MLB Ejection 079 - Nick Mahrley (2; Torey Lovullo)

HP Umpire Nick Mahrley ejected Diamondback manager Torey Lovullo (strike two call to Joc Pederson; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #WhiteSox-#Diamondbacks game. With none out and none on, Diamondbacks batter Pederson took a 3-1 fastball from White Sox pitcher Steven Wilson for a called second strike before flying out. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and thigh-high (px 0.83, pz 2.59), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the White Sox were leading, 7-2. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 9-2.

This is Nick Mahrley (48)'s 2nd ejection of 2024.

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

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

This is the 79th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 38th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 37 Managers, 12 Coaches, 29 Players.

This is Arizona's 3rd ejection of 2024, T-1st in the NL West (ARI, SD, SF 3; COL 1; LAD 0).

This is Torey Lovullo's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since May 13 (Mark Carlson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Nick Mahrley's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since May 28 (Garrett Crochet; QOC = U [Rain Delay]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs Arizona Diamondbacks, 6/15/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 078 - Vic Carapazza (5; Bruce Bochy)

HP Umpire Vic Carapazza ejected Rangers manager Bruce Bochy (runner's lane interference no-call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 4th inning of the #Rangers-#Mariners game. With one out and one on, Mariners batter Victor Robles bunted a first-pitch changeup from Rangers pitcher Andrew Heaney back to the pitcher, whose throw to first base failed to retire Robles, resulting a bunt single. Replays indicate Robles failed to run within the expanded runner's lane (traditional lane + extension of the dirt in fair territory), but in doing so did not interfere with the fielder taking the throw at first base (1B Nathaniel Lowe), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 3-2. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Vic Carapazza (19)'s 5th ejection of 2024.

Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(11): "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 on the infield grass, 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."

^Baseball Rules Difference: NCAA & NFHS both would have RLI here if the umpire deems that the runner's illegal position interfered with the fielder making the throw (OBR only relates to the fielder taking the throw).

This is the 78th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 37th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 37 Managers, 12 Coaches, 29 Players.

This is Texas' 4th ejection of 2024, T-1st in the AL West (OAK, TEX 4; HOU, SEA 3; LAA 1).

This is Bruce Bochy's 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st since May 25 (Laz Diaz; QOC = N-c [Fair/Foul]).

This is Vic Carapazza's 5th ejection of 2024, 1st since June 5 (Nico Hoerner; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Texas Rangers vs Seattle Mariners, 6/14/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Umpire Pat Hoberg Under Investigation for Gambling

MLB reportedly disciplined umpire Pat Hoberg for violating baseball's gambling policies, also known as Rule 21. Hoberg, with the support of the umpires' union is appealing. Both MLBUA and Hoberg did not comment on the allegations other to acknowledge their, and the appeal's, existence.

Hoberg, who has officiated as part of the major league staff since 2017, said in a statement, "I am appealing Major League Baseball’s determination that I should be disciplined for violating the sports betting policies. While that appeal is pending, it would not be appropriate to discuss the case. That said, I have devoted my adult life to the profession of umpiring, and the integrity of baseball is of the utmost importance to me. I look forward to the appeal process, and I am grateful that the Major League Baseball Umpires Association is supporting me in the appeal."

The Major League Baseball Umpires Association wrote: "The Major League Baseball Umpires Association was made aware in Spring Training that Umpire Pat Hoberg was being investigated for potential violation of Major League Baseball’s sports betting policies. We have been working with Pat since then. We are now appealing the discipline issued by Major League Baseball. Because the appeal process is ongoing, the Union cannot discuss the matter. We will have no further comment until the appeal process is complete."

MLB stated that the investigation "did not find any evidence that games worked by Mr. Hoberg were compromised or manipulated in any way, MLB determined that discipline was warranted."

Rule 21 states that a person who bets on games in which they have a duty to perform shall be declared permanently ineligible while a person who bets on games in which they do not have a duty to perform shall be declared ineligible for one year. There also exists the possibility that Hoberg's appeal will be successful and no further penalty will result.

Video as follows:

Trio of Plays - Close Calls and Replay Reviews

In this review, tmac looks at a trio of plays across baseball, including a line drive hit toward 3B Umpire Brian Knight on the left field foul line, a knob of the bat fair ball and challenged out call at first with umpires Quinn Wolcott & Junior Valentine, and a puzzler of a catcher's interference vs foul ball for Larry Vanover.

For Knight in Milwaukee, self-preservation comes first and the umpire jumps out of the way, initially killing play to call a foul ball before quickly convening the crew and changing the call to a fair ball, which was the proper ruling.

In Cleveland, HP Umpire Wolcott observes a batted ball off the knob of the bat as opposed to a hit-by-pitch while 1B Umpire Valentine rules on a bang-bang play at first, an out call confirmed via Replay Review.

In San Francisco, HP Umpire Vanover sees a play wherein the bat hit the catcher's mitt...but was not actually catcher's interference. Replays indicate the batter's bat, after fouling the pitch away, recoiled backward and into the catcher's mitt, rendering this a foul ball and overturned call.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 077 - Paul Clemons (2; Matt Quatraro)

2B Umpire Paul Clemons ejected Royals manager Matt Quatraro (obstruction no-call/out; QOCY) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Yankees-#Royals game. With two out and one on, Royals baserunner Bobby Witt Jr was picked off and caught stealing by Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes, who threw to shortstop Anthony Volpe as Witt arrived at second base, called out by 2B Umpire Clemons, who ruled fielder Volpe did not obstruct the runner Witt. Replays indicate Volpe gained possession of the baseball prior to placing his foot in Witt's path, blocking the runner's access to second base; this is not obstruction due to possession, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 2-0. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Paul Clemons (104)'s 2nd ejection of 2024.

Official Baseball Rules Definition of Terms: "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."

This is the 77th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 36th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 35 Managers, 12 Coaches, 29 Players.

This is Kansas City's 1st ejection of 2024, 3rd in the AL Central (CWS 5; MIN 2; KC 1; CLE, DET 0).

This is Matt Quatraro's 1st ejection since August 7, 2023 (Vic Carapazza; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Paul Clemons' 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since June 7 (Derek Shomon; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Kansas City Royals, 6/13/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 076 - Emil Jimenez (1; Lane Thomas)

HP Umpire Emil Jimenez ejected Nationals RF Lane Thomas (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Nationals-#Tigers game. With none out and none on, Thomas took a 2-2 fastball from Tigers pitcher Casey Mize for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and at the midpoint (px 0.72, pz 3.15 [sz_top 3.07 / RAD 3.19]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 7-2.

This is Emil Jimenez (82)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

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

This pitch was located 2.33 horizontal & 1.44 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 76th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 29th player ejection of 2024. Prior t oejection, Thomas was 1-3 (SO) in the contest.

Ejection Tally: 35 Managers, 12 Coaches, 29 Players.

This is Washington's 4th ejection of 2024, 1st in the NL East (WAS 4; MIA, NYM 3; PHI 1; ATL 0).

This is Lane Thomas' first career MLB ejection.

This is Emil Jimenez' 1st ejection since July 17, 2023 (Ryan Noda; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Washington Nationals vs Detroit Tigers, 6/13/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 075 - Tom Hanahan (1; Mark Kotsay)

HP Umpire Tom Hanahan ejected Athletics manager Mark Kotsay (strike two call to JJ Bleday; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Athletics-#Padres game. With none out and none on, A's batter Bleday took a 0-1 sinker from Padres pitcher Robert Suarez for a called second strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px 0.65, pz 1.94 [sz_bot 1.55]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 4-4. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Tom Hanahan (69)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

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

This pitch was located 3.17 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 75th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 35th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 35 Managers, 12 Coaches, 28 Players.

This is Oakland's 4th ejection of 2024, T-1st in the AL West (OAK 4; HOU, SEA, TEX 3; LAA 1).

This is Mark Kotsay's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since June 1 (James Hoye; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Tom Hanahan's first career MLB ejection.

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs San Diego Padres, 6/12/24 | Video as follows:

Ejections Aplenty from Pitch Clock Strikeout to Game-Losing Missed Base Appeal

In just one minor league game, we had ejections for arguing a pitch clock violation strikeout, a missed base touch appeal resulting in a loss, a water cooler thrown from the dugout onto the field (oh and a "simple" balls/strikes argument too). HP Umpire Kyle Stutz ejected both managers—Midland's Gregorio Petit and San Antonio's Luke Montz—in a 4-3 ballgame that ended with a base touch appeal that RockHounds runner Denzel Clarke missed third on what initially was a game-winning 3-RBI home run by Cooper Bowman that instead turned into a game-ending double when umpires affirmed San Antonio's appeal.

The ejections began early when HP Umpire Stutz ejected RockHounds manager Petit for arguing a strike call in the 2nd inning. In the 4th, HP Umpire Stutz also ran Missions manager Luke Montz after batter Brandon Valenzuela struck out due to a pitch clock violation with a two-strike count. Valenzuela had stepped out of the box after strike two, but didn't appear to request "Time" from the umpire, meaning the pitch clock continued to run until Stutz called Valenzuela for failing to be in the batter's box and alert to the pitcher by the eight-second mark.

Finally, the game ended with fanfare as with San Antonio holding a 4-2 lead with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, with runners at the corners, Midland batter Cooper Bowman appeared to hit a game-winning three-RBI home run to left field to seal a 5-4 final in favor of the RockHounds. However, after the play, San Antonio appealed that Midland baserunner R1 Denzel Clarke failed to touch third base, a ruling affirmed for the third out of the inning, meaning that both Clarke and batter-runner Bowman's runs did not count.

Official Baseball Rule 5.08(a) 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 they failed to touch one of the bases."

To get the out, OBR 5.09(c)(2)'s appeal process was invoked: "Any runner shall be called out, on appeal, when with the ball in play, while advancing or returning to a base, they fail to touch each base in order before they, or a missed base, are tagged."

Accordingly, the final score reverted to a 4-3 tally favoring San Antonio (lead runner Brennan Milone's run counted, as he preceded Clark on the bases), with several ejections following, including one for throwing a water cooler onto the field from the now-losing Midland dugout.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 074 - Chris Guccione (5; Scott Servais)

HP Umpire Chris Guccione ejected Mariners manager Scott Servais (strike three call to Cal Raleigh; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #WhiteSox-#Mariners game. With one out and the bases loaded, Mariners batter Raleigh took a 1-2 fastball from White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and above the knee (px 0.83, pz 2.33), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the White Sox were leading, 4-1. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 8-4.

This is Chris Guccione (68)'s 5th ejection of 2024.

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

This pitch was located 1.02 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 74th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 34th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 34 Managers, 12 Coaches, 28 Players.

This is Seattle's 3rd ejection of 2024, T-1st in the AL West (HOU, OAK, SEA, TEX 3; LAA 1).

This is Scott Servais' 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since May 25 (Dan Bellino; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Chris Guccione's 5th ejection of 2024, 1st since April 30 (Jose Siri; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs Seattle Mariners, 6/10/24 | Video as follows:

Did Hernández Interfere with Catcher Trevino in New York?

With two on and none out, Dodgers batter Enrique Hernández bunted a cutter from Yankees pitcher Luke Weaver in the air. New York catcher Jose Trevino took off in pursuit of the batted ball and tripped over Hernández, still in the box and looking up at the baseball. HP Umpire Nestor Ceja no-called this play, ruling it a foul ball, bringing Yankees manager Aaron Boone out of the dugout for a brief argument.

Was this interference by the batter or was a no-call due to incidental contact the correct ruling?

Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(10) declares any batter or runner out for interference if "they fail to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball, or intentionally interferes with a thrown ball." The umpire is obliged to protect one fielder for the purpose of this rule and, as Trevino was the only fielder chasing the ball, he was the protected fielder.

It is important to differentiate this play, which concerns a batted ball, from batter's interference plays concerning pitched balls, e.g., with the catcher's throwing or play to retire a stealing runner when the batter has already swung and missed—OBR 6.03(a)(3), which states "A batter is out for illegal action when they interfere with the catcher’s fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter’s box or making any other movement that hinders the catcher’s play at home base."

Because this is a batted ball, the more restrictive OBR 6.01(a)(10) is the relevant rule.

Accordingly, Hernández has a duty to avoid Trevino and violating this batted ball right of way rule can result in interference. There is one exception, however...

The so-called Armbrister-Fisk tangle/untangle exception to this is found in OBR 6.01(a)(10) Comment: "When a catcher and batter-runner going to first base have contact when the catcher is fielding the ball, there is generally no violation and nothing should be called."

The key to this exception is the phrase "batter-runner going to first base." If Hernández fails to move toward first base on a batted ball—even a foul ball, as the rule states "batted ball" and not "fair ball" or "foul ball"—the Armbrister exception cannot apply and, thus, Hernández should be declared out for interfering with Trevino by virtue of failing to avoid a fielder attempting to field batted ball.

Video as follows: