MLB Ejection 108 - Mark Wegner (2; David Bell)

HP Umpire Mark Wegner ejected Reds Manager David Bell (ejection no-call) in the 9th inning of the Cubs-Reds game. In the bottom of the 8th, with two out and one on, Reds batter Yasiel Puig took a 3-0 fastball from Cubs pitcher Pedro Strop for a hit-by-pitch, resulting in a benches-clearing incident during which warnings were issued while no ejections were effected.

In the bottom of the 9th, with two out and none on, Reds batter Jose Peraza took a first-pitch curveball from Cubs pitcher Dillon Maples for a hit-by-pitch, resulting in Bell's ejection. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Maples on the upper body, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Cubs were leading, 6-0. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 6-0.

This is Mark Wegner (14)'s second ejection of 2019.
Mark Wegner now has 2 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 2).
Crew Chief Mark Wegner now has -5 points in Crew Division (-6 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = -5).

This is the 108th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 57th Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Cincinnati's 12th ejection of 2019, 1st in the NL Central (CIN 12; MIL, PIT 5; CHC 3; STL 2).
This is David Bell's 6th ejection of 2019, 1st since June 25 (Kerwin Danley; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Mark Wegner's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since April 15 (Brandon Hyde; QOC = N-c [Replay]).

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds, 6/29/19 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 107 - Mark Ripperger (1; Ron Gardenhire)

HP Umpire Mark Ripperger ejected Tigers Manager Ron Gardenhire (ball two call; QOCY) in the top of the 4th inning of the Nationals-Tigers game. With two out and one on (R3), Nationals batter Brian Dozier took a 1-2 slider from Tigers pitcher Gregory Soto for called second ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and at the midpoint (px 0.83, pz 2.82 [sz_top 2.86]) and that all pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Nationals were leading, 2-0. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 7-5.

This is Mark Ripperger (90)'s first ejection of 2019.
Mark Ripperger now has 3 points in the UEFL Standings (-1 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 3).
Crew Chief Brian O'Nora now has 4 points in Crew Division (3 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 4).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
*This pitch was located 1.01 horizontal inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

This is the 107th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 56th Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Detroit's 8th ejection of 2019, 1st in the AL Central (DET 8; CWS, KC 6; CLE, MIN 1).
This is Ron Gardenhire's 7th ejection of 2019, 1st since June 22 (Roberto Ortiz; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Mark Ripperger's 1st ejection since Sept 6, 2018 (Steven Souza; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Washington Nationals vs. Detroit Tigers, 6/29/19 | Video as follows:

2019 MLB London Series Umpire Roster

Chief Dana DeMuth and his umpire crew of Angel Hernandez, Ed Hickox, and Carlos Torres will officiate the 2019 Major League Baseball London Series between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, MLB's first foray into Europe. The four umpires last officiated Wednesday's Padres-Orioles series in Baltimore.

Hickox will be behind home plate Saturday, June 29, with Torres at first base, DeMuth at second, and Hernandez at third; this follows the crew's existing rotation carried over from Wednesday, when Hernandez had the plate.

MLB tabbed Adrian Johnson to serve as an on-site Replay Official for the UK-based series.

According to New Haven Register, London Stadium's roof that overhangs home plate has spurred the adoption of a ground rule specifying that balls caroming off the roof shall be treated as dead and foul. The left and right field foul lines measure 330 feet from plate to wall, with center field at a distance of 385 feet from home, with a 16-foot-high wall along the batter's eye.

Case Play 2019-4 - Turner's Slide Tackle [Solved]

When MLB adopted its bona fide slide/interference rule, baseball didn't envision a mid-base sliding tackle like that of Dodgers 3B Justin Turner against Diamondbacks SS Nick Ahmed, in the baseline between first and second base, when Ahmed attempted to tag Turner during a ground ball on the infield. This Case Play examines the relevant sliding rules for such a play—does Official Baseball Rule 6.01(j)—Sliding to Bases on Double Play Attempts—apply to slides effected more than 10 feet in front of a base?

The Play: With none out and one on (R1) in the top of the 4th inning of 6/25/19's Dodgers-Diamondbacks game, Dodgers batter Justin Verdugo hit a first-pitch slider from Diamondbacks pitcher Robbie Ray on the ground to shortstop Ahmed (playing on the right side of second base as part of a defensive shift). Ahmed fielded the ball and attempted to tag Turner while looking toward Verdugo for a potential double play at first base. Instead, Turner went into a slide, which caused Ahmed to trip and fall, and allowed Verdugo to reach first base safely.

SIDEBAR: 1B Umpire Alan Porter was patiently positioned at first base waiting for a potential play. It stands to reason that if not for Turner's early slide that tripped up fielder Ahmed, this would have likely resulted in two outs. In other words, this was a double play attempt in the making.

Turner undercuts Ahmed between the bases.

The Call: Initially ruled safe by 2B Umpire Jim Reynolds—he had deemed that Ahmed failed to tag Turner—Crew Chief Mark Wegner signaled that Replay Review had overturned the call to an out on R1 Turner as the result of Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo's challenge.

Case Play Question: Was this the correct ruling, or should a double play have been awarded? If so, is this a reviewable call or would a potential interference call have to come from the umpires on the field? If video hadn't indicated that Ahmed's glove tagged Turner on the shoulder, would the proper call have been to declare all runners safe (as Reynolds ruled), Turner out, or both Turner and Verdugo out?

Answer: There are two rules-correct outcomes here. Either R1 Turner is out or both R1 Turner and BR Verdugo are out. The difference between the first and second outcome is entirely "umpire judgment."

UEFL Case Play 2019-4 Video Answer.

First and foremost, the slide interference/bona fide slide Rule 6.01(j) does not apply here because this is not a play at a base. The purpose of 6.01(j) is to protect the fielder from an illegal slide wherein the fielder attempts to tag a base with his foot to complete a force out (in the furtherance of a potential double play). That rule goes hand-in-hand with the elimination of the "neighborhood play" exemption at second base for double plays.

Here, because there is no attempted tag of a base with a foot—just of a runner with a glove—there is no 6.01(j) protection for the fielder. That makes the play not subject to review for interference (the tag/no tag issue is still reviewable), which means the only way to get a double play here is "old school" Rule 6.01(a)(6), which outlines what willful and deliberate interference is regarding a runner attempting to break up a double play.

This is a purely judgment call, and the intent of the runner shall govern. If you rule that Turner intended to interfere in order to deprive the double play, then you'd get a double play due to willful and deliberate interference. If you rule that Turner did not intend to do this, then only Turner is out.

In this sense, the rule penalizes the nefarious player while ignoring what could be deemed a reckless play by an ignorant runner. Naturally, if your league has a malicious contact clause (which MLB does not), you may deem it appropriate to consider whether the nasty slide has risen to that level.

Official Baseball Rules (OBR) Library
OBR 5.09(a)(13): "A batter is out when—A preceding runner shall, in the umpire’s judgment, intentionally interfere with a fielder who is attempting to catch a thrown ball or to throw a ball in an attempt to complete any play. The objective of this rule is to penalize the offensive team for deliberate, unwarranted, unsportsmanlike action by the runner in leaving the baseline for the obvious purpose of crashing the pivot man on a double play, rather than trying to reach the base. Obviously this is an umpire’s judgment play."
OBR 6.01(a)(6): "It is interference by a batter or a runner when—If, in the judgment of the umpire, a base runner willfully and deliberately interferes with a batted ball or a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball with the obvious intent to break up a double play, the ball is dead. The umpire shall call the runner out for interference and also call out the batter-runner because of the action of his teammate."
OBR 6.01(j) [Sliding to Bases on Double Play Attempts]: "If a runner does not engage in a bona fide slide, and initiates (or attempts to make) contact with the fielder for the purpose of breaking up a double play, he should be called for interference under this Rule 6.01. A 'bona fide slide' for the purposes of Rule 6.01 occurs when the runner:"
OBR 6.01(j)(1): "begins his slide (i.e., makes contact with the ground) before reaching the base;"
OBR 6.01(j)(2): "is able and attempts to reach the base with his hand or foot;"
OBR 6.01(j)(3): "is able and attempts to remain on the base (except home plate) after completion of the slide; and"
OBR 6.01(j)(4): "slides within reach of the base without changing his pathway for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder."
OBR 6.01(j): "A slide shall not be a “bona fide slide” if a runner engages in a “roll block,” or intentionally initiates (or attempts to initiate) contact with the fielder by elevating and kicking his leg above the fielder’s knee or throwing his arm or his upper body."
MLBUM 49: "If, in the judgment of the umpire, a runner willfully and deliberately interferes with a fielder attempting to catch a thrown ball or attempting to throw a ball with the obvious intent to deprive the defense of the opportunity to make a double play, the umpire shall declare the runner out for interference and shall also declare the batter-runner out for the interference of his teammate."

Video as follows:

Chris Guccione to Host Youth Lakewood Umpire

Major League umpire Chris Guccione, with an assist from UMPS CARE Charities (@UmpsCare), reached out to 13-year-old Josh Cordova, the ump at the center of the Lakewood, Colorado baseball brawl involving seven-year-old teams and parents that cleared the stands, spilling onto the field to fight as the children darted toward the dugouts and into the stands themselves.

In an epitomization of the officiating community spirit, Guccione will host Cordova and his family during the Sunday, June 30 game between Los Angeles and Colorado at Coors Field.

Cordova spoke out just days after the massive fight during the Bear Creek Junior Sports Association and Jeffco Co-Op's youth baseball season. Denver affiliate KUSA reported that Cordova was "really shaken up by what happened...he feels guilty because he couldn't control the game or the parents."

During his interview with KUSA days later, Cordova recounted that the brawl began as the result of a warning issued to a fan who had employed profanity, leading to an argument amongst the coaches, which devolved into the massive melee: "I shouldn't have to tell a grown man how to act around kids...they're teaching the children a bad lesson, they shouldn't be fighting over a game."
Related Post: 13-Year-Old Umpire Cordova Talks CO Brawl (6/21/19).
Related Post: Workplace Violence - Parents Brawl at Youth Game (6/20/19).

Guccione invited Cordova to Sunday's game.

Guccione, a Salida, Colorado native, explained to The Denver Post what spurred him into action: "This is my state, this is where my heart is, so when I saw the incident that happened, I was concerned. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is in my backyard.’"

The veteran of 2500+ MLB regular season games described his reaction to the news story of a fight at a youth baseball game: "I was sickened, really. I couldn’t believe this happened." Continued Guccione, "it is embarrassing. It’s a 7-year-old game with a 13-year-old umpire? Come on."

Guccione officiated a few innings at the 2018 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Guccione at the Little League World Series.

Guccione's professional baseball crew, which includes Tony Randazzo, Laz Diaz, and Cory Blazer, happens to be officiating this weekend's Dodgers-Rockies series at Coors Field, and Gooch has arranged for Cordova's family to receive five tickets to Sunday's game: "I’m excited to meet Josh at the ballpark and see him and his family in person. It’s not only about him, it’s about the kids — they were affected, and we can’t forget them and their parents. It was just an unfortunate situation."

The Colorado native and UMPS CARE Charities are making the best of it, though, and the Colorado Rockies are providing the Cordova's with parking on Sunday.

Chris Guccione #68 was the UEFL's Umpire of the Year in 2016 and serves on the UMPS CARE Charities Board of Directors alongside Gary Darling (President), Jim Reynolds #77 (Secretary) Glenn Miller (Secretary), James Bowman, Samuel Dearth, Paul Emmel #50, Marvin Hudson #51, Keith Kemph, Scott Kennedy, Dan McGinnis, Tim Timmons #95, Caroline Williams, and Larry Young.

Guccione pictured wearing a blue shirt.

Guccione and his wife Amy, who serves on UMPS CARE's Volunteer Wives Committee, started Hike for Bears in 2015, a fundraising event that accepts pledges per mile that the Gucciones (and their dog Remmington) hike.

Gooch's ejection of Gabe Kapler on June 22, 2019 marked his first heave-ho in over three years (6/10/16, Dale Sveum). Kapler was subsequently fined for kicking dirt at the veteran umpire.
Related Post: MLB Ejection 100 - Chris Guccione (1; Gabe Kapler) (6/22/19).

MLB Ejection 106 - Nic Lentz (2; Carlos Gonzalez)

HP Umpire Nic Lentz ejected Cubs RF Carlos Gonzalez (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 4th inning of the Braves-Cubs game. With none out and two on (R1, R3), Gonalez took 3-1 and 3-2 fastballs from Braves pitcher Bryse Wilson for called second and third strikes. Replays indicate the 3-1 pitch was located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px 0.55, pz 1.58 [sz_bot 1.64 / RAD 1.52]) and the 3-2 pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and knee-high (px -0.45, pz 1.71), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Braves were leading, 6-3. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 9-7.

This is Nic Lentz (59)'s second ejection of 2019.
Nic Lentz now has 3 points in the UEFL Standings (-1 Prev + 2 AAA + 2 Correct Call = 3).
Crew Chief Ted Barrett now has 6 points in Crew Division (5 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 6).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This is the 106th ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 45th player ejection of 2019. Prior to ejection, Gonzalez was 0-2 (2 SO) in the contest.
This is Chicago's 3rd ejection of 2019, 4th in the NL Central (CIN 11; MIL, PIT 5; CHC 3; STL 2).
This is Carlos Gonzalez's 1st ejection since June 11, 2017 (Marvin Hudson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Nic Lentz's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since March 31 (David Peralta; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Atlanta Braves vs. Chicago Cubs, 6/27/19 | Video as follows:

Milestone - Umpire Gerry Davis is 4th All-Time

38-year MLB umpire Gerry Davis achieved a milestone when he tied, now surpassed, Tom Connolly on the most games umpired in the history of Major League Baseball list. By officiating career game 4,771, Davis holds the #4 spot on the all-time most MLB regular season games umpired list.

Davis was joined for Tuesday's Reds-Angels game in Anaheim by umpires Kerwin Danley, Pat Hoberg, and Ramon De Jesus. Former MLB umpire Dale Scott was also in attendance for Angel Stadium's inaugural Pride Night, and Danley ejected two Reds during the contest, his first ejections since 2016. The Angels recognized Davis during the game.
Related Post: MLB Ejections 104-5 - Kerwin Danley (1-2; CIN) (6/25/19).

Davis now occupies fourth place on the all-time regular season games worked list behind #3 Bruce Froemming (5,163), #2 Joe West (~5,250 and counting), and #1 Bill Klem (5,375). West, MLB's longest tenured umpire and still actively officiating, hopes to surpass Klem's record sometime during the 2020 season. Davis surpasses #5 Connolly (4,770), having previously leapfrogged #6 Doug Harvey (4,673), #7 Joe Brinkman (4,505), #8 Harry Wendelstedt (4,500), #9 Derryl Cousins (4,496), and #10 Mike Reilly (4,491).

Klem, Connolly, and Harvey were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Gerry Davis holds the MLB all-time record for most postseason games umpired (151), with West in second place (128), and Froemming tied with Jerry Crawford for third (111). Davis has officiated 31 World Series games, second on the active list to West's 34 (#1 all time: Bill Klem [103], followed by #2 Cy Rigler [62] and #3 Hank O'Day [57]).

Davis, who first joined the Major League staff in 1984 as a National League umpire is also MLB's longest-tenured active crew chief, promoting to the leadership role in 1999. He has officiated four All-Star Games (1989, 97, 2002, 12), three Wild Card Games (2013-14, 18), 13 Division Series (1996, 99, 2002-04, 06-09, 11-12, 15, 17), 11 Championship Series (1990, 92, 95, 98, 2000-01, 05, 10, 13-14, 18), and six World Series (1996, 99, 2004, 09, 12, 17).
Related Page: UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Gerry Davis.

Davis was named the UEFL Crew Chief of the Year in 2011, Umpire of the Year in 2012, and his ejection of Adrian Beltre related to the on-deck circle was the UEFL Ejection of the Year in 2017.

SIDEBAR: During our Podcast with Bob Davidson, we learned the allure of officiating milestone games at Angel Stadium (and why some NHL officials choose Anaheim for their milestones, as well). In Bob's case, his 2016 retirement game in Anaheim afforded the family an opportunity to vacation at Disneyland, located less than 5 miles from the ballpark. For Davis, a nearby Huntington Beach residence with the Santa Ana branch of Gerry Davis Sports nearby doesn't hurt, either.

MLB Ejections 104-5 - Kerwin Danley (1-2; CIN)

HP Umpire Kerwin Danley ejected Reds RF Yasiel Puig and Manager David Bell (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 6th inning of the Reds-Angels game. With one out and one on (R1), Puig took a first-pitch curveball from Angels pitcher Noe Ramirez for a called first strike before taking a 0-2 fastball from Ramirez for a called third strike. Replays indicate the 0-0 pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.94, pz 2.09) while the 0-2 pitch was located over the outer half of home plate and at the knees (px 0.45, pz 1.78 [sz_bot 1.65]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejections, the Angels were leading, 4-1. The Angels ultimately won the contest, 5-1.

These are Kerwin Danley (44)'s first and second ejections of 2019.
Kerwin Danley now has 11 points in the UEFL Standings (3 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct Call] = 11).
Crew Chief Gerry Davis now has 1 point in Crew Division (-1 Previous + 2 *[1 Correct Call] = 1).
*The pitch under QOC consideration is the 0-2 pitch ruled strike three. This is due to UEFL Rule 6-5-c-5-c, as approved by the UEFL membership during the 2013 UEFL Rules Summit concerning the rule's language of, "realistically resulted in a different outcome of the individual at-bat."
*The 0-2 pitch was located -4.03 vertical inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

These are the 104th and 105th ejection reports of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 44th player ejection of 2019. Prior to ejection, Puig was 0-3 (SO) in the contest.
This is the 55th Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Cincinnati's 10/11th ejection of 2019, 1st in the NL Central (CIN 11; MIL, PIT 5; CHC, STL 2).
This is Yasiel Puig's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since April 7 (Jeff Kellogg; QOC = U [Fighting]).
This is David Bell's 5th ejection of 2019, 1st since May 29 (Jeff Nelson; QOC = U [Warnings/NEC]).
This is Kerwin Danley's 1st ejection since Sept 19, 2016 (Mitch Moreland; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Angels, 6/25/19 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 102-3 - Mike Estabrook (7-8; MIA)

HP Umpire Mike Estabrook ejected Marlins SS Miguel Rojas and Manager Don Mattingly (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Nationals-Marlins game. With none out and one on (R1), Rojas took a 1-2 slider from Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.81, pz 1.79 [sz_bot 1.59]) and that all pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Nationals were leading, 6-1. The Nationals ultimately won the contest, 6-1.

These are Mike Estabrook (83)'s seventh and eighth ejections of 2019.
Mike Estabrook now has 28 points in the UEFL Standings (20 Prev + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct Call] = 28).
Crew Chief Paul Emmel now has 11 points in Crew Division (9 Previous + 2*[1 Correct Call] = 11).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
*This pitch was located 1.248 horizontal inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

These are the 102nd and 103rd ejection reports of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 43rd player ejection of 2019. Prior to ejection, Rojas was 2-3 (SO) in the contest.
This is the 54th Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Miami's 2/3rd ejection of 2019, T-3rd in the NL East (ATL, WAS 5; MIA, NYM, PHI 3).
This is Miguel Rojas' first career MLB ejection.
This is Don Mattingly's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since May 3 (Jeff Nelson; QOC = U [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Mike Estabrook's 7/8th ejection of 2019, 1st since May 26 (Mike Moustakas; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins, 6/25/19 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 101 - Joe West (5; Gabe Kapler)

HP Umpire Joe West ejected Phillies Manager Gabe Kapler (warnings following HBP) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Mets-Phillies game. With two out and none on, Phillies batter Scott Kingery took a 1-1 fastball from Mets pitcher Wilmer Font for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Kingery in the left shoulder, resulting in warnings upon which Kapler was ejected pursuant to the Official Baseball Rule 6.02(c)(9) and MLB Umpire Manual's Standards for Removal, both of which specify ejection as the prescribed penalty for arguing a warning, while simultaneously directing the umpire to "act without hesitation in enforcement of this rule," the call was irrecusable.* At the time of the ejection, the Phillies were leading, 7-5. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 7-5.

This is Joe West (22)'s fifth ejection of 2019.
Joe West now has 10 points in the UEFL Standings (8 Prev + 2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable Call = 10).
Crew Chief Joe West now has 0 points in Crew Division (-1 Previous + 1 Irrecusable Call = 0).
*MLBUM states, "If a manager, coach, or player leaves the dugout or his position to dispute a warning, he should be warned to stop; if he continues, he is subject to removal from the game."
*OBR 6.02(c)(9) Comment states, "Team personnel may not come onto the playing surface to argue or dispute a warning issued under Rule 6.02(c)(9). If a manager, coach or player leaves the dugout or his position to dispute a warning, he should be warned to stop. If he continues, he is subject to ejection. 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 101st ejection report of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 53rd Manager ejection of 2019.
This is Philadelphia's 3rd ejection of 2019, T-2nd in the NL East (ATL, WAS 5; NYM, PHI 3; MIA 1).
This is Gabe Kapler's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since June 22 (Chris Guccione; QOC = X [Check Swing]).
This is Joe West's 5th ejection of 2019, 1st since April 17 (Dale Sveum; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 6/25/19 | Video as follows:

Bench Clearing - Contreras HR Begets Bad Blood

Atlanta catcher Tyler Flowers confronted Chicago's Willson Contreras after the latter's 2nd inning home run during Monday's Braves-Cubs game, leading to a benches-clearing incident in front of HP Umpire John Tumpane and Chief Ted Barrett's crew. Tumpane warned both teams during the unsportsmanlike event, but no ejections were effected.

The Play: With none out and none on in the bottom of the 2nd inning, Contreras hit a home run off Braves pitcher Julio Teherán. Replays indicate that after hitting the home run, Conteras turned back toward home plate and made a comment in that direction.

Impending Trash Talk: While rounding third base, Contreras appeared to gesture toward the crowd, after which Flowers animatedly addressed Contreras, leading to further confrontation as Tumpane, ready with his mask and helmet in hand while placing his arm between the two combatants, ordered Contreras to continue onto his dugout. Tumpane then indicated warnings to both teams, and a bench-clearing incident ensued during which Tumpane physically restrained pitcher Teheran along the foul line while crewmates Lance Barksdale, Nic Lentz, and Barrett helped contain the situation.

Ignition: The trouble appeared to begin after Tumpane called a strike on the preceding pitch to Contreras, a fastball located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.25, pz 1.42 [sz_bot 1.53 / RAD 1.41]), the call was correct. As Contreras complained to Tumpane, Flowers appeared to address Contreras, leading to further disagreement as the at-bat culminated in Contreras' home run, resulting in a benches-clearing incident as Contreras scored the run.

Gil's Call: This situation was helped by Tumpane's situational awareness in understand the impending dispute between the two players as Contreras hit his home run. Following Contreras' comments after hitting the home run, Tumpane's game management skill clued him into the possibility that an explosive interaction could take place as Contreras crossed home plate, so he was ready to step between the players upon that event. The remainder of Ted Barrett's crew helped contain the Cubs dugout pursuant to the Division of Halves concept we previously discussed during a Dodgers-Giants fight in 2017, leading to a deescalation of further conflict as Tumpane restrained Teheran, having warned both sides. In this situation, the division line (neutral zone as it were) roughly corresponded with the painted foul line between home plate and third base.
Related Post: Dodger vs Giants Bench-Clearer and Division of Halves (5/17/17).

Similar Ball/Strike Dispute: In April 2018, HP Umpire Tim Timmons ejected Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo for arguing called strikes in St. Louis. The dispute devolved into a physical confrontation involving Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina after Molina apparently took offense at comments made by Lovullo about Molina's actions in receiving the baseball. As a bonus, the video of the Timmons/Lovullo ejection features an example of the broadcasters' inaccurate interpretation of the on-screen electronic strike zone. In other words, this was yet another instance of FoxTrax/PitchCast causing problems through inaccuracy in StatCast/pitch location reporting: refer to the px/pz values for greater detail.
Related Post: MLB Ejection 010 - Tim Timmons (1; Torey Lovullo) (4/8/18).

Video as follows:

Workplace Violence - Ulrich Arrested for Battering Umpire

Continuing in our series about umpire abuse following the MLB Umpires Association's infamous workplace violence tweet, we report Sunday's arrest of a softball player in Des Moines on charges of assault causing bodily injury after allegedly violent and illegal contact with an umpire.

The Des Moines Police Department described the purported crime to WHO-TV as stemming from a foul ball call during a Sunday softball game at the Greater Des Moines Softball Complex. 29-year-old Lance Raymond Ulrich, the suspect in this case, purportedly was a player who was upset at the umpire over the call and used profanity in the furtherance of his argument.

Alleged criminal Ulrich.

According to police, the umpire ejected Ulrich after which Ulrich purportedly pushed the umpire to the ground in a moment partially captured on video, resulting in injury. Another player in the game told WHO-TV that the umpire terminated the game following the incident, likely forfeiting the contest in favor of Ulrich's opponent.

The video shows the result of a man in a black jersey—presumably Ulrich—appearing to shove the umpire to the ground, upon which this person appears to stand over the fallen umpire while saying something in his direction before players wearing red jerseys tend to the umpire, who remains on the ground as the alleged suspect walks away. A person in camera range then says, "call the police."

Suspected assaulter Lance Ulrich on film.

After his arrest and booking at Polk County Jail for the violent crime of assault causing bodily injury, alleged criminal Lance Ulrich was purportedly released on bond.

The National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) Legislative Scorecard indicates the state of Iowa has not passed laws related to assaults on officials.

According to Gosoftball.com, Ulrich of Saint Marys, Iowa, is a member of the Des Moines-based Clutch softball team. Arrest records indicate inmate Ulrich is associated with the nearby city of Norwalk, Iowa.

According to Iowa Courts public records, two cases have previously been brought against Lance Raymond Ulrich, aged 29 (DOB 6/21/1990): one for a registration violation in 2017 and another a civil suit filed by Home Point Financial Corp in 2018. Court records indicate the Home Point Financial case was recently resolved, with a satisfaction of judgment filing having been entered into the record on June 3, 2019. The initial petition filed in that case pertained to a foreclosure.

Other reports indicate Ulrich formerly served in the military (US Army). Video as follows: