UMP WATCHER

Ump Watcher Returns

2012-05-29T13:14:00.001-04:00

After a long hiatus, I am planning on bringing the blog back and posting regularly again. New posts comin soon.

Verlander's Strange...Balk

2011-04-17T16:46:00.001-04:00

This pretty much sums it up.

Although I'm still puzzled why it was ruled a balk. By rule the once the pitcher disengages the rubber, he becomes an infielder. Verlander clearly, legally disengaged the rubber, which would make him and infielder, and therefore free to throw the ball wherever he pleases. There can be no hit batter because it was no a legal pitch. In my opinion the runner on first should have been free to run as far as he wants. Not sure exactly how the umps called a balk on Verlander, considering he was an infielder at the time of the throw, but considering how weird this play was, I'm sure any ruling would be a good ruling.

UPDATE
Here are the rules which could possibly relate to this situation.

8.01 (e) - If the pitcher removes his pivot foot from contact with the pitcher’s plate by stepping backward with that foot, he thereby becomes an infielder and if he makes a wild throw from that position, it shall be considered the same as a wild throw by any
other infielder.

Rule 8.01(e) Comment: The pitcher, while off the rubber, may throw to any base. If he makes a
wild throw, such throw is the throw of an infielder and what follows is governed by the rules covering a
ball thrown by a fielder.

However, rule 8.05 (g) states - The pitcher makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch while he is not touching the pitchers plate.

Now, I would argue what Verlander did, was not "naturally associated with his pitch", because in my opinion

a) nothing that Verlander did was naturally associated with his pitch
b) per rule 8.01(e) he became an infielder, and like I stated before, is free to throw the ball wherever he damn well pleases.

The runner should have been free to advance at his own risk, and Verlander should not have been called for an illegal pitch. But as I said before, given the sheer absurdity of this play, I'll side with whatever the umpires decided, because this was certainly the first time any of them, or any of us for that matter, have seen anything like this.

Called Strike Three Project: Adrian Johnson

2011-04-15T21:55:00.000-04:00

Time for another, semi-late night edition, of the Called Strike Three Project.

Adrian Johnson #80 (3 Years Major League Service)

Called Strike Three Project: Tom Hallion

2011-04-14T22:38:00.000-04:00

Time for a late-night edition of the Called Strike Three Project.

Tom Hallion #20 (18 Years Major League Service)

He get's pretty pumped to punch hitters out. Love the [almost] 180 degree turn.

Angel Hernandez Gives Bud Black the Hook

2011-04-14T11:21:00.001-04:00

For the second consecutive day, a manager was ejected without even leaving the dugout. Last night it was Padre's Manager Bud Black's turn to get the hook. After clearly yelling at plate umpire, Angel Hernadez from the dugout, Black threw in some more choice words after a call WENT HIS WAY, and was promptly ejected.

Video of the Ejection

A couple of things of note in the video.

Joe West is wearing black (I assume the other two base umpires are also wearing black), while Angel Hernandez is wearing powder blue.
Hernandez's strike three mechanic just-so-happened to turn him toward the Padres dugout, allowing him to see or hear, whatever Bud Black said.
Love Dick Enberg's call of the initial pitch in the video.
Unlike Bob Davidson from the night before, Angel Hernandez did not go after, nor was he the agressor in the argument after the ejection was made.

Called Strike Three Project: Phil Cuzzi

2011-04-13T22:27:00.000-04:00

After a short delay, its time for another installment of the Called Strike Three Project.

Phil Cuzzi #10 (12 Years Major League Service)

Personally, I hate this one, but to each his own.

Links and Even More Bob Davidson Madness

2011-04-13T16:25:00.000-04:00

Great post today by the fine folks over at The 700 Level about how Roy Halladay talks to umpires.

Only because I'm too lazy to get the screenshot myself, here is the blown call Tom Hallion made last night in the Phillies Nationals game.

Tip of the cap to Crossing Broad for the Pic

Even more Bob Davidson madness last night. He took the bat out of Miguel Montero's hands twice last night on very questionable check swing calls. Montero is claiming that Davdison try to bait into saying something after the second call, and after everything I have read about Davidson, I don't doubt him for one second. Another thing to watch, right after the second check swing was called a strike, Davidson appears to stare down the DBacks bench, just waiting to toss someone. It also appeared that Davidson was the one shifting to yell at Gibson and not the other way around. God I can't stand Bob Davidson, or the way he squats behind the plate.

More Bob Davidson Madness

2011-04-12T15:36:00.002-04:00

The fine folks over at HardballTalk ran a post today about the infamous Bob Davidson. Having previously ~~written a post~~ ranted about Bob Davidson, I found this post quite interesting. Seeing as there is an abundance of people out there who have strong opinions about Mr. Davidson, I decided that I would provide some links to the numerous articles that I have found about him.

Bob Davidson Must Be Fired for Disregard to Rules on Ejection [Bleacher Report]

Cry foul: Marlins Dispute Clarity of Umpire Bob Davidson's Vision [Big League Stew]

Nice Job Bob Davidson [Sully Baseball]

Bob Davidson: Menace or Threat? [Bluebird Banter]

Blue Jays Have Painful Past with Davidson [National Post]

Bogus Interference Call Robs Blue Jays of an Apparent Victory in Anaheim [The Vancouver Sun]

Oh, Robert [Metro News]

Mets Coach Tossed after Close Call [New York Mets]

I'm sure there are many more articles, and blog posts out there on the interwebs on the atrocity that is Bob Davidson. Davidson is one of those umpires who clearly takes it upon himself to become part of the story. I would say he wants to be a part of the game, although sometimes i'm not sure he is actually watching the same game everyone else is.

For more controversies surrounding Mr. Davidson, you can check out his Wikipedia page. There is even a Facebook group dedicated to him If your interested you can check out his strike three mechanic here, or read my rant about him.

UPDATE: Couldn't ask for better timing. On the day this was posted, Bob Davidson ejected Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson for arguing a couple of check swings. You can see the video here. Clearly Davidson is looking for a fight, just watch him after the second check swing stare down the DBacks bench and immediately toss Gibson. Then when Gibson argues Davidson goes on the offensive and begins screaming his head off.

Wally Backman Flips Out

2011-04-11T14:29:00.001-04:00

In a ~~minor league~~ independent league game, manager Wally Backman had one of the most epic rants I have ever heard. Backman was wired for sound during his epic tirade.

WARNING: These videos contain extremely explicit language. Numerous F-Bombs are dropped, so please, if you are sensitive to this type of language do not play these videos.

Here is the play.

Unfortunately the angle that the video was shot from provides no evidence of whether or not the hit in question was fair or foul, but judging by the reaction of the players, and the first base coach, it appears that it was indeed a foul ball.

Here is Backman shortly after being ejected discussing the call.

Called Strike Three Project: Mike Everitt

2011-04-09T10:39:00.000-04:00

Time for another round of the Called Strike Three Project

Mike Everitt #57 (12 Years Major League Service)

Called Strike Three Project: Doug Eddings

2011-04-08T15:09:00.000-04:00

It's time for another installment of the Called Strike Three Project.

Doug Eddings #88 (12 Years Major League Service)

This just screams awesome.

Called Strike Three Project: Tim McClelland

2011-04-07T11:31:00.000-04:00

Its time for another installment of the Called Strike Three Project.

Tim McClelland #36 (28.5 Years Major League Service)

So simple. So Perfect.

Called Strike Three Project: Bob Davidson

2011-04-06T17:36:00.001-04:00

The second installment of the Called Strike Three Project.

Bob Davidson #6 (22 Years Major League Service)

Called Strike Three Project: Mark Carlson

2011-04-05T23:23:00.002-04:00

Here is the first installment of the Called Strike Three Project.

Mark Carlson #48 (11.5 Years Major League Service)

Lefties

Righties

Called Strike Three Project

2011-04-05T21:35:00.002-04:00

For an umpire there may be nothing better than a called third strike. Over the next couple of weeks, I am going to attempt to provide images of every Major League Umpire's mechanic for called third strikes. I will try to post one umpire per day until all umpires have been covered.

Prince Fielder Should Not Have Been Awarded First

2011-04-04T17:14:00.000-04:00

Per rule 6.08b of the MLB Rulebook:

"The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided he advances to and touches first base) when...

b) He is touched by a pitched ball which he is not attempting to hit unless (1) The ball
is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, or (2) The batter makes no attempt to
avoid being touched by the ball;

If the ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a strike,
whether or not the batter tries to avoid the ball. If the ball is outside the strike zone
when it touches the batter, it shall be called a ball if he makes no attempt to avoid
being touched.

APPROVED RULING: When the batter is touched by a pitched ball which does
not entitle him to first base, the ball is dead and no runner may advance."

Home plate umpire James Hoye clearly has some trouble interpreting this rule.

Heads up to Jeff Sullivan of Lookout Landing for the GIF.

Martin Prado Hi-Fives Joe West

2011-04-04T16:42:00.001-04:00

This was too funny not to pass along.

GIF courtesy of NotGraphs.

A Rant About Bob Davidson

2011-04-02T22:21:00.001-04:00

Image courtesy of
Quincy Herald-Whig

After clearly blowing a call at first base on a ground ball hit by Roy Halladay in yesterday's game, Bob Davidson took it on his own to take the bat out of Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard's hands tonight. Two consecutive batters, two consecutive check swings that resulted in strikeouts. Replays were inconclusive, as the calls probably could have gone either way. Those check swing calls were just to close for the home plate umpire, in this case Bob Davidson, to make on his own. Umpires are instructed to ask their first and third base counterparts for assistance in making these calls. Did Davidson even consider asking for help? No, he nonchalantly called both hitters out, and both hitters were rightfully angry with his decision. What's the worst that can happen when asking for help? The umpire is there to get the calls right, and i'm not disputing whether these calls were correct, but the least he could have done was ask for help to at least assure the hitters, and himself, that the correct call was made
.

Obstruction in Orioles/Rays Game? More Broadcaster Ignorance

2011-04-01T22:15:00.000-04:00

There was a controversial obstruction call late in the Orioles/Rays game tonight. With B.J Upton leading off second, Jeremy Guthrie attempted a pickoff move and had Upton caught in a rundown. J.J. Hardy's reaction told the tale after he reacted in disgust after if appeared that he clearly obstructed Upton from obtaining third base. Watching the play live, it appeared that Hardy clearly obstructed Upton. But upon further review, the overhead camera showed that Upton may have been outside of the baseline on his last step prior to the contact made by Hardy.

More glaring than third base umpire Scott Barry's possible missed call, was the analysis by Oriole broadcasters. They repeatedly referred to the play as "interference". Interference can only be done by the offensive team, with the only exception being catcher's interference. If anything, this play was obstruction. The play by play announcers and color commentators should know the difference. After all they are being paid, to tell the fans what is going on in the game. This is yet another example of broadcasters creating confusion for the fans by not explaining what happened correctly. Broadcasters should know better, and the distinction between obstruction and interference is really quite simple. Surely someone in the booth should have told them it was obstruction, and not interference, and the least they could have done was correct themselves after the fact.

I will update with video of the play as soon as it becomes available.

Observations from BAL/TB Game

2011-04-01T19:32:00.001-04:00

Here is the strikezone plot for John Hirschbeck after the Orioles/Rays game.

Hirschbeck missed a lot of pitches off the plate, and the majority of the missed pitches went the Orioles way. Hard to explain the amount of pitches missed, although he was consistent, I guess.

Jeff Kellogg had the Same Problems as Dale Scott

2011-03-31T19:43:00.001-04:00

Jeff Kellogg's called strikezone plot for left-handed batters.

At least his misses on strike calls off the outside edge of the plate were balanced for both teams.

Dale Scott Had Some Trouble with Left Handed Hitters Today

2011-03-31T16:32:00.000-04:00

Take a look at the normalized strikezone plots for Dale Scott who called the game today between the Tigers and Yankees.

Only one of the eleven called strikes that were outside of the zone went against the Tigers.

Let's take a closer look. Here is his strikezone plot for Right handed hitters

A few missed calls on some close pitches on the outside edge, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Now lets take a look at his performance with a Left handed hitter

It's not that he missed a few pitches, it how he missed the pitches. Three of those called strikes were just too far outside to be reasonably called strikes. Interestingly, all of the missed pitches on the outside went against the Yankees. And what about that pitch on the lower half that was called a ball? That one is a little ridiculous.

*Strikezone plots courtesy of Brooks Baseball.

Some Broadcasters are Clueless

2011-03-31T15:22:00.001-04:00

Its opening day, and I find my self enjoying baseball on three screens. For some odd reason I have the sound on the Nationals game where I am forced to listen to Bob Carpenter on MASN. Carpenter isn't my favorite, and he certainly isn't earning any points in my book today.

Image courtesy of
MASNSports.com

Livan Hernandez is eating up the corners on both sides of the plate today and home plate umpire Tim Welke is having a hard time dialing him in. My problem isn't with missed calls on pitches in this situation, its how Carpenter is going about describing, and criticizing home plate umpire Tim Welke's plate mechanics.

Carpenter, on multiple occasions, has criticized Welke for "missing" outside pitches, because Welke is set up on the inside of the plate. Now a man like Bob Carpenter, who is paid to broadcast baseball games, should really know better. Every umpire who has had any level of good training, which major league umpires certainly have, is taught to work in an area called the "slot". The "slot" changes depending on which side the hitter is on, however the "slot" is ALWAYS located on the inside portion of the plate. The umpire sets up here for two reasons; one, foul balls are less likely to strike the umpire in this position, and two, it provides the umpire with a better angle in which the entire strike zone can be viewed without being blocked by the catcher's head.

This is a standard umpiring mechanic, and a Major League broadcaster should be aware of this mechanic. If they are not aware of this, they should just watch each pitch and look where the umpire is. By criticizing the umpire for missing outside pitches because of setting up on the inside portion of the plate, Carpenter is doing a disservice to the fans watching the games at home. Carpenter should know better and shouldn't spout off his stupidity, or just plain ignorance, and teach the fans the wrong things. General fans of the game, that listen to Carpenter, are likely to listen to what he says and start to question every questionable outside pitch based on the fact that the umpire is set up on the inside. Someone needs to point out to Bob Carpenter that this is a standard mechanic for home plate umpires, and that he should maybe pay a little more attention to the nuances of the games. After all, he is getting paid to broadcast the games, and analyze them in a professional manner. The viewers of the games should not be subject to poor analysis, and unfounded criticisms, based on the broadcasters lack of general knowledge.

Welcome to my New Blog!

2011-03-31T14:59:00.002-04:00

I am a diehard seamhead who lives, eats, sleeps, and breathes baseball. I am currently an NJCAA and NFHS Umpire, working for the Mid Atlantic Collegiate Umpire Association. The main focus of this blog will be on Major League Umpires, although I imagine I will have a few posts here or there about umpires at other levels of baseball. The goal of this blog will is not to criticize or praise umpires, although I will criticize or praise when criticism or praise is due. I intend to take a closer look at umpires, through the eyes of an umpire. Hopefully you find this blog interesting and will check back often.