Ask the Teachable - Rotation Replay & Plate Blocking

This Ask the Teachable takes us to Milwaukee, where Nationals batter-runner Lane Thomas was tagged out at home plate by Brewers catcher Omar Narvaez on an unsuccessful inside-the-park home-run attempt, ruled out by 1B Umpire Stu Scheurwater, who rotated home to fill in for HP Umpire Charlie Ramos, who rotated to third base to fill in for 3B Umpire CB Bucknor, who rotated to second base to fill in for 2B Umpire Jeff Nelson, who went into the outfield to officiate Thomas' fly ball to deep right-center field. This is an example of an umpire rotation on a batted ball to the outfield with no runners on base at the time of the pitch.

As we followed the batted ball off the wall, we saw Thomas hustling around the bases as Milwaukee right fielder Hunter Renfroe gathered the ball and threw to second baseman Kolten Wong, who threw to catcher Narvaez as Thomas arrived at home plate.

Replay Review: Despite earlier issues with the clubhouse replay system in the 1st inning, by the time of this play in the top of the 7th inning, replay had been restored for both teams and thus as soon as Scheurwater made the out call at home plate, the 20-second decision timer began. Replays indicate the 20-second timer expired before Nationals manager Davey Johnson requested a review, meaning that Crew Chief Nelson properly denied Johnson's untimely request for a Manager's Challenge.

Plate Blocking Rule: Another issue here is whether or not catcher Narvaez blocked the runner Thomas' path to home plate. Recall that, pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 6.01(i)(2) pertaining to Collisions At Home Plate, the catcher is allowed to block the pathway of the runner under very specific circumstances. One of these is as follows: "Not withstanding the above, it shall not be considered a violation of this Rule 6.01(i)(2) if the catcher blocks the pathway of the runner in a legitimate attempt to field the throw (e.g., in reaction to the direction, trajectory or the hop of the incoming throw, or in reaction to a throw that originates from a pitcher or drawn-in infielder)."

Thus, because Wong's throw bounced and the trajectory of said through took the catcher into foul territory to receive it, the catcher is legally allowed to block the pathway of the runner.

Video as follows:

Sox-Yankees Donaldson Fight - Officiating Provocateurs

Benches cleared during Saturday's White Sox-Yankees game in New York during Josh Donaldson's 5th inning at-bat after a confrontation with Chicago catcher Yasmani Grandal, resulting in Umpire Greg Gibson issuing warnings to both teams. Of the four general types of game participants, adversaries and abusers are most likely to be involved in unsporting situations and we revisit our 2017 "Let's Talk - Mental Health in an Abusive Environment" article in the context of the Chicago-New York feud.

This, of course, invites the disclaimer and reminder that the game participant label applies to the participant's role in the game, not the participant's personal off-field attributes.

These two teams' animosity stems from, amongst others, Josh Donaldson's physical play in pushing Chicago baserunner Tim Anderson off of third base earlier in May, a play featured as an Ask the UEFL video that highlights 3B Umpire Chris Guccione's success in both properly calling Donaldson for illegally forcing Anderson off his base and effectively diffusing a potential fighting situation through strong game management. Rewinding the tape even further, Donaldson was upset with a strike call Grandal got from HP Umpire Dan Bellino in 2020, when Bellino ejected Donaldson for actions intended to ridicule in kicking dirt on home plate after hitting a home run against Chicago.

Related Post: Ask UEFL - Anderson Safe After Donaldson Pushes Runner Off Base (5/14/22).

In studying the history of Chicago and New York's interdivisional bickering, we note that Donaldson appears to have historically been involved in other unsporting situations with other teams, as well as with umpires. For instance, Donaldson was one of our Top 10 MLB Hothead Players by Ejection Frequency in 2019, Donaldson's history of ejections—which doesn't include situations like the Anderson push or hard slide into second—suggests the possible presence in Chicago-New York of a player that would be classed as an adversary or abuser pursuant to the 2017 framework.

To review, the four types of game participants are allies, neutrals, adversaries, and abusers, with allies comprising the most helpful and cordial team personnel who work with officials to help a game run smoothly and help diffuse volatile situations, whereas adversaries and abusers provoke the vast majority of on-field problems, with abusers crossing a definitive sportsmanship boundary.

When a player further provokes animosity with the opposing team, they cross into perhaps a new category of disruptor, a label borrowed from basketball that runs ancillary to the four types described above.

Thus, a player who is both an abuser and a disruptor may routinely harass or otherwise cause problems—just a general air of hostile tension—as well as disrupt the game, perhaps due to this hostility, and perchance cross over into causing problems with their opponents as well. (Similarly a player can be both an apparent ally and a disruptor in that the player appears cordial with officials but routinely incites and provokes with the other team).

As we stated in 2017, "Although getting away from an abuser may temporarily halt the potentially unsporting behavior—and it is appealing to keep the ejection- or technical foul-gun in its holster—chances are that a future call that goes against the abuser's team will be met with an episode of greater harassment. Remember, intimidation or being made to feel guilty is a tactic of abuse and must be dealt with assertively. Bullies thrive on passive victims' behavior."

The key here is to rely on both psychological game management and situation handling techniques as well as application of book rules to support disciplinary and other mitigative measures to remove problem players (and/or coaches) from the game.

In New York, Crew Chief Greg Gibson sought fit to issue warnings rather than eject personnel. In Chicago, Guccione simply separated the two players and prevented further escalation. In 2016, Dale Scott ejected Donaldson for his active role during the Blue Jays-Rangers benches-clearing brawl, as did Brian Gorman in 2019 when Donaldson's Atlanta Braves fought with the Pittsburgh Pirates after Donaldson was hit by a pitch.

Officiate evenhandedly, or as the rulebook's General Instructions to Umpires section states, "be courteous, impartial and firm, and so compel respect from all." You might just find that once you eject a problem player, your game will all of a sudden appear to run much more smoothly.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 045 - Ryan Additon (1; Willson Contreras)

HP Umpire Ryan Additon ejected Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Diamondbacks-#Cubs game. With one out and one on (R1), Cubs batter Contreras took a 1-2 fastball from Diamondbacks pitcher Caleb Smith for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and waist-high (px -0.87, pz 2.71) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were officiated properly, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Diamondbacks were leading, 9-5. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 10-6.

This is Ryan Additon (67)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

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

Crew Chief Mark Carlson now has 4 points in Crew Chief (3 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 4).

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

This pitch was located 0.53 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 45th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 17th player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Contreras was 0-4 (2 SO).

This is Chicago's 2nd ejection of 2022, T-1st in the NL Central (CHC, PIT, STL 2; CIN, MIL 0).

This is Willson Contreras' 1st ejection since Sept 18, 2021 (Chad Whitson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ryan Additon's 1st ejection since June 19, 2021 (David Bell; QOC = Y-c [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Chicago Cubs, 5/20/22 | Video as follows:

Ask UEFL - KBO Run Nullified Due to Force Double Play

This Ask the UEFL question comes from the Korea Baseball Organization, as umpires cancelled a game-winning run in extra innings after a fly ball to left field turned into a double-play on two trailing runners.

During Wednesday's KBO matchup between SSG Landers and Doosan Bears, Bears batter Jo Soo-haeng stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and one out, hitting a fly ball to shallow left field. SSG left fielder Oh Tae-gon dove in attempt to catch the sinking fly, but our 3B Umpire going out on the play signaled "safe" to rule no catch, or trap.

While leading baserunner R3 Kim Jae-ho appeared to score far ahead of the defense retiring trailing runners R2 Jung Soo-bin (tagged out between second and third) and R1 An Jae-seok (forced out at second base), umpires ruled the winning run had not scored after all, leading Doosan to challenge the call.

The call was confirmed via Replay Review: both R1 and R2 were forced out and no run scored, despite R3 touching home plate far in advance of R1 and R2 being put out.

The reason is the same one we see on "standard" inning-ending double plays on a ground ball to the shortstop, who throws to the second baseman for one, and back to the first base for two, negating any potential runs due to the third out force play.

This is not a Time Play: It is a simply a pair of force outs on R2 and R1 for the second and third outs of the inning, respectively. Had the defense instead tagged second base to force R1 out prior to tagging R2, R1's retirement as the inning's second out would have removed the force on R2 such that tagging R2 somewhere between second and third base would be a non-force tag play. In such an event, this would be a time play as R2's third out would no longer be due to a force out, meaning that R3's run would count due to R3 touching home plate prior to the third out (which is not a force out) being made.

The relevant rule, to review, is Official Baseball Rule 5.08(a) Exception, which states, "A run is not scored if the runner advances to home base during a play in which the third out is made (1) by the batter-runner before he touches first base; (2) by any runner being forced out; or (3) by a preceding runner who is declared out because he failed to touch one of the bases."

Although not strictly necessary for a force-third-out play like this one in which OBR 5.08(a) specifically cancels the run as opposed to umpire judgment that is used during a time play, a "score the run" or "disallow the run" signal might help communication-wise. Remember, the wash out signal is distinct from the safe mechanic in that washing out a run is signaled by raising both arms above the head whereas the safe sign is much more horizontal in nature.

In sum, though unconventional, this was an inning-ending force out as both R2 and R1 were forced to advance to their next bases by virtue of the batter becoming a runner (uncaught fly ball) | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 044 - Ramon De Jesus (1; Amir Garrett)

2B Umpire Ramon De Jesus ejected Royals pitcher Amir Garrett (balk call by 1B Umpire Shane Livensparger; QOCN) in the top of the 9th inning of the #WhiteSox-#Royals game. With two out and one on (R1), 1B Umpire Shane Livensparger called Garrett for a balk after a 0-2 delivery to White Sox batter Josh Harrison, advancing baserunner R1 Yasmani Grandal to second base. Replays indicate Garrett appeared to come to a stop in his delivery, a requirement for pitchers working out of Set Position, and did not otherwise commit and illegal pitching act, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the White Sox were leading, 7-4. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-4.

This is Ramon De Jesus (18)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

Ramon De Jesus now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB - 2 Incorrect-Crewmate = 0).

Crew Chief Alfonso Marquez now has 3 points in Crew Division (3 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 3).

This is the 44th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 16th player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Garrett's line was 1.0 IP, 0 ER, Balk.

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

This is Amir Garrett's 1st ejection since August 27, 2019 (Ryan Blakney; QOC = Y-c [Check Swing]).

This is Ramon De Jesus' 1st ejection since August 18, 2021 (Craig Counsell; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals, 5/19/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 043 - Manny Gonzalez (2; Anthony Rizzo)

HP Umpire Manny Gonzalez ejected Yankees batter Anthony Rizzo (strike one and two call; QOCN) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Yankees-#Orioles game. With none out and none on, Yankees batter Rizzo took a first-pitch slider and 0-1 changeup from Orioles pitcher Joey Krehbiel for called first and second strikes before subsequently striking out swinging. Replays indicate the first pitch of the at-bat, ruled strike one, was located over the heart of home plate and below of the hollow of the knee (px 0.15, pz 1.43 [sz_bot 1.73 / RAD 1.61 / MOE 1.52]) and that the 0-1 pitch was located over the heart of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px 0.17, pz 1.52 [sz_bot 1.73 / RAD 1/61 / MOE 1.52]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 5-5. The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 9-6.

This is Manny Gonzalez (79)'s 2nd ejection of 2022.

Manny Gonzalez now has 2 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Previous + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 2).

Crew Chief Chris Conroy now has -1 points in Crew Division (-1 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = -1).

The 0-0 pitch was located 1.08 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 43rd ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 15th player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Rizzo was 2-4 (SO) in the contest.

This is New York's 3rd ejection of 2022, T-2nd in the AL East (TOR 5; BOS, NYY 3; BAL 2; TB 1).

This is Anthony Rizzo's 1st ejection since July 24, 2019 (Jordan Baker; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Manny Gonzalez's 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since April 29 (Mike Matheny; QOC = Y [Out/Safe]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles, 5/19/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 042 - CB Bucknor (1; Joe Maddon)

HP Umpire CB Bucknor ejected Angels manager Joe Maddon (ball three and four calls; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Angels-#Rangers game. With two out and two on (R1, R3), Rangers batter Kole Calhoun took a 2-2 sinker from Angels pitcher Jose Suarez for a called third ball before walking one pitch later. Replays indicate the 2-2 pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and above the midpoint (px -0.55, pz 3.26 [sz_top 3.08 / RAD 3.20]) while the 3-2 pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and waist-high (px 1.13, pz 2.78), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 4-4. The Rangers ultimately won the contest, 6-5, in 10 innings.

This is CB Bucknor (54)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

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

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

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

The 2-2 pitch was 1.72 vertical and the 3-2 pitch was 4.59 horizontal inches from being incorrect.

This is the 42nd ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 20th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Los Angeles' 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st in the AL West (LAA 2; OAK, SEA 1; HOU, TEX 0).

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

This is CB Bucknor's 1st ejection since June 30, 2021 (Brent Strom; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Angels of White Castle vs. Texas Rangers, 5/18/22 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 041 - Larry Vanover (1; Dave Roberts)

3B Umpire Larry Vanover ejected Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (check swing ball three call) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Diamondbacks-#Dodgers game. With none out and none on, Diamondbacks batter Geraldo Perdomo attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 knuckle curve from Dodgers pitcher Craig Kimbrel, ruled a ball by HP Umpire David Rackley and affirmed as no swing on appeal by 3B Umpire Larry Vanover. Play was reviewed and adjudicated by the UEFL Appeals Board, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Dodgers were leading, 7-5. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 7-6.

This is Larry Vanover (27)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

Larry Vanover now has ? points in the UEFL Standings

Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has ? points in Crew Division

This is the 41st ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 19th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Los Angeles' 1st ejection of 2022, T-2nd in the NL West (ARI 2; LAD, SD, SF 1; COL 0).

This is Dave Roberts' 1st ejection since July 22, 2021 (Ed Hickox; QOC = N [Check Swing]).

This is Larry Vanover's 1st ejection since July 30, 2019 (Francisco Cervelli; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 5/17/22 | Video as follows:

Ask a Teachable - Chris Segal Stays at the Florida Lodge

In this Ask the UEFL-Tmac's Teachable Moments hybrid analysis, we review HP Umpire Chris Segal's stuck ball call on a wild pitch to the backstop that lodged between the warning track ground and protective padding in Miami.

This sequence began when Marlins batter Brian Anderson attempted to check his swing on a 1-2 pitch from Milwaukee's Aaron Ashby, which bounced to the backstop.

HP Umpire Segal immediately (using his left arm) appealed to 1B Umpire Dan Merzel, who signaled with his first that the batter did indeed swing for strike three. Segal then indicated an uncaught third strike with his right hand and tracked the baseball to the backstop behind home plate, finding that the ball stuck between the ground and wall padding, calling the play dead due to the lodge, and awarding batter-runner Anderson first base.

The lodged ball call, which was confirmed via Replay Review, originates from Official Baseball Rule 5.06(b)(4), which includes the phrase "if it sticks in such fence, scoreboard, shrubbery or vines" in relation to the outcome of "Each runner including the batter-runner may, without liability to be put out, advance." Whether or not the catcher or any fielder subsequently plays the ball is immaterial: the ball is dead the moment it is declared stuck and out of play.

To review, the general premise regarding balls going out of play (such as by being lodged or stuck) is to award two bases for a batted (from time of pitch) or thrown (time of pitch for a first play by an infielder, time of throw for most other cases) ball and one base for a pitched ball (from time of pitch).

Video as follows:

Injury Scout - Marty Foster Exits After Getting Hit Twice

HP Umpire Marty Foster left Sunday's #Angels-#Athletics game in Oakland after a pair of head-shots in the bottom of the 6th and top of the 7th innings.

In the 6th, with two out and none on, A's batter Kevin Smith fouled a 94.8-mph fastball from Angels pitcher Patrick Sandoval into Foster's traditional-style facemask, deflected onto his shoulder. After consultation with training staff, Foster remained in the game.

In the 7th, however, Angels leadoff batter Chad Wallach took a 1-2 slider from A's pitcher Zach Jackson for a called ball. The pitch bounced well in front of home plate, deflecting off A's catcher Sean Murphy and into Foster's jaw for the second head hit in as many innings.

2B Umpire Scott Barry replaced Foster behind home plate and assumed acting Crew Chief duties with 1B Umpire Clint Vondrak and 3B Umpire Ben May remaining on the lines.

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

> On May 31, 2018, Foster left a game in Detroit after a 92-mph sinker was fouled into his mask.

> On June 16, 2015, Foster left a game in New York after a 98-mph fastball was fouled onto his chin.

Last Game: May 15 | Return to Play: TBD | Time Absent: TBD | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 040 - Alfonso Marquez (3; Derek Shelton)

HP Umpire Alfonso Marquez ejected Pirates manager Derek Shelton (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Reds-#Pirates game. With two out and none on, Pirates batter Josh VanMeter took a 1-2 slider from Reds pitcher Hunter Greene for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px -0.57, pz 1.81 [sz_bot 1.55]) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

This is Alfonso Marquez (72)'s 3rd ejection of the 2021 MLB regular season.
Alfonso Marquez now has 9 points in the UEFL Standings (5 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 9).
Crew Chief Alfonso Marquez now has 6 points in Crew Division (5 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 6).

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

This pitch was located 4.13 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

^Game note: CIN gave up 0 hits but lost the game anyway, 1-0. See: 2022 No-Hitter 3, Marquez (CIN).

This is the 40th ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 18th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Pittsburgh's 2nd ejection of 2022, T-1st in the NL Central (PIT, STL 2; CHC 1; CIN, MIL 0).

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

This is Alfonso Marquez's 3rd ejection of 2022, 1st since May 10 (Yimi Garcia; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

Wrap: Cincinatti Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 5/15/22 | Video as follows:

2022 No-Hitter 3, Alfonso Marquez (1; CIN Combined)

HP Umpire Alfonso Marquez called Reds pitchers Hunter Green and Art Warren's combined no-hitter in Pittsburgh, a 1-0 Cincinnati loss to the Pirates, joined by 1B Umpire Shane Livensparger, 2B Umpire Ramon De Jesus, and 3B Umpire Lance Barrett.

Because Cincinnati pitchers did not surrender a base hit to any Pittsburgh batters over the course of the entire game (they did, however, walk six, leading to Pittsburgh scoring the only run of the game in the 8th inning when Pirates batter Ke'Bryan Hayes grounded into an RBI force out with the bases loaded), this is the rare combined no-hitter loss.

This game featured an ejection.

Related Post: MLB Ejection 040 - Alfonso Marquez (3; Derek Shelton) (5/15/22).

The UEFL f/x look:

Balls: 93 called balls outside strike zone / 3 called balls within strike zone = 93/96 = 96.9% accuracy.

Strikes: 40 called strikes within strike zone / 3 called strikes outside strike zone = 40/43 = 93.0%.

Total Raw Accuracy Score: 133/139 = 95.7% accuracy (+0 Neutral [favored neither CIN nor PIT]).