MLB Ejection 105 - Brennan Miller (1; Ramon Laureano)

3B Umpire Brennan Miller ejected A's RF Ramon Laureano (check swing HBP & strike three call by HP Umpire Jordan Baker; QOCY) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the #Phillies-#Athletics game. With one out and none on, Laureano took a 1-2 sinker from Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and belt-high (px -0.74, pz 2.39), the call was correct.* Ensuing batter Ryan Noda then attempted to check his swing on a 1-1 sinker from Sanchez, ruled a HBP by HP Umpire Baker and called a swinging strike (dead ball) on appeal by 3B Umpire Miller. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 3-2, in 12 innings.

This is Brennan Miller (55)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

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

This pitch was located 2.11 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 105th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 44th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 50 Managers, 44 Players, 11 Coaches.

This is Oakland's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL West (OAK 5; LAA, SEA, TEX 4; HOU 1).

This is Ramon Laureano's 1st ejection since June 11, 2022 (Paul Emmel; QOC = Y [Balk No-Call]).

This is Brennan Miller's 1st ejection since Sept 27, 2022 (Miguel Cairo; QOC = N [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Philadelphia Phillies vs Oakland Athletics, 6/17/23 | Video as follows:

A Circus Play in LA as Giants-Dodgers Run Rules Gamut

Perhaps most known for a circus play in the 11th inning featuring Casey Schmitt's dropped fly ball, Jakob Junis' wild throw, and baserunning blunders by Michael Busch and Mookie Betts, Friday's Giants-Dodgers game in LA ran the rules gamut for umpire David Rackley's crew, with a light failure during live play and a balk vs "starting from scratch" vs disengagement issue scattered about a game that begin with Dodgers rookie pitcher Emmet Sheehan throwing six no-hit innings before being pulled for a bullpen that gave the game away.

In the bottom of the 5th, the stadium lights went out during JD Martinez's fly ball double off the left field wall, preventing Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford from catching left fielder Michael Conforto's relay throw as Dodgers baserunner Betts scored and Will Smith rounded third base, 1B Umpire Chris Segal looking exasperated as the lights went out. Although the stadium lights were shut off due to a trigger-happy operator incorrectly assuming Martinez's fly ball was a home run, this nonetheless falls under the light failure part of the rulebook.

Official Baseball Rule 5.12(b)(2) states the ball becomes dead when an umpire calls "Time" and that an umpire may call "Time" during live play "when light failure makes it difficult or impossible for the umpires to follow the play." Although the rule does not specify how to remedy the situation, elastic clause OBR 8.01(c) ("Each umpire has authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules") allows umpires to use their discretion to resolve the issue of light failure during play. In this case, R3 Betts scored prior to the lights going out (or, at least, prior to Crawford receiving the throw) but had R1 Smith, on third base, attempted to run home as a result of Crawford dropping the ball, the most likely outcome would be to call "Time" and place Smith back on third base.

In the top of the 8th, Giants batter Mike Yastrzemski requested "Time" from HP Umpire Nate Tomlinson as Dodgers pitcher Tayler Scott appeared to prematurely stop his motion from stretch to come set. Although this could have been a start-stop balk call, OBR 5.04(b)(2) Comment, if the umpire deemed Yastrzemski's time request caused the pitcher to stop, states, "Both the pitcher and batter have violated a rule and the umpire shall call time and both the batter and pitcher start over from “scratch.”"

Finally, in the bottom of the 11th, the entire crew got involved on a wild play when Dodgers batter Betts hit an infield pop fly that was dropped by Giants third baseman Schmitt, thrown wildly past first base and to the outfield wall in foul territory by pitcher Jakob Junis, and resulted in Dodgers baserunner R3 Michael Busch being tagged out beyond third base as a baserunning blunder led to a rundown.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 102-4 - Ramon De Jesus (2-4; TEX x3)

1B Umpire Ramon De Jesus ejected Rangers 2B Marcus Semien, pitching coach Mike Maddux, and manager Bruce Bochy (check swing strike three call) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Angels-#Rangers game. With one out and one on, Rangers batter Semien attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 changeup from Angels pitcher Chris Devenski, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Alfonso Marquez and called a swinging strike on appeal by 1B Umpire De Jesus. At the time of the ejection, the Angels were leading, 3-2. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

These are Ramon De Jesus (18)'s 2nd, 3rd, and 4th ejections of 2023.

These are the 102nd, 103rd, and 104th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 43rd player ejection of 2023. This is the 11th coach ejection of 2023.

This is the 50th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 50 Managers, 43 Players, 11 Coaches.

This is Texas' 2/3/4th ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL West (LAA, OAK, SEA, TEX 4; HOU 1).

This is Marcus Semien's 1st ejection since June 1, 2019 (Alan Porter; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

This is Mike Maddux's 1st ejection since May 10, 2014 (Vic Carapazza; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

This is Bruce Bochy's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 15 (Erich Bacchus; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ramon De Jesus' 2/3/4th ejection of 2023, 1st since June 12 (Brandon Drury; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Angels of idk vs Texas Rangers, 6/15/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 101 - Pat Hoberg (1; Pedro Grifol)

HP Umpire Pat Hoberg ejected White Sox manager Pedro Grifol (untimely Replay Review challenge of 2B Umpire Nestor Ceja's safe call at second base; QOCY) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #WhiteSox-#Dodgers game. With one out and the bases loaded, Dodgers batter Austin Barnes hit a 0-1 sinker from White Sox pitcher Aaron Bummer on the ground to shortstop Tim Anderson, who threw to second baseman Elvis Andrus as Dodgers baserunner R1 Miguel Vargas slid into second base, ruled safe by 2B Umpire Ceja. Replays indicate Grifol failed to timely signal a hold immediately after the conclusion of the play with HP Umpire Hoberg, such that his subsequent attempt to challenge the call with 1B Umpire Jacob Metz was untimely, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 2-2. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 8-4.

This is Pat Hoberg (31)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

*The Deadline to Initiate Replay following an umpire's call states: "Manager must hold immediately after the conclusion of the play." Upon the manager signaling the umpire via a hold (palm up), a 15-second clock starts; the manager has until the conclusion of this 15-second time limit to initiate a formal challenge (hands to ears).

This is the 101st ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 49th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 49 Managers, 42 Players, 10 Coaches.

This is Chicago's 6th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL Central (CWS 6; MIN 3; KC 2; DET 1; CLE 0).

This is Pedro Grifol's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 28 (Marvin Hudson; QOC = U [Warnings]).

This is Pat Hoberg's 1st ejection since August 9, 2021 (Aaron Boone; QOC = Y [Balk]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs Los Angeles Dodgers, 6/14/23 | Video as follows:

Dave Martinez's Nats Lose on Walk Off RLI No-Call

In a flashback to the 2019 World Series Nationals manager Dave Martinez argued with a plate umpire in Houston, this time as the Astros walked off Washington on a throwing error and runner's lane interference no-call at first base. So, was the call correct or not?

With one out and the bases loaded, Astros batter Jake Meyers grounded to Nats shortstop CJ Abrams, who threw to catcher Keibert Ruiz to force out Astros R3 Kyle Tucker at home. Nationals catcher Ruiz's throw to first base to attempt an inning-ending double play got away from first baseman Michael Chavis, no-called by HP Umpire Jeremy Riggs...but was this no-call correct?

Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(11) states, "A batter is out when, in running the last half of the distance from home base to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, they run outside (to the right of) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line, and in the umpire’s judgment in so doing interfere with the fielder taking the throw at first base, in which case the ball is dead."

Replays indicate batter-runner Meyers failed to run within the runner's lane and—by virtue of the fielder's mitt making contact with Meyers' helmet as the the fielder attempted to field the catcher's throw—likely interfered pursuant to OBR 5.09(a)(11). Therefore, this appeared to be an incorrect runner's lane interference no-call.

Video as follows:

Wolcott's Reverse Boycott PitCom Query & Near Perfecto

In the midst of fans' reverse boycott in Oakland, A's pitcher Hogan Harris had trouble hearing his PitchCom system due to the crowd noise. Meanwhile, HP Umpire Quinn Wolcott quietly called a near-perfect game, missing just one pitch that was located well within the buffer range, meaning that per UEFL f/x metrics, he was perfect.

Pitchers are not generally penalized when a technical malfunction of PitchCom occurs, although we have seen pitchers called for pitch clock violations for actions they have committed related to PitchCom, such as committing a balk due to odd hand movements to try and press buttons on the PitchCom or simply forgetting to place the PitchCom on their person prior to entering the game.

Thus, when Harris' PitchCom wasn't loud enough to compete with the Coliseum crowd, HP Umpire Wolcott simply allowed him time to adjust its settings without penalty, resuming the game.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 100 - Bill Miller (2; Drew Smith)

1B Umpire Bill Miller ejected Mets pitcher Drew Smith (failed illegal substance check) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Yankees-#Mets game. While performing his MLB-mandated foreign substance inspection on Smith prior to the start of the 7th inning, Miller discovered an illegal substance on Smith's hands, resulting in ejection for violating the league's illegal substance policy and Official Baseball Rule 6.02(c)(7), the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 7-6. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 7-6.

This is Bill Miller (26)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

^At this pace, 2023 will feature 245 regular season ejections.

This is the 100th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 42nd player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 48 Managers, 42 Players, 10 Coaches.

This is New York's 4th ejection of 2023, 3rd in the NL East (MIA 7; PHI 6; NYM 4; ATL 1; WAS 0).

This is Drew Smith's first career MLB ejection.

This is Bill Miller's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since June 10 (Rob Thomson; QOC = U [Pitch Clock]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs New York Mets, 6/13/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 098-9 - Vic Carapazza (2-3; ARI x2)

HP Umpire Vic Carapazza ejected Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (fighting) and 3B Josh Rojas (unsporting from dugout after warnings) in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the #Phillies-#Dbacks game. With none out and one on, D-backs batter Corbin Carroll took a 1-0 sinker from Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm for a hit-by-pitch, resulting in an argument from Lovullo that Strahm should be ejected, despite Lovullo admitting the HBP was not intentional. As Lovullo began arguing with the Phillies on-field players and dugout, a benches-clearing incident occurred, after which Crew Chief Jerry Layne issued warnings to both teams. Following the issuance of warnings and Diamondbacks batter Christian Walker's fly out to center field, 3B Rojas was ejected for continuing to engage in unsporting behavior from the dugout. At the time of the ejections, the Phillies were leading, 5-1. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 9-8.

These are Vic Carapazza (19)'s 2nd and 3rd ejections of 2023.

These are the 98th and 99th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 48th manager ejection of 2023.

This is the 41st player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 48 Managers, 41 Players, 10 Coaches.

This is Arizona's 6/7th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL West (ARI 7; COL 4; LAD 3; SD 2; SF 0).

This is Torey Lovullo's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 15 (Brock Ballou; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Josh Rojas' 1st ejection since Sept 28, 2022 (Alan Porter; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Vic Carapazza's 2/3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 22 (Ramon Urias; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Philadelphia Phillies vs Arizona Diamondbacks, 6/12/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 097 - Ramon De Jesus (1; Brandon Drury)

HP Umpire Ramon De Jesus ejected Angels 1B Brandon Drury (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 10th inning of the #Angels-#Rangers game. With one out and none on, Drury took a 2-2 fastball from Rangers pitcher Will Smith for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.87, pz 1.74 [sz_bot 1.71 / RAD 1.59]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 5-5. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 9-6, in 12 innings.

This is Ramon De Jesus (18)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

*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 97th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 40th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 47 Managers, 40 Players, 10 Coaches.

This is Los Angeles' 4th ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL West (LAA, OAK, SEA 4; HOU; TEX 1).

This is Brandon Drury's 1st ejection since August 23, 2022 (Stu Scheurwater; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ramon De Jesus' 1st ejection since August 18, 2022 (Alex Cintron; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Angels vs Texas Rangers, 6/12/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 096 - Manny Gonzalez (3; Isaac Paredes)

HP Umpire Manny Gonzalez ejected Rays 3B Isaac Paredes (strike one call; QOCN) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Rays-#Athletics game. With one out and one on, Paredes took a first-pitch fastball from A's pitcher James Kaprielian for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px 1.06, pz 2.15), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the A's were leading, 4-0. The A's ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Manny Gonzalez (79)'s 3rd ejection of 2023.

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

This pitch was located 1.76 horizontal inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 96th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 39th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 47 Managers, 39 Players, 10 Coaches.

This is Tampa Bay's 3rd ejection of 2023, 4th in the AL East (NYY 6; BAL, BOS 4; TB 3; TOR 2).

This is Isaac Paredes' first career MLB ejection.

This is Manny Gonzalez's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 8 (Andrew Benintendi; QOCN = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs Oakland Athletics, 6/12/23 | Video as follows:

MiLB Ejection for Pitch Clock Operator Error in Jersey

HP Umpire Tre Jester ejected Jersey Shore BlueClaws manager Greg Brodzinski for arguing a pitch clock violation no-call thanks to a pitch clock operator who failed to reset the timer after a pitcher disengagement.

After Renegades pitcher Mason Vinyard walked BlueClaws batter Rixon Wingrove in the 9th inning of Hudson Valley's game against Jersey Shore, the pitch clock expired prior to the first pitch to ensuing batter Andrick Nava, initially signaled a pitch clock violation on the defense by HP Umpire Tre Jester.

After consultation with 1B Umpire Jesse Bush, the umpires reversed the violation call based on the fact that the pitch clock should have reset due to the pitcher's disengagement prior to the expiration of time. If anything, it should have been a violation on the batter, as replays indicate batter Nava failed to become alert to the pitcher with as little as four seconds remaining on the pitch clock.

To really drive the point home of an argument with an off-field computer system or operator, the pitch clock failed to reset entirely after a pitch to Nava, with both umpires frantically twirling fingers in the air to alert the operator to reset the pitch clock right before it ran out of time.

Video as follows: