MLB Ejection 189 - Laz Diaz (1; Nelson Cruz)

HP Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Twins bench player/DH Nelson Cruz (strike three call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Indians-Twins game. With two out and one on (R2), Twins batter CJ Cron took a 0-2 slider from Indians pitcher Adam Cimber for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px 1.30, pz 1.88 [sz_bot 1.70]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Indians were leading, 2-1. The Twins ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Laz Diaz (63)'s first ejection of 2019.
Laz Diaz now has 5 points in the UEFL Standings (7 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 5.
Crew Chief Jeff Nelson now has 9 points in Crew Division (9 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 9).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 4.63 horizontal inches from being deemed a correct call.

This is the 189th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 93rd player ejection of 2019. Prior to ejection, Cruz did not appear in the game.
This is Minnesota's 4th ejection of 2019, 4th in the AL Central (DET 11; CWS 10; KC 8; MIN 4; CLE 1).
This is Nelson Cruz's 1st ejection since August 31, 2012 (Bill Welke; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Laz Diaz's 1st ejection since August 25, 2017 (Alex Cora; QOC = U [USC-NEC]).

Wrap: Cleveland Indians vs. Minnesota Twins, 9/7/19 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 188 - Bill Miller (3; Charlie Montoyo)

HP Umpire Bill Miller ejected Blue Jays Manager Charlie Montoyo (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 4th inning of the #BlueJays-#Rays game. With one out and none on, Blue Jays batter Randal Grichuk took a 2-2 fastball from Rays pitcher Brendan McKay for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px -0.91, pz 1.70 [sz_bot 1.58]) and that the preceding strike three call to batter Teoscar Hernandez was located over the inner edge of home plate and waist-high (px -0.84, pz 2.90), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 3-0. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 5-0.

This is Bill Miller (26)'s third ejection of 2019.
Bill Miller now has 18 points in the UEFL Standings (14 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 18).
Crew Chief Bill Miller now has 17 points in Crew Division (16 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 17).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 0.05 horizontal inches from being deemed an incorrect call.
|0.91| is the maximum acceptable px value for a strike call to be considered QOC-Y.

This is the 188th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 85th Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Toronto's 6th ejection of 2019, T-2nd in the AL East (NYY 7; BAL, TOR 6; BOS 5; TB 2).
This is Charlie Montoyo's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since May 6 (Adam Hamari; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Bill Miller's 3rd ejection of 2019, 1st since Sept 1 (Turner Ward; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 9/6/19 | Video as follows:

The 2D TV Computer Strike Zone's 3D Problem

Did you know the electronic strike zone graphic used for television broadcast is significantly faulty? In this analysis, we look at the two-dimensional computer-generated PitchCast graphic and compare it to the 3D zone umpires are trained to call.

Two Different Languages...or Dimensions: It's as if baseball is speaking two different languages. Teams and fans are exposed to the familiar flat strike zone "box" at home or in the clubhouse video room whereas umpires calling the game from behind home plate are essentially playing 4D chess...only one dimension (and one sport) removed.

We analyze the following 0-2 cutter thrown by Mariners pitcher Wade LeBlanc to Yankees batter Gary Sanchez in Seattle on August 28, called strike three by HP Umpire Jim Wolf. The computer readout logged this pitch's px value (the horizontal coordinate) at 0.98, which most sources would indicate as significantly off the plate (px value of 0.98 feet is 0.15 feet from the edge of home plate [set at 0.83], or 1.79 inches off the plate).

Yet the slow-motion replay tells a different tale. Video as follows:

Atlantic League's Bench-Clearing Balk Ejections & Protest

The Atlantic League-MLB experimental balk rule requiring pitchers to step off the rubber during pickoffs produced a handful of ejections and protested game after a quasi-bench clearing argument in High Point led to all umpires entertaining multiple complaints from a Rockers team upset about a pickoff play to end the bottom of the 3rd inning of Wednesday night's 5-1 loss to Southern Maryland.

The Play: With two out and one on (R1), Blue Crabs pitcher Daryl Thompson picked off Rockers baserunner Stephen Cardullo at first base to end the inning, ruled out by 1B Umpire Thomas Newsom.

The ALPB Balk Rule: Under the indy league's MLB partnership, baseball's balk rule was modified to require that pitchers disengage the pitcher's plate in order to attempt a pickoff.
Related Post: Atlantic League Debuts New Rules, E-Zone (7/10/19).

Is this is a legal disengagement maneuver?

SIDEBAR: If this league's test rule requires pitchers disengage, and pitcher Thompson has disengaged, the question of whether this is a no-step balk is irrelevant, since Rule 6.02(a)(3) states "it is a balk when—The pitcher, while touching his plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base" (bold added for emphasis). The only question is whether Thompson's toe tap with his back/pivot foot while turning his body toward first base constitutes a legal disengagement. I'd surmise that under the "old" rule, this is legal...but what about under the experimental balk rule in the Atlantic League? And is this a judgment call or rules interpretation?

After all, MLB recently deemed that a "toe tap" during delivery is not to be construed as a second step...so how about a "toe tap"-style disengagement of the rubber. Is that to be considered legal pursuant to the ALPB-MLB balk rule experiment as it would under the "old" rule?
Related Post: MLB Rules Gearrin's Toe Tap Legal - Analysis (8/29/19).

Argument, Ejections, and Protest: What followed at BB&T Point Stadium in High Point, North Carolina during the post-inning changeover was what may be the slowest single-squad bench-clearing incident of the season, largely because the team on offense now transitioned to becoming the team on defense, with a detour to argue with the umpiring crew.

Multiple argument and ejections ensue.

High Point's prolonged argument resulted in a nearly-10-minute delay, featured multiple ejections (the box score indicated RF Stephen Cardullo [the picked off runner], CF Jared Mitchell, and P Michael Bowden, but did not list Manager Jamie Keefe, who threw his hat, etc.), and concluded with a protested game.

Cardullo's ejection, specifically, was of the "parting shot" variety, which occurs when a player/coach/manager says one final phrase to the umpire and immediately turns his back to walk away. In general, this phrase is personal, profane, or otherwise excessively unsporting, unacceptable, and ejectable.

The parting shot ejection is an optical illusion.

The optics of the "parting shot" ejection relies on normal human reaction time so that by the time the umpire ejects the offender, it appears the umpire has become the aggressor, or in the High Point broadcaster's words, "He did it with the guy's back turned." It is meant to make the violating party look innocent to the umpire's "overreaction" in ejecting someone who is walking way, never mind what that person said or did just moments earlier.

Later on in the festivities, many of High Point's uniformed personnel converged around the three umpires to argue, resulting in at least three separate and simultaneous discussions that included HP Umpire Larry Rosenberg, 1B Umpire Newsom, and 3B Umpire Lindy Hall.

Although Official Baseball Rule 7.04 explicitly states, "no protest shall ever be permitted on judgment decisions by the umpire," whether or not High Point's protest is of the umpires' judgment that pitcher Thompson legally disengaged the rubber in throwing to first base or of the umpires' interpretation of the modified balk rule might be a futile splitting of hairs, at least in this particular organization. After all, the Atlantic League office overturned an umpire's on-field judgment call earlier this season.
Related Post: Atlantic League Overturns Umpire's Judgment Call (7/14/19).

Video as follows:

Joe Maddon's Untimely Challenge Costs Cubs

Chicago lost its shutout bid against Seattle Tuesday when Cubs Manager Joe Maddon failed to file a timely challenge to HP Umpire Mike Estabrook's 8th inning time play ruling that Mariners runner Dee Gordon scored prior to a third out as Braden Bishop was tagged off of second base.

This much-requested analysis has multiple moving parts, so we'll begin with an umpiring discussion for time plays followed by an overview and application of the relevant rules regarding Replay Review.

The Play: With two out and two on (R1, R2), Mariners batter Daniel Vogelbach hit a 1-1 fastball from Cubs pitcher Kyle Ryan on a line drive to left field. As baserunner R2 Dee Gordon approached home plate, Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber threw to second baseman Ben Zobrist as Mariners runner R1 Braden Bishop slid back into second base.

The Call: 2B Umpire Paul Emmel ruled Bishop out at second while HP Umpire Mike Estabrook ruled that Gordon scored a run prior to the final out of the inning.

Estabrook puts himself in position to see.

Umpiring a Time Play: Estabrook puts himself in great position to see this time play: he lines himself up to see Gordon's base touch at home plate as well as the tag play at second base. Unfortunately, the tag—because it is a throw from left field, behind the runner—occurs on the outfield side of the base, which makes it a very difficult call for the plate umpire, who is blocked out by the runner's body.

This is where, perhaps, our second base umpire can help out by pointing to the tag as soon as it occurs, but prior to actually calling the run out. A simple point allows an umpire to keep his/her timing since it's not an actual out/safe call—a point doesn't run the risk of looking foolish if the ball is subsequently dropped, for instance. Otherwise, this is a tough get for the plate umpire.

Fortunately, we have replay...

Untimely challenges are to be denied.

Replay Review: If a manager disagrees with an umpire's replay-eligible ruling, said manager "must notify an Umpire that the Club is contemplating challenging the play in less than ten (10) seconds after the conclusion of the play. If a Manager wishes to invoke his challenge he must do so within thirty (30) seconds after the conclusion of the play or prior to the commencement of the next play, whichever occurs first. This time limit applies to all plays in the game, including plays that end an inning and plays that end the game."

If a Manager takes too long to decide whether to challenge, the umpire shall deny the manager's request to review the play: anything past 30 seconds is considered late.
Related Post: Replay Clock Crackdown - Ted Barrett Denies Bochy Review (4/2/19).

But What About a Double-Challenge? When two managers may challenge two different aspects of the same play (e.g., Scott Servais challenged the out call at second base while Joe Maddon considered the run scores call at home plate), the second challenge (in this case, Maddon's) must be made before the Crew Chief talks to the Replay Official via headset. The one and only exception is if a call is overturned, which was not the case here. This rule has been in place since 2014.
Related Post: MLB Releases Replay Review Regulations for 2014 Season (3/31/14).

Because Maddon failed to challenge within 30 seconds of the conclusion of play and failed to make contact with the umpires prior to Crew Chief Emmel speaking with the Replay Official (he first spoke with Ryan Blakney after Emmel signaled the runner out following the Replay Review, and spoke with Bruce Dreckman following that), his challenge was denied for tardiness and the play at home plate was not reviewed.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 187 - Lance Barrett (2; Brandon Hyde)

HP Umpire Lance Barrett ejected Orioles Manager Brandon Hyde (check swing strike three call by 1B Umpire Nic Lentz) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Orioles-#Rays game. With two out and none on, Orioles batter Trey Mancini attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 curveball from Rays pitcher Nick Anderson, ruled a ball by HP Umpire L Barrett and a swing on appeal by 1B Umpire Lentz (BAL misidentified the umpire...Ryan Additon had first base for Game 1 of the doubleheader). On-Field Ruling was reviewed and adjudicated by the UEFL Appeals Board (8-0), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 2-0. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 2-0.

This is Lance Barrett (94)'s second ejection of 2019.
Lance Barrett now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 8).
Crew Chief Mike Everitt now has 3 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 3).

This is the 187th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 84th Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Baltimore's 6th ejection of 2019, 2nd in the AL East (NYY 7; BAL 6; BOS, TOR 5; TB 2).
This is Brandon Hyde's 3rd ejection of 2019, 1st since June 16 (Tripp Gibson; QOC = Y [RLI]).
This is Lance Barrett's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since June 12 (Turner Ward; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 9/3/19 | Video as follows:

Ask UEFL - Forfeit When Ejected Mgr Refuses to Leave

After Mark Carlson's ejection of Chicago's Rick Renteria when the White Sox manager refused to leave until the umpire forced him out, we received an Ask the UEFL question, "Can an ump forfeit a game when an ejected player, coach, or manager refuses to leave the field/dugout?"

While the short answer is "yes" (an ump can also forfeit a game if an ejected athletic trainer refuses to leave!) the more detailed response is more nuanced.

Whether the call leading to ejection was correct or not is of little consequence: this article pertains solely to an ejected person who refuses to leave as prescribed by Official Baseball Rule 6.04(d), which states, "When a manager, player, coach or trainer is ejected from a game, he shall leave the field immediately and take no further part in that game. He shall remain in the Club house or change to street clothes and either leave the park or take a seat in the grandstand well removed from the vicinity of his team’s bench or bullpen."

As long as it gets you to leave...

The relevant rule for forfeiture is OBR 7.03(a) and in this situation, 7.03(a)(5) and (6) may apply. Provision (5) states, "A game may be forfeited to the opposing team when a team—After warning by the umpire, willfully and persistently violates any rules of the game," whereas 7.03(a)(6) states, "A game may be forfeited to the opposing team when a team—Fails to obey within a reasonable time the umpire’s order for removal of a player from the game."

In other words, a manager who is ejected but remains in the dugout after an umpire orders him/her to leave may cause a forfeit. Only the umpire-in-chief has the authority to forfeit a game (OBR 8.03(a)(6)). The MLB Umpire Manual, for instance, requires the UIC consult with—and receive approval from—the Crew Chief prior to declaring a forfeit (so, in Chicago, if things deteriorated that much, Carlson as UIC and CC would be empowered to declare the forfeit).

That may not be reasonable...or is it?

What is a "reasonable time"? Baseball's other forfeit provisions carry certain time limits—(1)'s five-minute start-of-game grace period, (4)'s resumption of play within one minute after a certain suspension of play, and (7)'s 20-minute break between games of a straight double-header...but (6)'s refusing to leave after an ejection simply states, "within a reasonable time."

In the Australian Baseball League, Geelong-Korea Manager Dae-Sung Koo pulled his team off the field after HP Umpire Ben Nash ejected him in November 2018. The umpires waited five minutes before the offending team returned to the field, upon which time play was resumed. In this situation, umpire patience prevented a forfeit, which is likely a key goal at the professional level.
Related Post: ABL - Korea Pulls Team off Field After Manager Ejection (11/16/18).

I included OBR 7.03(a)(5) [willful and persistent violation of a rule] for the benefit of the rulebook lawyers amongst us who are quick to point out that 7.03(a)(6) says "player" but not explicitly "coach" or "manager." Willful and persistent violation of ejection rule 6.04(d) occurs when an ejected person—which includes managers, as in 6.04(d)—fails to "leave the field immediately and take no further part in that game."

Decide which forfeit rule may apply.

For the rulebook lawyer that notes that "leave the field" doesn't explicitly state, "dugout" or "bench," I included the following sentence of 6.04(d), which gives the ejectee several options: 1) Go and stay in the clubhouse, 2) leave the ballpark, or 3) sit in the stands well removed from the vicinity of the team's bench/bullpen area. That should establish the spirit of this rule.

Gil's Call: Although we might have gotten a Jim Wolf-Frank Robinson-esque stare-down had Carlson not entertained Renteria's request to visit the dugout, this is the right move to make—to swallow pride and ego in order to get the ejected party to leave.

Let the ejected person have the last word, it's a Pyrrhic victory, after all. Of course, an umpire should feel free to be all ears, seeking to pepper the ejection report with more source material.

The goal at this point is to get the ejected person to leave and play to continue, and if an umpire is able to do so by walking over and listening to a post-ejection rant while, as Carlson does, not inflaming matters, this should be considered a win: the umpire completes the ejection and the ejected skipper gets to save face (in their mind, anyway...as long as they're leaving).

How rare is a forfeit? The last MLB forfeit occurred in 1995 for baseballs thrown on the field from the stands. Our own Bob Davidson discussed this event in his podcast interview.
Related Post: MLB's Last Forfeit - Bob's Baseball Story (8/10/19).

Bob Davidson had the last NL forfeit in LA.

In the major leagues, the MLB Umpire Manual states, "Announcements shall be made over the P.A. system that a game may be forfeited and again when the game is declared forfeited. Announcement of the possibility of a forfeit must be made to both Clubs and the fans prior to a forfeit." The aforementioned 1995 Cardinals-Dodgers forfeit is what the MLBUM interpretation is primarily designed to address, but the time and resources involved in making such a public announcement just might serve to highlight the absurdity of an ejected person refusing to leave. This is not a National Anthem standoff (although the anthem-off is another topic for another day).

In NFHS (high school), the rule is more direct. NFHS 6-3-1f (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) is rather explicit: "PENALTY: The umpire shall eject the offender from the game. Failure to comply shall result in game being forfeited."

NCAA (college) Rule 5-12 states a forfeit shall only be called as "a last resort." 5-12-f indicates, "If the order for the removal of a player, coach or team personnel is not obeyed, the game is suspended until the order of removal is corrected (see 3-6-d)." In other words, umpires will call the game if it gets to that point, and NCAA likes the conference involved in issues of severe discipline. That said, NCAA shares OBR's provision for forfeiture: "If, after warning by the umpire, any one of the rules of the game is willfully and persistently violated" (NCAA 5-12-e). As in pro ball, the Umpire-in-Chief carries forfeiture authority.

Video as follows:

Injury Scout - Vanover Hit on Arm in LA

Larry Vanover exited his Labor Day assignment at Dodger Stadium after a foul ball to his right arm.

With none out and one on in the fifth inning of Monday's Rockies-Dodgers game, Dodgers batter Enrique Hernandez fouled a 2-1 95-mph sinker from Rockies pitcher James Pazos into Vanover's right forearm, producing a visible laceration. Vanover already wears a padded sleeve over his left arm.

2B Umpire Manny Gonzalez replaced Vanover behind home plate for the rest of the game, as 1B Umpire Dan Bellino and 3B Umpire David Rackley managed the field.

Vanover officiated his 3,000th MLB game in May 2019.
Related Post: Larry Vanover Officiates 3,000th MLB Game (5/24/19).

Relevant Injury History: Vanover has left a game before due to a head injury, but not a foul ball to the arm situation.

Last Game: September 2 | Return to Play: Sept 3 | Time Absent: Rest of Game | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 186 - Mark Carlson (3; Rick Renteria)

HP Umpire Mark Carlson ejected White Sox Manager Rick Renteria (foul vs strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #WhiteSox-#Indians game. With two out and one on (R2), Indians batter Francisco Lindor swung at a 2-2 curveball from White Sox pitcher Jace Fry, ruled a foul ball by Carlson. Replays indicate the pitch made contact with Lindor's bat during his swing and bounced in the dirt before entering White Sox catcher Welington Castillo's mitt, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Indians were leading, 6-3. The Indians ultimately won the contest, 11-3.

This is Mark Carlson (6)'s third ejection of 2019.
Mark Carlson now has 7 points in the UEFL Standings (3 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 7).
Crew Chief Mark Carlson now has 11 points in Crew Division (10 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 11).

This is the 186th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 83rd Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Chicago's 10th ejection of 2019, 2nd in the AL Central (DET 11; CWS 10; KC 8; MIN 3; CLE 1).
This is Rick Renteria's 8th ejection of 2019, 1st since August 30 (Brian Knight; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Mark Carlson's 3rd ejection of 2019, 1st since May 29 (Glenn Sparkman; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Indians, 9/2/19 | Video as follows:

Fake Ump Tim Williams' Toronto Charity Night

Proving that even retired fan-umpires can subscribe to @UmpsCare Charities' Helping People is an Easy Call philosophy, Tim Williams of Toronto—the former Real Fake Umpire—and his wife Caroline, who serves on the organization's Board of Directors, will hold a fundraiser on September 26 in Canada: "We hope to raise the profile of Umpscare charity north of the border."

Ryan Blakney, Mike Estabrook, Caroline Williams,
Paul Emmel, Tim Williams & Bruce Dreckman

The Williamses were at Rogers Centre on Sunday to greet Paul Emmel's crew after Justin Verlander's no-hitter, as Tim added the home plate umpire's MLB-authenticated jersey to his collection following Houston's milestone game.

"It was very special to witness Paul Emmel get his first no hitter in Canada for both Caroline and myself. We have known him since 2009 and Paul was the junior 4 man on the original Gary Darling-led crew we first met once The Fake Umpires gained traction and that we realized we could potentially help raise some money for Umpscare," said Tim.

Williams will launch the first-ever Toronto UMPS CARE Charity Night (link here) on 9/26/19 as the MLB umpire-formed organization goes international.

He first gained widespread attention for his Real Fake Umpires routine with Joe Farrell from 2008 through 2010, raising over $10,000 for UMPS CARE Charities during their tour of duty sitting and officiating behind home plate in ballparks across the United States (and Canada's Rogers Centre). In 2015, the duo came back for one encore appearance in New York after a couple of Fake Fake Umpires "put on a Double A act at a Major League Stadium" in San Francisco, raising another $7,000+ for Umps Care.
Related Post: Real 'Fake Umps' Return on Sunday Night Baseball, Aug 2 (7/27/15).

Joe West's Eventful Labor Day Weekend

Down Goes Joe West! The Blue Cowboy had himself a memorable Labor Day Weekend when the veteran HP Umpire took a tumble during Sunday's Mets-Phillies game in Philadelphia on a play at the plate as Mets runner Rajai Davis slid into West, taking his legs out from under him.

With one out and two on (R2, R3), Mets batter Jeff McNeil hit a 1-2 splitter from Phillies pitcher Hector Neris on the ground to first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who threw home to catcher JT Realmuto as Davis slid toward the foul territory side of home plate in an effort to avoid the tag.

Davis didn't escape Realmuto's mitt and was tagged out by plenty, but Davis' slide took him careening directly into Joe West, knocking MLB's longest-tenured umpire to his knees, and leaning on Davis' back for support.

The true hero of the play may just have been Hector Neris, who came over to pull the fallen West out of the fray and send Davis on his way as West signaled "out" on the play.

I'd also wager that in addition to correctly calling the runner out, West properly—and eagerly—opted to forgo Official Baseball Rule 6.04(a) Unsportsmanlike Conduct's prohibition against: "(4) Make intentional contact with the umpire in any manner," ruling Neris' assistance a most noble and welcome form of sportsmanlike conduct.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 185 - Bill Miller (2; Turner Ward)

HP Umpire Bill Miller ejected Reds Hitting Coach Turner Ward (strike one/two calls; QOCY) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Reds-#Cardinals game. With one out and none on, Reds batter Freddy Galvis took 0-0 and 0-1 fastballs from Cardinals pitcher Mike Mayers for called first and second strikes. Replays indicate the 0-0 pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px -0.61, pz 1.73 [sz_bot 1.65]) and the 0-1 pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the midpoint (px 0.85, pz 3.27 [sz_top 3.45]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 5-3. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Bill Miller (26)'s second ejection of 2019.
Bill Miller now has 14 points in the UEFL Standings (10 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 14).
Crew Chief Bill Miller now has 16 points in Crew Division (15 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 16).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
The 0-1 pitch was located 0.768 horizontal inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

This is the 185th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is Cincinnati's 23rd ejection of 2019, 1st in the NL Central (CIN 23; PIT 10; MIL 8; CHC 7; STL 3).
This is Turner Ward's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since June 12 (Lance Barrett; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Bill Miller's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since July 28 (Nick Senzel; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 9/1/19 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 184 - David Rackley (1; Brad Ausmus)

3B Umpire David Rackley ejected Angels Manager Brad Ausmus (no-stop balk no-call re Boston pitcher Brandon Workman; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #RedSox-#Angels game. With two out and one on (R1), Angels batter Brian Goodwin fouled a pitch from Workman after which Ausmus was ejected for arguing the umpires' no-stop balk no-calls on Workman's delivery, alleging that the Red Sox closer delivered from Set Position without coming to a stop in contravention of Rule 6.02(a)(13).^ Replays indicate Workman did appear to come to a stop during his pitching cadence out of Set Position, the no-call was correct.* Original Ruling was reviewed and reversed by the UEFL Appeals Board (1-6), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Red Sox were leading, 4-3. The Red Sox ultimately on the contest, 4-3.

This is David Rackley (86)'s first ejection of 2019.
David Rackley now has 2 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 2).
Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has 22 points in Crew Division (22 Previous + 0 QOCN = 22).
*Rule 6.02(a)(13) states, "It is a balk when—The pitcher delivers the pitch from Set Position without
coming to a stop."
*Precedent: The UEFL Appeals Board in E-077 Scheurwater ruled that Orioles pitcher Darren O'Day failed to come to a complete stop as required by rule and, thus, overturned the Original Ruling holding that the pitcher did stop. The primary difference between the O'Day balk and the Workman non-balk is that O'Day's motion was all in the same direction via a subtle swooping downward motion, whereas Workman's bringing hands together backward is tougher to adjudicate from the available replays.
Related Post: MLB Ejections 077-78 - Stu Scheurwater (2-3; BAL x2) (6/25/18).

The Original Ruling holds that Workman's 0-0 and 0-2 deliveries fall under "call confirmed" territory (Workman conclusively stopped), while the 0-1 delivery is a "call stands" (replays are inconclusive as to whether Workman came to a complete stop, so the call on the field prevails).

This is the 184th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 82nd Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Los Angeles' 4th ejection of 2019, T-4th in the AL West (OAK 6; HOU, SEA 5; LAA, TEX 4).
This is Brad Ausmus' 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since June 9 (Jeremie Rehak; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is David Rackley's 1st ejection since July 10, 2018 (Bob Melvin; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 9/1/19 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 183 - Tim Timmons (2; Yasmani Grandal)

HP Umpire Tim Timmons ejected Brewers C Yasmani Grandal (strike two/three call; QOCY) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Brewers-#Cubs game. With none out and none on, Grandal took 1-1 and 1-2 cutters from Cubs pitcher Kyle Ryan for called second and third strikes. Replays indicate the 1-1 pitch was located over the heart of home plate and at the midpoint (px 0.21, pz 1.45 [sz_bot 1.55 / RAD 1.43]) and the 1-2 pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px 0.73, pz 1.68 [sz_bot 1.55]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Brewers were leading, 1-0. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 4-0.

This is Tim Timmons (95)'s second ejection of 2019.
Tim Timmons now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 6).
Crew Chief Tim Timmons now has 5 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 1 QOCY = 5).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
The 1-1 pitch was located 1.24 vertical inches from being deemed an incorrect call.
The 1-2 pitch was located 2.21 horizontal inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

This is the 183rd ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 92nd player ejection of 2019. Prior to ejection, Grandal was 0-3 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is Milwaukee's 8th ejection of 2019, 3rd in the NL Central (CIN 22; PIT 10; MIL 8; CHC 7; STL 3).
This is Yasmani Grandal's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since July 15 (Jordan Baker; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Tim Timmons' 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since May 1 (Bruce Bochy; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs, 9/1/19 | Video as follows:

Umps Surpass 2018 Ejections Total in August 2019

With a pair of ejections Friday, MLB surpassed 2018's total for regular season ejections...and we still have an entire month left to play in 2019. Umpires are on pace for over 200 heave-ho's for the first time since 2015, when baseball's second season of Replay Review and the slide rule, too, helped cause the spike. What's the reason?

New Era: Not just a hat company, ejection trends in Major League Baseball tend to follow a pattern. Since 2000—the World Umpires Association (WUA)'s first year as the MLB umpires' official collective bargaining unit—ejections have spiked and crashed, coincidentally or otherwise coinciding with several key events in modern baseball history. The following analysis (watch the video if you'd like the fast version) reviews ejection numbers and statistics since the year 2000 and attempts to investigate why ejections have increased in 2019.

2019 No-Hitter 4, Paul Emmel (1; Justin Verlander)

HP Umpire Paul Emmel called Astros pitcher Justin Verlander's no-hitter against the Blue Jays, the second consecutive no-no for Houston and third career no-hitter for Verlander.

Verlander's previous start ended with an ejection in the top of the 6th inning for arguing a ball three call with HP Umpire Pat Hoberg (QOCY).
Ejection Report: MLB Ejection 175 (8/27/19).

Emmel's crewmates for Sunday's game at Rogers Centre in Toronto included 1B Umpire Ryan Blakney, 2B Umpire Mike Estabrook, and 3B Umpire Bruce Dreckman.

This is Emmel's first career no-hitter and the fourth overall no-hit game of the 2019 season.
Related Post: 2019 No-Hitter 1, Mark Ripperger (1; Mike Fiers) (5/7/19).
Related Post: 2019 No-Hitter 2, Paul Nauert (1; LAA [Tyler Skaggs x2]) (7/12/19).
Related Post: 2019 No-Hitter 3, Jim Wolf (2; HOU [Combo]) (8/6/19).

Emmel received 59 callable pitches from Houston pitching, 40 balls and 19 called strikes. The look:

Balls: 40 called balls outside of strike zone / 0 called balls within strike zone = 40/40 = 100.0% Accuracy.
Strikes: 17 called strikes inside strike zone / 2 called strikes outside strike zone = 17/19 = <90% Accuracy.
Total Raw Accuracy Score for Verlander = 57/59 = 96.6% Accuracy (+2 HOU).
Overall Game Score: 79/79 Balls + 37/40 Strikes = 116/119 = 97.5%. +1 HOU.