MLB Ejection 180 - Gabe Morales (3; Ruben Niebla)

1B Umpire Gabe Morales ejected Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla (balk call on pitcher Blake Snell; QOCY) in the top of the 4th inning of the #Dodgers-#Padres game. With two out and one on, Morales called Snell for a balk. Replays indicate Snell employed multiple Stretch positions and/or went from Stretch to Set back to Stretch, primarily due to a PitchCom issue, but illegal nonetheless, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Dodgers were leading, 2-0. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 8-3.

This is Gabe Morales (47)'s 3rd ejection of 2023.

This is the 180th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 24th coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 81 Managers, 75 Players, 24 Coaches.

This is San Diego's 9th ejection of 2023, 1st in the NL West (SD 9; ARI 7; COL 4; LAD 3; SF 2).

This is Ruben Niebla's first career MLB ejection.

This is Gabe Morales' 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since July 8 (Adolis Garcia; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Diego Padres, 8/5/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 174-9 - Mark Wegner (3-8; CWS-CLE)

HP Umpire Mark Wegner ejected White Sox SS Tim Anderson, Guardians 3B Jose Ramirez, Guardians manager Terry Francona, White Sox manager Pedro Grifol, Guardians 3B Coach Mike Sarbaugh, and Guardians pitcher/bench (bullpen) player Emmanuel Clase (fighting) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #WhiteSox-#Guardians game. With one out and one on, Guardians batter Ramirez hit a 2-2 changeup from White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech on a ground ball to right fielder Oscar Colas, who threw to second base as Ramirez slid in safely. After being called safe by 2B Umpire Malachi Moore, Ramirez took exception to White Sox shortstop Anderson straddling him to make a tag and the two engaged in a fight, resulting in a benches-clearing incident and bona fide brawl. At the time of the ejections, the White Sox were leading, 5-1. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-4.

These are Mark Wegner (14)'s 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th ejections of 2023.

These are the 174th, 175th, 176th, 177th, 178th, & 179th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

These are the 80th and 81st manager ejections of 2023. This is the 23rd Coach ejection of 2023.

These are the 73rd, 74th, and 75th player ejections of 2023.

Ejection Tally: 81 Managers, 75 Players, 23 Coaches.

This is Chicago's 10/11th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL Central (CWS 11; MIN 9; CLE 6; KC 5; DET 3).

This is Cleveland's 3-6th ejection of 2023, 3rd in the AL Central (CWS 11; MIN 9; CLE 6; KC 5; DET 3).

This is Tim Anderson's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 5 (DJ Reyburn; QOC = U [USC-NEC]).

This is Jose Ramirez's first career MLB ejection.

This is Terry Francona's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since Aug 4 (Bruce Dreckman; QOC = N [Replay Review]).

This is Pedro Grifol's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since Aug 2 (Adam Hamari; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Mike Sarbaugh's first career MLB ejection.

This is Emmanuel Clase's first career MLB ejection.

This is Mark Wegner's 3-8th ejection of 2023, 1st since May 12 (Troy Snitker; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals vs Philadelphia Phillies, 8/5/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 172-3 - Ben May (3-4; KC)

HP Umpire Ben May ejected Royals RF Dairon Blanco and manager Matt Quatraro (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Royals-#Phillies game. With one out and one on, Blanco took a 3-2 fastball from Phillies pitcher Craig Kimbrel 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 -0.20, pz 1.39 [sz_bot 1.47 / RAD 1.35]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejections, the Phillies were leading, 9-6. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 9-6.

These are Ben May (97)'s 3rd and 4th ejections of 2023.

*This pitch was located 1.44 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

These are the 172nd and 173rd ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 72nd player ejection of 2023. This is the 79th manager ejection of 2023.

Ejection Tally: 79 Managers, 72 Players, 22 Coaches.

This is Kansas City's 4/5th ejection of 2023, 3rd in the AL Central (CWS, MIN 9; KC 5; DET 3; CLE 2).

This is Dairon Blanco's first career MLB ejection.

This is Matt Quatraro's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 28 (Jerry Layne; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ben May's 3/4th ejection of 2023, 1st since July 26 (Don Mattingly; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals vs Philadelphia Phillies, 8/5/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 171 - Ryan Blakney (1; Marcell Ozuna)

HP Umpire Ryan Blakney ejected Braves DH Marcell Ozuna (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 4th inning of the #Braves-#Cubs game. With one out and none on, Ozuna took a 1-2 sinker from Cubs pitcher Javier Assad for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px 0.83, pz 2.89), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Cubs were leading, 5-2. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 8-6.

This is Ryan Blakney (36)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

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

This pitch was located 1.00 horizontal inches from being deems incorrect.

This is the 171st ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 71st player ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 78 Managers, 71 Players, 22 Coaches.

This is Atlanta's 2nd ejection of 2023, 5th in the NL East (MIA 10; PHI 8; NYM 6; WAS 3; ATL 2).

This is Marcell Ozuna's first career MLB ejection.

This is Ryan Blakney's 1st ejection since August 31, 2022 (Brandon Crawford; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs, 8/5/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 181 - Edwin Moscoso (2; Pat Murphy)

HP Umpire Edwin Moscoso ejected Brewers bench coach Pat Murphy (ball one call; QOCY) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Pirates-#Brewers game. With none out and none on, Pirates batter Jack Suwinski took a 0-1 fastball from Brewers pitcher Bryse Wilson for a called first ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and above the midpoint (px -0.55, pz 3.56 [sz_top 3.26 / RAD 3.38]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 8-3. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 8-4.

This is Edwin Moscoso (32)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 3.12 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 181st ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.*

This is the 25th coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 81 Managers, 75 Players, 25 Coaches.

This is Milwaukee's 8th ejection of 2023, 2nd in the NL Central (STL 10; MIL 8; CIN, PIT 7; CHC 6).

This is Pat Murphy's 1st ejection since August 28, 2021 (Adrian Johnson; QOC = U [USC-NEC]).

This is Edwin Moscoso's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 25 (Aaron Boone; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

*This ejection occurred after Ejection 170 and prior to Ejection 171 but is listed as #181.

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Milwaukee Brewers, 8/4/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 170 - Adrian Johnson (3; Marcus Thames)

HP Umpire Adrian Johnson ejected Angels hitting coach Marcus Thames (strike two call to Angels batter Hunter Renfroe; QOCY) in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the #Mariners-#Angels game. With one out and one on, Angels batter Renfroe took a 2-1 sinker from Mariners pitcher Luis Castillo for a called second strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at of the hollow of the knee (px -0.33, pz 1.49 [sz_bot 1.66 / RAD 1.54 / MOE 1.46]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 5-1. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 9-7.

This is Adrian Johnson (80)'s 3rd ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 0.36 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 170th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 22nd coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 78 Managers, 70 Players, 22 Coaches.

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

This is Marcus' Thames' 1st ejection since May 14, 2022 (Bill Welke; QOC = N [Check Swing]).

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

Wrap: Seattle Mariners vs Los Angeles Angels, 8/4/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 169 - Bruce Dreckman (1; Terry Francona)

HP Umpire Bruce Dreckman ejected Guardians manager Terry Fracona (Replay Review decision that overturned 3B Umpire Malachi Moore's safe call to out; QOCN) in the bottom of the 4th inning of the #WhiteSox-#Guardians game. With none out and none on, Guardians batter Brayan Rocchio hit a 1-1 slider from Guardians pitcher Mike Clevinger on a line drive to right field, fielded by Trayce Thompson who threw to shortstop Tim Anderson as Rocchio slid into second base, ruled safe by 3B Umpire Moore (rotation). Upon Replays Review as the result of a challenge by White Sox manager Pedro Grifol, Moore's call was overturned to out. Replays indicate that batter-runner Rocchio's hand appeared to be forced off the base by fielder Anderson, Moore's safe call was correct (albeit for a different reason) and the decision to overturn to out was technically correct pursuant to current replay regulations, but the outcome of an out call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 2-2. The Guardians ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is Bruce Dreckman (1)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

This is the 169th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 78th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 78 Managers, 70 Players, 21 Coaches.

This is Cleveland's 2nd ejection of 2023, 5th in the AL Central (CWS, MIN 9; DET, KC 3; CLE 2).

This is Terry Francona's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since July 29 (Todd Tichenor; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

This is Bruce Dreckman's 1st ejection since June 4, 2022 (Oliver Marmol; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs Cleveland Guardians, 8/4/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 168 - Derek Thomas (2; David Bell)

HP Umpire Derek Thomas ejected Reds manager David Bell (ball four call to Jeimer Candelario; QOCY) in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the #Reds-#Cubs game. With two out and the bases loaded, Cubs batter Candelario took a 3-1 fastball from Reds pitcher Luke Weaver for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and waist-high (px 0.85, pz 3.22 [sz_top 3.33]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Cubs were leading, 4-1. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Derek Thomas (106)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

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

This pitch was located 1.22 horizontal and 3.79 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 168th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 77th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 77 Managers, 70 Players, 21 Coaches.

This is Cincinnati's 7th ejection of 2023, T-2nd in the NL Central (STL 10; CIN, MIL, PIT 7; CHC 6).

This is David Bell's 6th ejection of 2023, 1st since July 16 (Edwin Jimenez; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Derek Thomas' 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since June 28 (Dave Martinez; QOC = Y [Out of Base Path]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs Chicago Cubs, 8/3/23 | Video as follows:

Cecconi Notches 1st Career Strikeout on Crotch Catch

Diamondbacks pitcher Slade Cecconi earned his first career strikeout via Replay Review after Giants batter LaMonte Wade foul tipped a 3-2 fastball into Arizona catcher Jose Herrera's crotch, whereupon the ball was held against the player's body before being collected by his hand, without the baseball ever having touched the ground.

Thus, Torey Lovullo won his 1st inning challenge with Replay Review overturning HP Umpire Gabe Morales' original ruling that the ball had struck Wade's hand, as in a hit-by-pitch, with Crew Chief Dan Iassogna announcing the call was overturned due to clear and convincing video evidence that the ball struck batter Wade's knob of the bat before striking catcher Herrera, with the ball ultimately entering Herrera's control by hand or glove/mitt.

This unique strikeout would not have been possible in 2019, as the 2019 version of Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(2) required that a foul tip "goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher's hands" before being legally caught. The 2019-era rule required a catch due to a foul tip in this scenario to have "first touched the catcher's glove or hand" (such that Herrera's crotch catch would not be a legal catch due to the ball having failed to first touch the catcher's glove or hand). The proper call under the 2019 ruleset would be a foul ball (no catch, ball is dead).

In 2020, however OBR 5.09(a)(2) changed to reflect additional foul tip possibilities for "a batter is out when": "A batted ball goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught, and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play." On any foul tip, including caught foul tips for third strikes, the ball remains live and in play.

We first covered this change thanks to a 2021 play from Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan.

Related Post: Baseball's Foul Tip Rules Change in Real Life (9/22/21).

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 167 - Adam Hamari (5; Pedro Grifol)

HP Umpire Adam Hamari ejected White Sox manager Pedro Grifol (strike three call to Luis Robert; QOCY) in the top of the 3rd inning of the #WhiteSox-#Rangers game. With two out and none on, Robert took a 0-2 sinker from Rangers pitcher Dane Dunning for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.55, pz 1.71 [sz_bot 1.77 / RAD 1.65]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rangers were leading, 7-0. The Rangers ultimately won the contest, 11-1.

This is Adam Hamari (78)'s 5th ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 1.72 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 167th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 76th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 76 Managers, 70 Players, 21 Coaches.

This is Chicago's 9th ejection of 2023, T-1st in the AL Central (CWS, MIN 9; DET, KC 3; CLE 1).

This is Pedro Grifol's 4th ejection of 2023, 1st since June 14 (Pat Hoberg; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

This is Adam Hamari's 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since July 18 (Mark Kotsay; QOC = Y [Out of Base Path]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs Texas Rangers, 8/2/23 | Video as follows:

Royals Win on Balk-Off as Mets Claim PitchCom Issue

The Kansas City Royals walked off the Mets Tuesday as umpires called New York pitcher Josh Walker for a start-stop balk, with 1B Umpire and Crew Chief Marvin Hudson came together with 3B Umpire John Tumpane to award the game-ending base award as Royals baserunner R3 MJ Melendez delivered the game-winning run in the 10th inning.

Fresh into the game to face Royals batter Michael Massey, Mets pitcher Walker and catcher Francisco Alvarez appeared to experience communication problems as PitchCom suffered a mechanical failure. Walker made this discovery while engaged (foot on rubber) and before he could properly disengage—and before catcher Alvarez could request "Time"—Walker balked by starting and stopping his pivot leg/foot without disengaging.

HP Umpire Blakney signaled a disengagement and appeared to honor Alvarez's "Time" request, but 3B Umpire John Tumpane and 1B Umpire and Crew Chief Marvin Hudson met and after brief confirmation that they had both seem the leg pump signaled the balk and base award, all while HP Umpire Blakney stood near the mound with his lineup card out, as if he were preparing to document a charged mound visit.

In sum, the call—a start-stop balk for the pitcher failing to go from Stretch to Set Position in one continuous and uninterrupted motion—appeared proper, but mechanically...it could have been a disaster.

*The start-stop is ordinarily balked under Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(1) for a pitcher who "makes any motion naturally associated with their pitch and fails to make such delivery," but over the years OBR 5.07(a)(2), requiring pitchers to go from Stretch to Set "without interruption and in one continuous motion," has been colloquially deemed a balk in practice as well as opposed to a "don't do that" instruction alone.

Video as follows:

No-Hitter - Quinn Wolcott (Framber Valdez)

HP Umpire Quinn Wolcott called #Astros pitcher Framber Valdez's no-hitter vs the #Guardians in Houston, joined by 1B Umpire Junior Valentine, 2B Umpire Paul Clemons, and 3B Umpire and Crew Chief Adrian Johnson.

Wolcott officiated Valdez's no-hitter with a net accuracy of 97.4%.

This is Quinn Wolcott's first career MLB no-hitter.

This is the second solo no-hitter of 2023, 1st since July 5 (Edwin Moscoso; Domingo Germán's perfect game).

The UEFL f/x look:

Balls: 73 called balls outside strike zone / 3 called balls within strike zone = 73/76 = 96.1% accuracy.

Strikes: 39 called strikes within strike zone / 0 called strike outside strike zone = 39/39 = 100% accuracy.

Total Raw Accuracy Score: 112/115 = 97.4% accuracy (+1 HOU [Favored Houston by 1 pitch]).

Teachable Tag, A Swipe at Second, Magnifying May

In this Teachable Moment, tmac looks at 2B Umpire Ben May's positioning on a swipe tag play at second during a stolen base attempt by Angels baserunner David Fletcher, whom is thrown out by White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal.

May's out call was challenged by Los Angeles and confirmed as the correct ruling by Replay Review HQ. Notable is May's position adjustment as the play develops to create a better angle to see the tag on the runner's knee.

Video as follows:

Tigers' Short Obstructs Marlins' Berti During Rundown

Marlins baserunner Jon Berti stole second and advanced to third base on an obstruction error by Tigers second baseman Zack Short when Short failed to get out of the way during a rundown, resulting in a collision when Berti stepped or fell backward into a sidestepping Short. Was 3B Umpire Jansen Visconti's obstruction ruling the correct call?

The rulebook's definition of terms states that "obstruction is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner."

Recall that by rule, the fielder has the right of way during a batted ball while the runner has the right of way at any other time (which includes during rundowns). Accordingly, this collision—though physically caused by the runner—is nonetheless the fielder's fault because the fielder was no longer in possession of the ball when it occurred and he stood in a location the runner attempted to access while running the bases.

The exception here would be if the runner Berti clearly and intentionally went out of his way to collide with the fielder, but to prove this requires multiple strides toward the fielder, not simply one step or fall backwards. The fielder Short had no body control when he attempted to sidestep baserunner Berti without the ball and, thus, the collision is his responsibility.

This is not basketball where who gets to the spot first or being set is relevant: all that matters is that the fielder did not have the ball and impeded the runner during a rundown. This is Obstruction Type 1 (Type A) as in Official Baseball Rule 6.01(h)(1) and the obstructed runner is thus awarded the next base—third base.

Video as follows: