Nats Turn Triple Play on Mets When Umps Don't Make a Call

Washington turned a triple play on New York after 1B Umpire Alfonso Marquez's crew didn't signal whether Mets batter Jesse Winker's line drive was caught by Nationals first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, a somewhat similar play to the recent double play that resulted in minor league manager Jose Moreno's ejection in Double-A...but this is really about umpire positioning.

In DC, with none out and runners on first and second baes, Mets batter Winker hit a line drive to Nats first baseman Lowe, who may or may not have fielded the batted ball on a bounce—New York wouldn't know, because none of the four umpires signaled safe or out for the catch / no catch element of this play.

While the Mets stumbled around in confusion after the no-call, Washington turned a triple play with first baseman Lowe ruled to have caught the batted ball for out number one, runner R2 Brandon Nimmo out at second base on appeal for out number two, and R1 Mark Vientos out at first base for out number three.

Umpire positioning led to a coverage vacuum contributing to the catch/no catch chaos, as 2B Umpire Lance Barrett's starting position outside the fielders with runners on base ran afoul of the MLB Umpire Manual's approved teaching for four-person positioning with runner(s).

This isn't just a problem unique to this game, it's systemic in recent MLB memory, as second base umpires have increasingly opted to work outside even with runners, despite the Manual's instruction and assumption that all second base umpires will work inside (at the cut of the infield grass) with runner(s) on base.

The MLBUM coverage responsibilities chart states that the second base umpire has catch/no catch responsibility for a first baseman ranging to their right on an infield line drive, but when U2 is working outside, they lose their advantageous angle to see the play. With the play going away from U1, this was not 1B Umpire Alfonso Marquez's call to make, so, effectively, no one clearly called in real time a line out, and the resulting confusion led to a Nationals' triple play.

So as we initially opined back when umpires began working outside with runner(s), the starting position of U2 outside is problematic for certain plays with runners on base. This is just the latest example of what happens when U2 starts out with runners instead of playing in.

Video as follows:

Hand Waving Intentional Interference on the Grass

When 2B Umpire Marvin Hudson called interference on Brewers baserunner Jackson Chourio on Christian Yelich's infield ground ball, Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy argued the runner's decision to run on the infield grass is actually legal. Hudson let Murphy have his say, leaving broadcasters to piece together why interference was called...and citing some totally unrelated rules along the way.

With R1 Chourio on first base and one out, batter Yelich hit a ground ball to Cardinals 1B Willson Contreras, who threw to second base to try and force out Chourio. The ball hit Chourio and caromed into left field, drawing an interference call ("Time" and dead ball) by 2B Umpire Hudson.

Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(3) states, "Any runner is out when they intentionally interfere with a thrown ball; or hinder a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball."

While veering onto the grass on its own generally does not satisfy the intentionality standard of this rule, R1 Chourio's actions in raising his left arm prior to the throw's arrival suggests a proactive attempt to intentionally interfere with the throw.

Thus, R1 Chourio is out not for running on the infield grass or veering, as the broadcaster's incorrectly stated, "out of his baseline" (first, it's a base path not a baseline; and second, the base rule only applies to tag attempts: a thrown ball is not a tag attempt, and therefore the three-foot base path rule does not apply here), but for intentionally interfering with the fielder's throw, as evidenced by his actions in raising his arm prior to the throw's arrival to disrupt the defense's play.

Video as follows:

MiLB Manager Ejected After Odd Double Play

Umpire Chandler Durham ejected Lookouts manager Jose Moreno after an unusual double play when an already-out runner dove back into first base, confusing the batter-runner, who walked off the base even though he was safe. We take a look at the umpire mechanics of this play and discuss whether anything could have been done differently or whether the offensive team simply ran into an extra out.

With none out and one on (R1) in the top of the 7th inning of the Chattanooga Lookouts' game against the Knoxville Smokies, Lookouts batter-runner Héctor Rodríguez hit a ground ball/line drive to first base, fielded by Smokies first baseman BJ Murray, who threw to shortstop Ed Howard to force out Lookouts baserunner R1 Sal Stewart, who retreated and dove back into first base as Howard's return throw arrived late on batter-runner Rodríguez.

Despite 1B Umpire Spencer Kim signaling BR Rodríguez safe at first base, Rodríguez decided, seemingly on his own volition, to jog back to the dugout, leaving the base, whereupon first baseman Murray, now in possession of the ball, tagged him out for a double play.

We first establish that R1 Stewart's actions in returning to first base despite already being forced out at second does not constitute interference pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(5): "If the batter or a runner continues to advance or returns or attempts to return to their last legally touched base after they have been put out, they shall not by that act alone be considered as confusing, hindering or impeding the fielders."

Second, noticing that during his argument Moreno animatedly motioned an "out" mechanic, alluding that perhaps the batter-runner was confused because the umpire signaled "out" prematurely, we observe that U1 Kim's only gestured mechanics during the initial action and before BR Rodríguez left first base on his way back to the dugout were "fair ball" and "safe"...U1 Kim did eventually signal "out" but only after the initial action concluded, only after the batter-runner started jogging back to his dugout, and only while also pointing to R1 Stewart to clarify that R1 Stewart was the one who was out.

In sum, the mechanics here did not contain an improper "out" signal as argued by the Lookouts. Instead, perhaps the confusion resulted from Chattanooga mistakenly thinking the batted ball was caught on the fly when it was not. Thus the only mechanic that could have been different here would have been the umpire signaling "safe" after the fair ball mechanic, to signify that the batted ball was indeed not caught in the air.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 012 - Mark Carlson (1; Oliver Marmol)

HP Umpire Mark Carlson ejected Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (ball four call to Ozzie Albies; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Cardinals-#Braves game. With one out and two on, Braves batter Albies took a 3-0 cutter from Cardinals pitcher Phil Maton for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and at the midpoint (px -0.32, pz 3.26 [sz_top 3.10 / RAD 3.22 / MOE 3.30]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 7-6.

This is Mark Carlson (6)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

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

This is the 12th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 5th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 5 Managers, 2 Coach, 5 Players.

This is St Louis 1st ejection of 2025, 1st in the NL Central (MIL, STL 1; CHC, CIN, PIT 0).

This is Oliver Marmol's 1st ejection since Sept 18, 2024 (DJ Reyburn; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

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

Wrap: St Louis Cardinals vs Atlanta Braves, 4/21/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 011 - Adam Beck (1; Aaron Boone)

HP Umpire Adam Beck ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone (strike three & Replay Review call stands foul ball [not HR] call to Aaron Judge; QOCY) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Yankees-#Rays game. With none out and none on, Yankees batter Aaron Judge hit a 3-2 changeup from Rays pitcher Eric Orze for a fly ball beyond the outfield wall, ruled a foul ball by 3B Umpire Scott Barry. Upon Replay Review as the result of a Crew Chief review, the foul ball call was upheld (call stands due to lack of clear and convincing evidence - foul poles were too short, parallax angle). One pitch later, Judge took a 3-2 slider from Orze 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 0.65, pz 1.92 [sz_bot 1.72 / RAD 1.60]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 3-0. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 4-0.

This is Adam Beck (38)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

*This pitch was located 4.80 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 11th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 4th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 4 Managers, 2 Coach, 5 Players.

This is New York's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st in the AL East (NYY 2; BAL, TB 1; BOS, TOR 0).

This is Aaron Boone's 1st ejection since August 7, 2024 (Tripp Gibson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Adam Beck's 1st ejection since June 16, 2024 (Manny Machado; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays, 4/20/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 010 - John Bacon (2; Jazz Chisholm)

HP Umpire John Bacon ejected Yankees 2B Jazz Chisholm (strike three call; QOCN) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Yankees-#Rays game. With one out and one on, Yankees batter Chisholm took a 3-2 fastball from Rays pitcher Mason Montgomery for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and below of the hollow of the knee (px -0.60, pz 1.47 [sz_bot 1.68 / RAD 1.56 / MOE 1.48]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 6-3. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 6-3.

This is John Bacon (70)'s 2nd ejection of 2025.

*This pitch was located 0.12 vertical inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 10th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 5th player ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 3 Managers, 2 Coach, 5 Players.

This is New York's 1st ejection of 2025, 1st in the AL East (BAL, NYY, TB 1; BOS, TOR 0).

This is Jazz Chisholm's 1st ejection since April 30, 2024 (Jansen Visconti; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is John Bacon's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since April 13 (Brandon Hyde; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays, 4/17/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 009 - Paul Clemons (1; Alec Zumwalt)

HP Umpire Paul Clemons ejected Royals hitting coach Alec Zumwalt (strike two call to Bobby Witt Jr; QOCY) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Royals-#Tigers game. With two out and none on, Royals batter Witt Jr took a 1-1 fastball from Tigers pitcher Tommy Kahnle 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 0.40, pz 1.56 [sz_bot 1.68 / RAD 1.56]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Tigers were leading, 6-1. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 6-1.

This is Paul Clemons (57)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

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

This is the 9th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 2nd coach ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 3 Managers, 2 Coach, 4 Players.

This is Kansas City's 1st ejection of 2025, 1st in the AL Central (KC, MIN 1; CWS, CLE, DET 0).

This is Alec Zumwalt's first career MLB ejection.

This is Paul Clemons' 1st ejection since August 26, 2024 (Wilyer Abreu; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals vs Detroit Tigers, 4/17/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 008 - Ron Kulpa (1; Jorge López)

HP Umpire Ron Kulpa ejected Nationals pitcher Jorge López (throwing at Pirates batter Andrew McCutchen) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Nationals-#Pirates game. With two out and none on, Pirates batter Bryan Reynolds took a first-pitch sinker from Nationals pitcher López for a hit-by-pitch. Ensuing Pirates batter McCutchen then took a 0-1 slider from Nationals pitcher López for a ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located head-high and inside, the call was irrecusable. Warnings had not previously been issued. At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 2-0. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 6-1.

This is Ron Kulpa (46)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

Official Baseball Rule 6.02(c)(9) Comment (Intentionally Pitch at Batter): "To pitch at a batter’s head is unsportsmanlike and highly dangerous. It should be—and is—condemned by everybody. Umpires should act without hesitation in enforcement of this rule."

This is the 8th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 4th player ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 3 Managers, 1 Coach, 4 Players.

This is Washington's 1st ejection of 2025, 1st in the NL East (WAS 1; ATL, MIA, NYM, PHI 0).

This is Jorge López's 1st ejection since May 29, 2024 (Ramon De Jesus; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Ron Kulpa's 1st ejection since July 21, 2023 (Alec Burleson; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Washington Nationals vs Pittsburgh Pirates, 4/16/25 | Video as follows:

Broadcasters Baffled by Balk as Mets Throw Off Base

When A's pitcher José Leclerc threw to third baseman Gio Urshela playing off of third base, 3B Umpire Nick Mahrley called a balk, leading Mets broadcaster Gary Cohen to declare, "That's a bad call." Fact Check: It was the correct call, as an uncovered base is treated differently by baseball's balk rules.

With one out and one on (R3), A's pitcher Leclerc threw to third baseman Baty to try and hold Mets baserunner R3 Tyrone Taylor at third base. Baty was not covering third base at the time and the throw was directed to him, not to the base. Accordingly, 3B Umpire Mahrley ruled a balk for violation of Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(2), and awarded Taylor home, scoring a run, bringing A's manager Mark Kotsay out of the dugout to argue.

OBR 6.02(a)(2) states, "if there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher, while touching their plate, feints a throw to first or third base and fails to complete the throw."

We then reference the MLB Umpire Manual interpretation of this rule, which states, "The pitcher shall be charged with a balk if, while in contact with the rubber, they throw to a fielder who is either in front of or behind first or third base and obviously not making an attempt at retiring the runner at that base. However, there is no violation if the pitcher throws the ball directly to first or third base in this situation."

Flashback: On August 10, 2008, 1B Umpire Tim Welke called a balk when Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte threw to unsuspecting first baseman Richie Sexson playing in for a bunt attempt, resulting in Angels baserunner Chone Figgins advancing to second base (and R2 Mike Napoli to third).

Thus, when pitcher Leclerc threw to fielder Baty off of third base but not anticipating the throw in an attempt to retire the runner at third base, he violated OBR 6.02(a)(2) by failing to complete a throw directly to third base, instead throwing to a fielder not at the base.

It is important to note that OBR 6.02(a)(2) applies to first and third base, but not second base. Had this play occurred at second base, it would not have been a violation of the balk rule.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 007 - John Bacon (1; Brandon Hyde)

HP Umpire John Bacon ejected Orioles manager Brandon Hyde (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the #BlueJays-#Orioles game. With one out and one on, Orioles batter Jordan Westburg took a 3-2 sinker from Blue Jays pitcher José Berríos for a called strike, as Orioles baserunner R1 Ryan O'Hearn stole second base. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the hollow of the knee (px -0.50, pz 1.46 [sz_bot 1.61 / RAD 1.49 / MOE 1.41]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Orioles were leading, 3-2. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 7-6, in 10 innings.

This is John Bacon (70)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

*This pitch was located 0.60 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 7th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 3rd manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 3 Managers, 1 Coach, 3 Players.

This is Baltimore's 1st ejection, T-1st in the AL East (BAL, TB 1; BOS, NYY, TOR 0).

This is Brandon Hyde's 1st ejection since August 7, 2024 (Larry Vanover; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is John Bacon's 1st ejection since April 10, 2024 (Aaron Boone; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles, 4/13/25 | Video as follows:

An Ump Bump Ejection in Korea After "Time" Call

A manager bumped an umpire during a KBO League ejection as LG Twins skipper Kyung-Yeop Yeom  charged at 1B Umpire Young-Jae Lee following a force out at second on an uncaught line drive to third base, ruled fair by 3B Umpire Gap-Soo Kim.

After U3 Kim ruled the uncaught batted ball fair, Doosan Bears third baseman Seung-Ho Kang threw the ball to second base to force out Twins baserunner R1 Seong-Joo Moon, as batter-runner Joo-Heon Lee arrived at first base.

As confusion reigned at first base, U1 Lee called "Time" after a request from the Bears first baseman.

Twins manager Yeom exited the dugout to argue that the third base umpire called "Time" during the initial play, but replays indicate none of the umpires did such a thing until U1's "Time" call well after the force out at second base.

During the argument, umpire Lee and manager Yeom continued their heated exchange, culminating in Yeom bumping Lee moments after being ejected by HP Umpire Byeong-du Bae.

The MLB Umpire Manual's situation handling guidelines, for illustration, state, "MLB Umpires should remain calm, confident, and non-confrontational in order to maintain an appearance of fairness and impartiality," while Official Baseball Rule 6.04(d), pertaining to unsportsmanlike conduct, states, "When a manager, player, coach or trainer is ejected from a game, they shall leave the field immediately and take no further part in that game. They shall remain in the clubhouse or change to street clothes and either leave the park or take a seat in the grandstand well removed from the vicinity of their team’s bench or bullpen."

Video as follows:

Mark Ripperger Calls a Perfect Game in KC

MLB Umpire Mark Ripperger called a perfect game in Kansas City, officiating Thursday's #Twins-#Royals game with 136 correct ball/strike calls out of 136 callable pitches thrown for a 100% accuracy plate score.

These numbers reflect postgame adjustment figures and are normalized to both UmpScorecards' and CCS' measurement standards.

This is not Ripperger's first brush with perfection. When Ripperger called A's pitcher Mike Fiers' no-hitter in 2019 for an overall accuracy score of 97.2%, his accuracy for Fiers' pitching was 100% (73/73).

Related Post: 2019 No-Hitter 1, Mark Ripperger (1; Mike Fiers) (5/7/19).

Stats for HP Umpire Mark Ripperger on 4/10/2025

Balls: 89 called balls outside of strike zone / 0 called balls within strike zone = 89/89 = 100% Accuracy.

Strikes: 47 called strikes inside strike zone / 0 called strikes outside strike zone = 47/47 = 100% Accuracy.

Overall Game Score: 89/89 Balls + 47/47 Strikes = 136/136 = 100.0%. +0 Neutral.

Video as follows:

Obstruction Should Have Negated Collision Tag Play in PIT

Pirates 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes' made a heads up play to tag out Cardinals runner Thomas Saggese after 1B Endy Rodriguez and catcher Joey Bart collided in Pittsburgh, but should HP Umpire Lance Barksdale have called obstruction on the fielders lying prostrate in the runner's base path?

In short, "yes" and in long form, here's why:

With two out and runners on first and second base, Cardinals batter Willson Contreras hit a high fly ball in front of home plate, whereupon Pirates fielders Rodriguez and Bart collided, dropping the baseball in the process. As the ball rolled loose, Cardinals baserunner R2 Saggese attempted to score, tagged out by 3B Hayes who picked up the ball and tagged the runner before he slid into home plate.

Barksdale called the runner out instead of ruling obstruction on Pittsburgh, even though Rodriguez and Bart, having misplayed the batted ball, lay strewn across the baseline and directly in the path of R2 Saggese. Had obstruction been called, Saggese would have been awarded home and the inning would have continued, likely with R1 Masyn Winn advancing to third base.

The Official Baseball Rules define obstruction as "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."

Standing in an advancing runner's path without the ball and not in the act of fielding, thus blocking their direct progress, is very likely obstruction.

As for the act of fielding exemption, this applies to only one fielder: "If two or more fielders attempt to field a batted ball...the umpire shall determine which fielder is entitled to the benefit of this rule" (OBR 6.01(a)(10)). Although this is found in the offensive interference rule, the point about only one fielder receiving act-of-fielding protection applies here, as well.

Furthermore, a fielder is not considered "in the act of fielding" after the fielder attempts to field the ball and misses, which occurred here as well. Thus, this is obstruction, and because the ball was loose at the time of obstruction, it is Type 2 / B: "If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no further action is possible. The umpire shall then call “Time” and impose such penalties, if any, as in their judgment will nullify the act of obstruction" (OBR 6.01(h)(2)), as no play can be considered as being made on a runner (as in OBS Type 1/A) while the ball is loose (e.g., not in the fielder's possession or not being thrown between teammates).

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 005-6 - Laz Diaz (1-2; ARI x2)

1B Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly and manager Torey Lovullo (check swing ball four call to Tyler O'Neill) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Orioles-#Diamondbacks game. With none out and one on, Orioles batter O'Neill attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 slider from Diamondbacks pitcher Kelly, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Brian O'Nora and affirmed as no swing on appeal by 1B Umpire Diaz. At the time of the ejection, the D-backs were leading, 4-2. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

These are Laz Diaz (63)'s 1st and 2nd ejections of 2025.

These are the 5th and 6th ejection reports of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 3rd player ejection of 2025.

This is the 2nd manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 2 Managers, 1 Coach, 3 Players.

This is Arizona's 1/2nd ejection of 2025, 1st in the NL West (ARI 2; COL, LAD, SD, SF 0).

This is Merrill Kelly's 1st ejection since May 15, 2023 (Brock Ballou; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

This is Torey Lovullo's 1st ejection since July 22, 2024 (Jordan Baker; QOC = U [Warnings]).

This is Laz Diaz's 1st ejection since August 4, 2024 (Kevin Gausman; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs Arizona Diamondbacks, 4/8/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 004 - Rob Drake (1; Christopher Morel)

HP Umpire Rob Drake ejected Rays LF Christopher Morel (strike two call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Angels-#Rays game. With one out and one on, Rays batter Morel took a 3-1 fastball from Angels pitcher Brock Burke for a called second strike, before striking out swinging on the next pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px 0.86, pz 2.55), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Rob Drake (8)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

*This pitch was located 0.65 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 4th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 2nd player ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 1 Managers, 1 Coach, 2 Players.

This is Tampa Bay's 1st ejection of 2024, 1st in the AL East (TB 1; BAL, BOS, NYY, TOR 0).

This is Christopher Morel's 1st ejection since August 7, 2023 (Ramon De Jesus; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Rob Drake's 1st ejection since July 26, 2024 (Kevin Long; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles vs Tampa Bay Rays, 4/8/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 003 - Nic Lentz (1; Rocco Baldelli)

HP Umpire Nic Lentz ejected Twins manager Rocco Baldelli (pitch clock violation ball four call that was actually a quick pitch; QOCY) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Twins-#Royals game. With two out and none on, Royals batter Jonathan India prepared for a 3-2 pitch from Twins pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson, who motioned to his PitchCom system to indicate a potential malfunction before re-engaging and rushing a delivery prior to the expiration of the pitch timer, resulting in a violation call by HP Umpire Lentz. Replays indicate the pitcher timer appeared to show two seconds remaining when Woods Richardson re-engaged and began his rushed delivery, while the batter was not reasonably set after the pitcher's disengagement seconds earlier, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 4-1. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is Nic Lentz (59)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(5): "A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpires will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter’s box. With runners on base the penalty is a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous and should not be permitted."

OBR Definition: "An ILLEGAL PITCH is (1) a pitch delivered to the batter when the pitcher does not have his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate; (2) a quick return pitch. An illegal pitch when runners are on base is a balk."

OBR Definition: "A QUICK RETURN pitch is one made with obvious intent to catch a batter off balance. It is an illegal pitch."

This is the 3rd ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 1st manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 1 Managers, 1 Coach, 1 Players.

This is Minnesota's 1st ejection of 2025, 1st in the AL Central (MIN 1; CWS, CLE, DET, KC 0).

This is Rocco Baldelli's 1st ejection since August 25, 2023 (Carlos Torres; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Nic Lentz's 1st ejection since August 13, 2023 (Oscar Marin; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals, 4/7/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 002 - CB Bucknor (1; Kris Bryant)

HP Umpire CB Bucknor ejected Rockies DH Kris Bryant (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Athletics-#Rockies game. With one out and two on, Rockies batter Bryant took a 2-2 sinker 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 of the hollow of the knee (px -0.41, pz 1.51 [sz_bot 1.70 / RAD 1.57 / MOE 1.49]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rockies were leading, 12-4. The Rockies ultimately won the contest, 12-5.

This is CB Bucknor (54)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

*This pitch was located 0.24 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 2nd ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 1st player ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 0 Managers, 1 Coach, 1 Players.

This is Colorado's 1st ejection of 2024, 1st in the NL West (COL 1; ARI, LAD, SD, SF 0).

This is Kris Bryant's 1st ejection since September 20, 2023 (Brian Knight; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is CB Bucknor's 1st ejection since September 2, 2023 (Kevin Cash; QOC = N [Pitch Clock]).

Wrap: Oakland-ish Athletics vs Colorado Rockies, 4/6/24 | There is no video for this ejection.

Pitcher Declares Windup, But Stops in Set...That's a Balk

Fresh into the Padres-Cubs game as a relief pitcher in a mutually disastrous first inning, San Diego pitcher Logan Gillaspie added to the carnage by immediately balking twice, with 3B Umpire Nate Tomlinson calling the crew in for consultation after just two pitches.

At issue was pitcher Gillaspie declaring to HP Umpire Mark Wegner his intention to pitch from Windup Position, which ordinarily grants the pitcher one step back before a second step forward, upon which the pitcher releases the ball.

Instead, Gillaspie took his first step back, but then brought both feet together, as in Set Position, stopping on the rubber, before restarting the motion and delivering the ball to the batter. Did Gillaspie change his mind about Windup vs Set and just not tell anyone?

Chicago's dugout cried foul, leading to Tomlinson's intervention and the crew's determination that Gillaspie had balked by stopping mid-delivery.

Official Baseball Rule 5.07(a)(1) defines Windup Position: "The pitcher shall stand facing the batter, their pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate and the other foot free. From this position any natural movement associated with their delivery of the ball to the batter commits their to the pitch without interruption or alteration. They shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in their actual delivery of the ball to the batter, they may take one step backward, and one step forward with their free foot."

Because Gillaspie pitching from Windup interrupted his motion by stopping, this is a start-stop balk, as in OBR 6.01(a)(1), "If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher, while touching their plate, makes any motion naturally associated with their pitch and fails to make such delivery," and (5), "...makes an illegal pitch."

Video as follows:

Balk or Ball, What's the Call? Slip vs Pitch Review

After slipping on the mound during his delivery, Mets pitcher AJ Minter was called for a balk by HP Umpire Bruce Dreckman, even though he released the ball, resulting in a brief discussion with manager Carlos Mendoza and a broadcast booth debate: balk or ball, what's the call?

With one out and a runner on second base in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Mets-Marlins game, New York pitcher Minter slipped during his 0-1 delivery to Marlins batter Otto Lopez, releasing the ball mid-fall, which was ultimately scooped up by the catcher.

HP Umpire Dreckman then called a balk pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(11), which states, "If there is a runner, or runners, is a balk when the pitcher, while touching their plate, accidentally or intentionally has the ball slip or fall out of their hand or glove."

Although New York argued that it should be deemed a legal pitch, since Minter released the ball toward home plate during his delivery (as opposed to simply dropping the ball from Set Position but before delivery), the MLB Umpire Manual instructs officials to nonetheless call a balk in this situation, because the ball did not make it to the foul line before being picked up by the catcher.

MLBUM's interpretation of this balk rule states, "A pitched ball that slips out of the pitcher’s hand and crosses the foul line shall be called a ball; otherwise it will be called no pitch. If the ball does not cross the foul line, this would be a balk with runner(s) on base."

Accordingly, this is a balk and as we know, you can't just be up there and just doin' a balk like that.

Video as follows:

No, You Can't Hug Manny Machado - Interference at 3B

Hugging Padres 3B Manny Machado turned into an interference-aided double play for Guardians baserunner Gabriel Arias, as 3B Umpire John Bacon ruled that Arias prevented Machado from making a potential play on trailing Cleveland runner Austin Hedges.

With none out and runners on first and second base (R1, R2), Guardians runner R2 Arias took off for third base, drawing a throw from Padres pitcher Kyle Hart to Machado, who waited to tag Arias. But instead of giving himself up, Arias wrapped up Machado, who mimed a fake throw to second base where following runner Hedges was advancing.

Umpire Bacon, ruling that Arias' actions prevented Machado from making a potential play on another runner, ruled now-retired baserunner Arias guilty of interference pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(5): "Any batter or runner who has just been put out, or any runner who has just scored, hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of their teammate."

Broadcasters also erroneously alleged that pitcher Hart balked in making his initial throw to third base, which was unoccupied to begin the play, and without first disengaging the rubber. 

While a pitcher is generally prohibited from throwing to an unoccupied base from the rubber, OBR 6.02(a)(4) makes one key exception that is relevant here: "If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher, while touching their plate, throws, or feints a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play."

Because R2 Arias was attempting to advance to third base, Hart's throw to third qualifies for the purpose-of-making-a-play exception to the balk rule and is therefore legal.

Video as follows:

Equipment Check! Are Torpedo Bats Legal?

You asked us if the torpedo bats several Yankees players started using this season are legal, so we turned to Official Baseball Rule 3.02—the bat rule—to figure out the answer.

Torpedo bats differ from standard wooden bats in several ways: first, the barrel of the bat, which retains a somewhat similar length to the standard's barrel, is shifted several inches up the bat, toward the knob/handle side. This, in turn, means the end of the barrel on a torpedo bat does not correspond with the end of the bat itself, as is the case on many standard bats. Instead, the barrel ends a few inches from the end, and the bat's thickness thins slightly past the barrel toward the end. In turn, there is no indented cup on a torpedo bat, as there would be on a standard bat (for force dissipation purposes).

OBR 3.02 is comprised of three provisions, so we began with part (a), which states, "The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2.61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood."

The torpedo bat changes the standard bat shape by shifting the barrel toward the handle, but does not change the barrel's thickness nor the overall bat's total length. Therefore, provision (a) is satisfied.

OBR 3.02(b) states, "Cupped Bats. An indentation in the end of the bat up to 1¼ inches in depth is permitted and may be no wider than two inches and no less than one inch in diameter. The indentation must be curved with no foreign substance added."

Due to its shifted barrel design, the torpedo bat general has no indented cup, which, because 3.02(b) permits intendtation, but does not require it, does not apply.

OBR 3.02(c) states, "The bat handle, for not more than 18 inches from its end, may be covered or treated with any material or substance to improve the grip. Any such material or substance that extends past the 18-inch limitation shall cause the bat to be removed from the game."

Finally, because a torpedo bat does not alter the standard handle length, provision (c) is also satisfied.

Accordingly, we find a torpedo bat is indeed legal. | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 001 - Brennan Miller (1; Rickie Weeks)

HP Umpire Brennan Miller ejected Brewers associate manager Rickie Weeks (ball one call; QOCY) in the top of the 7th inning of the #Royals-#Brewers game. With none out and one on, Royals batter Hunter Renfroe took a 0-2 slider from Brewers pitcher Elvis Peguero for a called first ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.82, pz 1.64 [sz_bot 1.65 / RAD 1.53]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 5-0. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 11-1.

This is Brennan Miller (55)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

This is the 1st ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 1st coach ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 0 Managers, 1 Coach, 0 Players.

This is Milwaukee's 1st ejection of 2025, 1st in the NL Central (MIL 1; CHC, CIN, PIT, STL 0).

This is Rickie Weeks' 1st ejection since July 4, 2010 (John Hirschbeck; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Brennan Miller's 1st ejection since Sept 17, 2024 (Jose Altuve; QOC = N [Fair/Foul]).

Wrap: Kansas City Royals vs Milwaukee Brewers, 3/31/25 | Video as follows:

Out of Base Path Call Against M's Solano Ends Game

Umpire Stu Scheurwater's out of the base path call against Seattle batter-runner Donovan Solano ended the A's-Mariners game as Stu ruled that Solano ran more than three feet from his established base path to avoid first baseman Tyler Soderstrom's tag. Did he?

Out of the base path calls near first base are one of the only instances in which painted lines on the baseball field are helpful for adjudication. This is because the distance from the foul line to the lane line along the first baseline is exactly three feet, by rule.

To review, out of the base path is as follows: "Any runner is out when they run more than three feet away from their base path to avoid being tagged unless their action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball. A runner’s base path is established when the tag attempt occurs and is a straight line from the runner to the base they are attempting to reach safely" (Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(1)).

While the runner's lane interference rule, as pertains to the physical markings on the ground, states: "The chalk lines marking the threefoot lane are a part of that lane and a batter-runner is required to have both feet within the three-foot lane" (OBR 5.09(a)(11)).

So although the runner's lane rule itself bears no relevance to this tag play at first base, because Solano was positioned on the fair territory side of the runner's lane at the beginning of F3 Soderstrom's tag attempt, and because Solano then ran onto the foul territory side of the runner's lane, we know that Solano must have run more than three feet from his base path to avoid the tag, and, thus, is out of the base path.

Video as follows:

No, You Can't Catch a Ball With Your Hat

Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham got away with an illegal play when he took off and used his hat to field Brewers batter Isaac Collins' fly ball to deep right-center, a rules infraction that should have resulted in a three-base award had the umpires spotted it.

Replays indicate that in the 9th inning of New York's 4-2 win over Milwaukee, Grisham deliberately took off his uniform cap and used it to help control a fair ball at the wall, which is against the rules, the penalty for which is a three-base award: "Three bases, if a fielder deliberately touches a fair ball with their cap, mask or any part of their uniform detached from its proper place on their person. The ball is in play and the batter may advance to home base at their peril" (Official Baseball Rule 5.06(b)(4)(B)).

The violation went uncalled, resulting in a double with Brewers baserunner R1 Joey Ortiz advancing from first to third base. Had the umpires called and enforced the violation and its penalty, Ortiz would have scored and batter-runner Collins would have been placed at third base.

Video as follows:

3B Umpire Calls Check Swing on Right-Handed Batter???

Ordinarily, crew-of-three 3B umpires handle check swing appeals for left-handed hitters and 1B umpires take righties...so why did a 3B umpire rule on a check swing for a righty in NCAA's LSU vs Louisiana game?

The prevailing wisdom for most umpire manuals in a crew of three is that check (or "checked" in softball parlance) swings for lefties get appealed to U3 and righties get appealed to U1. That's what most umpire manuals will tell you, such as a prior year's NCAA Softball Umpire Manual, which states, "The plate umpire should get help from the first base umpire for right-handed batters and the third base umpire for left-handed batters, regardless of where the base umpires are positioned on the field."

Professional baseball, at some levels, did experiment years ago with having the third base umpire take check swings on right-handed batters during situations in which the first base umpire is counter-rotated onto the infield, such as the runners on 1B & 2B situation in LSU-Louisiana...but the experiment didn't seem to work and umpire mechanics returned to the U1/righties and U3/lefties setup.

Looks like softball is angling for a new check swing mechanic experiment.

Video as follows:

Kid Umpire Calls MLB Game from the Stands

A young fan attending a Blue Jays-Cardinals Spring Training game dressed like an MLB umpire called balls and strikes from the stands, stealing the show: "This is all we want," exclaimed the St Louis broadcast.

Complete with a pro-style black umpire uniform shirt, facemask, black ball bag (sorry, Cubby!), and heather gray pants, baseball's newest real fake umpire dazzled while calling the game alongside—and, timing-wise, in sync with—HP Umpire Tom Hanahan: "that kid is on point!"

The fake ump monicker refers to the original "Fake Umpires" from 2008-10, Tim Williams and Joe Farrell of Toronto, who in 2015 took to Citi Field for a charity fundraiser, after raising over $10,000 during their first round of fake officiating from the stands. Williams and Farrell previously ejected George Washington from the Presidents' Race in Washington, DC, during a 2009 game.

Video as follows:

Shohei Ohtani's Home Run or Fan Interference in Tokyo?

Dodgers DH Shohei Ohtani hit a home run in Game 2 of LA's Tokyo Series sweep over Chicago, but not after umpires reviewed the play for spectator interference. Let's take another look at this call stands decision, made due to lack of clear and convincing evidence.

With one out and none on in the top of the 5th inning, Ohtani hit a 2-2 fastball from Cubs pitcher Nate Pearson to deep right-center field, whereupon a fan reached for and touched the baseball, ruled a home run by 2B Umpire John Libka.

Crew Chief Bill Miller initiated a review for spectator interference, defined by the Official Baseball Rules as occurring "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."

OBR 6.01(e) specifies what to do when spectator interference occurs: "When there is spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball, 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."

Replay determined that available camera angles (which themselves suffered from varying degrees of parallax) did not provide clear/convincing evidence to confirm or overturn the call, and thus ruled the original on-field ruling of home run should stand.

Video as follows:

Is Jumping into a Thrown Ball Interference? The Báez Case

Tigers baserunner Javier Báez jumped into a thrown ball following a diving catch by Rays shortstop Carson Williams, resulting in a double play at Grapefruit League Spring Training. With umpires not ruling this interference, instead signaling Báez out only when Tampa retrieved the loose ball and tagged first base, we review baseball's rules to determine whether the runner interfered with the play or not.

Pursuant to Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(3), "any runner is out when they intentionally interfere with a thrown ball; or hinder a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball."

Replays indicate Báez jumped after Williams began his throw toward first base in an attempt to double up Báez for failing to tag up on the air out, which is indeed interference, as long as the umpire deems the runner's actions were an intentional attempt to hinder or impede the defense from making a play (in this case, completing the throw to first base). Replays indicate 2B Umpire Diaz did not signal interference, which by rule, suggests he did not deem Báez's act as intentional in accordance with OBR 5.09(b)(3).

The definition of offensive interference is "an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play."

Video as follows:

Team Loses While Celebrating Despite Missed Base Touch

Seminole St lost to McLennan on a walk-off groundout when the defense celebrated and spiked a live ball, allowing the winning run to score after the catcher missed his base touch on the tying runner.

We briefly consider interference rules - both with the team being on the field during play and potential base coach assistance (illegal if physical) and ponder the possibility of an umpire holding the safe mechanic (arms out) a tick longer so everyone can see the call for this atypical play at home plate (e.g., a pulled foot is a close call that merits additional emphasis, especially at this point in the game for the tying runner), after the other play at first base is concluded.

Video as follows:

WBC Hidden Ball Trick - Out or Balk? OBR vs NCAA

Just days after Clemson's incorrectly officiated hidden ball trick against Ole Miss, umpires nearly made another misstep on a similar play in the South Africa vs Nicaragua game in the World Baseball Classic Qualifier by calling a balk and awarding a run on what turned out to be a legal play by the defense.

Whereas the Clemson game featured an improperly ruled out call during a dead ball, with the umpire who called Ole Miss' runner out also having clearly previously signaled "Time", the WBC play didn't involve a dead ball whatsoever.

Related Post: Clemson's Hidden Ball Trick vs Ole Miss Was Illegal (2/18/24).

Related Post: Clemson's Hidden Ball Trick & Rule Requirements (6/3/24).

With one out and a runner on second base in the bottom of the 7th inning, Nicaragua's baserunner R2 tagged up and advanced to third on a fly ball to right field. After South Africa threw the ball to third base, the third baseman faked handing the ball back to the pitcher, keeping it for himself in his glove, while the pitcher slowly meandered back toward the mound.

While the pitcher stood on the back dirt on the pitcher's mound, Nicaragua's runner at third base took his lead, upon which South Africa's third baseman tagged the runner while off his base. Instead of calling the runner out, however, umpires called a balk on the South Africa pitcher, ruling that he illegally stood on the mound during a hidden ball trick attempt, which is illegal...just not under the ruleset that applied for this game.

Pursuant to NCAA Rule 9-3-f, the pitcher is not allowed to be on any part of the mound (dirt) while a hidden ball trick attempt is in progress, the penalty for which is a balk and base award for the runner(s).

But the World Baseball Classic doesn't play under college (NCAA) rules, it plays under professional (OBR)'s rulebook, which states that the pitcher's only restriction is that they may not stand "on or astride" the rubber without possession of the ball.

In other words, this play would have been illegal (and thus a balk) in college, but in pro, it is a legal play and the runner is therefore out on the tag. After conference, the umpires ultimately did arrive at the correct conclusion, reversing their earlier erroneous balk call and declaring the runner out on the tag.

Refer to this summary of the different pitcher restrictions by ruleset (college/high school/pro):

NCAA 9-3-f is the most restrictive, prohibiting pitchers from being on the dirt of the mound at all.

NFHS 6-2-5 takes a moderate approach, stating pitchers may not stand within five feet of the rubber.

OBR 6.02(a)(9) is the most lenient, only prohibiting pitchers from standing "on or astride" the rubber.

Video as follows:

Robo Ump (ABS Challenge System) Debuts at MLB Spring

Baseball's electronic 'robo ump' Automated Ball/Strike System (ABS) debuted in MLB Spring Training and it took only a half inning before Chicago challenged HP Umpire Tony Randazzo's ball call, with ABS overturning it to a strike. Here's how ABS will work during its MLB Spring Training experiment and what that could mean for the future of TV's on-screen strike zone box graphic.

MLB brings the formerly Triple-A ABS challenge system to select Spring Training games in 2025, reducing team challenges to two per club (down from three in Triple-A). As is the case in Triple-A, only a batter, catcher, or pitcher may challenge a ball or strike call and the challenge request (indicated by tapping one's head) must be made immediately after the call in question. Teams lose their challenges with an unsuccessful challenge while they retain their challenges if the review results in an overturned call.

Taking a 17-inch wide home plate, ABS calculates every batter's strike zone the same way: the bottom of the zone stands at 27% of a batter's height, while the top is 53.5% of their height, regardless of where their actual hollows-beneath-the-knee and midpoint-between-belt-and-shoulders actually line up.

ABS also calculates the depth of home plate a little differently than TV. Whereas TV broadcasts display the ball's projected location at the front edge of home plate, ABS uses the middle of the plate's depth (the back edge of the plate's rectangle portion / base of triangle vs. TV's front edge).

In other words, ABS does not address the 2D vs 3D strike zone problem nor does it address the issue of fluctuating zone height in real-time, but it appears to serve more as a game management tool than one of absolute accuracy: the hope is that teams will buy in to ABS and if it's successful in that regard, it won't matter if ABS is actually accurate because the players and managers will accept it on its face alone.

MLB has indicated it may no longer be a fan of television's graphical strike zone, since TV's methodology conflicts with ABS: the league is concerned discrepancies between TV and ABS might make it harder to sell fans and teams alike on the challenge system. Will ABS spell the end of K-Zone on TV? Will it matter that ABS makes incorrect calls sometimes? Stay tuned...

Video as follows:

Clemson's Hidden Ball Trick vs Ole Miss Was Illegal

Clemson pulled off a hidden ball trick against Ole Miss during the 2025 Shriners Children's College Showdown, but while umpires called an "out" when Tigers 3B Josh Paino tagged runner Collin Reuter at third base, the rules state the out should never have happened because the ball was declared dead following the previous play.

Clemson is no stranger to hidden ball tricks at third base, having successfully executed the trick play during the 2024 NCAA season. In reviewing that play, we outlined several rules requirements for the defense in securing this kind of an out.

Related Post: Clemson's Hidden Ball Trick & Rule Requirements (6/3/24).

The difference between that play and the present one, however, is that in the Ole Miss game, "Time" was out while last season, "Time" was very much still in.

In other words, Clemson's Paino completed the prior play by attempting a tag on baserunner Reuter at third base, ruled "safe" by the rotating umpire. After the tag attempt, however, the umpire also called "Time" which was mirrored by the returning 3B Umpire on the left field line.

College, professional, and high school rule codes all agree: "While the ball is dead, no player may be put out" (NCAA 6-1-a). OBR 5.06(c)(2) continues, "...no bases may be run and no runs may be scored." The exceptions to this include awarded bases that occurred during live ball action (e.g., overthrow into the stands) or a dead-ball appeal (in high school only; appeals are live-ball only in college and pro).

Meanwhile, a ball does not become live again until, at the earliest, the pitcher is back on the rubber and the umpire calls "Play": "The plate umpire shall call “Play” as soon as the pitcher takes their place on his plate with the ball in their possession."

Because the pitcher in this game remained on the grass throughout the entire sequence (which, had the ball remained live, would have been proper as college requires a pitcher remain off the mound during a hidden ball trick attempt), the dead ball was unable to become live again, meaning this out call at third base during a dead ball should never have happened. In other words, a hidden ball trick generally cannot happen after a "Time" call immediately preceding it.

Video as follows:

Clemons, Jiménez, MacKay, Merzel, Tomlinson Hired; Emmel, Layne, Vanover Retired

Major League Baseball hired umpires Paul Clemons, Emil Jiménez, Alex MacKay, Dan Merzel, and Nate Tomlinson to its full-time staff after Paul Emmel, Jerry Layne, and Larry Vanover joined Angel Hernandez in retirement following the 2024 MLB season. Vic Carapazza, Doug Eddings, and Andy Fletcher were promoted to Crew Chiefs to replace the three retiring chiefs.

New Hires

Paul Clemons joins MLBU at the age of 34 after 14 years in Minor League Baseball, joining MiLB in 2011, and working 249 major league games on his way to joining the full-time staff.

Emil Jiménez earns a full-time slot after 10 years of minor league ball, joining the Gulf Coast League as a rookie in 2015. He brings 246 games of MLB experience with him to the permanent roster.

Alex MacKay first joined the minor leagues in 2012 and joins MLB 13 years and 262 major league games as a call-up later.

Dan Merzel is the most experienced of the new-hire class, having worked 452 major league games prior to his hiring. He first worked a minor league game in 2011.

Nate Tomlinson rounds out the list of hires, with 303 games of major league experience and has been in professional baseball's minor leagues since 2011.

Retirements

Paul Emmel retires from MLB after 25 years of service time, having been a crew chief since 2017. Emmel did not work in 2024 due to medical leave.

Jerry Layne's 36 years of service time (since 1989) placed him as the senior-most member of the MLB staff over the past few seasons, ever since Joe West retired in 2022. Layne also did not work on the field in 2024, but did work periodically in the replay room last season. He retires as a crew chief.

Larry Vanover retires after 32 years of MLB experience, but unlike Emmel and Layne did work on the field in 2024. Vanover's retirement as a crew chief means three chief spots need to be filled, meaning that...

Promotions to Crew Chief

Vic Carapazza has been promoted to crew chief after 14 years on the full-time MLB staff,

Doug Eddings is a new crew chief after 26 years on staff, and

Andy Fletcher is a new crew chief after 25.5 years on the MLB staff.

MLB's Top Hothead Players (Most Ejections) - 2025 Edition

Who is MLB's most ejected player? As we prepare for baseball's 2025 season, we rank the major league's most ejected active players. Bryce Harper took the Hothead crown in 2019, so how does he stack up six years later heading into Spring 2025?

As we did in 2019, we'll use the umpire ejection sabermetric value Games Per Ejection (GPE) to chart the most frequently ejected players in active MLB gameplay. Using our historic benchmark of David Ortiz's 175 GPE (aka "the Papi line"), we crown MLB's leading active hothead position player.

At the time of our June 2015 study, Big Papi's one ejection per 197 games played led all players with at least 2,000 games played, a number of minimum games that limited our study's scope to veteran ballplayers.
Related Post: Determining The League's Biggest Hothead (It's Big Papi) (6/11/15).

By 2016, Bryce Harper had taken the #1 spot and in 2019, we found Harper had kept his top spot.

Related Post: Top 10 MLB Hothead Players by Ejection Frequency (2/28/19).

Harper is still MLB's #1 Hothead.

A few ground rules. We're looking at active position players (no pitchers) with a minimum of 500 games played and at least five career MLB ejections, for the sake of sample size. In the following table listing baseball's biggest hotheads, you can also click each player's name that appears in the accompanying table for their UEFL ejection report history.

Definition/Legend
GPE: Ejection Rate is measured in Games-Per-Ejection (GPE), with only those GPEs below 200 games per ejection reported. Only five eligible players have been ejected more frequently than the Papi line of 175 GPE.

Active MLB Position Players with Highest Ejection Frequency - MLB's Biggest Hotheads

#	Player Name	Games Per Ejection (GPE [GP/EJ])	Raw # of Career Ejections
1	Bryce Harper	78.7	21
2	Tim Anderson	106.7	9
3	Jesse Winker	107.9	7
4	Willson Contreras	117.9	8
5	Manny Machado	157.7	11
6	Matt Carpenter	189	8

Newcomer to Watch For: Jazz Chisholm's four ejections over 449 games gives him a GPE of 112.3.
*Matt Kemp was #2 after Harper until his retirement (87.5 GPE with 20 career ejections)

To summarize:
> Bryce Harper remains the league's biggest hothead player and is tied with Gary Sheffield for #2 all-time 78 GPE. MLB's #1 hothead remains Milton Bradley with a 55 GPE.

> Jazz Chisholm's GPE is 112.3, but his four ejections over 449 games does not qualify for this list.
> Mike Trout retains his crown as Cool & Collected. Trout and most other MLB'ers have never been ejected in their playing careers.

Video as follows:

MLB Fires Umpire Pat Hoberg for Gambling Rule Violation

Major League Baseball fired umpire Pat Hoberg for violating the league's gambling rules. Perhaps most famous for calling a perfect game with 100% ball/strike accuracy during the 2022 World Series, Hoberg did not work any MLB games during the 2024 season while under investigation by the commissioner's office for alleged gambling violations. Hoberg's on-field MLB career thus spanned a decade (2014-23), with Hoberg getting the call to the full-time staff in 2017. He will be eligible to apply for reinstatement no earlier than 2026.

The Major League Baseball Umpires Association (MLBUA) filed an appeal on Hoberg's behalf following the 2024 suspension, but MLB's conclusion that Hoberg violated the sport's gambling rules was upheld after review. Although MLB's investigation revealed no evidence that Hoberg actually bet on baseball or manipulated games, the league nonetheless banned Hoberg for violation of MLB Rule 21 because an account Hoberg held jointly with a friend did place bets on baseball, including several games Hoberg officiated.

Hoberg himself reportedly bet on football, basketball, hockey, and golf, and Hoberg has consistently denied ever betting on baseball. MLB umpires are allowed to bet on sports other than baseball.

According to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, "Hoberg's extremely poor judgment in sharing betting accounts with a professional poker player he had reason to believe bet on baseball and who did, in fact, bet on baseball from the shared accounts, combined with his deletion of messages creates at minimum the appearance of impropriety that warrants imposing the most severe discipline. Therefore, there is just cause to uphold Mr. Hoberg’s termination for failing to conform to high standards of personal conduct and to maintain the integrity of the game of baseball."

MLB Rule 21(d) restricts gambling on baseball: betting on any baseball game the bettor is not involved in nets a one-year suspension while betting on any game in which the bettor participates or has a duty to perform results in a permanent ban from the sport.

Specifically, "Any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has no duty to perform, shall be declared ineligible for one year" (21(d)(1)), and "Any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible" (21(d)(2)).

Additionally, placing bet with an illegal book maker or agents thereof are subject to a ban at the discretion of the commissioner. Although Hoberg was not found to have bet illegally in this way (MLB's findings make specific reference to legal betting), he nonetheless received severe discipline for betting in an account that was also associated with betting on baseball and for deleting messages/his Telegram account during the investigative process.

Video as follows: