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Saturday, July 13, 2024

MLB Ejection 119 - David Arrieta (1; Oliver Marmol)

HP Umpire David Arrieta ejected Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (strike two call to Nolan Arenado; QOCY) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Cubs-#Cardinals game. With none out and none on, Cardinals batter Arenado took a 0-1 sinker from Cubs pitcher Mark Leiter Jr for a called second strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px 0.60, pz 1.91 [sz_bot 1.71 / RAD 1.59]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Cubs were leading, 4-3. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is David Arrieta (100)'s 1st ejection of 2024.
*This pitch was located 4.80 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 119th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.
This is the 57th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 57 Managers, 17 Coaches, 45 Players.
This is St Louis' 5th ejection of 2024, T-2nd in the NL Central (MIL 6; PIT, STL 5; CHC 4; CIN 3).
This is Oliver Marmol's 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st since May 22 (Charlie Ramos; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is David Arrieta's first career MLB ejection.

MLB Ejection 118 - Gabe Morales (1; Chris Bassitt)

1B Umpire Gabe Morales ejected Blue Jays bench player Chris Bassitt (check swing strike call to George Springer) in the top of the 5th inning of the #BlueJays-#Diamondbacks game. With two out and none on, Blue Jays batter Springer attempted to check his swing on a 1-0 slider from Diamondbacks pitcher Yilber Diaz, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Ryan Additon and called a swinging strike on appeal by 1B Umpire Morales. At the time of the ejection, the Diamondbacks were leading, 5-1. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 12-1.

This is Gabe Morales (47)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

This is the 119th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.
This is the 45th player ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 56 Managers, 17 Coaches, 45 Players.
This is Toronto's 6th ejection of 2024, 2nd in the AL East (NYY 7; TOR 6; BAL, TB 3; BOS 2).
This is Chris Bassitt's first career MLB ejection.
This is Gabe Morales' 1st ejection since August 5, 2023 (Ruben Niebla; QOC = Y [Balk]).

MLB Ejection 117 - Derek Thomas (5; Dane Myers)

HP Umpire Derek Thomas ejected Marlins CF Dane Myers (strike three check swing call) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Marlins-#Reds game. With one out and two on, Marlins batter Myers attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 cutter from Reds pitcher Lucas Sims, ruled a swinging strike by HP Umpire Thomas. At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 10-6. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 10-6.

This is Derek Thomas (106)'s 5th ejection of 2024.

This is the 118th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.
This is the 44th player ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 56 Managers, 17 Coaches, 44 Players.
This is Miami's 4th ejection of 2024, 3rd in the NL East (NYM, WAS 5; MIA 4; PHI 3; ATL 0).
This is Dane Myers' first career MLB ejection.
This is Derek Thomas' 5th ejection of 2024, 1st since June 26 (Pedro Grifol; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Miami Marlins vs Cincinnati Reds, 7/13/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 116 - Nestor Ceja (1; Mauricio Dubón)

HP Umpire Nestor Ceja ejected Astros PH Mauricio Dubón (Replay Review decision that upheld 1B Umpire Carlos Torres' out call) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Rangers-#Astros game. With two out and one on, Astros batter Dubón hit a 1-2 knuckle curve from Rangers pitcher David Robertson on the ground to shortstop Corey Seager, who threw to first baseman Nathaniel Lowe as Dubón arrived at first base, ruled out by 1B Umpire Torres. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Astros manager Joe Espada, Torres' out call stood. Replays do not conclusively indicate whether or not Dubón was out at first base, the call stands was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Rangers ultimately won the contest, 2-1, in 10 innings.

This is Nestor Ceja (33)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

This is the 117th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.
This is the 43rd player ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 56 Managers, 17 Coaches, 43 Players.
This is Houston's 7th ejection of 2024, T-1st in the AL West (HOU, SEA 7; OAK 6; TEX 4; LAA 2).
This is Mauricio Dubón's first career MLB ejection.
This is Nestor Ceja's 1st ejection since July 6, 2023 (Mike Ford; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros, 7/13/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 115 - Malachi Moore (3; Marcus Thames)

HP Umpire Malachi Moore ejected White Sox hitting coach Marcus Thames (strike one call to Tommy Pham; QOCN) in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the #Pirates-#WhiteSox game. With one out and one on, White Sox batter Pham took a 0-0 fastball from Pirates pitcher Luis L Ortiz for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px 0.98, pz 1.44 [sz_bot 1.65 / RAD 1.53 / MOE 1.45]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 1-0. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 6-2.

This is Malachi Moore (44)'s 3rd ejection of 2024.
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 0.79 horizontal and 0.12 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 115th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.
This is the 17th coach ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 56 Managers, 17 Coaches, 42 Players.
This is Chicago's 8th ejection of 2024, 1st in the AL Central (CWS 8; KC, MIN 2; CLE 1; DET 0).
This is Marcus Thames' 1st ejection since August 4, 2023 (Adrian Johnson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Malachi Moore's 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st since June 17 (David Bell; QOC = U [Stadium Lights]).

Friday, July 12, 2024

MLB Ejection 114 - Jeremie Rehak (2; Carlos Mendoza)

HP Umpire Jeremie Rehak ejected Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (strike three call to Jose Iglesias; QOCY) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Rockies-#Mets game. With one out and none on, Iglesias took a 3-2 sweeper from Rockies pitcher Peter Lambert for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the midpoint (px -0.66, pz 3.53 [sz_top 3.37 / RAD 3.49 / MOE 3.57]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Mets were leading, 7-3. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 7-6.

This is Jeremie Rehak (35)'s 2nd ejection of 2024.
*This pitch was located 0.48 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 114th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.
This is the 56th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 56 Managers, 16 Coaches, 42 Players.
This is New York's 5th ejection of 2024, T-1st in the NL East (NYM, WAS 5; MIA, PHI 3; ATL 0).
This is Carlos Mendoza's 1st ejection since June 6, 2021 (Bill Miller; QOC = Y-c [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Jeremie Rehak's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 11 (Reese McGuire; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Colorado Rockies vs New York Mets, 7/12/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 113 - Will Little (1; Brandon Hyde)

HP Umpire Will Little ejected Orioles manager Brandon Hyde (throwing at non-ejection/instigating benches-clearing incident) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Yankees-#Orioles game. With one out and none on, Orioles batter Heston Kjerstad took a 0-2 sinker from Yankees pitcher Clay Holmes for a hit by pitch, resulting in a benches-clearing incident. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Kjerstad in the head, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 4-1. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

This is Will Little (93)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

This is the 113th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.
This is the 55th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 55 Managers, 16 Coaches, 42 Players.
This is Baltimore's 3rd ejection of 2024, T-1st in the AL East (NYY 7; TOR 5; BAL, TB 3; BOS 2).
This is Brandon Hyde's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since May 7 (Alex Tosi; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Will Little's 1st ejection since July 27, 2023 (Oliver Marmol; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

MLB Ejection 112 - David Rackley (1; Trea Turner)

HP Umpire David Rackley ejected Phillies SS Trea Turner (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Athletics-#Phillies game. With one out and none on, Phillies batter Turner took a 1-2 sweeper from A's pitcher TJ McFarland for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.52, pz 1.59 [sz_bot 1.69 / RAD 1.57]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the A's were leading, 6-2. The A's ultimately won the contest, 6-2.

This is David Rackley (86)'s 1st ejection of 2024.
*This pitch was located 1.20 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 112th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.
This is the 42nd player ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 54 Managers, 16 Coaches, 42 Players.
This is Philadelphia's 3rd ejection of 2024, T-3rd in the NL East (WAS 5; NYM 4; MIA, PHI 3; ATL 0).
This is Trea Turner's 1st ejection since July 24, 2023 (Will Little; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is David Rackley's 1st ejection since August 27, 2023 (Mark Kotsay; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Thursday, July 11, 2024

MLB Ejection 111 - Edwin Moscoso (2; Matt Blake)

HP Umpire Edwin Moscoso ejected Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake (strike one call to Jose Trevino; QOCN) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Yankees-#Rays game. With one out and two on, Yankees batter Trevino took a a 3-0 fastball from Colin Poche for a called first strike before striking out on a 3-2 fastball. Replays indicate the 3-0 pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and above the midpoint (px -0.21, pz 3.48 [sz_top 3.00 / RAD 3.12 / MOE 3.20]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 5-3. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Edwin Moscoso (32)'s 2nd ejection of 2024.
*This pitch was located 3.36 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 111th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.
This is the 16th coach ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 54 Managers, 16 Coaches, 41 Players.
This is New York's 7th ejection of 2024, 1st in the AL East (NYY 7; TOR 5; TB 3; BAL, BOS 2).
This is Matt Blake's 1st ejection since May 14, 2023 (Mike Muchlinski; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Edwin Moscoso's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 15 (Aroldis Chapman; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

MLB Ejection 110 - Nick Mahrley (3; Kevin Pillar)

HP Umpire Nick Mahrley ejected Angels RF Kevin Pillar (strike three call; QOCN) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Mariners-#Angels game. With one out and none on, Pillar took a 3-2 fastball for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate (px 1.07, pz 2.37), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 11-0. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 11-0.

This is Nick Mahrley (48)'s 3rd ejection of 2024.
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 1.87 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 110th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.
This is the 41st player ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 54 Managers, 15 Coaches, 41 Players.
This is Los Angeles' 2nd ejection of 2024, 5th in the AL West (SEA 7; OAK, HOU 6; TEX 4; LAA 2).
This is Kevin Pillar's 1st ejection since July 21, 2019 (Mark Ripperger; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Nick Mahrley's 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st since June 15 (Torey Lovullo; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

MLB Ejection 109 - Chad Fairchild (3; Miguel Cairo)

HP Umpire Chad Fairchild ejected Nationals bench coach Miguel Cairo (strike two call; QOCY) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Nationals-#Mets game. With one out and none on, Nationals batter Jacob Young took a 1-1 sweeper from Mets pitcher Phil Maton for a called second strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.33, pz 1.53 [sz_bot 1.55 / RAD 1.43]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Mets were leading, 5-0. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 7-0.

This is Chad Fairchild (4)'s 1st ejection of 2024.
*This pitch was located 2.16 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 109th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.
This is the 15th coach ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 54 Managers, 15 Coaches, 40 Players.
This is Washington's 6th ejection of 2024, 1st in the NL East (WAS 6; NYM 4; MIA 3; PHI 2; ATL 0).
This is Miguel Cairo's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 7 (Alfonso Márquez; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Chad Fairchild's 3rd ejection of 2024, 1st since June 1 (Kevin Cash; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Home Run Stands Even With Fan Interference Optics

Rockies batter Michael Toglia's home run survived Replay Review in Colorado despite video definitively indicating a fan's glove made contact with Royals left fielder Dairon Blanco's glove while the ball was still in flight. Why did umpires in New York return a "call stands"? It's baseball's parallax.

The Official Baseball Rules Definitions of Terms state, "Spectator interference occurs when a spectator (or an object thrown by the spectator) hinders a player’s attempt to make a play on a live ball, by going onto the playing field, or reaching out of the stands and over the playing field."

The definition of playing field is further explained with OBR 2.01 and the definition of fair territory, which state, "that part of the playing field within, and including the first base and third base lines, from home base to the bottom of the playing field" (foul is similar [yet different]). Thus, the vertical plane along the warning track side of the outfield wall/fence serves as the playing field's diving line.

This means the top of the fence is fair game for the fan to attempt a catch or even to interfere with the fielder—effectively, there is no interference to consider unless the fan reaches out over the warning track, not above the wall itself.

OBR 6.01(e) states that if fan interference occurs, "the ball shall be dead at the moment of interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in their opinion will nullify the act of interference," including the potential of awarding the defensive team an out.

Upon Crew Chief Larry Vanover shipping this to Replay HQ, the standard to confirm or overturn a call is "clear and convincing" video evidence, the absence of which results in a call stands outcome.

The issue with reviewing this play at Coors Field is a similar issue at other parks, too, in that the replay camera angles all suffer from a degree of parallax illusion, which creates uncertainty and fails to meet the clear and convincing standard.

Parallax is a displacement or difference in the apparent position of an object viewed along two different lines of sight, measured by angle of inclination between two lines. Parallax effect occurs when viewing from a certain angle creates an illusion that something has occurred (such as, in hockey, a puck crossing a goal line) that upon viewing the play from a more definitive angle—namely top-down—conclusively demonstrates the initial impression was incorrect.

Because the fan's hands were in the air, parallax effect made it difficult to judge the fan's position relative to the playing field boundary. Accordingly, even though it might look at first glance as if the fan definitively reached over the playing field and contacted the fielder and ball at that point, the Replay Official could not be certain that this view was free from parallax illusion, and returned a call stands verdict due to this uncertainty.

Thus, to Royals manager Matt Quatraro's statement, "I don't know what the explanation was, and whatever it was, it's going to be a bad explanation," there you are—through science.

Video as follows:

Sunday, July 7, 2024

MLB Ejection 108 - Jordan Baker (1; Julio Rodríguez)

HP Umpire Jordan Baker ejected Mariners bench player Julio Rodríguez (strike three call to Mitch Garver; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #BlueJays-#Mariners game. With none out and none on, Mariners batter Garver took a 3-2 slider from Blue Jays pitcher Chad Green. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and at the midpoint (px 0.58, pz 1.56 [sz_bot 1.58 / RAD 1.46]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 4-4. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 5-4, in 10 innings.

This is Jordan Baker (71)'s 1st ejection of 2024.
*This pitch was located 3.24 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 108th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.
This is the 40th player ejection of 2024. Prior to ejection, Rodríguez was 0-0 in the contest (HBP).
Ejection Tally: 54 Managers, 14 Coaches, 40 Players.
This is Seattle's 7th ejection of 2024, 1st in the AL West (SEA 7; OAK, HOU 6; TEX 4; LAA 1).
This is Julio Rodriguez's 1st ejection since June 26, 2022 (John Bacon; QOC = U [Fighting]).
This is Jordan Baker's 1st ejection since August 26, 2023 (Dave Roberts; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).