MLB Ejection 019 - Nic Lentz (1; Charlie Montoyo)

HP Umpire Nic Lentz ejected Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Astros-#BlueJays game. With two out and one on (R2), Blue Jays batter Vladimir Guerrero took a 1-2 fastball from Astros pitcher Luis Garcia for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px 0.15, pz 1.76 [sz_bot 1.66 / RAD 1.54]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 2-1. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

This is Nic Lentz (59)'s 1st ejection of 2022.
Nic Lentz now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Crew Chief Ted Barrett now has 3 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 3).

*This pitch was located 3.64 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 19th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 8th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Toronto's 2nd ejection of 2022, T-1st in the AL East (BAL, TOR 2; NYY, TB 1; BOS 0).

This is Charlie Montoyo's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since April 16 (Jeff Nelson; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Nic Lentz's 1st ejection since August 18, 2021 (Lance Lynn; QOC = U [Foreign Substance]).

Wrap: Houston Astros vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 4/30/22 | Video as follows:

Teachable - Adam Beck's Patience in Play on Bat vs Hand

In this Teachable, Tmac visits Milwaukee as HP Umpire Adam Beck's fair ball call is upheld following Brewers manager Craig Counsell's challenge over whether batter Keston Hiura was hit by a pitch on a ball that bounced off the knob of the bat and into fair territory. Patience is key to officiating this and many other kinds of close plays.

Amongst several clues regarding the ball's physics and sounds themselves, we observe the players' reactions—specifically the batter's seemingly-delayed reaction that seems somewhat inconsistent with the expected reaction a batter would exhibit if they were hit by a pitch.

Pirates catcher Roberto Perez quickly retrieves the soft ground ball, turns around to see Beck signaling a fair ball, and throws to first base to retire the batter-runner.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 018 - Manny Gonzalez (1; Mike Matheny)

3B Umpire Manny Gonzalez ejected Royals manager Mike Matheny (out call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the #Yankees-#Royals game. With one out and one on (R2), Royals baserunner R2 Bobby Witt Jr attempted to steal third base and became involved in a rundown when Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes stepped off the mound and threw to second baseman Gleyber Torres, who chased Witt to third base, ruled out by 3B Umpire Gonzalez after being tagged while not on a base. Replays indicate Witt slid toward third base and contact with fielder Torres occurred as Witt broken contact with or overslid past third base, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 2-1. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 12-2.

This is Manny Gonzalez (79)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

Manny Gonzalez now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).

Crew Chief Jeff Nelson now has 1 point in Crew Division (0 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 1).

We discussed the OVERSLIDING principle in 2020's article Was Max Muncy's Fall From 2nd Base a Legal Out? (10/24/20) pertaining to a situation in which Dodgers runner Muncy was tagged out in the World Series by Rays shortstop Willy Adames. Definition is as follows.

"OVERSLIDE (or OVERSLIDING) is the act of an offensive player when their slide to a base, other than when advancing from home to first base, is with such momentum that they lose contact with the base."

MLB Umpire Manual: "If in the judgment of an umpire, a runner is pushed or forced off a base by a fielder, intentionally or unintentionally, at which the runner would have otherwise been called safe, the umpire has the authority and discretion under the circumstances to return the runner to the base he was forced off following the conclusion of the play."

This is the 18th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 7th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Kansas City's 1st ejection of 2022, T-1st in the AL Central (CWS, KC 1; CLE, DET, MIN 0).

This is Mike Matheny's 1st ejection since May 23, 2021 (Adrian Johnson; QOC = N [Check Swing]).

This is Manny Gonzalez's 1st ejection since October 3, 2021 (Derek Shelton; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals, 4/29/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 017 - David Rackley (1; Miguel Cairo)

HP Umpire David Rackley ejected White Sox bench coach Miguel Cairo (ball two call; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Angels-#WhiteSox game. With none out and one on (R1), Angels batter David Fletcher took a 1-0 cutter from White Sox pitcher Ryan Burr for a called second ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px 1.05, pz 1.78), and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Angels were leading, 4-1. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 5-1.

This is David Rackley (86)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

David Rackley now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).

Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has 2 points in Crew Division (1 Prev + 1 Correct = 2).

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 3.62 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 17th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is Chicago's 1st ejection of 2022, 1st in the AL Central (CWS 1; CLE, DET, KC, MIN 0).

This is Miguel Cairo's 1st ejection since September 27, 2021 (Lance Barrett; QOC = U [Fighting/USC]).

This is David Rackley's 1st ejection since July 9, 2021 (Jose Alvarez; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Anaheims of Angel vs. Chicago White Sox, 4/29/22 | Video as follows:

2022 No-Hitter 1, Ryan Wills (1; NYM Combined)

HP Umpire Ryan Wills called Mets pitchers' combined no-hitter vs Philadelphia in New York, joined by 1B Umpire Jansen Visconti, 2B Umpire & Crew Chief Jerry Meals, and 3B Umpire Vic Carapazza.

As it turns out, Wills was closer to perfection than Mets pitchers Tylor Megill, Drew Smith, Joely Rodriguez, Seth Lugo, and Edwin Diaz, missing just one pitch in posting a 99.4% (153/154) UEFL f/x, which for this game matched the Zone Evaluation Equivalent score (153/154 pitches).

The UEFL f/x look:

Balls: 108 called balls outside strike zone / 1 called ball within strike zone = 108/109 = 99.1% accuracy.

Strikes: 45 called strikes within strike zone / 0 called strikes outside strike zone = 45/45 = 100% accuracy.

Total Raw Accuracy Score for Wills = 153/154 = 99.4% accuracy (+1 PHI [favored Phillies by 1 pitch]).

MLB Ejection 016 - Shane Livensparger (1; Scott Servais)

HP Umpire Shane Livensparger ejected Mariners manager Scott Servais (strike three call; QOCN) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Mariners-#Rays game. With two out and none on, Mariners batter Julio Rodriguez took a 3-2 fastball from Rays pitcher Jalen Beeks, ruled a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and above the midpoint (px -0.08, pz 3.57 [sz_top 3.34 / RAD 3.46 / MOE 3.55]), the call was incorrect.*^ At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

This is Shane Livensparger (43)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

Shane Livensparger now has -2 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev - 4 Incorrect Call = -2).

Crew Chief Tom Hallion now has 0 points in Crew Division (0 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 0).

*This pitch was located 0.24 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

Regarding the preceding check swing vs location strike call situation on 2-1, the MLB Umpire Manual explains why confusion may have occurred (and how it may be prevented). HP Umpire Livensparger called a location strike using his right hand, as is his standard called strike mechanic. 1B Umpire Hallion, however, perhaps additionally seeing the batter and catcher looking expectantly at first base, signaled "safe" as if to rule no swing on appeal. The problem, of course, is that there was no appeal.

The MLB Umpire Manual states, regarding check swing appeals, "The preferred mechanic for asking help on a check-swing is for the plate umpire to point assertively with the left arm directly at the appropriate base umpire while asking if the batter swung. This mechanic helps avoid confusion between an appeal and a strike mechanic."

This is the 16th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 6th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Seattle's 1st ejection of 2022, T-1st in the AL West (LAA, OAK, SEA 1; HOU, TEX 0).

This is Scott Servais' 1st ejection since August 8, 2021 (Lance Barrett; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Shane Livensparger's 1st ejection since August 25, 2020 (David Bell; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Seattle Mariners vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 4/28/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 014-15 - Jeremie Rehak (1-2; STL x2)

HP Umpire Jeremie Rehak ejected Cardinals DH Nolan Arenado and 1B Coach Stubby Clapp (fighting) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Mets-#Cardinals game. With none out and none on, Cardinals batter Arenado took a first-pitch fastball from Mets pitcher Yoan Lopez for a called ball, resulting in a benches-clearing incident after Arenado reacted to nearly being hit by the pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and shoulder-high and that warnings had been issued prior to this incident (warnings were issued following this event), the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejections, the Cardinals were leading, 10-5. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 10-5.

This is Jeremie Rehak (35)'s 1st ejection of the 2021 MLB regular season.
Jeremie Rehak now has 5 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call] = 5).
Crew Chief Mark Wegner now has 4 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 2*[1 Irrecusable Call] = 4).

Official Baseball Rule 6.02(c)(9): "If, in the umpire’s judgment, circumstances warrant, both teams may be officially “warned” prior to the game or at any time during the game."

These are the 14th and 15th ejection reports of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 6th player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Arenado was 3-3 in the contest.

This is St Louis' 1/2nd ejection of 2022, 1st in the NL Central (STL 2; CHC 1; CIN, MIL, PIT 0).

This is Nolan Arenado's 1st ejection since August 18, 2021 (Alan Porter; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

This is Stubby Clapp's first career MLB ejection.

This is Jeremie Rehak's 1st ejection since June 30, 2021 (Andy Haines; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs. St Louis Cardinals, 4/27/22 | Video as follows:

Ask UEFL - Retired Batter's Interference Or Fake Throw?

In this Ask the UEFL, we examine an Oakland-Toronto play in which Blue Jays retired batter George Springer steps out of the batter's box and to home plate after striking out with baserunner R1 Cavan Biggio attempting to steal second base, ruled interference by HP Umpire Shane Livensparger. There are several myths to clear up regarding interference, so let's get to it.

Play: With one out and runners at the corners on April 17, Springer swings and misses at a 3-2 pitch and, in doing so, steps in front of A's catcher Stephen Vogt as R1 Biggio tries stealing second base. Vogt quickly steps up and motions as if he is going to throw to second base in an effort to retire Biggio. HP Umpire Livensparger, having observed retired batter Springer stepping out of the batter's box and toward home plate directly into catcher Vogt's throwing lane, calls interference.

The Rule: Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(5) pertains to retired offensive player interference and states that it is interference when—"Any batter or runner who has just been put out, or any runner who has just scored, hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of their teammate." This means R1 Biggio is out for teammate Springer's interference and the inning is over thanks to the double play.

Myths: There are several myths regarding interference to clear up.

1) Contrary to myth, contact between players is not required for an interference call to be made.

2) Similarly, the existence of contact does not necessarily mean there was interference.

3) The catcher does not need to actually release or throw the baseball to get an interference call.

4) Interference is not always intentional. It does not matter if the batter's natural momentum caused it.

5) This is not batter's interference, as Springer was retired already via the strikeout.

*The key importance of this is batter's interference results in the batter being declared out at the runner(s) being sent back to their time-of-pitch bases whereas retired player's interference results in the runner being declared out for the teammate (e.g., retired batter)'s interference.

Analysis: From Livensparger's position behind home plate, at 100% real-time speed, this is a fairly standard interference call. Retired batter Springer clearly stepped out of the box and toward home plate into catcher Vogt's potential throwing path, and catcher Vogt clearly does motion as if he is going to throw to second base.

On slow motion replay, however, it appears that perhaps Vogt never intended to actually throw the ball to second base; but when the offense does something potentially violative (e.g, the batter steps out of the box and onto/toward home plate as the catcher rises to potentially throw to retire a stealing runner), the benefit of the doubt shall go to the defense, as the defense did nothing wrong while the offense potentially did (by stepping out of the box after striking out).

Nonetheless, the underlying requirement for interference is that the offense impeded or hindered (or prevented) the defense from doing something due to a potentially illegal act. Springer clearly did step out of the box and into Vogt's throwing path, but the question here is whether or not doing so actually hindered Vogt: did Vogt intend to throw to second base? If yes, this is interference. If this was a set fake-to-second play from the get-go, then one could argue Springer's action did not actually hinder Vogt from faking.

Video as follows:

Ask UEFL - Right of Way Part 2 (The Obstruction Exception)

We were asked about a pitcher-batter-runner interaction during Sunday's Royals-Mariners game. Having established in a prior video that the fielder has the right of way to field a batted ball and that this right is retained as long as the ball remains in the fielder's immediate reach, we were asked if obstruction could ever be called instead.

To recap, the following simplistic statement applies:

On a batted ball, the fielder has the right to field it.*

At any other time, the runner has the right to run.

*Only one fielder is entitled to right-of-way protection.

The relevant rule is Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(10) ("Any runner is out when—they fail to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball, or intentionally interfere with a thrown ball").

Visit Ask UEFL - Interference No-Call As CWS-CLE Collide (4/21/22) to see our analysis for this rule.

The follow-up pertains to Royals pitcher Josh Staumont's body movements in fielding a ground ball off the bat of Mariners batter Adam Frazier. We first establish that the batted ball remains within fielder Staumont's immediate reach, which means that Staumont retains the right of way.

However, we also notice that Staumont appears to stick his right leg into batter-runner Frazier's path while fielding the ball. The question is whether obstruction is even possible during a batted ball fielding situation and, if so, what is the standard at which time the fielder—who has the right of way—commits such a violation?

The answer lies within OBR 6.01(a)(10) Comment, which begins by discussing the catcher-batter tangle/untangle "that's nothing" situation (see INT or OBS - Hammering the Catcher Contact Home (8/6/18) to learn more about interference/obstruction plays at home plate), but then expands a principle applicable to all fielders: "“Obstruction” by a fielder attempting to field a ball should be called only in very flagrant and violent cases because the rules give him the right of way, but of course such “right of way” is not a license to, for example, intentionally trip a runner even though fielding the ball."

Thus, one would have to rule that the pitcher intentionally tripped the runner or committed another "very flagrant and violent" act in order to call obstruction and award the batter-runner first base.

Video as follows:

Teachable - Proper Use of Eyes with David Rackley

Tmac's Teachables visits 1B Umpire David Rackley calling a Mariners-Blue Jays game, and specifically a play at first base that sees Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr lunging to catch a ball and stretch to keep a foot on first base as Seattle runner JP Crawford steps on the bag.

Rackley's proper use of eyes starts with focusing on one spot—the foot's contact or lack thereof with the base in this case, as umpires are instructed to listen for other aspects of these types of plays at first base, such as the ball hitting the fielder's glove or mitt.

After verifying that Guerrero caught the ball while his foot was still touching first base, Rackley patiently follows Guerrero to the ground, making sure the baseball remains in Guerrero's possession throughout the sequence.

Once Rackley confirms all aforementioned aspects—fielder caught the ball with a foot tagging first base prior to the runner's arrival, and that the fielder retained control of the ball—he properly rules the batter-runner out at first base, a call affirmed via Replay Review.

To recap, the General Instructions to Umpires in OBR includes the following: "Keep your eye everlastingly on the ball while it is in play. It is more vital to know just where a fly ball fell, or a thrown ball finished up, then whether or not a runner missed a base. Do not call the plays too quickly, or turn away too fast when a fielder is throwing to complete a double play. Watch out for dropped balls after you have called a player out."

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 013 - Angel Hernandez (1; Kyle Schwarber)

HP Umpire Angel Hernandez ejected Phillies LF Kyle Schwarber (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Brewers-#Phillies game. With one out and one on, Schwarber took a 3-2 sinker from Brewers pitcher Josh Hader for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located at the outer edge of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.89, pz 1.69), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Brewers were leading, 1-0. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

This is Angel Hernandez (5)'s 1st ejection of 2022.
Angel Hernandez now has 5 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 5).
Crew Chief James Hoye now has 2 points in Crew Division (1 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 2).

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 0.29 horizontal inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

This is the 13th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 5th player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection Schwarber was 1-4 (2 SO) in the contest.

This is Philadelphia's 1st ejection of 2022, T-2nd in the NL East (WAS 2; MIA, PHI 1; ATL, NYM 0).

This is Kyle Schwarber's 1st ejection since April 13, 2019 (Gabe Morales; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

This is Angel Hernandez's 1st ejection since May 5, 2021 (Brady Singer; QOC = Y [Balk]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 4/25/22 | Video as follows: