MLB Ejection 039 - Bill Welke (1; Marcus Thames)

HP Umpire Bill Welke ejected Marlins hitting coach Marcus Thames (check swing) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Brewers-#Marlins game. With none out and one on (R1), Marlins batter Jesus Sanchez attempted to check his swing on a 1-1 curveball from Brewers pitcher Trevor Gott during R1 Avisail Garcia's stolen base attempt, ruled a swinging second strike. Play was reviewed and adjudicated unanimously (0-8) by the UEFL Appeals Board, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Marlins were leading, 4-1. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 9-3.

This is Bill Welke (3)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

Bill Welke now has -2 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = -2).

Crew Chief Bill Welke now has 1 point in Crew Division (1 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 1)

This is the 39th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is Miami's 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st in the NL East (MIA 3; PHI, WAS 2; ATL, NYM 1).

This is Marcus Thames' 1st ejection since August 8, 2020 (Vic Carapazza; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

This is Bill Welke's 1st ejection since September 16, 2021 (Tony La Russa; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Miami Marlins, 5/14/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 038 - John Tumpane (1; Rocco Baldelli)

3B Umpire John Tumpane ejected Twins manager Rocco Baldelli (obstruction call by 1B Umpire Erich Bacchus; QOCY) in the top of the 10th inning of the #Guardians-#Twins game. With none out and one on (R2), Guardians batter Andres Gimenez hit a 2-2 changeup from Twins pitcher Jharel Cotton on a fly ball off the right field wall, fielded by Max Kepler, resulting in an obstruction call (type 2) on Twins first baseman Jose Miranda by 1B Umpire Bacchus, who ruled that Miranda illegally impeded Gimenez's progress in running the bases, awarding Gimenez second base as a result of the obstruction. Replays indicate Gimenez and Miranda collided between first and second base and that Miranda was not legally positioned relative to impeding the baserunner; the batter-runner was awarded second base to nullify the act of obstruction (type 2), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Guardians were leading, 2-1. The Guardians ultimately won the contest, 3-2, in 10 innings.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

John Tumpane now has 5 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev + 2 MLB + 1 Correct-Crewmate = 5).

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

*OBR 6.01(h)(2): "If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no further action is possible. The umpire shall then call “Time” and impose such penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction."

This is the 38th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 17th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Minnesota's 1st ejection of 2022, T-2nd in the AL Central (DET 2; CWS, KC, MIN 1; CLE 0).

This is Rocco Baldelli's 1st ejection since Sept 13, 2021 (Jeff Nelson; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is John Tumpane's 1st ejection since Sept 25, 2020 (Aaron Boone; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cleveland Guardians vs Minnesota Twins, 5/14/22 | Video as follows:

Ask UEFL - Anderson Safe After Donaldson Pushes Runner Off Base

In a physical play that wound up clearing the benches, 3B Umpire Chris Guccione ruled White Sox baserunner Tim Anderson safe at third base during Chicago's game against New York Friday, as Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson appeared to push the runner off third base while making a tag.

This edition of Ask the UEFL answers the question of what happened, with references to the Official Baseball Rules' definition of oversliding ("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"), and, more importantly, the MLB Umpire Manual's interpretation of fielder-runner contact that results in the runner no longer touching the base.

According to MLBUM, "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 they were forced off following the conclusion of the play."

As such, because runner R3 Anderson slid headfirst in the direction of the left field foul pole and appeared to touch third base prior to Donaldson's tag, only for Anderson to then fall off the base to his left—a direction Anderson never slid in until Donaldson made contact with him—it can be concluded that Donaldson illegally pushed Anderson off the base and, thus, the remedy is to declare the runner safe.

Related Post: Was Max Muncy's Fall From 2nd Base a Legal Out? (10/24/20).

Related Post: Replay Rewind - Runner Pushed Off Base (6/25/18).

Note: This is not Obstruction, as Donaldson possessed the ball in his glove prior to blocking Anderson's path to the base. Were it obstruction, it would have been Type One (play being made on runner).

Video as follows:

Ask UEFL - Player/Ump Collisions & Umpire Interference

After Cubs shortstop Nico Hoerner left Chicago's game against San Diego Wednesday following Hoerner's collision with 2B Umpire Dan Iassogna in pursuit of a fly ball, we were asked about interference rules in baseball pertaining to contact between a player and umpire while the ball is live and in play. It should obviously go without saying that umpires and players alike both strive to avoid running into the other—both for defensive and injury reasons—but sometimes collisions do occur and when that happens, it's important to know the rules.

Official Baseball Rule 6.01(f) Comment lists the two—and only two—general circumstances that can lead to a call of umpire interference: "Umpire’s interference occurs (1) when a plate umpire hinders, impedes or prevents a catcher’s throw attempting to prevent a stolen base or retire a runner on a pick-off play; or (2) when a fair ball touches an umpire on fair territory before passing a fielder. Umpire interference may also occur when an umpire interferes with a catcher returning the ball to the pitcher."

Umpire Interference Type 1 occurs when a home plate umpire and catcher make contact as the catcher is attempting to retire a runner who is attempting to steal, or to attempt a pickoff throw, or to throw the ball back to the pitcher.

Prescribed Outcome: The ball remains alive until the catcher's throw arrives at its intended destination (if applicable). If the runner is retired, the interference is ignored. If the runner is not retired, the ball becomes dead and runners return to bases they held at the time of the pitch (unless forced to advance by virtue of the batter becoming a runner).

Umpire Interference Type 2 occurs when a fair ball makes contact with an umpire who is positioned in fair territory and before the ball has passed a fielder. The pitcher is not considered a fielder for the purpose of this rule. We most often see this brand of UMP INT occur when the second base umpire is positioned on the infield with a runner (or runners) on base and a line drive hits the umpire before getting to the middle infielders.

Prescribed Outcome: The ball is dead at the moment it contacts the umpire and the batter-runner is awarded first base. All other runners return to the bases occupied at time of pitch, unless they are forced to advance by virtue of the batter becoming a runner (e.g., if this occurs when there is only a runner on third base, the runner on third base returns to third [and the batter is awarded first]; if this occurs when there is only a runner on first base, the runner on first base is awarded second base due to the batter being awarded first).

There is no interference when an umpire and fielder or runner collide during a batted or thrown ball other than in Type 1. Similarly, there is no interference when a thrown or pitched ball hits an umpire nor when a batted ball hits an umpire, provided (if a fair ball) it has passed a fielder.

Outcome: As such, the ball remains alive and in play. Thus, when Hoerner and Iassogna collided, the ball remained alive and batter Jurickson Profar's triple thus stood.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 036-37 - Adam Beck (1-2; BOS x2)

HP Umpire Adam Beck ejected Red Sox catcher Kevin Plawecki and manager Alex Cora (strike three call; QOCN) in the top of the 6th inning of the #RedSox-#Braves game. With two out and the bases loaded, Plawecki took a 3-2 cutter from Braves pitcher Collin McHugh 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 0.33, pz 1.26 [sz_bot 1.60 / RAD 1.48 / MOE 1.39]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejections, the game was tied, 3-3. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

These are Adam Beck (102)'s 1st and 2nd ejections of 2022.

Adam Beck now has -4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2*[2 AAA - 4 Incorrect Call] = -4).

Crew Chief Mark Carlson now has 2 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 2).
*This pitch was located 1.61 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

These are the 36th and 37th ejection reports of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 14th player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Plawecki was 1-3 (SO) in the contest.

This is the 16th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Boston's 2/3rd ejection of 2022, 2nd in the AL East (TOR 5; BOS 3; BAL, NYY 2; TB 1).

This is Kevin Plawecki's 1st ejection since July 17, 2021 (Jeff Nelson; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

This is Alex Cora's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since May 7 (Carlos Torres; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Boston Red Sox vs. Atlanta Braves, 5/11/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 034-35 - Miller & Eddings (1,1; PHI-SEA)

3B Umpire Bill Miller ejected Phillies manager Joe Girardi (untimely Replay Review request/time expired) in the bottom of the 2nd inning and HP Umpire Doug Eddings ejected Mariners catcher Luis Torrens (check swing strike three call) of the #Phillies-#Mariners game. In the 2nd, with one out and one on (R2), Mariners batter Adam Frazier hit a ground ball to second baseman Jean Segura, who threw to first baseman Rhys Hoskins as Frazier arrived at first base, ruled safe by 1B Umpire Brian Knight. Replays indicate first baseman Hoskins appeared to possess the ball upon tagging first base prior to Frazier's arrival, but dropped the ball as his glove collided with Frazier's leg; the 20-second Replay Review decision clock expired prior to Girardi's request to challenge the play, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 3-0. In the 8th, with none out and none on, Mariners batter Torrens attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 slider from Phillies pitcher Andrew Bellatti, ruled a swinging strike on appeal by 1B Umpire Brian Knight. Play was reviewed and adjudicated by the UEFL Appeals Board (8-0), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 5-3. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Bill Miller (26)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

This is Doug Eddings (88)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

Bill Miller now has 2 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 2).

Doug Eddings now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4)

Crew Chief Bill Miller now has 4 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 1 QOCU + 1 QOCY = 4).

These are the 34th and 35th ejection reports of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 15th manager ejection of 2022.

This is the 13th player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Torrens was 2-4 (SO) in the contest.

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

This is Joe Girardi's 1st ejection since Sept 17, 2021 (Carlos Torres; QOC = N [Check Swing]).

This is Luis Torrens' first career MLB ejection.

This is Bill Miller's 1st ejection since July 20, 2021 (Joe Maddon; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Doug Eddings' 1st ejection since Sept 20, 2021 (Dave Martinez; QOC = Y-c [RLI]).

Wrap: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Seattle Mariners, 5/10/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 031-33 - Marquez & L Barrett (TOR x3)

1B Umpire Alfonso Marquez ejected Blue Jays pitcher Yimi Garcia (throwing at Yankees batter Josh Donaldson) pitching coach Pete Walker (arguing Garcia's ejection) in the bottom of the 6th and HP Umpire Lance Barrett ejected manager Charlie Montoyo (arguing ejection no-call) in the top of the 7th inning of the #BlueJays-#Yankees game. With one out and two on, Yankees batter Giancarlo Stanton hit a three-run home run off Garcia. Ensuing batter Donaldson then took a sinker for a called strike before taking a fastball for a hit-by-pitch, resulting in Garcia's ejection upon umpire consultation for intentionally pitching at Donaldson. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and hit Donaldson in the upper left arm; Blue Jays batter Lourdes Gurriel Jr had been hit by a pitch in the top half of the inning but no warnings had been issued, the call was irrecusable. In the top of the 7th, Blue Jays batter Bo Bichette took a first-pitch sinker from Yankees pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga for a called first ball (no ejection). Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and head-high, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 6-5.

These are Alfonso Marquez (72)'s 1st and 2nd ejections of 2022.
This is Lance Barrett (16)'s 1st ejection of 2022.
Alfonso Marquez now has 5 points in the UEFL Standings (1 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable] = 5).

Lance Barrett now has 4 points in the UEFL Standings (2 Prev + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 4).

Crew Chief Alfonso Marquez now has 5 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 3 Irrecusable = 5).

These are the 31st, 32nd, and 33rd ejection reports of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 12th player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection,

This is the 14th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Toronto's 3/4/5th ejection of 2022, 1st in the AL East (TOR 5; BAL, NYY 2; BOS, TB 1).

This is Yimi Garcia's first career MLB ejection.

This is Pete Walker's 1st ejection since Sept 22, 2021 (Joe West; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

This is Charlie Montoyo's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since April 30 (Nic Lentz; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Alfonso Marquez's 2-3rd ejection of 2022; April 12 (Jeremy Reed; QOC = N [Check Swing]).

This is Lance Barrett's 1st ejection since Sept 27, 2021 (Tim Anderson; QOC = U [USC-NEC]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees, 5/10/22 | Video as follows:

2022 No-Hitter 2, Ryan Blakney (1; Reid Detmers)

HP Umpire Ryan Blakney called Angels pitcher Reid Detmers no-hitter vs the Rays in Anaheim of Los Angeles, joined by 1B Umpire and Crew Chief Marvin Hudson, 2B Umpire Adrian Johnson, and 3B Umpire John Tumpane.

Blakney officiated Detmer's no-hitter with a net accuracy of 98.3%, two pitches shy of perfection. Of the two, both favored the visiting Rays.

This is Ryan Blakney's first career MLB no-hitter.

The UEFL f/x look:

Balls: 82 called balls outside strike zone / 1 called ball within strike zone = 82/83 = 98.8% accuracy.

Strikes: 36 called strikes within strike zone / 1 called strike outside strike zone = 36/37 = 97.3% accuracy.

Total Raw Accuracy Score: 118/120 = 98.3% accuracy (+2 TB [Favored Tampa Bay by 2 pitches]).

MLB Ejections 029-30 - Nick Mahrley (2-3; DET x2)

HP Umpire Nick Mahrley ejected Tigers SS Javier Baez and manager AJ Hinch (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Athletics-#Tigers game. With none out and one on (R1), Baez took a 2-2 slider from A's pitcher Dany Jimenez for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px 0.81, pz 3.04) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were officiated properly, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Athletics were leading, 2-0. The A's ultimately won the contest, 2-0.

These are is Nick Mahrley (48)'s 2nd and 3rd ejections of 2022.

Nick Mahrley now has 6 points in the UEFL Standings (-2 Prev + 2*[2 AAA + 2 Correct Call] = 6).

Crew Chief Rob Drake now has 3 points in Crew Division (1 Previous + 2 Correct Call = 3).

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

This pitch was located 1.00 horizontal inch from being deemed incorrect.

These are the 29th and 30th ejection reports of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 11th player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Baez was 1-4 (SO) in the contest.

This is the 13th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Detroit's 1/2nd ejection of 2022, 1st in the AL Central (DET 2; CWS, KC 1; CLE, MIN 0).

This is Javier Baez's 1st ejection since July 21, 2018 (Will Little; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

This is AJ Hinch's 1st ejection since August 19, 2021 (Hunter Wendelstedt; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

This is Nick Mahrley's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since April 11 (Don Mattingly; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs. Detroit Tigers, 5/9/22 | Video as follows:

Injury Scout - Ron Kulpa Leaves Mother's Day Matinee

HP Umpire Ron Kulpa left Sunday's #WhiteSox-#RedSox game in Boston in the top of the 4th inning.

With one out and none on, White Sox batter Jake Burger fouled a 95.8-mph fastball from Red Sox pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura into Kulpa's traditional-style facemask. 1B Umpire Marty Foster replaced Kulpa behind home plate and assumed acting Crew Chief duties with 2B Umpire Chris Conroy moving to first base and 3B Umpire Carlos Torres remaining at third.

Relevant Injury History: Kulpa has left games due to injury before:

> On May 22, 2021, Kulpa left a game after a 93-mph sinker deflected into his mask off the catcher.

> On April 15, 2019, Kulpa left a game after a 94-mph direct shot missed the catcher entirely.

Last Game: May 8 | Return to Play: June 17 | Time Absent: 40 Days / 40 Nights | Video as follows: