Vlad Guerrero's Smart Play - Untouched Drop Turns Two

Toronto's Vlad Guerrero's smart play in the field led to a Blue Jays double play against Cincinnati when Reds batter Will Benson's infield fly ball with one out and a runner on first base fell to the ground untouched, with Guerrero throwing to first base to retire batter-runner Benson (who didn't run the play out), leading to a double play via tag as the lead baserunner was retired during a rundown. Umpires had a lot to consider here and we review the various rules involved.

The rules discussed include the infield fly rule (we eliminate an infield fly possibility, because only first base was occupied with less than two out [e.g., not first and second or bases loaded]), Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(10) fielder protection on a batted ball against batter/runner interference (Guerrero was the protected fielder entitled to field this fly ball), OBR 5.09(a)(12) the intentional drop rule (dead ball, batter is out -- only occurs if the fielder TOUCHES the ball before intentionally dropping it...Guerrero didn't touch the fly ball), and OBR 5.09(b)(6)the force being removed on the lead runner when the batter was retired which necessitated a tag of the runner instead of the base.

Video as follows:

Mariners' Moore Out for Abandonment at First Base

Mariners batter-runner Dylan Moore lost his single in Kansas City, ruled out by 1B Umpire John Libka for abandonment when Moore wrongly thought Royals left fielder MJ Melendez had caught his fly ball and began running back to his dugout before realizing his mistake and running back to first base where Royals first baseman Matt Duffy's tag was waiting...but was it even needed?

In declaring Moore out sans tag, 1B Umpire Libka invoked Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(2), which states, "Any runner is out when after touching first base, they leave the base path obviously abandoning their effort to touch the next base."

The rule itself contains a case play to drive the point home: "PLAY — Runner believing they are called out on a tag at first or third base starts for the dugout and progresses a reasonable distance still indicating by their actions that they are out, shall be declared out for abandoning the bases."

Thus, the only judgment-related question here is whether Moore, who touched first base before turning to jog back to the dugout, had progressed a "reasonable distance" and in doing so "indicating by their actions that they are out"...or was the abandonment out call a tad premature?

Do not confuse this rule with OBR 5.09(b)(10), which states, "Any runner is out when, after they have acquired legal possession of a base, they run the bases in reverse order for the purpose of confusing the defense or making a travesty of the game. The umpire shall immediately call “Time” and declare the runner out" if for no other reason than Moore was too confused to have intended to confuse the defense or make a travesty of the game, which begs the question...who was more confused—Dylan Moore today or Jean Segura 10 years prior?

NOTE: Technically, Moore was credited with a single and THEN out for abandonment, as the rule requires the runner have actually achieved first base prior to this call. | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 201 - Chad Whitson (1; Gabe Kapler)

HP Umpire Chad Whitson ejected Giants manager Gabe Kapler (strike one call to Wade Meckler; QOCY) in the bottom of the 4th inning of the #Rays-#Giants game. With none out and none on, Meckler took a first-pitch fastball from Rays pitcher Zack Littell for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and at the midpoint (px -0.60, pz 3.52 [sz_top 3.40 / RAD 3.52]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 7-0.

This is Chad Whitson (62)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 1.00 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 201st ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 92nd manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 92 Managers, 80 Players, 29 Coaches.

This is San Francisco's 3rd ejection of 2023, T-4th in the NL West (SD 9; ARI 7; COL; LAD, SF 2).

This is Gabe Kapler's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since June 29 (John Tumpane; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

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

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs San Francisco Giants, 8/15/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 200 - Tripp Gibson (2; David Ross)

3B Umpire Tripp Gibson ejected Cubs manager David Ross (balk no-calls on White Sox pitcher Lane Ramsey) in the bottom of the 6th of the #WhiteSox-#Cubs game. Ross was ejected during the inning break following Ramsey's 6th inning appearance, alleging that Ramsey's routine in coming set constituted a balk; however, a review of the balk rules suggest that because Ramsey's rocking movements concluded with a definitive stop point in coming Set—and the pitcher did definitively stop in Set Position prior to starting his delivery, the no-call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Tripp Gibson (73)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

This is the 200th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 91st manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 91 Managers, 80 Players, 29 Coaches.

This is Chicago's 8th ejection of 2023, 3rd in the NL Central (PIT, STL 10; CHC, MIL 8; CIN 7).

This is David Ross' 5th ejection of 2023, 1st since July 9 (Alex MacKay; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Tripp Gibson's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since June 30 (Jose Castro; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

We also reviewed a potential case of base coach interference (illegal assist) during the Mariners-Royals game in Kansas City.

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs Chicago Cubs, 8/15/23 | Video as follows:

Angel Hernandez's Unlawful Discrimination Appeal Dismissed

The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit dismissed plaintiff Angel Hernandez's discrimination lawsuit appeal against Major League Baseball, ruling in a summary order that despite a factual imbalance between white and minority crew chiefs, Hernandez's team failed to prove a statistically significant disparity in promotion rates, not to mention the case for discrimination or disparate treatment.

In 2021, a New York Southern District Court judge dismissed Hernandez's original discrimination case against MLB, opening up the door to appeal, when the court ruled that "the fact that no or very few minorities were promoted [is] 'statistically meaningless.'"

Related Post: Judge Dismisses Angel Hernandez's Discrimination Case (3/31/21).

That ruling itself followed MLB's allegation that there is "no evidence" of a diversity problem in baseball.

Related Post: MLB Argues No Evidence of Diversity Problem in Suit (6/8/20).

Regardless of where one stands on the diversity problem issue, the question is not whether such a problem exists, but whether unlawful discrimination or disparate treatment occurred in relation to the treatment of Mr. Hernandez, either by named decision-maker, then-Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre, Peter Woodfork, or others in the Commissioner's Office.

And in sum, the court found that Hernandez failed to prove that element of the prima facie case, leading to the District Court's summary dismissal and, now, the Appeals Court's summary order of dismissal.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 197-9 - Nic Lentz (6-8; PIT x3)

HP Umpire Nic Lentz ejected Pirates manager Derek Shelton, bench coach Don Kelly, and pitching coach Oscar Marin (ball four call to Luke Maile; QOCY) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Reds-#Pirates game. With two out and two on, Maile took a 3-2 fastball from Pirates pitcher Cody Bolton for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and above the midpoint (px -0.78, pz 3.61 [sz_top 3.14 / RAD 3.26]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 4-3. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 6-5, in 10 innings.

These are Nic Lentz (59)'s sixth, seventh, and eighth ejections of 2023.

*This pitch was located 5.20 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

These are the 197th, 198th, and 199th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 90th manager ejection of 2023. These are the 28th and 29th coach ejections of 2023.

Ejection Tally: 90 Managers, 80 Players, 29 Coaches.

This is Pittsburgh's 8/9/10th ejection of 2023, T-1st in the NL Central (PIT, STL 10; MIL 8; CHC, CIN 7).

This is Derek Shelton's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since July 25 (H Wendelstedt; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

This is Oscar Marin's first career MLB ejection.

This is Don Kelly's first career MLB ejection.

This is Nic Lentz's 6/7/8th ejection of 2023, 1st since July 14 (David Popkins; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs Pittsburgh Pirates, 8/13/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 196 - Adam Beck (4; Scott Servais)

3B Umpire Adam Beck ejected Mariners manager Scott Servais (balk call on Andrés Muñoz; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Orioles-#Mariners game. With one out and two on (R1, R2), Beck called Mariners pitcher Muñoz for a no stop balk, advancing runners to second and third base. Replays indicate an atom in the pitcher's arms did not come to a complete stop from stretch to delivery, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 2-2. The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 5-3, in 10 innings.

This is Adam Beck (38)'s 4th ejection of 2023.

*Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(13) states "It is a balk when the pitcher delivers the pitch from Set Position without coming to a stop."

This is the 196th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 89th manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 89 Managers, 80 Players, 27 Coaches.

This is Seattle's 8th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL West (SEA 8; LAA, OAK, TEX 7; HOU 4).

This is Scott Servais' 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 30 (Brian Walsh; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Adam Beck's 4th ejection of 2023, 1st since April 29 (Willy Adames; QOC = Y [Pitch Clock]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs Seattle Ponies Mariners, 8/13/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 195 - James Hoye (3; Brad Wilkerson)

HP Umpire James Hoye ejected Yankees assistant hitting coach Brad Wilkerson (strike two call to Anthony Volpe; QOCN) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Yankees-#Marlins game. With none out and none on, Volpe took a 2-1 sweeper from Marlins pitcher AJ Puk for a called second strike before striking out on the next pitch. Replays indicate the pitch ruled strike two was located over the heart of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px 0.01, pz 1.31 [sz_bot 1.55 / RAD 1.43 / MOE 1.35]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 7-2. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 8-7.

This is James Hoye (92)'s 3rd ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 0.48 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 195th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 27th coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 88 Managers, 80 Players, 27 Coaches.

This is New York's 9th ejection of 2023, 1st in the AL East (NYY 9; BAL, TOR 6; BOS, TB 4).

This is Brad Wilkerson's 1st ejection since June 12, 2004 (Charlie Reliford; QOC = U [Balls/Strikes]).

This is James Hoye's 3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 16 (Domingo Germán; QOC = U [Illegal Substance]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Miami Marlins, 8/13/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 193-4 - Alex MacKay (2-3; PHI x2)

HP Umpire Alex MacKay ejected Phillies 3B Alec Bohm (strike three call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 7th and manager Rob Thomson (strike three call to Bryce Harper; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Twins-#Phillies game. In the 7th, with two out and the bases loaded, Phillies batter Bohm took a 3-2 fastball from Twins pitcher Caleb Thielbar for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and knee-high (px -0.97, pz 2.14), the call was incorrect. At the time of Bohm's ejection, the Twins were leading, 2-0. In the 8th, with none out and none on, Phillies batter Harper took a 2-2 sweeper from Twins pitcher Thielbar 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 -0.76, pz 1.53 [sz_bot 1.65 / RAD 1.53]), the call was correct. At the time of Thomson's ejection, the Twins were leading, 2-0. The Twins ultimately won the contest, 3-0.

These are Alex MacKay (105)'s 2nd and 3rd ejections of 2023.

These are the 193rd and 194th ejection reports of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 80th player ejection of 2023. This is the 88th manager ejection of 2023.

Ejection Tally: 88 Managers, 80 Players, 26 Coaches.

This is Philadelphia's 9th ejection of 2023, 2nd in the NL East (MIA 14; PHI 9; NYM 6; WAS 3; ATL 2).

This is Alec Bohm's first career MLB ejection.

This is Rob Thomson's  3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since June 10 (Bill Miller; QOC = U [Warnings]).

This is Alex MacKay's 2/3rd ejection of 2023, 1st since July 9 (David Ross; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs Philadelphia Phillies, 8/13/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 192 - Adrian Johnson (Kyle Snyder)

HP Umpire Adrian Johnson ejected Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder (balls/strikes; QOCY) in the top of the 2nd inning of the #Guardians-#Rays game. With none out and none on in the 2nd, Guardians batter Will Brennan singled, Gabriel Arias homered, Bo Naylor walked, Jose Tena grounded out, Steven Kwan singled, and Andres Gimenez singled. Snyder was ejected during a mound visit. Replays indicate of the 13 callable pitches prior to ejection during the inning, Johnson officiated 12 properly, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Guardians were leading, 4-0. The Guardians ultimately won the contest, 9-2.

This is Adrian Johnson (80)'s 4th ejection of 2023.

This is the 192nd ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 26th coach ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 87 Managers, 79 Players, 26 Coaches.

This is Tampa Bay's 4th ejection of 2023, T-4th in the AL East (NYY 8; BAL, TOR 6; BOS, TB 4).

This is Kyle Snyder's first career MLB ejection.

This is Adrian Johnson's 4th ejection of 2023, 1st since Aug 4 (Marcus Thames; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cleveland Guardians vs Tampa Bay Rays, 8/13/23 | Video as follows: