MLB Ejection 168 - Larry Vanover (2; David Bell)

HP Umpire Larry Vanover ejected Reds manager David Bell (strike three call; QOCN) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Reds-#Cardinals game. With one out and two on, Reds batter Elly De La Cruz took a 2-2 sinker from Cardinals pitcher John King for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.93, pz 1.83 [sz_bot 1.82]), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Reds were leading, 3-0. The Reds ultimately won the contest, 3-0.

This is Larry Vanover (27)'s 2nd ejection of 2024.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 0.24 horizontal inches from being deemed correct.

This is the 168th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 85th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 85 Managers, 27 Coaches, 56 Players.

This is Cincinnati's 5th ejection of 2024, 5th in the NL Central (MIL, STL 8; PIT 7; CHC 6; CIN 5).

This is David Bell's 5th ejection of 2024, 1st since August 8 (Bill Miller; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Larry Vanover's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since Aug 7 (Brandon Hyde; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs St Louis Cardinals, 9/10/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 140 - Larry Vanover (1; Brandon Hyde)

HP Umpire Larry Vanover ejected Orioles manager Brandon Hyde (strike two call; QOCY) in the top of the 5th inning of the #Orioles-#BlueJays game. With two out and one on, Orioles batter Colton Cowser took a 0-1 fastball from Blue Jays pitcher Bowden Francis for a called second strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and at the midpoint (px -0.69, pz 3.48 [sz_top 3.47 / RAD 3.59]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 3-2. The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 7-3.

This is Larry Vanover (27)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

Related Post: Call for Umpire Accountability & the 97% Plate Score (4/19/19).

This is the 140th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 69th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 69 Managers, 22 Coaches, 49 Players.

This is Baltimore's 5th ejection of 2024, 3rd in the AL East (NYY 10; TOR 8; BAL 5; TB 4; BOS 3).

This is Brandon Hyde's 4th ejection of 2024, 1st since July 28 (Alan Porter; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

This is Larry Vanover's 1st ejection since April 12, 2023 (Aaron Boone; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles vs Toronto Blue Jays, 8/7/24 | Video as follows:

Trio of Plays - Close Calls and Replay Reviews

In this review, tmac looks at a trio of plays across baseball, including a line drive hit toward 3B Umpire Brian Knight on the left field foul line, a knob of the bat fair ball and challenged out call at first with umpires Quinn Wolcott & Junior Valentine, and a puzzler of a catcher's interference vs foul ball for Larry Vanover.

For Knight in Milwaukee, self-preservation comes first and the umpire jumps out of the way, initially killing play to call a foul ball before quickly convening the crew and changing the call to a fair ball, which was the proper ruling.

In Cleveland, HP Umpire Wolcott observes a batted ball off the knob of the bat as opposed to a hit-by-pitch while 1B Umpire Valentine rules on a bang-bang play at first, an out call confirmed via Replay Review.

In San Francisco, HP Umpire Vanover sees a play wherein the bat hit the catcher's mitt...but was not actually catcher's interference. Replays indicate the batter's bat, after fouling the pitch away, recoiled backward and into the catcher's mitt, rendering this a foul ball and overturned call.

Video as follows:

Larry Vanover Hit by Throw & Erich Bacchus Hit by Ball

Crew Chief Larry Vanover left the Yankees-Guardians game in Cleveland after being hit in the head by a relay throw, resulting in an extra Guardians run scoring, while 2B Umpire Erich Bacchus called "Time" to enforce the umpire interference rule in Toronto after being hit by a batted ball while working in the infield. Jerry Layne, meanwhile, also left a game due to a foul ball injury to his hand.

Larry Vanover (NYY-CLE): With one out and two on (R1, R2) in the top of the 5th inning, Yankees batter Kyle Higashioka hit a fly ball to deep center field, played off the wall by Guardians center fielder Miles Straw, who threw to shortstop Andres Gimenez, whose relay throw to home hit 2B Umpire Vanover in the side of the head, bouncing high in the air and enabling further advancement of Cleveland's runners.

Vanover left the game and was hospitalized with a head injury and was discharged from Cleveland Clinic two days later.

Erich Bacchus (DET-TOR): 2B Umpire Erich Bacchus found himself in the middle of umpire interference Type 2 in Toronto as he was hit by a batted ball from Blue Jays batter Bo Bichette while working inside: "Umpire’s interference occurs (1) when a plate umpire hinders, impedes or prevents a catcher’s throw attempting to prevent a stolen base or retire a runner on a pick-off play; or (2) when a fair ball touches an umpire on fair territory before passing a fielder." (Official Baseball Rule 6.01(f) Comment). IMPORTANT: The pitcher is not considered as "a fielder" for the purpose of this rule unless the pitcher touches the batted ball first. Weird, right?

Jerry Layne (HOU-PIT): HP Umpire Jerry Layne exited the Astros-Pirates game an out after getting hit in the hand by a foul ball. This is not umpire interference since it's a foul ball. After Layne left the game, call-up umpire Brock Ballou put on the gear and filled in as home plate umpire for the remainder of the contest. Similary, the Mike Estabrook play in Toronto is not umpire interference as the ball was foul.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 010 - Larry Vanover (1; Aaron Boone)

2B Umpire Larry Vanover ejected Yankees manager Aaron Boone (Replay Review decision that overturned 1B Umpire David Rackley's out call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the #Yankees-#Guardians game. With one out and two on (R2, R3), Guardians batter Josh Naylor hit a fly ball to Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks, who dove in an attempt to catch the ball, ruled a catch (out) by 1B Umpire Rackley. After umpire consultation which did not change the initial out call and upon Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Guardians manager Terry Francona, Rackley call was overturned, the Replay Official ruling the ball was trapped and that had the proper call been made as the initial call, Guardians baserunner R3 Steven Kwan would have scored and R2 Jose Ramirez would have advanced to third base. Replay indicate Hicks did not catch the baseball and that Francona timely indicated his desire to initiate the review process ("hold"), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Guardians were leading, 1-0. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

This is Larry Vanover (27)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

*Official Baseball Rule 8.02(c) states, in part, "If the umpires consult after a play and change a call that had been made, then they have the authority to take all steps that they may deem necessary, in their discretion, to eliminate the results and consequences of the earlier call that they are reversing, including placing runners where they think those runners would have been after the play, had the ultimate call been made as the initial call."

This is the 10th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 2nd manager ejection of 2023.

This is New York's 1st ejection of 2023, 2nd in the AL East (BAL 2; NYY 1; BOS, TB, TOR 0).

This is Aaron Boone's 1st ejection since Sept 23, 2022 (Brian Knight; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Larry Vanover's 1st ejection since May 17, 2022 (QOC = N [Check Swing]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs Cleveland Guardians, 4/12/23 | Video as follows:

Baserunner Pete Alonso Called for Pitch Clock Violation in Miami

MLB's new pitch clock took no time to make an appearance on Opening Day, with a violation in Boston striking out Red Sox batter Rafael Devers. In Miami, however, baserunner Pete Alonso was called for a clock violation by HP Umpire Larry Vanover, batter Jeff McNeil incurring an automatic strike penalty as a result of his teammate's infraction...which was...what exactly?

The Devers play at Fenway Park is fairly simple: batters must be in the batter's box and alert to the pitcher by the eight-second mark of the pitch clock. Devers wasn't, and HP Umpire Lance Barksdale assessed the automatic strike, resulting in the third strike of Devers' at-bat and a clock-induced strikeout.

But at the Mets-Marlins game, Vanover called the violation not because batter McNeil wasn't ready to go by the eight-second mark, but because New York baserunner R1 Alonso apparently took too long to return to first base after a foul ball by McNeil. Replays indicate Alonso walking back to first base after the foul, with Vanover eventually signaling "Time" and pointing to Alonso before assessing a pitch clock violation and auto-strike to McNeil.

The rules do allow umpires to call violations based on baserunners employing tactics to delay the game or hinder pace of play, such as by intentionally delaying their return to a base on a foul ball or other disruption in order to prevent the pitch timer from starting (the timer starts when all players return to their positions).

Video as follows:

Larry Vanover Back to the Future to Reverse Foul Call

When the crew convened and reversed HP Umpire Larry Vanover erroneously called "foul ball" shortly after Phillies batter Odubel Herrera hit a ground ball up the first base line, ruled fair by 1B Umpire David Rackley, many wondered about the old baseball officiating axiom prohibiting one from unringing a rung bell.

That is to say, as the NCAA rulebook puts it so elegantly in its Appendix E entitled "Getting the Call Right,"Some calls cannot be reversed without creating larger problems."

Of course, the NCAA book also explicitly includes the case of "changing a call of 'foul' to 'fair'" as one of its acceptable uses of an on-field conference to reverse a call. MLB operates under a similar principle which gives the umpires slightly more discretion.

Play: With none out and none on, Phillies batter Hererra hit Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright's 3-2 offering on the ground, up the first base line. The ball, having first impacted the ground near the left-handed batter's box (and near Herrera's right foot), traveled past first base in fair territory, as signaled by 1B Umpire Rackley. It was fielded by Cards first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who looked in perfect position to jog to first base and easily retire Herrera.

Umpire Calls: While Rackley ruled the ball fair, HP Umpire Vanover called "Time" and ruled the ball foul, deeming that the batted ball hit Herrera's foot while Herrera was still in the batter's box. Sensing an incorrect call, the crew got together and ultimately determined that the ball did not hit Herrera's foot, opting to overturn Vanover's original "foul ball" call and call a fair ball instead, further ruling Herrera out based on the premise that had the ball been called exclusively fair from the beginning, Herrera would have nonetheless been retired at first base.

Official Baseball Rule 8.02(c): In order to get to this point, the crew used OBR 8.02(c), which states, in part: "If the umpires consult after a play and change a call that had been made, then they have the authority to take all steps that they may deem necessary, in their discretion, to eliminate the results and consequences of the earlier call that they are reversing, including placing runners where they think those runners would have been after the play, had the ultimate call been made as the initial call."

OBR 8.02(c) would have also allowed umpires to disregard interference or obstruction, failure of runners to tag up on a catch/no catch call reversal, runners passing or missing bases, etc.: the sole judgment as to the final call is what the umpires believe would have happened had the final call been made in real-time.

After breaking with his crew, Chief Vanover explained the overturned call to Phillies interim manager Rob Thompson, before explaining in a more brief setting to Herrera. Tmac breaks down the situation handling component as well as the process of reversing a call pursuant to the baseball rules.

Video as follows:

Teachable - It's All Vanover for Anaheim on Back-Tag

The Oakland Athletics executed a rare bases-loaded double play against the Angels, with right fielder Chad Pinder throwing to Elvis Andrus to double up Tyler Wade on Shohei Ohtani's fly out, 2B Umpire Larry Vanover's call standing after Replay Review.

This Teachable concerns the umpiring crew—and mainly Vanover—'s general positioning as the play develops, with U2 Vanover adjusting his position throughout the play to find an angle to give himself a look at the action area on the backside of second base where Andrus attempted to tag Wade, who attempted to avoid Andrus' glove while sliding in to touch second base.

Meanwhile, we also observe 3B Umpire David Rackley lining himself up for a potential play at third base and discuss the merits of a first base umpire going out vs staying in for this play.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 041 - Larry Vanover (1; Dave Roberts)

3B Umpire Larry Vanover ejected Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (check swing ball three call) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Diamondbacks-#Dodgers game. With none out and none on, Diamondbacks batter Geraldo Perdomo attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 knuckle curve from Dodgers pitcher Craig Kimbrel, ruled a ball by HP Umpire David Rackley and affirmed as no swing on appeal by 3B Umpire Larry Vanover. Play was reviewed and adjudicated by the UEFL Appeals Board, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Dodgers were leading, 7-5. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 7-6.

This is Larry Vanover (27)'s 1st ejection of 2022.

Larry Vanover now has ? points in the UEFL Standings

Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has ? points in Crew Division

This is the 41st ejection report of the 2022 MLB regular season.

This is the 19th manager ejection of 2022.

This is Los Angeles' 1st ejection of 2022, T-2nd in the NL West (ARI 2; LAD, SD, SF 1; COL 0).

This is Dave Roberts' 1st ejection since July 22, 2021 (Ed Hickox; QOC = N [Check Swing]).

This is Larry Vanover's 1st ejection since July 30, 2019 (Francisco Cervelli; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 5/17/22 | Video as follows:

Manny Machado Runs Into, Interferes on Opening Day

It took Padres batter Manny Machado all of four innings into Opening Day for an infield collision, this one ruled interference by 1B Umpire Dan Bellino, eventually mirrored by HP Umpire Larry Vanover as an infield pop fly fell untouched to the ground.

The Play: With two out and two on (R1, R3) in San Diego's top of the 4th inning vs Arizona, Machado hit a 1-1 offering from Diamondbacks pitcher Sean Poppen for a fly ball along the first baseline. As D-backs first baseman Christian Walker ran in to field the falling fly, Machado ran directly into him in foul territory—coincidentally in a trajectory that would have taken Machado into the runner's lane [not to complicate matters...the runner's lane is irrelevant for this play]—ultimately resulting in a ball that fell untouched onto the ground in fair territory before bouncing foul.

The Call: 1B Umpire Bellino immediately signaled interference while HP Umpire Vanover mirrored the call after the play had concluded. As Bellino subsequently explained to Padres manager Bob Melvin, Machado was declared the third out as a result of the interference, the ball becoming dead and the inning thus over.

The Rule: Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(10) states, "It is interference by a batter or a runner when—They fail to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball...The umpire shall call the runner out in accordance with Rule 5.09(b)(3) (former Rule 7.08(b))." OBR 5.09(b)(3), in turn, states the runner is out if that offensive player "hinders a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball." Mechanics-wise, this brand of interference can be called immediately when it occurs.

Related Play: Infield Interference - LeMahieu Collides with Pollock (5/1/17).

Related Play: Regional Roundup - Runner, Declined Catcher Interference (6/10/17).

Related Play: Comparison - Infield Interference or Only Obstruction? (7/30/18).

Related Teachable Moment: Tmac's Teachable - Runner's Interference (5/3/19).

NCAA and NFHS agree ("A runner is out when—[the runner] interferes with a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball" [NCAA 8-5-d] & "Any runner is out when—[the runner] hinders a fielder on their initial attempt to field a batted ball" [NFHS 8-4-2g]).

OBR 6.01(a)(10) Comment clarifies that the fielder has the right of way on batted ball situations, but that only one fielder is entitled to this protection: "if two or more fielders attempt to field a batted ball, and the runner comes in contact with one or more of them, the umpire shall determine which fielder is entitled to the benefit of this rule, and shall not declare the runner out for coming in contact with a fielder other than the one the umpire determines to be entitled to field such a ball."

Finally, "such 'right of way' is not a license to, for example, intentionally trip a runner even though fielding the ball"

Conclusion: In turn, BR Machado is out for interfering with F3 Walker | Video as follows:

Injury Scout - Larry Vanover Exits Early After Mask Hit

HP Umpire Larry Vanover left Friday's #Reds-#Padres game in San Diego after an early foul ball to the mask.

In the top of the 1st inning, Reds batter Jesse Winker swung at and fouled a 96-mph fastball from Padres pitcher Chris Paddack off catcher Victor Caratini's mitt and deflected into Vanover's traditional-style facemask. Vanover completed the top and bottom of the 1st inning and exited the game prior to the start of the 2nd.

Vanover was replaced behind home plate by 1B Umpire and Acting Crew Chief Chris Guccione while 2B Umpire Ryan Additon moved to first base and 3B Umpire David Rackley remained at third base. Crew Chief Jim Reynolds joined the crew on Saturday to fill in for the absent Vanover.

Relevant Injury History: Vanover has previously left a game due to a head injury.

> On August 29, 2017, Vanover left a game in San Diego due to a foul ball to the mask injury.

> On May 5, 2013, Vanover left a game in Anaheim after a foul ball struck him in the mask.

Last Game: June 20 | Return to Play: July 1 | Time Absent: 10 Days | Video as follows:

Unreviewable Line Drive Call Leads to Triple Play

The Chicago Cubs turned the first triple play of this 2020 season against Cincinnati thanks in part to MLB Replay Review rules that rendered 3B Umpire Larry Vanover's out call on a trapped line drive to third base unreviewable.

With none out and the bases loaded, Reds batter Shogo Akiyama hit a 0-2 fastball from Cubs pitcher Duane Underwood on a line drive to third baseman Kris Bryant, who dove in an attempt to catch the ball, resulting in an air out call, before stepping on third base to double up Reds baserunner R3 Nick Senzel for failing to tag up, and throwing to first base to triple up baserunner R1 Tucker Barnhart, also as a result of what is technically known as a live appeal play for failure to retouch a base after a batted ball caught in flight.

One problem: Akiyama's liner toward Bryant actually touched the ground before entering the Cubs third baseman's glove, meaning Senzel and Barnhart should have been under no obligation to tag up.

U3 Vanover signaled an out.

Another problem: Despite its introduction of expanded replay—including expansion to include reviews for catcher's interference in 2020—MLB replay has yet to allow video review for catch/trap plays that occur within the infield.

That left umpires with Official Baseball Rule 8.02(c), stating, "If the umpires consult after a play and change a call that had been made, then they have the authority to take all steps that they may deem necessary, in their discretion, to eliminate the results and consequences of the earlier call that they are reversing, including placing runners where they think those runners would have been after the play, had the ultimate call been made as the initial call," but in this case, the umpires stood by the initial call, Vanover informing Reds Manager David Bell of the crew's decision after talking it over with HP Umpire Lance Barksdale.

High home gives a full-field overview.

Had the safe/no catch call been Vanover's initial call, it is likely that R3 Senzel would have scored and R2 Freddy Galvis likely would have been out at third base on a force play. As for R1 Barnhart and BR Akiyama...at least video review would have allowed Replay HQ to consult the wide-angle "high home" camera.

In 2017, tmac discussed replay's shortcomings and specifically referred to a similar play to that seen Wednesday in Cincinnati, writing, "Let's replay more things: Fair/fouls in the infield, batted balls off batters, and full swings that turn into HBPs are some of the disasters that are not reviewable...let's get it right." Catch/trap in the infield, indeed.

Related Post: Tmac's Teachable Moments - Let's Fix Replay (1/19/17).

A 2012 triple play also was confusing.

At one point, former MLB Commissioner Bud Selig envisioned replay being used for "bullets down the line" such as that which, eventually, entered Bryant's glove on Wednesday, but thus far under Rob Manfred, the screeching line drive to the hot corner is not yet a reviewable play.

In 2016, we wrote of the perils of attempting to "unring the bell" in reversing an erroneous decision. Part of that discussion referred back to a play at Dodger Stadium in 2012 (pre-replay) when Dale Scott ejected Padres Manager Bud Black after Los Angeles turned a triple play when, with none out and two on (R1, R2), San Diego's runners didn't run on a botched bunt attempt by batter Jesus Guzman, claiming that plate umpire Scott gestured "foul ball" on a batted ball that Dodgers catcher AJ Ellis retrieved in fair territory.

In writing for the majority in the UEFL Appeals Board's decision on the Dale School mechanics/triple play call, tmac opined, "It's my belief that from a mechanical standpoint you can not kill a play like that and change your mind," and most pertinent to the Cubs-Reds play, "It's [akin to] calling a guy out on a catch in the outfield getting guys to go back to their bases and switching to a no catch call."

Related Post: Unringing the Bell - Replay Reversal New Wrinkle for Cards (6/10/16).

Related Post: Ejection 006: Dale Scott (1) (4/15/12).

Or, in this case, vice versa. | Video as follows:

Injury Scout - Vanover Hit on Arm in LA

Larry Vanover exited his Labor Day assignment at Dodger Stadium after a foul ball to his right arm.

With none out and one on in the fifth inning of Monday's Rockies-Dodgers game, Dodgers batter Enrique Hernandez fouled a 2-1 95-mph sinker from Rockies pitcher James Pazos into Vanover's right forearm, producing a visible laceration. Vanover already wears a padded sleeve over his left arm.

2B Umpire Manny Gonzalez replaced Vanover behind home plate for the rest of the game, as 1B Umpire Dan Bellino and 3B Umpire David Rackley managed the field.

Vanover officiated his 3,000th MLB game in May 2019.
Related Post: Larry Vanover Officiates 3,000th MLB Game (5/24/19).

Relevant Injury History: Vanover has left a game before due to a head injury, but not a foul ball to the arm situation.

Last Game: September 2 | Return to Play: Sept 3 | Time Absent: Rest of Game | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 143-151 - Larry Vanover (1-9; PIT-CIN)

HP Umpire Larry Vanover ejected Reds Manager David Bell (strike one call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th and Cincinnati pitcher Jared Hughes and Bench Coach Freddie Benavides (throwing at Pirates batter Starling Marte after warnings), Pirates P Trevor Williams (Unsportsmanlike-NEC), and Reds P Amir Garrett, RF Yasiel Puig, Pirates P Chris Archer, P Kyle Crick, and C Francisco Cervelli (fighting) in the top of the 9th inning of the Pirates-Reds game. In the 8th, with one out and the bases loaded, Reds batter Yasiel Puig took a 0-0 slider from Pirates pitcher Kyle Crick for a called first strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and below the midpoint (px 0.81, pz 3.46 [sz_top 3.55]), the call was correct.* At the time of Bell's ejection, the Pirates were leading, 8-2.

In the 9th, with none out and none on, Pirates leadoff batter Starling Marte took a first-pitch fastball from Hughes for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Marte on the back of the uniform pants with warnings in effect, the call was irrecusable. At the time of Hughes and Benavides' ejections, the Pirates were leading, 8-3.

After Reds pitcher Garrett surrendered a home run to Pirates batter Jose Osuna and induced a Kevin Newman groundout, Garrett entered into an altercation with the Pirates dugout during a mound visit from acting manager Jeff Pickler that turned physical as the benches cleared, Garrett appeared to throw a punch, previously-ejected manager David Bell came back onto the field to participate in the fight directing his ire at Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle, Puig reignited the melee after it had calmed, the DJ played "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?", and five total participants were ejected for fighting, including Cincinnati's Garrett and Puig, and Pittsburgh's Archer, Crick, and Cervelli. At the time of the fighting ejections, Pittsburgh was leading, 8-3. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 11-4.

These are Larry Vanover (27)'s 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th ejections of 2019.
Larry Vanover now has 24 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 9[2 MLB] + 2 QOCY + 0 U = 22).
Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has 19 points in Crew Division (10 Previous + 9 QOCY/U = 19).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 1.25 horizontal and 3.56 vertical inches from being deemed an incorrect call.
Related Post: Jeff Kellogg presides over first CIN-PIT fight in April 2019 (4/7/19).

These are the 143rd through 151st ejection reports of the 2019 MLB regular season.
This is the 73rd Manager ejection of 2019.
This is the 64th through 70th player ejections of 2019.
This is Cincinnati's 17-21st ejection of 2019, 1st in the NL Central (CIN 21; PIT 10; MIL 6; CHC 5; STL 3).
This is Pittsburgh's 7-10th ejection of 2019, 2nd in the NL Central (CIN 21; PIT 10; MIL 6; CHC 5; STL 3).
This is David Bell's 8th ejection of 2019, 1st since July 19 (Carlos Torres; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Jared Hughes' first career MLB ejection.
This is Freddie Benavides' first career MLB ejection.
This is Trevor Williams' first career MLB ejection.
This is Amir Garrett's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since April 7 (Jeff Kellogg; QOC = U [Fighting]).
This is Yasiel Puig's 3rd ejection of 2019, 1st since June 25 (Kerwin Danley; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Chris Archer's first career MLB ejection.
This is Kyle Crick's first career MLB ejection.
This is Francisco Cervelli's 1st ejection since Sept 15, 2018 (Tripp Gibson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Larry Vanover's 1st ejection since Sept 15, 2018 (Bob Melvin; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds, 7/30/19 | Video as follows:

Larry Vanover Officiates 3,000th MLB Game

MLB Crew Chief Larry Vanover officiated his 3,000th major league game Friday, serving as 1B Umpire for Friday's White Sox-Twins game in Minnesota alongside crewmates Sean Barber (HP), David Rackley (2B), and Jim Reynolds (3B).

Vanover umpires regular season game #3000 in his 26th season of MLB experience, following his major league debut in 1991 with three Division Series (2006, 2013, 2016), three League Championship Series (2003, 2007, 2011), and the 2016 World Series along the way. Vanover, who wears the sleeve number 27, also worked the 1999 and 2013 All-Star Games.

The most recent of Vanover's 70 career ejections was of Bob Melvin in September 2018.

Video tribute as follows:

MLB Ejection 166 - Larry Vanover (2; Bob Melvin)

HP Umpire Larry Vanover ejected A's Manager Bob Melvin (strike three call; QOCN) in the top of the 8th inning of the Athletics-Rays game. With one out and the bases loaded, A's batter Marcus Semien took a 2-2 slider from Rays pitcher Vidal Nuno for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located off the outer edge of home plate and belt-high (px 1.036, pz 2.317), the call was incorrect.* Following the inning, Semien argued the pitch with Vanover, drawing the attention of Melvin, who was subsequently ejected. Pursuant to UEFL Rule 6-2-b-5-b, the reason for ejection is the underlying strike three call that spurred Semien's initial complaint, regardless of the precise nature of Melvin's ejection. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 4-4. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 7-5.

This is Larry Vanover (27)'s second ejection of 2018.
Larry Vanover now has 1point in the UEFL Standings (3 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = 1).
Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has 21 points in Crew Division (21 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 21).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
This pitch was located 1.464 horizontal inches from being deemed a correct call.

This is the 166th ejection report of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 68th Manager ejection of 2018.
This is Oakland's 2nd ejection of 2018, 5th in the AL West (LAA, HOU, TEX 5; SEA 4; OAK 2).
This is Bob Melvin's 2nd ejection of 2018, 1st since July 10 (David Rackley; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).
This is Larry Vanover's 2nd ejection of 2018, 1st since July 21 (Pat Roessler; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 9/15/18 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 99-100 - Vanover, Wendelstedt (1, 6; NYM)

HP Umpire Larry Vanover ejected Mets Hitting Coach Pat Roessler (strike three call; QOCY) in the top of the 3rd and 3B Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ejected Mets DH Asdrubal Cabrera (check swing strike three call) in the top of the 5th inning of the Mets-Yankees game. In the 3rd, with one out and none on, Mets batter Jose Reyes took a 1-2 fastball from Yankees pitcher Sonny Gray for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px 0.825, pz 1.500 [sz_bot 1.47]) and that all other pitches during the at-bat were properly officiated, the call was correct.* At the time of Roessler's ejection, the Mets were leading, 1-0.

In the 5th, with two out and two on (R1, R2), Cabrera attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 slider from Yankees pitcher Gray, ruled a swinging third strike on appeal by 3B Umpire Wendelstedt. Play was adjudicated by the UEFL Appeals Board (8-0-1), the call was correct. At the time of Cabrera's ejection, the Yankees were leading, 4-1. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 7-6.

This is Larry Vanover (27)'s first ejection of 2018.
This is Hunter Wendelstedt (21)'s sixth ejection of 2018.
Larry Vanover now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (-1 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 0).
Hunter Wendelstedt now has 14 points in the UEFL Standings (10 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Y-Call = 14).
Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has 16 points in Crew Division (15 Previous + 2 Correct Call = 117).
*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| < STRIKE < |.748| < BORDERLINE < |.914| < BALL.
*This pitch was located 1.068 horizontal and 2.832 vertical inches from being deemed an incorrect call.

These are the 99th and 100th ejection reports of the 2018 MLB regular season.
This is the 49th player ejection of 2018. Prior to ejection, Cabrera was 0-3 (SO) in the contest.
This is New York-NL's 4/5th ejection of 2018, 1st in the NL East (NYM 5; WAS 3; ATL 2; MIA, PHI 0).
This is Pat Roessler's first career MLB ejection.
This is Asdrubal Cabrera's 2nd ejection of 2018, 1st since June 9 (John Tumpane; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Larry Vanover's first ejection since August 12, 2017 (Devin Mesoraco; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).
This is Hunter Wendelstedt's 6th ejection of 2018, 1st since April 15 (Counsell; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: New York Mets vs. New York Yankees, 7/21/18 | Videos as follows:

Injury Scout - Vanover Exits on 8th Inning Foul-to-Mask

A foul ball to the facemask pushed plate umpire Larry Vanover to an early exit in San Diego on Tuesday.

Vanover is hit in the jaw by a foul ball.

With one out and none on in the top of the 8th inning of Tuesday's Giants-Padres game, Giants batter Brandon Crawford fouled a 93-mph fastball from Padres pitcher Kirby Yates into the center chin portion of Vanover's traditional face mask.

Vanover immediately exited the game and was replaced behind the plate by 2B Umpire David Rackley with 1B Umpire Alfonso Marquez and 3B Umpire Chad Fairchild handling field duties. Marquez additionally served as acting crew chief for the remainder of the contest.

Relevant Injury History: Vanover suffered a head injury due to a similarly batted foul ball of the facemask on May 5, 2013.

Last Game: August 29 | Return to Play: September 1 | Time Absent: 2 Days | Video as Follows

MLB Ejection 130 - Larry Vanover (3: Devin Mesoraco)

3B Umpire Larry Vanover ejected Reds C Devin Mesoraco (Replay Review affirming HP Umpire Chad Fairchild's foul tip call) in the top of the 10th inning of the Reds-Brewers game. With one out and one on, Reds batter Adam Duvall attempted to take a 1-2 fastball from Brewers pitcher Corey Knebel for a foul tip third strike. Upon Replay Review as the result of a Crew Chief Review, the ruling was upheld, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 5-5. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 6-5, in 10 innings.

This is Larry Vanover (27)'s third ejection of the 2017 MLB regular season.
Larry Vanover now has 9 points in the UEFL Standings (5 Prev + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 9).
Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has 13 points in Crew Division (12 Previous + 1 Correct Call = 13).

This is the 130th ejection report of 2017.
This is the 57th player ejection of 2017. Prior to ejection, Mesoraco was 0-3 in the contest.
This is Cincinnati's 5th ejection of 2017, T-1st in the NL Central (CIN, MIL 5; PIT 4; STL 3; CHC 2).
This is Devin Mesoraco's first ejection since July 30, 2012 (Chad Fairchild; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Larry Vanover's 3rd ejection of 2017, 1st since August 3 (Ned Yost; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 8/12/17 | Video as follows:

Replay Oddity - Vanover Overturned 3 Times Thurs

An ominous Replay Review record was set Thursday as four of Larry Vanover's calls were challenged in Detroit, and an existing Replay Review record was tied when three of those calls were overturned.

Larry Vanover ejects Ned Yost on August 3.

Replay Review #1: In the top of the 2nd inning, Tigers Manager Brad Ausmus challenged Vanover's safe call at first base on a pickoff attempt. The call was overturned to an out.
Replay Review #2: In the top of the 3rd, Ausmus challenged Vanover's safe call at first base on the batter-runner. The call was upheld as safe ("call stands"), but we marked this as an incorrect ruling from New York-Replay Operations Center on the UEFL spreadsheet. Officially, though, Vanover received a QOCY score.
Replay Review #3: In the top of the 5th, Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle challenged Vanover's out call at first on the BR. The call was overturned to safe.
Replay Review #4: In the bottom of the 7th, Hurdle challenged Vanover's safe call at first on the BR. The call was overturned to out.

As mentioned above, this is the first time an umpire has been challenged four times in one game, and the second time this season an umpire has received three overturns in a single game.

A quick note: It would be rather difficult to compile statistics to precisely show the opposite condition (how many times an umpire makes the correct call that never makes it to Replay Review due to the call's accuracy). Because of the selective sample created by a manager's discretion in choosing to challenge a play or withhold the challenge, reporting on "stands" and "confirmed" calls would be misleading and rather uninformative.

That said, here are some other notable Replay Review events from earlier this season:

Umpire Has Three Calls Overturned Via Replay Review in One Game [Two Times]
On August 10, four of Larry Vanover's calls were challenged and three were overturned.
On July 9, three of John Libka's calls were sent to Replay Review and all three were overturned.

Umpire Has Two+ Calls Overturned via Replay Review in One Game [17 + 2 = 19 Times]
On August 10, four of Larry Vanover's calls were challenged and three were overturned.
On August 5, two of James Hoye's calls were challenged and overturned via Replay Review.
On July 29, two of DJ Reyburn's calls went to Replay Review and both were overturned.
On July 25, two of DJ Reyburn's calls were sent to Replay Review and both were overturned.
On July 16, three of Chad Whitson's calls went to Replay Review and two of them were overturned.
On July 9, three of John Libka's calls were sent to Replay Review and all three were overturned.
On July 2, three of Gabe Morales' calls went to Replay Review and two of them were overturned.
On June 23, two of Carlos Torres' calls were sent to review and both were overturned.
On June 18, two of Andy Fletcher's calls were replayed and both of them were overturned.
On June 16, two of Joe West's calls went to Replay Review and both were overturned.
On June 16, two of Lance Barksdale's calls were sent to Replay Review and both were overturned.
On June 11, two of Mark Ripperger's calls were replayed and both were overturned.
On June 8, two of Clint Fagan's calls went to Replay Review and both were overturned.
On June 7, two of Dana DeMuth's calls were replayed in New York, both of which were overturned.
On June 1, two of Tom Hallion's calls were sent to review and both were overturned.
On May 22, two of Chris Conroy's calls were sent to Replay Review and both were overturned.
On May 7, three of Bill Miller's calls were replayed and two of them were overturned.
On May 5, two of Ben May's calls were sent to Replay and both of them were overturned.
On May 3, two of Dan Bellino's calls went to Replay Review and both were overturned.

Umpire Has Three Calls Sent to Replay Review in One Game [Three Times]
On August 10, four of Larry Vanover's calls were challenged and three were overturned.
On July 9, three of John Libka's calls were sent to Replay Review and all three were overturned.
On June 16, three of Clint Fagan's calls were reviewed, and only one of them was overturned.

As one might surmise, experiencing three overturned calls in one day also decreased Vanover's league standing on the Umpires' Replay Review leaderboard, but not by all that much. Vanover fell just seven spots, from 68th place before Thursday's games to 75th on Friday morning. (6-for-15 [.400 RAP] prior to Thursday and 7-for-19 [.368 RAP] after.)

Instead, the one stat that does stand out is Vanover's raw count of overturned calls: With 12 reversals, Vanover now leads the league over second-place Clint Fagan and Chris Conroy (each with 11 overturned calls), and third-place Sam Holbrook/Manny Gonzalez (10 apiece). By contrast, Chad Fairchild (6 upheld calls), Pat Hoberg (5 upheld), Sean Barber (2 upheld) and Dale Scott (2 upheld) all have yet to be overturned in 2017.

On a somewhat coincidental note, Vanover was Replay Review's pioneer back in 2014, serving as the Replay Official in New York who affirmed the first call ever challenged under the expanded review system.

Video as follows: