Lindsay

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: Alternate Link: Manager ejected after his own runner left first base despite being called safeView the full article

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: Alternate Link: Marmol run during pitching change as St Louis implodes in AtlantaView the full article

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: Alternate Link: Beck runs Boone, who marches to argue with Barry over upheld foul ball callView the full article

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: Alternate Link: Jazz tossed after flip-flop pitch calls, enters MLB players' hothead listView the full article

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: Alternate Link: Zumwalt gets warned and run with two outs in the 9th inning of KC's loss to DETView the full article

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: Alternate Link: López ejected after conference, bench clearing, for throwing at McCutchen's headView the full article

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: Alternate Link: Odd throw to fielder not covering third base leads to balk call in Oakland SacramentoView the full article

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: Alternate Link: Hyde ejected after Westburg's second called third strike out of the TV zoneView the full article

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: Alternate Link: Angry manager ejected over non-existent "time" call, bumps umpView the full article

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 4/10/2025Balls: 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: Alternate Link: Ump Ripperger just called a perfect game behind the plate in KCView the full article

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: Alternate Link: Obstruction no-call follows collision, baseline blocking in PittsburghView the full article

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: Alternate Link: A Seconds from Disaster Analysis of Laz's Kelly and Lovullo EjectionsView the full article

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: Alternate Link: Drake ejects Morel for slamming his bat after 8th inning strikeoutView the full article

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: Alternate Link: Odd quick pitch signaled as pitch timer violation prompt's Rocco's argumentView the full article

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.View the full article