MLB Ejection 166 - Todd Tichenor (1; Terry Francona)

1B Umpire Todd Tichenor ejected Guardians manager Terry Francona (denied manager's challenge/replay review request; QOCY) in the top of the 1st inning of the #Guardians-#WhiteSox game. With one out and one on, Guardians batter Jose Ramirez hit a 1-0 changeup from White Sox pitcher Mike Clevinger on a fly ball to left fielder Zach Remillard, who threw to second baseman Jake Burger to first baseman Andrew Vaughn to double off Guardians baserunner R1 Steven Kwan. Francona was denied his manager's challenge after taking too long to signal a hold prior to requesting a review. Replay Review regulations require the manager signal hold immediately after the conclusion of play; replays indicate Francona did not signal hold (hand up) until 11 seconds after the conclusion of play, the call (that Francona's challenge was untimely) was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-2.

This is Todd Tichenor (13)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

Related Post: MLB Ejections 162-3 - Ron Kulpa (Francona, Nevin) (9/12/22).

This is the 166th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 75th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 75 Managers, 70 Players, 21 Coaches.

This is Cleveland's 1st ejection of 2023, 5th in the AL Central (MIN 9; CWS 8; DET, KC 3; CLE 1).

This is Terry Francona's 1st ejection since Sept 12, 2022 (Ron Kulpa; QOC = N [Denied Replay Review]).

This is Todd Tichenor's 1st ejection since August 23, 2022 (Rocco Baldelli; QOC = U [Mound Visit Limit]).

Wrap: Cleveland Guardians vs Chicago White Sox, 7/29/23 | Video as follows:

Phil Nevin Restrained After Confronting Umpire in Dugout

Angels manager Phil Nevin was restrained by his bench coach after confronting HP Umpire Mike Estabrook about a strike three call as the umpires exited the field toward the umpires' room in Toronto. Could a faulty television broadcast strike zone graphic be to blame?

Rogers Centre, like several other venues, requires umpires to leave the field through the visiting team's dugout in order to access the umpires' dressing room, which placed Estabrook and the umpire crew in Nevin's crosshairs after the Angels lost to the Blue Jays, 4-1.

No physical contact appeared to be made, which contrasts with a 2015 incident at Fenway Park when Toronto hitting coach Brook Jacoby allegedly physically assaulted umpire Doug Eddings after the Blue Jays lost to Boston, coincidentally also by a 4-1 tally.

Jacoby was suspended 14 games for his alleged misconduct which, had it occurred on the field, may likely have been deemed fighting.

Also, about that Apple TV+ broadcast strike zone box graphic...yikes!

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 164-5 - Additon, Little (STL x2)

HP Umpire Ryan Additon ejected Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas (throwing at Cubs batter Ian Happ) and 1B Umpire Will Little ejected Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (arguing Mikolas' ejection) in the top of the 1st inning of the #Cubs-#Cardinals game. With two out and none on, Happ swung at a 2-0 slider from Mikolas, Happ's bat on his backswing (aka follow-through in NFHS) hitting Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras in the head, injuring Contreras and forcing him out of the game. Mikolas' next pitch to Happ was located inside and shoulder-high for ball three while the subsequent pitch resulted in a hit-by-pitch, striking Happ in the hip. At the time of the ejections, the game was tied, 0-0. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 10-3.

This is Ryan Additon (67)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

This is Will Little (93)'s 6th ejection of 2023.

These are the 164th and 165th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 70th player ejection of 2023. This is the 74th manager ejection of 2023.

Ejection Tally: 74 Managers, 70 Players, 21 Coaches.

This is St Louis' 9/10th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL Central (STL 10; MIL, PIT 7; CHC, CIN 6).

This is Miles Mikolas' first career MLB ejection.

This is Oliver Marmol's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since July 22 (Cory Blaser; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ryan Additon's 1st ejection since July 22, 2022 (Oliver Marmol; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Will Little's 6th ejection of 2023, 1st since July 24 (Trea Turner; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs St Louis Cardinals, 7/27/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 162-3 - Dan Bellino (4-5; TEX-HOU)

2B Umpire Dan Bellino ejected Astros catcher Martin Maldonado and Rangers 2B Marcus Semien (fighting—instigator) in the top of the 5th inning of the #Rangers-#Astros game. With two and the bases loaded, Rangers batter Adolis Garcia hit a 1-1 fastball from Astros pitcher Seth Martinez for a grand slam. As Semien, who was the baserunner R3 at third base, scored on the home run, he jumped on home plate in a fashion that Maldonado took offense with, leading to a confrontation that resulted in a benches clearing incident. Warnings had previously been issued in this game as the result of Rangers pitcher Andrew Heaney's HBP of Astros batter Yordan Alvarez and Astros pitcher Framber Valdez's HBP of Rangers batter Semien, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejections, the Rangers were leading, 13-3. The Rangers ultimately won the contest, 13-5.

These are Dan Bellino (2)'s 4th and 5th ejections of 2023.

These are the 162nd and 163rd ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 68/69th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 73 Managers, 69 Players, 21 Coaches.

This is Texas' 7th ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL West (OAK, SEA, TEX 7; LAA 6; HOU 4).

This is Houston's 4th ejection of 2023, 5th in the AL West (OAK, SEA, TEX 7; LAA 6; HOU 4).

This is Marcus Semien's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since June 16 (Ramon De Jesus; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Martin Maldonado's 1st ejection since August 22, 2020 (Nestor Ceja; QOC = U [Warnings]).

This is Dan Bellino's 4/5th ejection of 2023, 1st since July 16 (Bob Melvin; QOC = Y [Pitch Clock]).

Wrap: Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros, 7/26/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 161 - Ben May (2; Don Mattingly)

HP Umpire Ben May ejected Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly (strike two call to Brandon Belt; QOCN) in the top of the 5th inning of the #BlueJays-#Dodgers game. With none out and one on, Belt took a 1-1 fastball from Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin for a called second strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and above the midpoint (px -0.19, pz 3.57 [sz_top 3.21 / RAD 3.33 / MOE 3.41]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 2-0. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 8-1.

This is Ben May (97)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 1.92 vertical inches from being deemed a correct call.

This is the 161st ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 21st coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 73 Players, 67 Players, 21 Coaches.

This is Toronto's 4th ejection of 2023, T-3rd in the AL East (NYY 7; BAL 5; BOS, TOR 4; TB 3).

This is Don Mattingly's 1st ejection since Sept 27, 2022 (Ryan Blakney; QOC = Y [Balk]).

This is Ben May's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since June 28 (Miguel Cabrera; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs Los Angeles Dodgers, 7/26/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 159-60 - Hudson, Wendelstedt (PIT x2)

2B Umpire Marvin Hudson ejected Pirates pitcher Angel Perdomo and 3B Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ejected Pirates manager Derek Shelton (throwing at Padres batter Manny Machado and arguing Perdomo's ejection, respectively) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Pirates-#Padres game. With two out and none on, Padres batter Juan Soto hit a 3-1 fastball from Perdomo for a home run. Ensuing batter Machado then took a first-pitch fastball for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Machado in the upper back, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejections, the Padres were leading, 3-1. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 5-1.

This is Marvin Hudson (51)'s 5th ejection of 2023.

This is Hunter Wendelstedt (21)'s 5th ejection of 2023.

These are the 159th and 160th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 67th player ejection of 2023. This is the 73rd manager ejection of 2023.

Ejection Tally: 73 Managers, 67 Players, 20 Coaches.

This is Pittsburgh's 6/7th ejection of 2023, T-2nd in the NL Central (STL 8; MIL, PIT 7; CHC, CIN 6).

This is Angel Perdomo's first career MLB ejection.

This is Derek Shelton's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 3 (Adrian Johnson; QOC = U [Pitch Clock]).

This is Marvin Hudson's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since July 14 (Ty France; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Hunter Wendelstedt's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since June 7 (Brandon Hyde; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs San Diego Padres, 7/25/23 | Video as follows:

Red Sox Turn Two on Catch & Failure-to-Tag Appeal Play

Atlanta hit into an odd inning-ending double play to end the 1st inning in Boston as 2B Umpire Mike Estabrook ruled that Red Sox second baseman Christian Arroyo caught Braves batter Marcell Ozuna's bases-loaded line drive. After the play, Boston appealed that Braves baserunner Austin Riley failed to tag up after the catch, with 3B Umpire Andy Fletcher sustaining the appeal for the inning's final out.

The call itself of catch vs no catch is quite close and not at issue here. What is a potential problem is the umpire's mechanics at second base, as the out signal was so small relative to what it could have been...did the runner from third even have a chance to see it? We might never know.

Video as follows:

Walk-Off in Houston - Was The Runner Safe or Out?

Houston walked off the Rangers as HP Umpire Dan Bellino ruled Astros baserunner Kyle Tucker safe at home in the bottom of the 9th inning of a tied ballgame, with Replay Review returning a "call stands" verdict after a challenge from manager Bruce Bochy.

With one out and two on (R1, R2), Astros batter Yanier Diaz hit a 0-2 cutter from Rangers pitcher Alex Speas on a line drive to right fielder Travis Jankowski, who threw home to catcher Jonah Heim as lead baserunner R2 Tucker slid into home plate, ruled safe by Bellino.

If you were in Replay HQ, would you have called this any differently or was call stands the proper ruling, for lack of clear and convincing evidence to overturn (or confirm) the safe call on the field?

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 158 - Will Little (5; Trea Turner)

HP Umpire Will Little ejected Phillies SS Trea Turner (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the #Orioles-#Phillies game. With two out and one on, Turner took a 1-2 sinker from Orioles pitcher Dean Kremer for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px 0.18, pz 1.53 [sz_bot 1.63 / RAD 1.51]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1 .The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Will Little (93)'s 5th ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 1.20 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 158th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 66th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 72 Managers, 66 Players, 20 Coaches.

This is Philadelphia's 8th ejection of 2023, 2nd in the NL East (MIA 10; PHI 8; NYM 6; WAS 3; ATL 1).

This is Trea Turner's 1st ejection since Sept 8, 2019 (Mike Estabrook; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Will Little's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since May 23 (Oliver Marmol; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs Philadelphia Phillies, 7/24/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 157 - Andy Fletcher (2; Yuli Gurriel)

HP Umpire Andy Fletcher ejected Marlins 1B Yuli Gurriel (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Rockies-#Marlins game. With none out and none on, Gurriel took a 1-2 sinker from Rockies pitcher Justin Lawrence for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px 0.67, pz 1.83 [sz_bot 1.65 / RAD 1.53]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 2-2. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Andy Fletcher (49)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 2.89 horizontal and 4.60 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 157th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 65th player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 72 Managers, 65 Players, 20 Coaches.

This is Miami's 10th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL East (MIA 10; PHI 7; NYM 6; WAS 3; ATL 1).

This is Yuli Gurriel's 1st ejection since June 18, 2017 (Greg Gibson; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Andy Fletcher's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since July 4 (Mike Napoli; QOC = Y-c [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Colorado Rockies vs Miami Marlins, 7/23/23 | Video as follows:

Why Was This Ball Called Fair in New York?

After HP Umpire Lance Barrett signaled fair when Yankees third baseman DJ LeMahieu swiped his glove at Royals batter Bobby Witt Jr's bunt, New York seemed perplexed by the lack of a foul ball call. 

To solve this riddle, we must first consult the rulebook definition for "Fair Ball"—

"A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first, second or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first base or third base, or that, while on or over fair territory touches the person of an umpire or player, or that, while over fair territory, passes out of the playing field in flight."

Within this wordy definition appear two criteria for determining whether a ball is fair or foul: in some cases, the ball must be on fair territory/ground in order to be considered fair whereas, in others, the ball may be either on or over fair territory/ground.

For example, a fly ball to left field must first fall on fair territory. But notice that for the Royals-Yankees play—fielder LeMahieu physically touching the ball prior to first or third base—the ball may be either on or over fair territory when touched in order to be deemed fair.

Thus, even though the ball itself was in contact (or on) with foul territory, part of the baseball's sphere was positioned over fair territory when first touched by LeMahieu, and, thus, the ball was ruled fair.

Video as follows: