AP Report of Umpire COVID Appears to be False Positive

On Wednesday, an AP report circulated by ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and others stated an umpire tested positive for coronavirus, leading to crew shuffling in Florida. Close Call Sports now concludes this test result was likely a false positive for COVID-19. 

When the AP story broke Wednesday, several UEFL commenters surmised the affected crew belonged to chief Joe West, who, alongside Hunter Wendelstedt, sat out the midweek Red Sox-Marlins series in Miami. For sudden-interim crew chief Fletcher, it was as simple as traveling from Tampa Bay, leaving a three-person crew of Dan Iassogna, Tripp Gibson, and Ben May, until taxi squad umpire Clint Vondrak arrived mid-game on Wednesday to complete the crew.

Yet with MLB's health and safety protocols in effect—combined with Joe West's return to work the first plate of a doubleheader on Friday and contract tracing which would very likely have affected the entire crew—it would seem that with West's crew in Miami, Paul Nauert's crew in Boston, and Iassogna making the trip with the Rays up to Baltimore, we more likely than not have a false positive test situation.

Otherwise, it would appear on its face entirely negligent to allow COVID-exposed close contacts out on the field—thus, the presumption of a false positive.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 65 - Ramon De Jesus (2; Joe Dillon)

HP Umpire Ramon De Jesus ejected Phillies hitting coach Joe Dillon (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #BlueJays-#Phillies game. With one out and two on, Phillies batter Andrew McCutchen took a 1-2 sinker from Blue Jays pitcher Rafael Dolis for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.36, pz 1.52 [sz_bot 1.61 / RAD 1.49]) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 7-5. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 8-7. 

This is Ramon De Jesus (18)'s second ejection of 2020.
Ramon De Jesus now has 3 points in the UEFL Standings (-1 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 3).
Crew Chief Chris Conroy now has 1 point in Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).

This is the 65th ejection report of the 2020 MLB regular season.

This is Philadelphia's 3rd ejection of 2020, T-1st in the NL East (PHI, WAS 3; MIA 1; ATL, NYM 0).

This is Joe Dillon's first career MLB ejection.

This is Ramon De Jesus' 2nd ejection of 2020, 1st since Aug 7 (Derek Shelton; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 9/18/20 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 64 - Jeremie Rehak (2; Jacob Stallings)

HP Umpire Jeremie Rehak ejected Pirates C Jacob Stallings (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Pirates-#Cardinals game. With one out and one on, Stallings took a 3-2 sinker from Cardinals pitcher Seth Elledge for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px 0.19, pz 1.56 [sz_bot 1.66 / RAD 1.54]) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Cardinals were leading, 7-2. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 7-2, in 7 innings. 

This is Jeremie Rehak (35)'s second ejection of 2020.
Jeremie Rehak now has 13 points in the UEFL Standings (9 Prev + 2 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 13).
Crew Chief Jerry Meals now has 11 points in Crew Division (10 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 11).

*This pitch was located 1.24 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 64th ejection report of the 2020 MLB regular season.

This is the 30th player ejection of 2020. Prior to ejection, Stallings was 0-1 (SO) in the contest.

This is Pittsburgh's 5th ejection of 2020, 2nd in the NL Central (CIN 7; PIT 5; MIL 4; CHC 3; STL 1).

This is Jacob Stallings' first career MLB ejection.

This is Jeremie Rehak's 2nd ejection of 2020, 1st since Aug 18 (Marwin Gonzalez; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St Louis Cardinals, 9/18/20 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 63 - Edwin Moscoso (2; Tyler Anderson)

HP Umpire Edwin Moscoso ejected Giants pitcher Tyler Anderson (ball four call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the #SFGiants-#Mariners game. With none out and none on, Mariners batter Kyle Lewis took a 3-2 fastball from Anderson for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -0.16, pz 1.49 [sz_bot 1.57 / RAD 1.45 / MOE 1.53]) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 4-1. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 6-4. 

This is Edwin Moscoso (109)'s second ejection of 2020.
Edwin Moscoso now has 8 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 2 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 8).

Crew Chief Bill Miller now has 2 points in Crew Division (1 Previous + 1 QOCY = 2).

*This pitch was located 0.48 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 63rd ejection report of the 2020 MLB regular season.

This is the 29th player ejection of 2020. Prior to ejection, Anderson's line was 2.0 IP, 4 ER.

This is San Francisco's 1st ejection of 2020, T-4th in the NL West (LAD 4; ARI, SD 2; COL, SF 1).

This is Tyler Anderson's 1st ejection since Aug 13, 2016 (Eric Cooper; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

This is Edwin Moscoso's 2nd ejection of 2020, 1st since Aug 7 (Jason Castro; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

Wrap: San Francisco Giants vs. Seattle Mariners, 9/17/20 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 62 - Dan Bellino (4; Josh Donaldson)

HP Umpire Dan Bellino ejected Twins 3B Josh Donaldson (strike one call after HR; QOCU) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Twins-#WhiteSox game. With none out and none on, Donaldson took a 2-0 slider from White Sox pitcher Reynaldo Lopez for a called first strike before hitting a home run on the subsequent 2-1 pitch, ejected for arguing balls and strikes after he crossed home plate. Replays indicate the pitch ruled strike one was located off the outer edge of home plate and knee-high (px 1.04, pz 1.61 [sz_bot 1.54]); pursuant to UEFL Rule 6-5-c, the call was irrecusable.* At the time of the ejection, the Twins were leading, 3-2. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 4-3. 

This is Dan Bellino (2)'s fourth ejection of 2020.
Dan Bellino now has 9 points in the UEFL Standings (7 Prev + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 9).
Crew Chief Angel Hernandez now has 16 points in Crew Division (15 Previous + 1 QOCU = 16).

This is the 62nd ejection report of the 2020 MLB regular season.

This is the 28th player ejection of 2020. Prior to ejection, Donaldson was 1-3 (SO) in the contest.

This is Minnesota's 4th ejection of 2020, 1st in the AL Central (MIN 4; DET 2; CLE, CWS, KC 0).

This is Josh Donaldson's 1st ejection since June 10, 2019 (Brian Gorman; QOC = U [Fighting]).

This is Dan Bellino's 4th ejection of 2020, 1st since Aug 29 (David Bell; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox, 9/17/20 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 60-61 - Ron Kulpa (2-3; STL-MIL Fight)

2B Umpire Ron Kulpa ejected Cardinals Manager Mike Shildt and Brewers Manager Craig Counsell (fighting following catcher's interference) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Cardinals-#Brewers game. With one out and the bases loaded, Brewers batter Ryan Braun swung at a 2-2 slider from Cardinals pitcher Rob Kaminsky, resulting in a catcher's interference call by HP Umpire John Bacon as Braun's bat made contact with catcher Yadier Molina's wrist/mitt, further resulting in a benches-clearing incident. Replays indicate that prior to the catcher's interference, Braun and Molina entered into a dispute regarding purported pitch framing by Molina, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejections, the Brewers were leading, 13-2. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 18-3. 

These are Ron Kulpa (46)'s second and third ejections of 2020.

Ron Kulpa now has 10 points in the UEFL Standings (6 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call] = 10).
Crew Chief Ron Kulpa now has 7 points in Crew Division (5 Previous + 2*[1 QOCU] = 7).

These are the 60th and 61st ejection reports of the 2020 MLB regular season.

These are the 26th and 27th Manager ejections of 2020.

This is St Louis' 1st ejection of 2020, 5th in the NL Central (CIN 7; MIL, PIT 4; CHC 3; STL 1).

This is Milwaukee's 4th ejection of 2020, T-2nd in the NL Central (CIN 7; MIL, PIT 4: CHC 3; STL 1).

This is Mike Shildt's 1st ejection since July 4, 2019 (Rob Drake; QOC = Y [Time Not Granted /USC]).

This is Craig Counsell's 3rd ejection of 2020, 1st since Sept 13 (Ron Kulpa; QOC = Y [Time/USC]).

This is Ron Kulpa's 2/3rd ejection of 2020, 1st since Sept 13 (Craig Counsell; QOC = Y [Time/USC]).

Wrap: St Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 9/15/20 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 58-59 - Will Little (3-4; MIN)

HP Umpire Will Little ejected Twins DH Nelson Cruz and Manager Rocco Baldelli (strike three call; QOCN) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Twins-#WhiteSox game. With two out and one on, Twins batter Ryan Jeffers took a 1-2 sinker from White Sox pitcher Dane Dunning for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px 0.08, pz 1.36 [sz_bot 1.63 / RAD 1.51 / MOE 1.43]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejections, the White Sox were leading, 5-2. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 6-2. 

These are Will Little (93)'s first and second ejections of 2020.
Will Little now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (10 Prev + 2*[2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call] = 6).
Crew Chief Angel Hernandez now has 15 points in Crew Division (15 Previous + 2*[QOCN] = 15).

*This pitch was located 0.84 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

These are the 58th and 59th ejection reports of the 2020 MLB regular season.

This is the 27th player ejection of 2020. Prior to ejection, Cruz was 1-3 (SO) in the contest.

This is the 25th Manager ejection of 2020.

This is Minnesota's 2/3rd ejection of 2020, 1st in the AL Central (MIN 3; DET 2; CLE, CWS, KC 0).

This is Nelson Cruz's 1st ejection since Sept 7, 2019 (Laz Diaz; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Rocco Baldelli's 1st ejection since July 23, 2019 (Ramon De Jesus; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Will Little's 3/4th ejection of 2020, 1st since Aug 16 (Kevin Long; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox, 9/15/20 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 57 - Brennan Miller (1; Brandon Hyde)

1B Umpire Brennan Miller ejected Orioles Manager Brandon Hyde (check swing ball three call) in the top of the 4th inning of the #Braves-#Orioles game. With two out and one on, Braves batter Ronald Acuna attempted to check his swing on a 2-1 slider from Orioles pitcher Paul Fry, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Ryan Additon and affirmed as no swing on appeal by 1B Umpire Miller. Play was reviewed and adjudicated by the UEFL Appeals Board (8-0), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Braves were leading, 2-0. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 5-1.

This is Brennan Miller (55)'s first ejection of 2020.
Brennan Miller now has 5 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 2 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 5).
Crew Chief Bill Welke now has 5 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 5).

This is the 57th ejection report of the 2020 MLB regular season.

This is the 24th Manager ejection of 2020.

This is the Orioles' 2nd ejection of 2020, T-3rd in the AL East (NYY, TOR 4; BAL, TB 2; BOS 0).

This is Brandon Hyde's 1st ejection since Sept 3, 2019 (Lance Barrett; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

This is Brennan Miller's 1st ejection since July 18, 2019 (Aaron Boone; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Atlanta Braves vs. Baltimore Orioles, 9/15/20 | Video as follows:

2020 Roster of Minor League Umpires Approved for MLB

A record 19 new umpires made their major league debuts during the 2020 MLB season following an unprecedented number of opt out requests from the full-time umpire staff. Baseball created a new roster class for these Minor League umpires approved to call MLB games, separate from the existing call-up/fill-in list, and assigning these 19 taxi squad umpires triple-digit uniform numbers.

MLB's circa-2019 call-up roster remained the same for 2020. Refer to the CCS Umpire Roster & Crews page for a complete listing.

Related: MLB 2020 COVID-modified crew list

Now that all Triple-A non-call-up umpires have made their big league debuts, the following is MLB's list of deputized MiLB umpires authorized to call MLB games (with corresponding links to the announcement news posts of their respective debuts), sorted by sleeve number (which itself is sorted alphabetically):

Uniform Jersey #) Name [Date of 1st MLB Regular Season Game]

100) Arrieta, David (8/21/20)

101) Bacchus, Erich (8/7/20)

102) Beck, Adam (8/5/20)

103) Ceja, Nestor (8/14/20)

104) Clemons, Paul (8/19/20)

105) MacKay, Alex (8/21/20)

106) McCrady, Kyle (9/4/20)

107) Merzel, Dan (8/29/20)

108) Moore, Malachi (8/17/20)

109) Moscoso, Edwin (7/23/20)

110) Navas, Jose (7/24/20)

111) Ramos, Charlie (8/25/20)

112) Riggs, Jeremy (7/28/20)

113) Rosenberg, Randy (8/4/20)

114) Tomlinson, Nate (8/7/20)

115) Valentine, Junior (8/26/20)

116) Vondrak, Clint (8/10/20)

117) Williams, Lew (8/2/20)

118) Wills, Ryan (8/22/20)

2020 No-Hitter 2, Chris Segal (1; Alec Mills)

HP Umpire Chris Segal called Chicago Cubs pitcher Alec Mills' no-hitter against the Brewers in Milwaukee Sunday afternoon, joined by Crew Chief Ron Kulpa (1B), alongside umpires Manny Gonzalez (2B) and Todd Tichenor (3B). MIL Manager Craig Counsell was ejected during the 5th inning for arguing an appeal play.

The Virginia-born Segal, officiating his first career no-hitter, saw 296 pitches, of which 163 were callable.

As we have documented in the past, three separate plate scores exist. Segal's Zone Evaluation-equivalent (two-inch margin of error) score was 97.6%, UEFL f/x (one-inch margin of error) score was 93.9%, and zero-error/broadcast score was 91.4%.

Related Post: MLB Ejection 56 - Ron Kulpa (1; Craig Counsell) (9/13/20).

The UEFL f/x look:

Balls: 105 called balls outside strike zone / 3 called balls within strike zone = 105 / 108 = 97.2%.

Strikes: 48 called strikes within strike zone / 7 called strikes outside strike zone = 48/55 = <90.0%.

Total Raw Accuracy Score for Segal = 153/163 = 93.9% Accuracy (+4 CHC/skew favored Cubs).

MLB Ejection 56 - Ron Kulpa (1; Craig Counsell)

1B Umpire Ron Kulpa ejected Brewers Manager Craig Counsell (time out no call during no-hitter appeal play on baserunner Javier Baez; QOCY) in the top of the 5th inning of the #Cubs-#Brewers game. With one out and two on (R2, R3), Cubs batter Jason Kipnis hit a 2-2 fastball from Brewers pitcher JP Feyereisen on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Christian Yelich, who threw to third baseman Eric Sogard as Cubs baserunner R3 Kyle Schwarber scored and R2 Baez arrived at third base. As Sogard subsequently threw the ball to second base to appeal whether Baez left early (before outfielder Yelich touched the fly ball), Baez ran toward home plate and scored safely. Replays indicate the ball remained live during the Brewers' appeal play (as required by rule 5.09(c)) such that Baez's actions in running toward home plate were legal, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Cubs were leading, 7-0. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 10-0.

This is Ron Kulpa (46)'s first ejection of 2020.
Ron Kulpa now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 6).
Crew Chief Ron Kulpa now has 5 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 5).

*Official Baseball Rule 5.09(c)(1) states that a runner shall be called out on appeal when—"After a fly ball is caught, he fails to retouch his original base before he or his original base is tagged" and that the question of whether the runner has violated this rule may be appealed by the defense. Pursuant to Rule 5.09(c) Comment, "Time is not out when an appeal is being made" (e.g., the ball remains live).

^Dead ball appeals are legal in high school/NFHS, but not in pro (MLB/MiLB) and college/NCAA.

Related Post: Rare Real-Time Appeal Retires Runner over Retouch Rule (6/15/17).

Related Post: Appeal Play Statute of Limitations - When to Deny (9/19/19).

This is the 56th ejection report of the 2020 MLB regular season.

This is the 23rd Manager ejection of 2020.

This is the Brewers' 3rd ejection of 2020, T-3rd in the NL Central (CIN 7; PIT 4; CHC, MIL 3; STL 0).

This is Craig Counsell's 2nd ejection of 2020, 1st since Aug 27 (John Bacon; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ron Kulpa's 1st ejection since April 3, 2019 (AJ Hinch; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 9/13/20 | Video as follows: