Close Call Sports objectively tracks and analyzes close and controversial calls in sport, with great regard for the rules and spirit of the game. Developed from The Left Field Corner's MLB Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (UEFL), baseball's number one source for umpire ejections, video instant replay reviews and their corresponding calls, with great regard for the rules and spirit of the game.
HP Umpire Greg Gibson ejected Cubs catching coach Mike Borzello (warnings) in the top of the 4th inning of the #Cubs-#Pirates game. After Cubs batter Willson Contreras was hit by a pitch from Pirates pitcher JT Brubaker in the top of the 3rd inning, Cubs batter Anthony Rizzo hit a 3-0 sinker from Brubaker on the ground to Pirates first baseman Colin Moran, who threw to shortstop Kevin Newman as Contreras slid into second base, originally ruled an out (no interference) by 2B Umpire Ryan Additon and overturned to slide rule interference (double play) upon Manager's Challenge by Pirates Manager Derek Shelton.*
After Pirates batter Dustin Fowler was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the 3rd inning, Cubs batter Kris Bryant in the top of the 4th inning took a first-pitch sinker from Brubaker for a hit-by-pitch, resulting in warnings. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and struck Bryant in the elbow, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 4-1. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 7-1.
This is Greg Gibson (53)'s first ejection of the 2021 MLB regular season.
Greg Gibson now has 2 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 2).
Crew Chief Greg Gibson now has 0 points in Crew Division (-1 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 0).
*The four criteria with which to determine whether a runner has engaged in a bona fide slide in accordance with Official Baseball Rule 6.01(j) [YES/NO in regard to Contreras' slide] are:
(1) begins his slide (i.e., makes contact with the ground) before reaching the base [YES];
(2) is able and attempts to reach the base with his hand or foot [NO];
(3) is able and attempts to remain on the base (except home plate) after completion of the slide [NO];
(4) slides within reach of the base without changing his pathway for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder [MAYBE].