MiLB Manager Ejected Arguing a Call That Helped Him

[Lindsay]

Columbus Clippers manager Andy Tracy passionately argued himself through an ejection from HP Umpire Macon Hammond, even though the play Tracy was arguing actually benefited his own team. With one out and the bases loaded, Clippers batter Myles Straw hit a line drive to Mud Hens 2B Jace Jung, ruled an out on the catch by 3B Umpire Kelvis Velez. Both Velez and 1B Umpire Jen Pawol then signaled "safe" when Toledo unsuccessfully tried to double up the Columbus baserunners at second and first, before Toledo threw to third base to appeal Clippers baserunner R3 Micah Pries, who took off for home plate and scored for leaving early.

HP Umpire Hammond, however, ruled the runner safe—that he left timely—and the inning appeared poised to continue with two out and runners at first and second...until the runner on second, Dom Nuñez took off for third and was easily tagged out by Toledo third baseman Buddy Kennedy, who still held the baseball from the appeal executed moments earlier.

Although replays do not conclusively indicate whether or not R3 Pries timely tagged at third, the runner's speed in touching home plate suggests he may have not. If any manager were to be upset with the umpires about the outcome of this play, it would be Toledo's Tim Federowicz, because Columbus scored a run it may not have been entitled to.

Instead, Federowicz's discussion with the umpires was fairly brief and it was Tracy who approached Hammond as the umpire and catcher Nuñez discussed the play at home plate prior to the next inning.

Hammond quickly ejected Tracy, who appeared to be unaware that umpire Velez had signaled the batter out on the catch.

In this case, Tracy's ignorance was not bliss. | Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Manager Tracy appears to argue a call that benefited his team, gets ejected

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[Umpy]

This sort of confusion is partly why I have in the past pointed at calls and said descriptively what they were.  Something like point at the catch and say "That's a catch" while signaling the out, then point at 2nd and say "Safe at 2nd" while signaling safe.  You never know when someone is going to get confused on your call, why not make it as visually and audibly clear as possible for everyone?

I've stopped doing it because the people who can assign me more prestigious games said its better to just say "Out" or "Safe" and that it will be obvious to everyone what play I'm referring to.

[The Man in Blue]

I'm a pointer, too.  Extra information is better than no information.  If I have responsibilities at multiple bases on one play (e.g., a double play), I am calling out where my call is as I signal.  "Out at second!  Safe at first!"

I know R1 is out.  The defense should know R1 is out.  The crowd should know R1 is out.  However, R1 is not seeing the play or listening to the easy "OUT!" and instead hears the big sell, "SAFE!"  Cue Jack Benny . . .