HP Umpire Carlos Torres ejected New York Mets Manager Terry Collins for arguing a foul ball call in the bottom of the 3rd inning of the Mets-Rockies game. With one out and the bases loaded, Rockies batter Tony Wolters attempted to strike a 2-2 curveball from Mets pitcher Logan Verrett, ruled a foul ball. Replays indicate Wolters' bat did not appear to make contact with the pitched baseball, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Rockies were leading, 3-1. The Rockies ultimately won the contest, 7-4.
This is Terry Collins' first ejection since September 30, 2015 (Bob Davidson; QOC = U [Throwing At]).
Umpire Roberto Ortiz makes his MLB debut during the Marlins-Nationals game on May 14 in Washington, DC, joining Larry Vanover's crew for two games of the MIA-WAS doubleheader, serving as the first base umpire alongside HP Umpire David Rackley, 2B Umpire Alfonso Marquez, and 3B Umpire Chris Guccione for Game 1, and as the third base umpire alongside HP Umpire Larry Vanover, 1B Umpire Marquez, and 2B Umpire Guccione for Game 2.
Ortiz is on the International League roster for the 2016 season, which is his first season in the IL and third overall in Triple-A (2014-15 PCL). He has also worked the Gulf Coast, New York-Penn, South Atlantic, Florida State, Eastern, Arizona Instructional, and Arizona Fall Leagues, in addition to MLB Spring Training.
He is the first Puerto Rican-born umpire to officiate at the Major League level since Delfin Colon, who was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico.
Ortiz wears the uniform number 40 at the Major League level, which was last worn by Jeff Gosney, and makes his MLB debut at the age of 31. He resides in Orlando, Florida and is the third (and, presumably, final) new fill-in umpire to make his debut this season following Nic Lentz (April 20) and Ramon De Jesus (April 22).
Bryce Harper is baseball's biggest hothead player, according to ejection statistics. Big Papi previously held the title, but with David Ortiz's impending retirement, along with fellow former top-10 hothead Torii Hunter leaving the game, it's time to recalibrate and reevaluate our Ejection Rate study.
Ejection Rate is presented in the format of Games-per-Ejection, or, simply, GPE. For instance, Ortiz in 2015 held the highest mark for veteran players with a 197 Games rating, or one ejection per 197 games played; after his ejection May 6, 2016 (Ejection 026 - Ron Kulpa), Papi's rating is now 175 GPE, which is only sixth-most in baseball today. The Hothead monicker is defined, objectively, as the player who holds the highest ejection rate, or is ejected most often per games played. Turning the page to the newest generation, we now include all players with over 500 games (approximately three-to-four seasons) to their name; pitchers are not included.* (See Footnote.)
Sorting active players by ejection rate, the following list portrays the players most prone to ejection:
In sum, only six players in the game today beat out the "Papi line" of 175 GPE: Harper, Kemp, Yunel Escobar, Melvin Upton, Machado, and Votto. Others, like Francisco Cervelli, have played fewer than 500 games over a span of many seasons (Cervelli has been active since 2008, but never played over 100 games per season until 2015), but otherwise would have made the list (Cervelli's GPE is 194); Yasiel Puig, for instance, holds a 117 GPE, which would place him in third place between Kemp and Y Escobar, but has played fewer than 400 games.
Harper also holds the dubious distinction of being the only MLB player with at least two full seasons of service to have been ejected at least once every calendar year during which he appeared in the Majors, dating back to his 2012 debut (note: Harper's 2014 Spring Training ejection was not included in the above GPE calculation).
With his latest ejection, Harper passed Gary Sheffield (78 GPE), but has some work to do to match the modern era's hothead leader, Milton Bradley, whose 55 GPE is tops for all in the 21st century.
*PITCHERS: GPE is particularly tricky or misleading for pitchers, as a regular starter may only appear in 30 games per season yet sits on the bench for a majority of other games. For instance, Clayton Kershaw has pitched in about 250 games and holds three ejections since coming into the league in 2008, meaning his GPE is 83. Jake Peavy, another starter, has four ejections over 362 games pitched, or a 91 GPE. Jonathan Papelbon—a closer—on the other hand has three ejections over 650 games, or a 217 GPE. Nonetheless, we know the biggest hothead [starting] pitcher in baseball is Yordano Ventura (68 games pitched, 2 ejections = 34 GPE).
2B Umpire Alan Porter ejected Pirates LF Starling Marte & HP Umpire Jeff Kellogg ejected Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle for arguing Replay Review (overturned call) in the top of the 6th, and HP Umpire Kellogg ejected Reds P Ross Ohlendorf and Manager Bryan Price for throwing at Pirates batter David Freese in the top of the 9th inning of the Pirates-Reds game. In the 6th, with two out and one on, Pirates baserunner R1 Starling Marte attempted to steal second base off Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart, who threw to second baseman Brandon Phillips as Marte arrived at second base. Upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Reds Manager Bryan Price, 2B Umpire Porter's safe call was overturned as Phillips' glove appeared to Marte's hand while Marte was not in contact with the base, the call was correct. At the time of the Pirates' ejections, the Reds were leading, 4-2. In the 9th, with two out and one on (R2), Pirates batter Freese took a 2-0 fastball from Reds pitcher Ohlendorf for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Freese on the left arm, the call was irrecusable; warnings had previously been issued and there were six HBP in the game.* At the time of the Reds' ejections, the Pirates were leading, 5-4. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 5-4.
These are the 18th and 19th player ejections of 2016. Prior to ejection, Marte was 0-2 in the contest.
This is the Pirates' 1/2nd ejections of 2016, T-1st in the NL Central (CIN, PIT 2; CHC 1; MIL, STL 0).
This is Clint Hurdle's first ejection since August 2, 2015 (DJ Reyburn; QOC = U [Arguing Ejection]).
This is Alan Porter's first ejection since August 27, 2015 (Francisco Cervelli; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
A passing the runner replay review overturned a home run in Miami, when the Milwaukee Brewers successfully challenged whether Marlins batter-runner J.T. Realmuto passed preceding baserunner R1 Marcell Ozuna during his apparent home run.
The Play: With none out and one on in the bottom of the 2nd inning of a 0-0 game, B1 Realmuto hit a fly ball over the left-center field wall for a home run. As Realmuto rounded first base, preceding baserunner R1 Ozuna retreated to tag in case of a catch in the outfield. Replays indicate that Realmuto appeared to round first base—running several steps past the base, and in doing so, breaking contact with the bag—at the same moment that Ozuna stepped onto first base in anticipation of the potential tag-up play. Originally ruled legal by 1B Umpire Mike DiMuro, the ruling was overturned and the Marlins received only one run while the Brewers received one out.
Question: Under the official rules of professional baseball, answer Marlins broadcaster Preston Wilson's question: "Does this affect the stat—who gets the run scored, who gets the home run? Does Realmuto get the home run and Ozuna not get the run scored? What happens here?"
Once you've answered that question, answer this one: Assume the same sequence of events occurred when there were already two outs in the inning, such that the pass would have resulted in the third out of the inning. Would this affect any of the scoring decisions?
Answer: The trail runner—B1 Realmuto—is declared out for passing the preceding runner—R1 Ozuna—pursuant to OBR Rule 5.09(b)(9), which states that a runner is out when, "he passes a preceding runner before such runner is out." Note that passing may occur based on the trail runner's actions or the actions of the preceding runner. Passing is an immediate out call and is not an appeal play. Scoring Rules 9.05(a)(1) and 9.06(a) indicate Realmuto is credited with a single since he touched first base and failed to touch second base before being declared out, and an RBI [9.04(a)(1)], as R1 Ozuna's ability to score a run was not harmed by Realmuto's passing activity.
Had the same sequence occurred when there were already two outs in the inning, the question of whether R1 Ozuna scored becomes a time play: did R1 score before the third out was recorded? As indicated above, B1 Realmuto is out immediately upon passing R1 Ozuna. Therefore, because the passing and third out occurred prior to R1 Ozuna's arrival at home plate, no run may be scored. To find the specific rule that ties all this together, refer to 7.01(g) APPROVED RULING which relates to a hypothetical game-winning home run: "The batter hits a home run out of the playing field to win the game in the last half of the ninth or an extra inning, but is called out for pass- ing a preceding runner. The game ends immediately when the winning run is scored, unless there are two out and the winning run has not yet reached home plate when the runner passes another, in which case the inning is over and only those runs that scored before the runner passes another shall count." (See underlined text.)
NOTE regarding differences between rulesets: Under high school (FED) rules, R1 would score since his awarded base trumps the third out. In other words, the time play does not apply to R1 scoring, since he was awarded free passage to home plate. NCAA rules, however, mirror OBR with regard to passed runners and time plays, so the run would not score in college ball.
A potential Rays balk in Seattle was averted when Jerry Layne called "time" as Tampa Bay pitcher Drew Smyly stopped his pitching motion, resulting in a balk-turned-no balk call at Safeco Field.
With two out and a runner on third base, Rays catcher Curt Casali requested "time" as pitcher Smyly began his pitching motion, from Windup Position, to Mariners batter Dae-Ho Lee. Replays indicate that as HP Umpire Layne acknowledged the "Time" request, Smyly stopped his motion, prompting Layne to call Smyly for a balk and award Mariners baserunner R3 Nelson Cruz home plate.
After an argument from Rays Manager Kevin Cash and consultation with crewmates, Crew Chief Layne reversed the balk call and sent Cruz back to third base, ruling that he had erroneously called "Time" prior to Smyly's start-stop balk.
A: Official Baseball Rule 5.12(b) concerns Calling "Time" and Dead Balls, and states that, "The ball becomes dead when an umpire calls 'Time.'" However, the rule also states, "Except in the cases stated in paragraphs (2) and (3)(A) (which concern light failure and an accident which incapacitates a player or umpire) of this rule, no umpire shall call “Time” while a play is in progress."
In other words, although it was possible and likely probable that Smyly actually did balk by stopping his delivery in response to catcher Casali—and not umpire Layne—'s request for time out, Layne killed the play prior to the potential balk, meaning that the potential balk violation was washed out. Had Layne not granted Casali's request for time and Smyly's start-stop action remained the same, then the balk would likely have been enforced.
Realizing his error in calling "Time" while a play was in progress—Smyly had started his delivery, which constitutes a play in progress—Layne reset the play by returning R3 to third, explaining the umpire's version of an inadvertent whistle to Mariners Manager Scott Servais, who put up a brief but fortuitously understanding argument.
HP Umpire Brian Knight ejected Nationals RF Bryce Harper for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Tigers-Nationals game. With none out and none on, Nationals batter Danny Espinosa took a 3-2 slider from Tigers pitcher Mark Lowe for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and diaphragm high (px -.025, pz 3.415 [sz_top 3.630]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 4-4. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 5-4.
HP Umpire Laz Diaz ejected White Sox LF Melky Cabrera for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 6th and Jeff Banister for arguing a ball three call in the top of the 9th inning of the White Sox-Rangers game. In the 6th, with two out and none on, Cabrera took a 2-2 fastball from Rangers pitcher Colby Lewis for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and knee high (px -.918, pz 1.852 [sz_bot 1.630]), the call was incorrect. In the 9th, with one out and one on, White Sox batter Alex Avila took a 2-2 changeup from Rangers pitcher Shawn Tolleson. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and below the midpoint (px -.453, pz 3.265 [sz_top 3.470 / MOE 3.387]), the call was incorrect. At the time of Cabrera's ejection, the White Sox were leading, 2-0. At the time of Banister's ejection, the game was tied. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 8-4, in 12 innings.
This is Jeff Banister's first ejection since September 18, 2015 (Chris Guccione; QOC = Y [Fair/Foul]).
Tony Randazzo left Friday's Reds-Giants game in the 14th inning, hours after the umpire was hit in the head by a 5th inning Johnny Cueto pitch.
With one out and one on (R2) in the top of the 5th inning, Reds batter Billy Hamilton showed bunt, before pulling the bat back as Giants catcher Buster Posey failed to catch a 91.1 miles-per-hour fastball from pitcher Cueto, resulting in a direct shot into the lower center portion of Randazzo's traditional-style mask, and wild pitch.
After receiving medical attention, Randazzo remained in the game; in the top of the 8th inning, with two out and one on (R1), Reds batter Joey Votto fouled an 84.1 miles-per-hour slider from Cueto into the dirt, whereupon the ball bounced into Randazzo's midsection; Randazzo remained in the game until the conclusion of the 13th inning.
Randazzo was replaced behind home plate by 2B Umpire Clint Fagan, while base umpires Gerry Davis (1B, Crew Chief) and Rob Drake (3B) officiated the field for the rest of the contest. Ryan Blakney replaced Randazzo on Saturday.
Relevant Injury History: There is no recent relevant (e.g., head) injury history. Randazzo dislocated his knee in 2014 and was hit in the hip by a line drive in 2012 (though he remained in the game).
HP Umpire Adrian Johnson ejected Yankees 3B Chase Headley (foul ball call/HBP no-call) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Astros-Yankees game. With two out and none on, Headley attempted to bunt a 0-1 cutter from Astros pitcher Will Harris for a foul ball. The pitched ball made contact with the area in which Headley held the bat as Headley attempted to pull the bunt back; New York declined to challenge the play. Replays do not suggest the pitched ball solely and initially contacted Headley's hand, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Astros were leading, 4-0. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 5-1.
This is Chase Headley's first ejection since September 15, 2014 (Marty Foster; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
Today's Tmac Teachable Moment is about stillness. Sounds boring enough, but it could be the difference between a correct call and a rather ugly situation. The play takes us to Anaheim, where we have Alfonso Marquez at 3rd base as the 3B Umpire in a four-man umpiring system, but this play is relevant for a three- or two-umpire system. On this particular play we have three things happening. There's a potential fair/foul decision, a possible HR, and a chance of a catch/no catch.
We'll begin at the start of the video where Marquez correctly reads the swing and the ball off the bat, and IMMEDIATELY runs down the left field line reading his fielder in the process. It's impressive just how much distance he travels. What happens next is one of those, "I'm glad it's not me" plays, but Marquez handles it perfectly.
The key to this play is getting your head still. Look at the video at 1:03-1:04. This is textbook. Get as much distance as you can, then get still. Fonzie chooses to get hands on knees set, and the result is a correct fair call and a correct ball in play call. The play is so unique you'll notice he holds the safe mechanic for quite a while. This is important to note. You don't want to give a quick mechanic here and have people confused on the play. The 2015 UEFL Umpire of the Year is making a run at another award with this call.
Here are some things to take away. It's important to be still for things like catch/no catch, fair/foul, and HR/No HR decisions. It can also be advantageous to acquire as much distance as you can. One thing is certain: Watching one of the best in the world handle a tricky play this well is worth everyone's attention.
HP Umpire Vic Carapazza ejected Blue Jays Pitching Coach Pete Walker (balls/strikes) in the top of the 3rd inning of the Indians-Blue Jays game. With none out and none on, Blue Jays pitcher Francisco Liriano walked Indians batters Carlos Santana and Edwin Encarnacion. Replays indicate that of the 10 callable pitches ruled "Ball" to all four Indians batters in the top of the 3rd preceding ejection, all 10 were properly officiated (10/10 = 100% Accuracy), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 3-3. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 8-7.
This is Vic Carapazza's 2nd ejection of 2017, 1st since May 8 (John Gibbons; QOC = Y [Obstruction]).
Minor League Baseball hired Emma Charlesworth-Seiler to umpire Gulf Coast League games, the latest woman to enter the professional officiating ranks, and first instance that two women have been hired into pro ball in back-to-back years in Minor League history.
Last season, MiLB hired Jen Pawol and similarly assigned her to the rookie-level Gulf Coast League. Pawol was promoted to the Short-A New York-Penn League ahead of the 2017 season.
Unlike Pawol, who was hired into pro baseball after a noteworthy college officiating career, Charlesworth-Seiler enters the Minor Leagues at just 22 years of age, with experience that includes Little League Baseball, Australian ball, scorer for the independent-league St. Paul Saints, and several MLB/MiLB programs and camps.
Charlesworth-Seiler's credentials include service as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Minnesota and affiliation with the Halsey Hall (Twin Cities of Minnesota) chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), having served on the Women in Baseball Research Committee.
The Charlesworth-Seiler hire, on the heels of Pawol's MiLB foray, suggests a potential emphasis on opening baseball's umpiring door to women, which, eventually, and in what appears to be closer to fruition, will render obsolete articles like this one.
Still, there remains an ambition gap in camp and school attendance. Charlesworth-Seiler was the only woman out of 100 participants at the MiLB Umpire Training Academy in Vero Beach, Florida, which, like Pawol, she attended on a scholarship from MLB's Umpire Camps program.
HP Umpire Laz Diaz ejected Nationals 2B Daniel Murphy (strike three call) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Nationals-Orioles game.* With none out and one on (R2), Murphy took a 3-2 fastball from Orioles pitcher Mychal Givens for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -1.049, pz 1.870 [sz_bot 1.565]), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Nationals were leading, 4-2. The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 5-4, in 12 innings.
*Murphy struck out in the top of the 9th, but was not ejected until after the bottom half of the inning.
This is Daniel Murphy's 1st ejection since April 27, 2014 (Seth Buckminster; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
3B Umpire Bill Welke ejected Rays Manager Kevin Cash (balk call; failure to notify umpires of Windup Position) in the top of the 3rd inning of the Royals-Rays game. With none out and one on (R3), Rays pitcher Matt Andriese attempted to deliver a 0-0 pitch to Rays batter Alcides Escobar, and was called for a balk. Replays indicate that prior to his delivery, Andriese stood with his pivot foot in contact with and parallel to the pitcher's plate and his free foot in front of the plate, as in Set Position, and then began his delivery by taking a step back with his free foot, as if in Windup Position while appearing to reset his pivot foot on the pitcher's plate, in contravention of the new hybrid position rule for the 2017 season, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 4-1. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 7-6, in 12 innings.
*This is a new rule for 2017. Rule 5.07(a)(2) Comment (also new for 2017) states, "With a runner or runners on base, a pitcher will be presumed to be pitching from the Set Position if he stands with his pivot foot in contact with and parallel to the pitcher’s plate, and his other foot in front of the pitcher’s plate, unless he notifies the umpire that he will be pitching from the Windup Position under such circumstances prior to the beginning of an at-bat."
*See Rule 5.07(a) Comment (also new for 2017): "The pitcher may not take a second step toward home plate with either foot or otherwise reset his pivot foot in his delivery of the pitch. If there is a runner, or runners, on base it is a balk under Rule 6.02(a); if the bases are unoccupied it is an illegal pitch under Rule 6.02(b)."
*Replays indicate Andriese failed to make such notification and declaration of his preferred stance (notice the pitch clock. Had the notification been made, the umpires would have declared "Time" and informed both teams of the Windup Position, and the pitch clock operator would have turned off the timer as a result of the "Time" call). The 2017 MLB Umpire Manual States: "Once the pitcher notifies the home plate umpire of his intention to pitch from the Windup, the umpire should call "Time"; the ball is dead; and the umpire should indicate to the other members of the crew and each Club that the pitcher has elected to pitch from the Windup." Thus, the fact that the pitch clock remained on until Andriese assumed his position on the mound (see 1:35 of the accompanying video) indicates that Andriese failed to notify the umpire-in-chief of his pitching position. Notice at 0:34 of the video, Welke asks HP Umpire Bruce Dreckman if Andriese notified him of his intent to work out of Windup Position.
This is Kevin Cash's 2nd ejection of 2017, 1st since April 19 (Larry Vanover; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).
HP Umpire Andy Fletcher ejected Marlins CF Christian Yelich and Manager Don Mattingly (strike three call) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the Cardinals-Marlins game. With one out and none on, Yelich took a 2-2 curveball from Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and waist-high (px -.99, pz 3.14), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 6-5.
This is Don Mattingly's 3rd ejection of 2017, 1st since May 8 (H Wendelstedt; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Andy Fletcher's 2/3rd ejection of 2017, 1st since April 23 (Matt Barnes; QOC = U [Throwing At]).
HP Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ejected Marlins Manager Don Mattingly (strike three call) in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the Cardinals-Marlins game. With two out and none on, Marlins batter Derek Dietrich took a 1-2 fastball from Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh high (px -.955, pz 2.526), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Cardinals were leading, 3-0. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 9-4.
This is Hunter Wendelstedt's 1st ejection since February 25, 2017 (Edison Frias; QOC = U [Throwing At]).
2B Umpire Vic Carapazza ejected Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons (obstruction call) in the top of the 8th inning of the Indians-Blue Jays game. With none out and two on (R2, R3), Indians batter Francisco Lindor hit a 0-2 slider from Blue Jays pitcher Joe Smith on a line drive to right field, whereupon right fielder Jose Bautista threw to first baseman Justin Smoak, who threw to shortstop Ryan Goins, to second baseman Devon Travis as Lindor became involved in a rundown between first and second base. Replays indicate that after Travis threw the ball back to Goins in furtherance of the rundown, he impeded Lindor's progress through his position in Lindor's base path, resulting in an Obstruction Type 1 (Type A) ruling awarding Lindor second base as the other Indians baserunners scored, the call was correct.* Ruling was challenged and affirmed by the UEFL Appeals Board (8-0-0), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 4-2. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 4-2.
*Rule 6.01(h)(1) states, "If a play is being made on the obstructed runner, or if the batter-runner is obstructed before he touches first base, the ball is dead and all runners shall advance, without liability to be put out, to the bases they would have reached, in the umpire’s judgment, if there had been no obstruction. The obstructed runner shall be awarded at least one base beyond the base he had last legally touched before the obstruction."
*Rule 6.01(h)(1) Comment: "When a play is being made on an obstructed runner, the umpire shall signal obstruction in the same manner that he calls 'Time,' with both hands overhead. The ball is immediately dead when this signal is given."
*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 John Gibbons' 3rd ejection of 2017, 1st since April 24 (Toby Basner; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
HP Umpire Paul Emmel ejected White Sox Manager Rick Renteria (strike two call) in the top of the 3rd inning of the White Sox-Orioles game. With one out and one on (R1), White Sox batter Avisail Garcia took a 2-1 slider from Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman for a called second strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px 1.031, pz 2.158), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Orioles were leading, 4-0. The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 4-0.
This is Rick Renteria's first ejection since March 19, 2017 (Quinn Wolcott; QOC = U [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Paul Emmel's 2nd ejection of 2017, 1st since April 23 (Andy Green; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
A gust of wind blew a pitcher off the mound for a balk, and hybrid stances are losing their luster thanks to a rules change enacted for the 2017 season.
With one out and a runner on second base during Saturday's Triple-A game between the Omaha Storm Chasers and Salt Lake Bees, Bees pitcher Troy Scribner prepared to deliver a 3-2 pitch to Storm Chasers batter Raul Mondesi. After assuming Set Position, Scribner noticed that winds in the ballpark had begun to pick off and attempted to step off the pitcher's plate.
Instead, with gusts at one point Saturday night topping 30 miles-per-hour, one such gale interrupted Scribner's step-off and caused him to stumble from the mound, off balance, resulting in a balk and baserunner R2 Dean Anna's advancement to third base as HP Umpire Nate White, joined by 1B Umpire Mike Cascioppo and 3B Umpire Paul Clemons, signaled the odd-looking infraction.
Unfortunately for Scribner, Balk Rule 6.02(a) makes no exception for extreme weather, and neither does Set Position Rule 5.07(a)(2).
Speaking of Rule 5.07(a)(2), baseball added a provision to the rule's comment regarding so-called hybrid stances, which in the past allowed the pitcher to skirt the Windup vs Set restrictions by assuming such a stance that allowed him to essentially choose either Windup or Set (without having to tell anyone of this choice). Visually and ordinarily, feet pointed towards home plate usually signify Windup Position whereas feet angled parallel to the pitcher's plate indicate Set Position; a hybrid stance may also be deemed a "diagonal" or scatterbrain stance (see attached diagram) because a pitcher positions his feet ambiguously, thus creating the perception that he could be in either Windup or Set. If anything goes wrong, the pitcher retains plausible deniability. For example...
In August 2015, Dan Iassogna ejected Padres Interim Manager Pat Murphy for arguing a balk non-call in a situation complicated by Rockies pitcher Chris Rusin's use of such a hybrid stance.
During the Iassogna-Murphy ejection play, with the bases loaded, 2B Umpire John Tumpane called Ruslin for a balk for failing to stop after bringing his hands together before delivering a pitch to the batter (Rule 6.02(a)(13): "It is a balk when—The pitcher delivers the pitch from Set Position without coming to a stop"). Upon conference amongst the umpires, Tumpane's call was reversed based on the rationale that Ruslin was not in Set Position, but in the Windup. There is no "stop" requirement for Windup Position, as there is for Set; thus, the balk was rescinded.
With a runner or runners on base, a pitcher will be presumed to be pitching from the Set Position if he stands with his pivot foot in contact with and parallel to the pitcher’s plate, and his other foot in front of the pitcher’s plate, unless he notifies the umpire that he will be pitching from the Windup Position under such circumstances prior to the beginning of an at-bat. A pitcher will be permitted to notify the umpire that he is pitching from the Windup Position within an at-bat only in the event of (i) a substitution by the offensive team; or (ii) immediately upon the advancement of one or more runners (i.e., after one or more base runners advance but before the delivery of the next pitch).
Thus, under the new rule, Ruslin would have been presumed to be in Set Position (as Tumpane had initially ruled), and, absent Ruslin notifying the umpires of his intention to utilize Windup Position, the balk call would have been correct (under the new 2017 rule).
HP Umpire Carlos Torres ejected Tigers Manager Ron Gardenhire (strike two call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 5th inning of the Mariners-Tigers game. With two out and none on, Tigers batter James McCann took a 0-0 fastball from Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez for a called first strike and 0-1 fastball for a called second strike. Replays indicate the 0-0 pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px .724, pz 1.807 [sz_bot 1.601]) while the 0-1 pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh high (px .893, pz 2.018) and that all prior callable pitches in the inning were properly officiated (6/6 = 100% accuracy), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 6-2. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 9-5.
This is Ron Gardenhire's 2nd ejection of 2018, 1st since March 30 (Bill Welke; QOC = N [Replay Review]).
HP Umpire Doug Eddings ejected Diamondbacks RF Steven Souza Jr. (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Nationals-D'Backs game. With two out and one on (R1), Souza took a 2-0 fastball from Nationals pitcher Shawn Kelley for a called first strike and a 3-2 fastball for a called third strike. Replays indicate the 2-0 pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px .389, pz 1.637) while the 3-2 pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -.449, pz 1.565 [sz_bot 1.627 / MOE 1.544]), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Nationals were leading, 2-1. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 2-1.
This is Doug Eddings' 2nd ejection of 2018, 1st since April 5 (Trea Turner; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).
HP Umpire Alan Porter ejected Dodgers LF Matt Kemp (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Reds-Dodgers game. With two out and one on (R2), Kemp took a 1-2 fastball from Reds pitcher Austin Brice for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and thigh-high (px 0.813, pz 1.898 [sz_bot 1.62]), and that all other callable pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 5-1. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 5-2.
This is Alan Porter's 2nd ejection of 2018, 1st since April 27 (Josh Bard; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
Major League Baseball named former MLB pitcher Chris Young as Vice President of On-Field Operations, Initiatives & Strategy, under Joe Torre's direction.
Young will advise on disciplinary issues, umpire negotiations, and on-field standards such as rules compliance pertaining to baseball field dimensions, amongst other projects. He will report directly to Senior VP Peter Woodfork.
Young will also advise on pace-of-play, work with the Umpiring Operations Department to maintain on-field standards and discipline and ensure proper application of playing rules and regulations, and other issues that affect play on the field.
As for actual umpires in the Commissioner's Office, Justin Klemm remains the highest-positioned person with officiating experience in the Baseball Operations department, serving as Senior Director of Instant Replay. Randy Marsh and Rich Rieker follow shortly thereafter; Marsh is Director of Major League Umpires while Rieker serves as Director of Umpire Development.
MLB eliminated the position of "Vice President, Umpiring" in 2011 when the Commissioner's Office hired Joe Torre as Executive VP of Operations. As such, Mike Port, who previously served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) and left MLB after Torre's hiring, was MLB's most recent VP of Umpires.
Coincidentally (or not), Angel Hernandez's lawsuit alleges that the MLB umpiring department started going downhill and engaging in racially-motivated discrimination in 2011.
An alum of Princeton University (2002, Politics), Young, whose last regular season appearance was in 2017, was ejected just once in his 271-game career as a pitcher, for fighting, on June 16, 2007, by Mike Everitt.
Prior to his ejection of John Gibbons Sunday in Tampa Bay, HP Umpire Jeremie Rehak officiated a deceptively complicated stolen base attempt of home plate, as Blue Jays catcher Luke Maile caught Rays baserunner R3 Mallex Smith stealing in front of batter CJ Cron to end the Rays' 3rd inning.
The Play: With two outs and one on (R3), Rays baserunner R3 Smith attempts to steal home plate on a 0-2 count as Jays pitcher Estrada delivers a pitch to catcher Maile, who jumps up from his squat and forward toward the plate in an attempt to prepare himself for the impending play on baserunner Smith. Batter Cron, sensing that Smith is stealing home, briefly begins to back out of the right-handed batter's box before quickly returning to bat as Estrada releases his 0-2 offering.
The pitch appears to be a strike—but is called a ball—which catcher Maile catches at some point as it arrives toward or beyond the front edge of home plate (and likely still over the plate itself, if it did get there) as Cron does not offer at the pitch, and backs away from the baseline between home and third. With Cron nearly out of the right-handed batter's box, Maile tags out Smith, resulting in a third out call to end the inning.
NOTE: For the purposes of this Case Play, we are stipulating that Estrada's delivery was legal from first motion through release: The actions of the pitcher on the mound are not in question. The actions of the catcher, batter, and runner...that's for you to decide.
Case Play 2018-3 Question: First, determine whether this pitch is a strike or not—what would be the call had the ball arrived at the front edge of home plate and was caught while still over a portion of home plate? And what would the call be if the catcher caught the ball before it arrived at the front edge of home plate? Second, is this catcher's interference and/or a balk? Third, is the batter guilty of interference himself (if so, who is out)? Finally, does the home plate collision/blocking rule have any bearing on this play? For the second and third parts of this question, if "strike three" would have ended the inning, assume the count on the batter prior to this pitch was 0-1.
Case Play Answer (Click for Video Solution):By location alone, the pitch appears to be a strike...but it's not. Here's why. Thanks to StatCast, we have evidence that the ball arrived at the front of home plate, since the pitch tracking technology captures the ball's location as it arrives at the front edge. Since the pitch showed up on the tracker, we can surmise that the pitch arrived at the front of home plate and at least some part of the baseball touched some part of the strike zone, which would otherwise satisfy the definition of "STRIKE," except for a clue provided by Rule 6.02(b) Comment, which specifies what happens when a pitch that slips out of a pitcher's hand rolls toward home plate.
6.02(b) Comment states the pitch is a to be deemed legal (since it's rolling on the ground, it's a ball) if it crosses the foul line, but no pitch (and a balk with runners) if it fails to cross the foul line. By rule, home plate is entirely in fair territory and the intersection of the two foul lines occurs at the back point of home plate. Thus, if the ball never crosses the two intersecting sides of home plate (or the point of plate itself), it has never crossed the foul line...but this isn't the principal reason this play is a balk.
The most common type of catcher's interference occurs when a batter's bat makes contact with the catcher's mitt during a full swing. The fact that this type of contact comprises nearly all instances of catcher's interference exclusively obfuscates the entirety of the rule. A pitch, being a ball delivered by a pitcher to the batter, must actually arrive at the batter so that the batter has the opportunity to choose to swing or not swing at it. If the catcher jumps the delivery and deprives the batter of this free choice, then the catcher has interfered with the batter's ability to hit the pitch.
Although it would sell the call and send a message, given baseball's recent history of bench-clearing incidents over relatively tame instances of contact, interference doesn't require the batter to club the catcher upside the head and potentially cause serious injury in order for this call to be made.
Another clue resides in the Official Baseball Rules' appendices, specifically the Layout at Home Base diagram. Note that the distance from the outmost points of the intersecting sides of home plate (that which signify where the foul lines separate from home plate itself) to the mouth of the catcher's box is exactly three feet. Recall that after Hunter Wendelstedt declared Andrew Benintendi out for running out of his base path to avoid a tag during Sean Manaea's no-hitter in April, Crew Chief Brian Gorman explained to reporters that the crew figured the average length of an outstretched arm is about three feet.
By this same token, the logic would dictate that a catcher positioned at the mouth of his box with a fully outstretched arm would reach roughly to the aforementioned base of the plate's upper rectangle. It is simply not within the spirit of the rules for the catcher to reach all the way to the front edge of home plate. Yes, the catcher may leave the box to catch a pitch, but the catcher mustn't interfere with the batter or obstruct another offensive player in doing so.
Due to the angle of the video, we cannot definitively discern whether the catcher has stepped "on or in front of home base"—though we do know the ball was not permitted to traverse the entirety of the hitting area, so we can deduce that at least some part of the catcher was on or over home plate. That on its own isn't enough (not entirely definitive on video, in any case) to satisfy 6.01(g), but it is another clue.
The batter need not swing here for an interference call to be made, but the batter must remain in the box (he does) and show he is interested in choosing between a swing and taking the pitch. Though the batter appears to briefly back away during the pitcher's delivery, he hurriedly returns to a hitting stance as the pitch is thrown and seems engaged. Because the batter does back away initially, there may be some doubt as to whether the batter was truly ready to hit. In this situation with the catcher jumping across the back edge of home plate to catch a pitch while it is still in the hitting zone, since the batter never exits the batter's box (his legal position), the benefit of the doubt must go to the batter.
The home plate collision rule has nothing to do with this play, as the catcher gains possession of the ball well in advance of the runner's arrival (and also, technically, since the balk penalty would render this point moot).
OBR 5.02(a): "The catcher shall station himself directly back of the plate. He may leave his position at any time to catch a pitch or make a play." [Gil's Note: There is an obsolete reference to IBB here.]
OBR 5.04(b)(5): "The batter’s legal position shall be with both feet within the batter’s box. APPROVED RULING: The lines defining the box are within the batter’s box."
OBR 5.05(b)(3): "The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided he advances to and touches first base) when—the catcher or any fielder interferes with him...Comment: If a runner is trying to score by a steal or squeeze from third base, note the additional penalty set forth in Rule 6.01(g)."
OBR 6.01(g) [Interference With Squeeze Play or Steal of Home]: "If, with a runner on third base and trying to score by means of a squeeze play or a steal, the catcher or any other fielder steps on, or in front of home base without possession of the ball, or touches the batter or his bat, the pitcher shall be charged with a balk, the batter shall be awarded first base on the interference and the ball is dead."
OBR 6.02(b) Comment: "A ball which slips out of a pitcher’s hand and crosses the foul line shall be called a ball; otherwise it will be called no pitch. This would be a balk with men on base."
OBR 6.03(a)(3): "A batter is out for illegal action when—he interferes 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."
OBR 6.03(a)(3) EXCEPTION: "Batter is not out if any runner attempting to advance is put out, or if runner trying to score is called out for batter’s interference."
OBR [Definitions]: "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."
OBR [Definitions]: "Defensive interference is an act by a fielder that hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch."
OBR [Definitions]: "The CATCHER’S BOX is that area within which the catcher shall stand until the pitcher delivers the ball."
OBR [Definitions]: "A STRIKE is a legal pitch when so called by the umpire, which...is not struck at, if any part of the ball passes through any part of the strike zone."
OBR [Definitions]: "The STRIKE ZONE is that area over home plate the upper limit of which is a horizontal line at the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants, and the lower level is a line at the hollow beneath the kneecap. The Strike Zone shall be determined from the batter’s stance as the batter is prepared to swing at a pitched ball."
Interim Reds Manager Jim Riggleman exposed his Mets rookie counterpart, Mickey Callaway, for batting out of order in the 1st inning of Wednesday's game in Cincinnati. New York forfeited a runner in scoring position as the successful appeal negated Asdrubal Cabrera's double, resulting instead in Jay Bruce being declared out for his teammate's infraction of batting out of turn.
This is a somewhat complex play, so we've put together a UEFL University lesson and video analysis to explain what happened (see following video).
The Play: Prior to the game, Mets Manager Callaway submitted to HP Umpire in Chief Gabe Morales, care of Bench Coach Gary DiSarcina, New York's batting order, which placed center fielder Brandon Nimmo in the first position, second baseman Cabrera batting second, third baseman Wilmer Flores batting third, right fielder Bruce batting fourth, and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez batting fifth. The lineups were then exchanged with Cincinnati.
After Nimmo led off the game with a three-pitch strikeout, number three hitter Flores stepped to the plate instead of Cabrera, similarly striking out. Following Flores' plate appearance, listed number two hitter Cabrera hit a double to left field, with Jay Bruce on deck.
The Appeal: Riggleman appealed to HP Umpire Morales that by batting after Flores, Cabrera had batted out of turn, because Flores was listed prior to Cabrera in the batting order. Bruce should have followed Flores. In short, Riggleman attested that the Mets switched their #2 and #3 hitters and that, because his appeal was on #2 hitter Cabrera's time at bat, which followed #3 hitter Flores' the proper batter should have been the #4 hitter, Bruce.
After consulting the official card, Morales declared an end to the inning with Crew Chief Jerry Meals standing by in case any support or supervision was needed.
The Rule: Batting out of turn is listed as an illegal action on the batter's part, as Rule 6.03(b)(1), and states, "A batter shall be called out, on appeal, when he fails to bat in his proper turn, and another batter completes a time at bat in his place."
So Why Wasn't Cabrera Out? Though it seems logical that Cabrera—who improperly followed Flores—committed the illegal act, the play initiates with Flores, who batted second when he should have hit third; however, when Flores struck out and the first pitch was then thrown to ensuing batter Cabrera, Flores' time at bat became legal and he no longer was an improper batter, as in 6.03(b)(5): "When an improper batter becomes a runner or is put out, and a pitch is made to the next batter of either team before an appeal is made, the improper batter thereby becomes the proper batter, and the results of his time at bat become legal."
Furthermore, "The instant an improper batter’s actions are legalized, the batting order picks up with the name following that of the legalized improper batter" (6.03(b)(7)).
Outcome: As such, Flores was now a proper batter, which meant that the player listed after Flores in the batting order—Bruce—was the batter who should have hit next: #2 hitter Cabrera was essentially passed over. Instead, Cabrera stepped to the plate, hit a double, and, pursuant to 6.03(b)(1), proper batter Bruce was declared out for failing to bat in his proper turn after Flores, and Cabrera's double was erased, as in 6.03(b)(3): "When an improper batter becomes a runner or is put out, and the defensive team appeals to the umpire before the first pitch to the next batter of either team, or before any play or attempted play, the umpire shall (1) declare the proper batter out; and (2) nullify any advance or score made because of a ball batted by the improper batter or because of the improper batter’s advance to first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter or otherwise."
Resumption of Play: Bruce's out was the third out of the inning, and the player in the batting order following Bruce—Adrian Gonzalez—led off the top of the second inning, as in 6.03(b)(6) ["When the proper batter is called out because he has failed to bat in turn, the next batter shall be the batter whose name follows that of the proper batter thus called out"]. When the top of the order came around again in the third inning, Nimmo led off, Cabrera properly batted second, Flores batted third, and Bruce hit fourth.
Had the Mets realized Flores or Cabrera were batting out of turn during their respective at-bats, the team could have sent the correct batter to the plate to resume hitting with no penalty pursuant to Rule 6.03(b)(2): "The proper batter may take his place in the batter’s box at any time before the improper batter becomes a runner or is put out, and any balls and strikes shall be counted in the proper batter's time at bat."
Had there been any runners on base, 6.03(b)(4) would apply: "If a runner advances, while the improper batter is at bat, on a stolen base, balk, wild pitch or passed ball, such advance is legal."
In 2013, Dodgers Bench Coach Trey Hillman directed Manager Don Mattingly to appeal to HP Umpire Tony Randazzo that Giants batter Buster Posey had hit a double while batting out of turn; as a result, the double was nullified and the proper batter, Pablo Sandoval, was declared out.
In 2016, Nationals Manager Dusty Baker successfully appealed to UIC Cory Blaser that Brewers batter Ryan Braun had hit a single while batting in place of proper batter Jonathan Lucroy.
Several seasons since MLB's introduction of home plate collision/blocking Rule 6.01(i), collisions between catchers and runners are virtually a thing of the past—almost.
Chicago Cubs catcher Victor Caratini and Miami Marlins baserunner Derek Dietrich were the center of attention in the 4th inning when the NL foes came together in one of the only situations under which a collision at home is still legal.
The Play: With one out and one on (R2), Marlins batter Lewis Bronson singled to Cubs left fielder Ben Zobrist, who threw to catcher Caratini as baserunner Dietrich approached home plate. Replays indicate Caratini fielded Zobrist's throw and stood in the baseline between home and third in order to tag Dietrich, who ran into Caratini as he stepped on home plate.
The Call: HP Umpire Will Little properly declared Dietrich out on Caratini's tag as the two players unsporting pleasantries, resulting in a bench-clearing incident; no personnel from either team were ejected.
Collision Rule for Runners: Rule 6.01(i)(1) states, "A runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate), or otherwise initiate an avoidable collision," with its comment further clarifying, "If a catcher blocks the pathway of the runner, the umpire shall not find that the runner initiated an avoidable collision in violation of this Rule 6.01(i)(1)."
Collision Rule for Catchers: Rule 6.01(i)(2) states, "Unless the catcher is in possession of the ball, the catcher cannot block the pathway of the runner as he is attempting to score," with its comment further clarifying, "A catcher shall not be deemed to have violated Rule 6.01(i)(2) unless he has both blocked the plate without possession the ball (or when not in a legitimate attempt to field the throw), and also hindered or impeded the progress of the runner attempting to score."
SIDEBAR: Though the Rules Committee has had several years to amend 6.01(i)(2) to apply to fielders other than catchers (e.g., a pitcher who covers home plate on wild pitch/pass ball, or any other fielder making a play at home plate), this rule remains unchanged. Therefore, it is reasonable to surmise this rule only applies to catchers and not other fielders, who remain subject to the standard rules and guidelines pertaining to obstruction. We've been on this one since 2014, when MLB allowed a HP Collision review over a play in which a pitcher blocked a runner's access to home plate (the result of which confirmed that the catcher didn't violate the rule—that was the actual language of the decision, that the "catcher" didn't violate the rule).
Again, the spirit of the rule would have this restriction apply to any player covering home, but because the Rules Committee has left the language alone since 2014 and the official Interpretations Manual does not address it, a team that loses an out and prevented run due to a 6.01(i)(2) call on a player other than the catcher would have an excellent basis for protesting the game. If Baseball wants to close this protest loophole, it would be wise to issue an interpretation and/or change the language of its rule 6.01(i)(2).
Legal HP Collision: Accordingly, a collision between catcher and runner shall be legal on both accounts (both provisions (1) and (2)) if the runner maintains a direct pathway to the plate and collides with a catcher who has possession of the ball or is in the act of legitimately attempting to field the throw.
That is precisely what happened here, which makes this collision entirely legal, Little's out call correct, the bench clearing afterward much ado about nothing.
HP Umpire James Hoye called Seattle Mariners pitcher James Paxton's no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays, the third of 2018. Hoye was joined for Tuesday's game at Rogers Centre by 1B Quinn Wolcott, 2B Umpire Jeff Kellogg (crew chief), and 3B Umpire Marvin Hudson.
Interesting note: Toronto Manager John Gibbons did not select a single exclusively left-handed hitter for Tuesday's 5-0 loss to Seattle. Because Paxton is a left-handed pitcher, the few switch-hitting batters in Toronto's order batted right-handed; as Toronto made zero offensive substitutions over the course of the game, this means Paxton accomplished the rare feat of throwing a no-hitter without having faced a single left-handed batter.
This is Hoye's first career MLB no-hitter, and the third in as many weeks. Earlier this season, Hunter Wendelstedt called Sean Manaea's no-hitter in Oakland and John Tumpane called a combined no-hitter in Mexico. This also means the first three no-hitters of 2018 have transpired in three different countries (United States of America, Mexico, Canada).
Balls: 32 called balls outside of strike zone / 3 called balls within strike zone = 32/35 = 91.4% Accuracy.
Strikes: 14 called strikes inside strike zone / 0 called strikes outside strike zone = 14/14 = 100.0% Accuracy.
It's been five days since Mets 3B Todd Frazier criticized major league umpires by stating, "they’ve got to get better," adding his belief that an umpire who misses a ball or strike call isn't being held accountable: "We’ve got to hit, too, as well, but we don’t want to be put in a hole every day of the week." Frazier specifically referenced the past "five or six games" as the period of greatest aggravation.
In response, Close Call Sports convened an analysis of the aforementioned six games immediately preceding Frazier's complaint—Thursday, April 26 through Wednesday, May 2. Our analysis found that although Frazier was the recipient of two incorrect called strikes during Wednesday, May 2nd's game (immediately after which Frazier made his "they've got to get better" post-game comments), umpires were just two pitches short of perfection in the five games prior. Furthermore, none of the four total misses over the six-game span resulted in a strikeout, while one missed call actually saved Frazier from striking out.
In sum, umpires were 93.8% (61/65) over the five-game period, or 95.3% (61/64) if one were to throw out the missed ball call that kept Frazier's plate appearance going on Thursday, April 26.
The purpose of this follow-up report is simple: to check how Frazier has fared over the five days since his complaint, and to see if the umpires have changed how they officiate his strike zone at all over that same span—or at the least, see if their cumulative accuracy has changed.
Frazier's Performance: Frazier did not play during the Mets' 11-0 loss to Atlanta on Thursday, May 3, but did appear in each of the team's ensuing four games.
Umpires' Performance: Umpires missed no more than one pitch per day to Frazier over these four games.
On Friday, Bruce Dreckman went 11-for-12 (92%) during Frazier's five at-bats. The miss? A ball in the zone.
On Sunday, Eric Cooper went 9-for-10 (90%) to Frazier. He called a first-pitch strike out of the zone.
Adding it up, umpires were 43-for-46 (93.5%), with two extra balls and one extra strike called. Throwing out the two balls, which Frazier as an offensive player would not have a gripe with, umpires were 43-for-44, or 97.7% efficient at not calling pitches thrown out of the strike zone as strikes (2.3% error rate).
Comparing the numbers pre-gripe to post-gripe, umpires remained strikingly consistent. There is no realistic nor statistically significant difference between the two datasets, other than an extra erroneous ball and two fewer erroneous strikes.
Gil's Call: Frazier is frustrated, not at any person or group of people in particular, but in general. He was hitting .250 during the five-game period of complaint he referred to post-game on May 2. He's hitting .125 since. In The Blame Game (Umpire Scapegoating) (8/8/14), I wrote the following passage which I feel applies to Frazier's situation:
In a similar vein, when Frazier said in his comments, "It’s been going on for years. But for me, this year specifically, it’s been going on a lot more," he wound up illustrating another one of my 2014 observations:
The problem portrayed above is the same one umpires are told never to bring up with an angry coach or player for fear of further stirring the pot: Frazier's last few weeks are in disarray; his offensive performance is substandard, and he requires a scapegoat. Until Frazier can get his own house in order, blaming the umpires won't help.
Would it be preferable for umpires to achieve 100% accuracy? Absolutely. Yet the numbers consistently tell us: ball/strike misses from umpires are much preferable to the real-time StatCast technology prone to a variety of error that brings the humans' error rate to a level that is lower than the real-time computer's error rate. For that reason (amongst many others), the robots will have to wait.
In fact, by scapegoating a neutral third party, Frazier's performance might suffer even more if he plays the blame game rather than work to improve his own offensive output.
Arizona's AJ Pollock scored a Little League home run (triple + error) Sunday when HP Umpire Roberto Ortiz called Houston 3B Alex Bregman for obstruction when he and Pollock became entangled after an overthrow in the 6th inning of the Astros-Diamondbacks game.
The Play: With one out and one on (R1), Pollock hit a line drive to center fielder George Springer, who threw to cutoff man Carlos Correa as baserunner Daniel Descalso scored Arizona's first run. As Pollock ran toward third base, Correa's throw to Bregman hit the sliding Pollock and caromed wide of the base and off of the third-base dugout. Bregman took off after the ball as Pollock took off toward home plate, the two becoming entangled, causing both players to stumble as Astros pitcher Justin Verlander threw to catcher James McCann, who applied the tag on Pollock prior to the batter-runner's touch of home plate.
Umpire Coverage & Call: With the ball hit to center fielder Springer's right, 3B Umpire Mike DiMuro went out into left field to rule on the potential trouble in the outfield. This initiated a rotation play in which HP Umpire Ortiz ran to cover third base and 1B Umpire Brian Gorman moved to cover home plate. HP Umpire Ortiz ruled that Bregman obstructed Pollock at third, such that when 1B Umpire Gorman called Pollock out at home plate, the umpires imposed the obstruction rule's penalty and awarded Pollock safe passage to home, thus scoring Arizona's second run. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 3-1.
Analysis: This is an example of Type 2/B obstruction, which occurs when no play is being made on the obstructed runner. By rule, as soon as Correa's throw sailed wide of Bregman—regardless of the fact that it hit Pollock (since Pollock did not intentionally interfere with the play, there is no obligation on the runner to avoid a thrown ball in that situation)—the fielder is said to have "made an attempt to field a ball and missed, [meaning] he can no longer be in the 'act of fielding' the ball."
Pursuant to Rule 6.01(h)(2), after the play is over, "The umpire shall then call 'Time' and impose such penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction."
This is not to be confused with automatically awarding the obstructed runner a free base. Though Obstruction Type 1/A does prescribe an automatic one base award (at minimum), Type 2/B does not: its standard is to keep play alive until no further action is possible, and then "nullify the act."
Had Bregman obstructed Pollock after Pollock touched third base and while a play was being made on Pollock (such as during a rundown), the ball would be declared dead immediately and Pollock awarded home plate on this Type 1 obstruction. If this brand of obstruction occurred before Pollock arrived at third base, the ball would be dead and Pollock awarded third. If the umpires judged that he would have achieved home plate had there been no obstruction, Pollock would be awarded home plate.
Type 1's reliance on umpire judgment might sound like Type 2's "nullify the act" procedure, but it is not. "Nullify the act" occurs when play is allowed to continue even after something illegal occurs. Type 1 obstruction results in an immediate dead ball, so there is nothing to "nullify" as there is in Type 2.
Conclusion: Because Pollock raced home and was thrown out by a mere fraction of a second, it can be said that had Bregman's obstruction not occurred, Pollock would have scored safely; thus, the proper penalty for Bregman's obstruction is to score Pollock's run.
Both 1/A and 2/B are defined as, "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."
Reminder: For this call to be made, the runner must be impeded: simply becoming entangled with a fielder isn't enough: the runner's attempt to advance (or retreat) must be hindered in some way.
The gold standard of this particular brand of obstruction (illegal contact between fielder and baserunner at third base that occurs after an overthrow/misplayed ball as the runner attempts to advance to home plate) is 3B Umpire Jim Joyce's game-ending obstruction call in Game 3 of the 2013 World Series.
Joyce correctly ruled that Boston third baseman Will Middlebrooks obstructed Cardinals baserunner Allen Craig, such that when Craig was thrown out at home plate moments later, HP Umpire Dana DeMuth fulfilled Joyce's ruling by imposing the penalty for Type 2/B obstruction and declared Craig safe for the game-winning run.
HP Umpire Jeremie Rehak ejected Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons (no step balk call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Blue Jays-Rays game. With one out and one on (R1), Rays baserunner Rob Refsnyder advanced to second base on a balk by Blue Jays pitcher Ryan Tepera, as called by HP Umpire Rehak. Replays indicate Tepera failed to step to first base with his free foot (left foot) before throwing to that base; in other words, he wheeled and threw to first base, but failed to gain distance with his lead foot to the base itself, resulting in a no step balk, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 2-1.
*Rule 6.02(a)(3) states it is a balk when—"The pitcher, while touching his plate, fails to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base."
Requires the pitcher, while touching his plate, to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base. If a pitcher turns or spins off of his free foot without actually stepping or if he turns his body and throws before stepping, it is a balk. because he steps. A pitcher is to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base and is required to throw (except to second base) because he steps.
Rule 8.02(a) Comment states, "Players leaving their position in the field or on base, or managers or coaches leaving the bench or coaches box, to argue on BALLS AND STRIKES will not be permitted. They should be warned if they start for the plate to protest the call. If they continue, they will be ejected from the game."
California League (Class-A Advanced) HP Umpire Joe Gonzalez ejected Rancho Cucamonga Quakes catcher Hamlet Marte and Manager Drew Taylor (safe call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Quakes-Rawhide game in Visalia. With none out and the bases loaded, Rawhide batter Dominic Miroglio singled off Quakes pitcher Isaac Anderson on the ground to left fielder Cody Thomas, who threw to catcher Marte as Rawhide baserunner R2 Camden Duzenack attempted to score from second base. Replays indicate Duzenack's left hand touched home plate prior to Marte's tag, the call was correct. At the time of the ejections, Visalia was leading, 5-1. Visalia ultimately won the contest, 8-1.
Discussion Point: Fortunately, the home plate umpire's positioning on the third base line extended allows the camera in the stands to get an unobstructed view of the runner touching home plate prior to the catcher's tag, and the correct call most assuredly is made—the runner is plainly safe, and there is no violation of the home plate collision rule to be seen. Is this the optimal plate positioning for this play?
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