MLB Ejections 081-82 - Davis, Hoberg (1, 3; Glynn, Molitor)

3B Umpire Gerry Davis ejected Twins 3B Coach Gene Glynn (balk no-call; QOCU) and HP Umpire Pat Hoberg ejected Twins Manager Paul Molitor (reversed balk call; QOCN) in the top of the 6th inning of the Twins-White Sox game. With two out and none on, Davis ejected Glynn for continuing to argue a balk no-call in the top of the 5th inning, the call was irrecusable. Shortly thereafter, with Max Kepler at bat, White Sox pitcher James Shields attempted to disengage the rubber and fake to first, wheel, and fake to third. Replays indicate Shields executed a so-called jump turn pickoff move while in continuous and uninterrupted motion as he feigned to first base; this feint from the rubber is a balk pursuant to OBR 6.02(a)(2), Hoberg's original balk call was correct and the reversal was incorrect.* Play was reviewed and affirmed by the UEFL Appeals Board (6-2-1), the call was incorrect. At the time of both ejections, the White Sox were leading, 4-0. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 6-1.

This is Pat Hoberg (31)'s third ejection of 2018.
This is Gerry Davis (12)'s first ejection of 2018.
Pat Hoberg now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (8 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 6).
Gerry Davis now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (6 Prev + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 8).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has 0 points in Crew Division (-1 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 0).

This simply suggests a continuous movement.

*Rule 6.02(a)(2) states, "It is a balk when the pitcher, while touching his plate, feints a throw to first or third base and fails to complete the throw."
*Rule 5.07(a)(2) states, "From such Set Position he may deliver the ball to the batter, throw to a base or step backward off the pitcher’s plate with his pivot foot."

Key Question: Is Shields considered to be "touching his plate" when he makes his move in feigning toward first? In general, moves made "from the rubber" include jab steps, jump turns (jump pivot), and spin moves. For instance, if a pitcher attempting a pickoff from a jump turn throws wildly into the stands, the runner would be awarded one base, as if the play was, physically, from the rubber.

This too suggests F1's move was continuous.

*MLBUM, concerning jump turns and pivots, states, "If a pitcher, while touching the pitcher's plate, jumps into the air with both feet simultaneously and his non-pivot foot lands in a step towards first base before he throws to that base, he has made a legal move." This interpretation establishes the move's legality, but the more relevant interpretation insofar as establishing when disengagement has occurred vs when a pitcher is considered to have made a move from the rubber is as follows:
"It is legal for a right-handed pitcher to begin a pickoff move to first base by first moving his pivot foot in the direction of third base provided that he makes a legal step toward first base with the non-pivot foot before throwing there and provided that the move is continuous and without interruption. A pitcher who makes such a pickoff move is considered to be in contact with the rubber when he makes his throw to first base."

This is the 81st, 82nd ejection report of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 33rd Manager ejection of 2018.
This is Minnesota's 1/2nd ejection of 2018, T-3rd in the AL Central (DET, KC 3; CWS, MIN 2; CLE 1).
This is Gene Glynn's first ejection since August 7, 2001 (Angel Hernandez; QOC = U [Out/Safe]).
This is Paul Molitor's first ejection since September 3, 2017 (Marty Foster; QOC = N-C [Check Swing]).
This is Pat Hoberg's 3rd ejection of 2018, 1st since June 19 (Marwin Gonzalez; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Gerry Davis' first ejection since September 16, 2017 (Miguel Diaz; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox, 6/27/18 | Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Balks become big business as both befuddled begoners bear brunt of bereft beef (MIN)