10; TB 7; BOS 5; BAL 4).
This is Logan Morrison's first career MLB ejection, 1st since March 18, 2014 (Jeff Morrow [Spring Training]).
This is Jeff Nelson's 2nd ejection of 2017, 1st since September 12 (Jeff Banister; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 9/16/17 | Video as follows:

Mike Rains Wins 2017 Doug Harvey Award (Cal League)

California League umpire Mike Rains is the 2017 Doug Harvey Award winner for Cal Lg Umpire of the Year.

The award, given annually since 2010, honors the top umpire of the Single-A California League, which is the only league in Minor League Baseball to honor an umpire with a postseason award.

Cal League President Blaney with Ump Rains

Year	Umpire Name
2017	Mike Rains
2016	Patrick Sharshel
2015	Reid Gibbs
2014	Sean Allen
2013	Ronnie Teague
2012	Chris Gonzalez
2011	Ryan Goodman
2010	Blake Davis

In a ceremony held Thursday in Lancaster, CA before the first game of the California League Championship Series, Cal League President Charlie Blaney presented Rains with the Doug Harvey Award plaque, stating, "Mike is a tremendous worker and is a top prospect. We've been very honored to have him in our League this year. The Cal League sincerely thanks Doug Harvey for lending his name once again to this prestigious award."

The California League award for Umpire of the Year is voted on by the league's managers.

Earlier this season, the League inducted Harvey into its Hall of Fame following his induction into Cooperstown, furthermore opting to name its top umpire award after him. Harvey was born in South Gate, CA, in 1930, officiated in the California League from 1958 through 1960, Pacific Coast League in 1961, and the National League from 1962 through 1992.

Video as follows:

Alternate Link: California League President Charlie Blaney names Mike Rains the Umpire of the Year

MLB Ejection 178 - Ryan Additon (1; Don Mattingly)

HP Umpire Ryan Additon ejected Marlins Manager Don Mattingly (substitution/batting out of order appeal denial; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the Brewers-Marlins game. With one out, Brewers batter Manny Piña, batting seventh, singled to center, before Mattingly appealed to Additon that the Brewers had batted out of turn. Additon's official scorecard, however, placed Piña in the seventh spot, meaning the Brewers had properly batted in order. After batter Brett Phillips, batting eighth, flew out to center fielder Christian Yelich for the inning's second out, Brewers Manager Craig Counsell substituted pinch hitter Jett Bandy to replace pitcher Jared Hughes, batting ninth. After Bandy walked, batter Eric Sugar, batting first, stepped to the plate. Additon thus denied Mattingly's batting out of turn appeal, ruling that the Brewers had batted in the proper order by having Piña hit seventh and Bandy (for Hughes) hit ninth. Replays indicate that the Brewers properly batted their seventh-eighth-ninth positions in their proper order, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Brewers were leading, 10-2. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 10-2.

This is Ryan Additon (67)'s first ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Ryan Additon now has 2 points in the UEFL Standings (-3 Prev + 3 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 2).
Crew Chief Bill Miller now has 9 points in Crew Division (8 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 9).
*The Miller Park scoreboard displayed an incorrect double-switch substitution (seven-for-nine, and nine-for-seven) when Counsell had entered a straight switch (seven-for-seven, and nine-for-nine). Mattingly referred to the erroneous scoreboard posting in his appeal and argued that Additon's card failed to reflect the official batting order, which Mattingly incorrectly believed was displayed on the scoreboard prior to the start of the inning (the above graphic is a glimpse of the corrected scoreboard after Piña had already come to bat).
*Rule 6.03(b), Batting Out of Turn, states, "(1) A batter shall be called out, on appeal, when he fails to bat in his proper turn, and another batter completes a time at bat in his place." Mattingly's timing of the appeal was proper; Piña just didn't bat out of turn.

This is the 178th ejection report of 2017.
This is the 84th Manager ejection of 2017.
This is Miami's 7th ejection of 2017, 1st in the NL East (MIA 7; WAS 5; ATL 4; NYM 3; PHI 2).
This is Don Mattingly's 5th ejection of 2017, 1st since May 19 (Carlos Torres; QOC = U [Fighting]).
This is Ryan Additon's first career MLB ejection.

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Miami Marlins (at Miller Park), 9/15/17 | Video as follows:

MLB, Joe Torre Rule Tigers' Pitch to Wolcott Unintentional

MLB Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre concluded the Detroit Tigers did not intend to hit umpire Quinn Wolcott with a pitch on Wednesday two batters after Wolcott ejected Tigers catcher James McCann and Manager Brad Ausmus. Yet, that isn't the point.
Related Post: MLB Ejections 172-173 - Quinn Wolcott (McCann, Ausmus) (9/13/17).

Joe Torre concluded "no wrongdoing" in Detroit.

As we discussed Thursday, Buck Farmer's fastball that ended up striking Quinn Wolcott in the upper body after catcher John Hicks failed to catch it may not have met the intentional standard on all accounts, but the various reactions to the injurious event in the aftermath of Wolcott falling to the ground indicates a distinct lack of concern or compassion for the umpire's wellbeing from Detroit.

In particular, catcher Hicks' comments on Thursday regarding his actions on Wednesday are unsubstantiated by video evidence and this incongruence of material truth from Hicks—and from his manager, Brad Ausmus—suggests, at best, simple antipathy and sin of omission; at medium, schadenfreude; or, at worst, an intent to allow the ball to hit the umpire.
Related Post: Did Detroit Throw at Umpire Wolcott? A Visual Analysis (9/14/17).

Regardless, AP's characterization that Torre found "no wrongdoing" adds yet another log to the burning pyre of interaction between the Commissioner's Office and World Umpires Association. The AP reported that Wolcott asked during the game, "they didn't do it on purpose, did they?"
Related Post: WUA-MLB Relations Deteriorate with New Umpire Protest (8/19/17).

Bluntly, it is wrong for a catcher or an umpire to fail to demonstrate some degree of care for the other when an injury befalls one of the two. Hicks' conduct in walking toward his pitcher without breaking stride, purposefully, after the ball became dead and after he saw Wolcott lying on the ground is wrong; he did it, and thus, he did wrong. His attempt to justify it on Thursday was wrong. Failure to recognize the catcher's post-play actions is tantamount to condoning the action in a "what you permit, you promote" fashion.

This likely will not bode well for mediating WUA's laundry list of grievances that has already resulted in one public protest against the Commissioner's Office.

That's Gil's Call, anyway.

MLB Ejections 176-177 - Jordan Baker (Lackey, Contreras)

HP Umpire Jordan Baker ejected Cubs pitcher John Lackey and catcher Willson Contreras (ball three call; QOCN) in the top of the 5th inning of the Cardinals-Cubs game. With two out and two on (R1, R2), Cardinals batter Carlos Martinez took a 2-2 cutter from Lackey for a called third ball before singling into center field on the ensuing pitch. Replays indicate the 2-2 pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and thigh-high (px .216, pz 2.107 [sz_bot 1.535 / MOE 1.618, sz_top 3.371 / MOE 3.288]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejections, the Cardinals were leading, 2-1. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 8-2.

This is Jordan Baker (71)'s fifth, sixth ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Jordan Baker now has 11 points in the UEFL Standings (15 Prev + 2*[2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call] = 11).
Crew Chief Bill Welke now has 0 points in Crew Division (0 Previous + 0 Incorrect Calls = 0).

*The pitch was located 5.868 vertical inches and 6.384 horizontal inches from being deemed a correct call.
*The pitch is represented by green circle #5 in the accompanying diagram.
^Contreras threw his mask, which bounced and struck Baker's leg. Brett Lawrie received a four-game suspension in 2012 for spiking his helmet into plate umpire Bill Miller after an ejection in Toronto.
Related Post: Ejections 033, 034: Bill Miller (1, 2) (5/12/12).

This is the 176th, 177th ejection report of 2017.
This is the 78th player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Lackey's line was 4.2 IP, 2 ER.
This is the 79th player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Contreras was 1-2 (SO) in the contest.
This is Chicago-NL's 4/5th ejection of 2017, 4th in the NL Central (CIN, MIL, PIT 6; CHC 5; STL 4).
This is John Lackey's first ejection since September 10, 2014 (Tom Hallion; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Willson Contreras' first career MLB ejection.
This is Jordan Baker's 5/6th ejection of 2017, 1st since Sept 4 (Darren Bush; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs, 9/15/17 | Video as follows:

Last Surviving Negro Leagues Umpire Bob Motley Dies

Less than a month after being honored in LA, the last surviving Negro Leagues Umpire, Bob Motley, has died. A legendary fixture in the national baseball and umpiring communities, Motley was 94.

Bob Motley and Don Newcombe, August 2017.

Motley served with the first-ever black Marine regiment, the Montfort Point Marines, in World War II and umpired in the Negro Leagues from 1947-1958, serving as a chief umpire.

He also officiated collegiate baseball, and was a crew chief in Omaha for the College World Series.

The first African American to attend and graduate from the Al Somers Umpire School, Motley advanced to professional baseball's Pacific Coast League (Triple-A) before an offer from the big leagues during a labor dispute with major league umpires turned Motley off to the idea of working Major League Baseball: succinctly, Motley was a man of principle and he refused to cross a picket line, even if it meant a shot at the big leagues.

Motley was instrumental in creating the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, and was a regular of the Royals family. The NBLM is located just six miles from Kauffman Stadium.

Knowing the Situation - Infield Flies and Time Plays

A crew that knows and communicates situations such as infield fly and time plays crisply stays a step ahead of the game and its fans. A momentary lapse in concentration or communication, however, can render confusion on the base paths. In order to make sure all umpires are on the same page, "each umpire team should work out a simple set of signals" (General Instructions to Umpires). This not only applies to correcting a manifestly wrong decision, but to communicating game situations. In general, specific signals are communicated amongst the crew prior to at-bats during which the following might occur, due to the number of outs or runners on base: 1) Infield Fly, 2) Time Play. Additional communication should take place between at-bats regarding: 1) Number of outs, 2) Rotations (e.g., which field umpire is going out on a fly ball, who is staying home, etc.), and 3) Shifting of responsibilities (e.g., base/plate umpires' responsibilities for an "infield in" situation). Warnings or problem players may also be communicated. Finally, umpires should have a signal to request a consultation amongst the crew.

Think of a rhyme: "Infield Fly, ASL 'Y'"

Infield Fly (most common MLB signal: Both hands are fists with the thumbs and pinky fingers extended outward, similar to the sign for "Y" in American Sign Language, rotated onto its side; also used is the finger-to-hat-brim signal [or fist-to-hat if zero are out]):
By now we know quite well that the infield fly rule contains three criteria: 1) First and second base occupied with less than two out; 2) Batter hits a fair fly ball which is not a line drive or bunt, that; 3) can be caught by any infielder with ordinary effort. We also know that "ordinary effort" is defined in the rulebook as "the effort that a fielder of average skill at a position in [MLB] should exhibit on a play, with due consideration given to the condition of the field and weather conditions."

Here's what a routine infield fly rule-turned-double play looks like when properly officiated:

Infield Fly is called well in advance of the drop.

With one out and two on, the batter hits a shallow fly ball to the second baseman. As the ball reaches its apex, the second base umpire rules infield fly by pointing skyward, a mechanic which is mirrored by the crew. The infielder allows the ball to fall untouched onto the ground in front of him, picks up the ball, and throws to the shortstop covering second base as both baserunners attempt to advance, apparently unaware of the infield fly rule's invocation. R1 advancing from first base is easily tagged and declared out for an inning-ending double play (R2 safe at third).
Related Post: Infield Fly Rule Knowledge Costs Giants as Reds Turn Two (7/4/13).

Here's another properly communicated play, this time in reference to an infield fly no-call situation:

A non-infield fly results in a double play.

With none out and runners at first and second, batter hits a high fly ball to shallow left field, where the shortstop attempts to make a play. Umpires determine that the shortstop cannot catch this ball with ordinary effort since winds were gusting above 30 miles-per-hour during the play. Thus, no infield fly call is made. After the ball falls untouched to the grass, shortstop throws to second baseman, who tags baserunner R2 before stepping on the second base bag. Knowing that his crewmate had not invoked the infield fly rule, the second base umpire properly calls both R2 (tag) and R1 (force play) out for a double play. The crew chief entertains the offensive team's argument, explains the call, and the game proceeds without incident.
Related Post: Orioles Turn Triple Play on Contested Infield Fly No-Call (5/3/17).

Here's an incorrectly communicated play where an umpire calls an improper force out on an infield fly:

U3 improperly calls R2 out on a non-force.

With one out and two on, batter hits a high fly ball in front of the pitcher's mound. The only umpire to make a call before the ball falls to the ground is the first base umpire. After the ball falls, baserunner R2 takes off for third base, which draws a throw from the first baseman. Before R2 arrives at third base, the fielder covering third catches the ball with his foot in contact with the base, as in a routine force play situation. The third base umpire then declares the runner out at third, apparently unaware that the infield fly had been called. To rectify the situation, the crew rules the batter out and awards R2 third base (as R2 had never been tagged while off his base).
See Attached Video

The sign for time (not "Time" as in time out).

Similarly, Time Plays begin before the pitcher even toes the rubber, with umpires employing another crew signal—often a touch of the wrist similar to the ASL sign for "time" or "watch"—so everyone is on the same page prior to what could very well end up as a time play.

A crew could even borrow a page from ASL by incorporating the number of outs into the time play signal: one finger on the wrist for one out, and two for two outs. Chances are a time play signal won't be necessary with zero outs. It matters not so much what the precise signal is, but rather that all officials are on the same page in regards to intra-crew communication.

An inning-ending double- & time-play in LA.

Naturally, it is also important to know what is and what isn't subject to timing considerations. We're obviously looking for whether a run scored or not before a third out non-force tag, but recall that appeal plays are not force outs, so appeals are also potential time plays. A time play can occur whenever: there are two outs and at least one runner on base; or there is one out and at least two runners on base. Though extremely unlikely, it is also technically possible to have a time play with zero outs and the bases loaded (e.g., batter hits an infield fly [first out], runners attempt to advance; R1 and R2 are both tagged off their bases [second and third outs] prior to R3 touching home plate).
Related Post: UEFL Series: Baseball Rules in the Real World (Fourth Out) (1/18/14).

Here is an example of a properly officiated time play:
With one out and runners at the corners, batter's fly ball to left field is caught for the second out as both runners tag. Lead runner R3 crosses home plate as trail runner R2 is tagged out going to second base. Plate umpire observes the play and signals the run has scored prior to the third out having been recorded.
Related Post: Tmac's Teachable Moments - The Time Play in LA (6/17/16).
Related Post: Not So Fast - Unique Time Play Plates Indians a Run (4/4/17).

Infield Fly play, Video as follows:

Did Detroit Throw at Umpire Wolcott? A Visual Analysis

Quinn Wolcott's ejection of two Tigers has led to speculation that Detroit threw at the umpire in retaliation. Did they? Or was Wednesday's occurrence a sequence of unfortunate coincidence? New comments from Detroit Manager Brad Ausmus and catcher John Hicks on Thursday prove factually inaccurate, incomplete, or otherwise call into question Wednesday's events, with Hicks' comments in particular appearing to be contradicted by video evidence.
Related Post: MLB Ejections 172-173 - Quinn Wolcott (McCann, Ausmus) (9/13/17).

Wolcott reacts to being hit by a fastball.

The Play: With two out in the bottom of the 3rd inning of Wednesday's Tigers-Indians game, Wolcott ejected Tigers Manager Brad Ausmus and catcher James McCann for arguing balls and strikes (QOCY). A batter later—after four more correctly officiated ball calls thrown to replacement catcher John Hicks behind the plate—Tigers pitcher Buck Farmer's first pitch to Yandy Diaz struck Wolcott on the upper collarbone/shoulder area. Was it intentional or an accident?

Background & History: Unfortunately, years of vitriolic attitudes towards umpires, such as "kill the umpire" and the like, have led to certain circumstances where players—sometimes with coach/manager involvement—have thrown at umpires in retaliation for what they have perceived as missed calls. This primarily has appeared at the sport's lower levels, such as recreational softball, travel baseball, and high school baseball.

Knox appears to premeditate an ump attack.

In June, we shared video of EvoShield Canes Texas coach Jeremy Knox allegedly instructing his players—including a pitcher and catcher—to "hit the * umpire in the * mask."
Related Post: Coach Filmed Allegedly Plotting Umpire Assault (6/2/17).

Farmer in High School: Buck Farmer was born in 1991; he was 17 years old—a high schooler himself—when news spread of Stephen County High School pitcher Cody Martin throwing at an umpire as catcher Matt Hill ducked out of the way during a Georgia high school playoff game. Farmer attended Rockdale County High School, which is located in Conyers, Georgia and less than 100 miles from Stephen County HS. Chances are pretty decent that Farmer had knowledge of the incident.

Analysis: This all takes us to Wednesday's game. We often hear about rules changes, attitude problems, and the like trickling down from the big leagues to the little leagues, but could the opposite be true as well?

Diagram of Timestamp :12: O'Nora sprints in.

Consider the game situation: Bottom 3rd, two outs, bases loaded, 0-0 count, 4-1 Cleveland lead. This would be a particularly poor time to throw a potentially wild pitch.

That said, batteries throughout baseball know that an umpire sets up in the slot (or whatever name a player chooses to give it).

What is particularly useful to consider is a player's immediate reaction after the moment of impact (zero-to-two seconds after), as well as the player's delayed reaction (two-to-five seconds afterward).

The most immediate reaction is known as a microexpression, applies to facial properties, and extends to body language in physical domains (such as sports). Microexpressions generally occur in high-stakes situations where the subject has an immediate emotional reaction to an event.

Farmer: Farmer's immediate reaction off the mound indicates he intended to throw the pitch to the location where the ball ended up—not that he necessarily intended to hit Wolcott—but that the pitch was not a mistake: the selection (fastball) was correct and the location (up and inside-edge) was correct. Farmer slightly raises his arms and shrugs shoulders as if imploring of Hicks, "what happened?" Farmer's reaction is consistent with a pitcher who believes his catcher was "crossed up."

Hicks: Hicks' immediate reaction is to field the live ball. After retrieving it, as the ball becomes dead, Hicks walks toward Farmer, takes one glance back at Wolcott without breaking stride toward his pitcher, and continues walking. This similarly supports a "crossed up" theory, but also suggests the catcher is not exactly dissatisfied with the outcome of an injured umpire.

Diaz/Edwin Encarnacion: Notice that both Diaz and Indians baserunner R3 Edwin Encarnacion have strong reactions to the hit-by-pitch. Encarnacion at third base even places both hands atop his head in response as Diaz cautiously walks back to check on Wolcott.

O'Nora/Emmel: O'Nora immediately enters into a sprint toward Wolcott, while Emmel first begins walking, before quickening to a jog in towards home plate. O'Nora appears to have greater concern.

Post-Game Comments: In his postgame comments, Farmer tweeted his defense, stating at one point, "I'm not Hicks so I don't know that answer" (to an observation noting that Hicks did not check on Wolcott) before adding, "Not intentional on Hicks part either (sic)." Hicks did not issue any post-game statement, while ejected Manager Brad Ausmus took umbrage with the suggestion that the conduct was intentional.

Thursday Comments: A day after the incident, Ausmus defended Hicks' actions, saying, "The ball's live! He's got to get to the ball. It's not dead because it hit the umpire."

Hicks parroted Ausmus: "[I didn't check on Wolcott] because I couldn’t. Instantly, I went to get the ball. The bases were loaded. I’m first trying to keep guys from scoring."

And after Hicks got to the ball and it became dead, when Hicks started walking in fair territory?

Hicks looks at an injured and isolated umpire.

Hicks said he did not check on Wolcott, "because the other umpires were all around him, and I wasn’t going to jump in there with those guys."

Hicks then implored skeptics. As The Detroit News put it, "Hicks said any analysis of game video would make clear there was no mischief."

OK...let's analyze the game video.

At the six-second mark—as Hicks looks at Wolcott while walking to meet his pitcher—there are no umpires around Wolcott. In fact, umpires Emmel and O'Nora are still over 80 feet from home plate. O'Nora does not arrive at the plate until the 12-second mark. That is a full seven seconds after the ball became dead.

Brad Ausmus shows his respect for umpires.

Conclusion: At best, Hicks appears to have suffered from a distinct lack of compassion; his actions both in the immediate aftermath and upon seeing the injurious result of the pitch are consistent with a person amenable to the outcome of another person on the ground in pain. A slightly more sinister interpretation places the catcher's reaction in the realm of schadenfreude. At worst, Hicks failed to catch the ball on purpose.

Similar remarks can be made about Ausmus, though Farmer at least wanted to assure fans that he spoke with Wolcott and made sure he was okay. Replays indicate Hicks eventually did ask if Wolcott was okay as well.

In a classic case of umpire scapegoating, Ausmus turned the conversation into Detroit's dissatisfaction over Wolcott's strike zone, rather than Wolcott's wellbeing. The strike zone numbers, naturally, do not support Detroit's allegations of discrepancy, as Detroit was actually +1 for this game.

We know how MLB treated the Ian Kinsler-Angel Hernandez fiasco. Will anything be addressed here, is Ausmus' laissez faire reaction to the incident the new normal, or will the World Umpires Association have to think of a new, CBA-approved way, of protest?
Related Post: MLB Ejections 134-35 - Angel Hernandez (1-2; DET x2) (8/14/17).
Related Post: Fined - Kinsler Not Suspended for Hernandez Comments (8/18/17).
Related Post: WUA-MLB Relations Deteriorate with New Umpire Protest (8/19/17).

Video as follows:

Case Play 2017-9 - The Deflected Error Triple [Solved]

A batted ball deflected into the stands in Toronto concluded with the batter-runner awarded third, not second, base as umpires considered an odd sequence caused, in part, by Rogers Centre's turf and short right field wall.

Trumbo loses a baseball into the stands.

The Play: With none out and none on in the bottom of the 2nd inning of Monday's Orioles-Blue Jays game, Blue Jays batter Teoscar Hernandez hit a 2-2 splitter from Orioles pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez on a fly ball to right fielder Mark Trumbo, who misjudged the fly, which fell untouched and bounced toward the short wall along the right field line. As Trumbo retrieved the baseball, which had bounced off the top portion of the wall and back into play, Trumbo deflected the ball out of play, resulting in a dead ball as called by 1B Umpire Brian Gorman. Officially scored a double and error on Trumbo, Hernandez was awarded third base.

Case Play Question: Replays indicate that Trumbo deflected or lost the ball as Hernandez rounded second heading for third base; HP Umpire Chris Segal held up two fingers (as in "two bases") as Hernandez crossed home plate, seemingly pointing at second base before Gorman elected to place Hernandez at third base instead. Is awarding batter-runner Hernandez third base the proper result for this play? Should he have been awarded second base; could he have been awarded home plate?

Answer: Regardless of the timing of the award, Rule 5.06(b)(4) specifies that all runners shall be awarded two bases if a fair batted ball deflects or is thrown out of play. B1 Hernandez thus will receive a two-base award, but the only question is from what point?

The MLB Umpire Manual and PBUC/MiLBUD both agree on the following interpretations:

If a fair ball not in flight is deflected by a fielder and then goes out of play, the award is two bases from the time of the pitch.

If a fielder has complete possession of a batted or thrown ball and subsequently deflects or kicks the ball out of play, the award is two bases from the position of the runners at the time the ball was kicked or deflected.

If a fielder has complete possession of a batted or thrown ball and drops the ball while he is out of play, or if he drops such a ball and it then goes out of play, the award is two bases from the position of the runners at the time the ball was dropped.

If, in the judgment of the umpires, a fielder intentionally kicks or deflects a batted or thrown ball out of play, the award is two bases from the time the ball was kicked or deflected.

Emphasis is MLBUM's.

When F9 Trumbo turned his back to U1 Gorman in an attempt to play the ball, the subsequent action of the ball slightly descending into Trumbo, only to again parabolically ascend and find its way out of play likely suggested that Trumbo had gloved the ball and dropped it "on the transfer," which suggests possession. Accordingly, the prescribed award is two bases from the time of deflection/drop.

By rule, if Trumbo did not have complete possession and did not intentionally kick or deflect the ball out of play, the award is from time-of-pitch.

Regardless, the award is from either time-of-deflection ("time of throw") or time of pitch. It appeared the runner had achieved second base at the time of the deflection, which means there are two possible base awards for this play: second (time of pitch), or home (time of deflection or throw). For the runner to be placed on third base suggests the umpires ruled that B1 Hernandez had not yet achieved second base when Trumbo, with complete possession or intentionally, deflected the ball out of play. Runner placement is eligible for Replay Review, but determining whether the deflection was intentional is not eligible for review.

This play is not subject to spectator interference—which is the only way a "nullify the act" ruling could be made—as no fan touched the live ball over the playing field; the award for a deflected ball out of play is strictly two bases from time-of-throw or -pitch, as delineated above.

Note that such a sequence as occurred here is likely only possible in two MLB stadiums: Toronto and Tampa Bay. Chances are with a real grass and warning track configuration, the ball will not bounce in such a lively fashion as to have such momentum that brought it to be deflected out of play.

Official Baseball Rules Library
OBR 5.06(b)(4): "Each runner including the batter-runner may, without liability to be put out, advance:"
- - - (F): "Two bases, if a fair ball bounces or is deflected into the stands outside the first or third base foul lines; or if it goes through or under a field fence, or through or under a scoreboard, or through or under shrubbery or vines on the fence; or if it sticks in such fence, scoreboard, shrubbery or vines."
- - - (G): "Two bases when, with no spectators on the playing field, a thrown ball goes into the stands, or into a bench (whether or not the ball rebounds into the field), or over or under or through a field fence, or on a slanting part of the screen above the backstop, or remains in the meshes of a wire screen protecting spectators. The ball is dead. When such wild throw is the first play by an infielder, the umpire, in awarding such bases, shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the ball was pitched; in all other cases the umpire shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the wild throw was made."

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 175 - Vic Carapazza (3; Robinson Cano)

HP Umpire Vic Carapazza ejected Mariners 2B Robinson Cano (check swing strike three call) in the top of the 7th inning of the Mariners-Rangers game. With none out and two on (R2, R3), Cano attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 slider from Mariners pitcher Jake Diekman, ruled a swinging third strike by Carapazza. Play reviewed and adjudicated by the UEFL Appeals Board (9-0), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 3-1. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 8-1.

This is Vic Carapazza (19)'s third ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Vic Carapazza now has 19 points in the UEFL Standings (15 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 19).
Crew Chief Jeff Nelson now has 5 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 5).

This is the 175th ejection report of 2017.
This is the 77th player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Cano was 1-4 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is Seattle's 6th ejection of 2017, T-2nd in the AL West (TEX 10; HOU, OAK, SEA 6; LAA 4).
This is Robinson Cano's first career MLB ejection.
This is Vic Carapazza's 3rd ejection of 2017, 1st since May 10 (Pete Walker; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers, 9/13/17 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 174 - Bill Welke (7; Clint Hurdle)

HP Umpire Bill Welke ejected Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle (ball four call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the Pirates-Brewers game. With one out and one on (R1), Brewers batter Neil Walker took a 3-2 fastball from Pirates pitcher Tyler Glasnow for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px -.017, pz 1.853 [sz_bot 1.535 / MOE 1.618]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 1-0. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 8-2.

This is Bill Welke (3)'s seventh ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Bill Welke now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (8 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 6).
Crew Chief Bill Welke now has 0 points in Crew Division (0 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 0).
*This pitch was located 2.82 vertical inches from being deemed a correct call.

This is the 174th ejection report of 2017.
This is the 73rd Manager ejection of 2017.
This is Pittsburgh's 6th ejection of 2017, T-1st in the NL Central (CIN, MIL, PIT 6; STL 4; CHC 3).
This is Clint Hurdle's 5th ejection of 2017, 1st since August 24 (Paul Emmel; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Bill Welke's 7th ejection of 2017, 1st since July 18 (Kevin Cash; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 9/13/17 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 172-173 - Quinn Wolcott (McCann, Ausmus)

HP Umpire Quinn Wolcott ejected Tigers C James McCann and Manager Brad Ausmus (ball four call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the Tigers-Indians game. With two out and one on (R1), Indians batter Jay Bruce took a 3-2 fastball from Tigers pitcher Buck Farmer for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -1.007, pz 2.288) while all prior pitches were properly officiated (balls one through three were further off the plate than the fourth ball), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejections, the Indians were leading, 4-1. The Indians ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

These are Quinn Wolcott (81)'s second and third ejections of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Quinn Wolcott now has 14 points in the UEFL Standings (6 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct Call] = 14).
Crew Chief Paul Emmel now has 9 points in Crew Division (7 Previous + 2 Correct Calls = 9).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
*The pitch was located 3.108 horizontal inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

Related: After Farmer walked ensuing batter Carlos Santana on four pitches (all correctly officiated as balls), Farmer's first pitch to Indians batter Yandy Diaz eluded replacement catcher John Hicks' glove and struck Wolcott in his upper left shoulder/traditional-style facemask, resulting in an injury delay. Wolcott remained in the game in the immediate aftermath of the fateful pitch.

This is the 172nd, 173rd ejection report of 2017.
This is the 76th player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, McCann was 0-1 (SO) in the contest.
This is the 82nd Manager ejection of 2017.
This is Detroit's 11th ejection of 2017, 2nd in the AL Central (CWS 14; DET 11; KC 6; MIN 4; CLE 0).
This is James McCann's first career MLB ejection.
This is Brad Ausmus' 6th ejection of 2017, 1st since August 26 (Nick Mahrley; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Quinn Wolcott's 2nd ejection of 2017, 1st since April 29 (Ryan Braun; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Indians, 9/13/17 | Videos (2x) as follows:

MLB Ejection 171 - Jeff Nelson (1; Jeff Banister)

HP Umpire Jeff Nelson ejected Rangers Manager Jeff Banister (strike three call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 4th inning of the Mariners-Rangers game. With one out and one on (R1), Rangers batter Ryan Run took a 1-2 changeup from Mariners pitcher Marco Gonzales for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px .707, pz 1.393 [sz_bot 1.589 / MOE 1.506]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 7-3. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 10-3.

This is Jeff Nelson (45)'s first ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Jeff Nelson now has -5 points in the UEFL Standings (-3 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = -5).
Crew Chief Jeff Nelson now has 4 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call  = 4).
*This pitch was located 1.356 vertical inches away from being deemed a correct call.

This is the 171st ejection report of 2017.
This is the 81st Manager ejection of 2017.
This is Texas' 10th ejection of 2017, 1st in the AL West (TEX 10; HOU, OAK 6; SEA 5; LAA 4).
This is Jeff Banister's 6th ejection of 2017, 1st since August 13 (Tripp Gibson; QOC = U [Warnings]).
This is Jeff Nelson's first ejection since May 7, 2016 (Carlos Gomez; QOC = Y-C [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers, 9/12/17 | Video as follows:

UMPS CARE Charities Featured on MASN Broadcast

MASN recently followed umpire James Hoye as he participated in an UMPS CARE charities event at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland alongside The Oriole Bird mascot and crew-mates Jeff Kellogg and Will Little.

Though broadcaster Paul Mancano's narration stated, "For once, James and his fellow umpires got to shed their stoic exteriors and act like kids again," bear in mind that UmpsCare regularly participates in a handful of charitable endeavors, including the Blue Crew Tickets, Blue For Kids, and All-Star Scholarship programs.

Earlier this season, we followed the story of Tom Hallion's crew hosting young Phillies fans at Citizens Bank Park, supported by UMPS CARE Charities.

In July, ESPN Wednesday Night Baseball's Jon Sciambi visited with Mike Winters' informally named "M-Crew" (Mike Winters, Mark Wegner, Marty Foster, and Mike Muchlinski) in St. Louis while showing the umpires visit a local children's hospital as part of the Blue For Kids program.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 170 - Ramon De Jesus (5; Jake Marisnick)

HP Umpire Ramon De Jesus ejected Astros CF Jake Marisnick (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 5th inning of the Astros-Athletics game. With two out and one on (R3), Marisnick took a 3-2 sinker from A's pitcher Kendall Graveman for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and above the knees (px .833, pz 2.037), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Athletics ultimately won the contest, 10-2.

This is Ramon De Jesus (18)'s fifth ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Ramon De Jesus now has 21 points in the UEFL Standings (16 Prev + 3 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 21).
Crew Chief Sam Holbrook now has 14 points in Crew Division (13 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 14).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
*The pitch was located 0.972 horizontal inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

This is the 170th ejection report of 2017.
This is the 75th player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Marisnick was 0-2 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is Houston's 6th ejection of 2017, T-2nd in the AL West (TEX 9; HOU, OAK 6; SEA 5; LAA 4).
This is Jake Marisnick's first career MLB ejection.
This is Ramon De Jesus' 5th ejection of 2017, 1st since August 12 (Chase Utley; QOC = U [USC-NEC]).

Wrap: Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics, 9/10/17 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 168-169 - Livensparger, Layne (CIN-NYM)

HP Umpire Shane Livensparger ejected Reds 2B Scooter Gennett (strike two and three calls; QOCY) in the top of the 7th and 1B Umpire Jerry Layne ejected Mets Manager Terry Collins (Replay Review decision overturning HP Umpire Livensparger's out call at home plate to "safe"; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the Reds-Mets game. In the 7th, with two out and one on, Gennett took 2-1 and 2-2 sinkers from Mets pitcher Jerry Blevins for called second and third strikes. Replays indicate the 2-1 pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and waist-high (px -.772, pz 2.591) and the 2-2 pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and thigh-high (px -.557, pz 1.863 [sz_bot 1.504]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 5-5.

In the 8th, with one out and two on (R1, R2), Reds batter Tucker Barnhart hit a 0-1 sinker from Mets pitcher Jeurys Familia on a line drive to center fielder Juan Lagares, who threw to shortstop Amed Rosario, on to catcher Travis d'Arnaud as Reds baserunner R1 Scott Schebler arrived at home plate, ruled out by HP Umpire Livensparger. Upon Replay Review as the result of a Manager's Challenge by Reds Manager Bryan Price, Livensparger's call was overturned to "safe" as replays indicate d'Arnaud failed to tag Schebler prior to his touch of home plate, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 7-5. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 10-5.

This is Shane Livensparger (43)'s first ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
This is Jerry Layne (24)'s second ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Shane Livensparger now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 3 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 6).
Jerry Layne now has 7 points in the UEFL Standings (3 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 7).
Crew Chief Jerry Layne now has -5 points in Crew Division (-7 Previous + 2 Correct Calls = -5).
*The 2-1 pitch was located 1.704 horizontal inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

This is the 168th, 169th ejection report of 2017.
This is the 74th player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Gennett was 0-4 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is the 80th Manager ejection of 2017.
This is Cincinnati's 6th ejection of 2017, T-1st in the NL Central (CIN, MIL 6; PIT 5; STL 4; CHC 3).
This is New York-NL's 3rd ejection of 2017, 4th in the NL East (MIA 6; WAS 5; ATL 4; NYM 3; PHI 2).
This is Scooter Gennett's first ejection since April 10, 2015 (Mike Estabrook; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Terry Collins' 2nd ejection of 2017, 1st since June 1 (Fieldin Culbreth; QOC = Y-C [Interference]).
This is Shane Livensparger's first career MLB ejection.
This is Jerry Layne's 2nd ejection of 2017, 1st since July 14 (Clint Hurdle; QOC = Y ["Time" Call]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. New York Mets, 9/10/17 | Video as follows: