Ejections: Joe West (7)

1B Umpire Joe West ejected Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel for arguing a reviewed and overturned: spectator (fan) interference out call in the top of the 6th inning of the Phillies-Marlins game. With one out and one on, Phillies batter Hunter Pence hit a 0-0 slider from Marlins pitcher Anibal Sanchez to deep right field. After an attempted play at the wall, the ball fell to the ground as the Phillies baserunners continued to advance. Upon the conclusion of play, the umpires elected to employ instant replay review. Per an MLB directive released on August 26, 2008, umpires are authorized to use instant replay review in the case of boundary calls, which include fair (home run) or foul (foul ball), whether the ball left the playing field (home run or live ball), and whether a possible home run ball was subject to spectator interference (home run, live ball, or dead ball). Replays indicate Marlins right fielder Bryan Petersen was interfered with by multiple fans during his opportunity to catch the fly ball: the spectators reached out of the stands and touched both a live ball and a player under Rule 2.00 INTERFERENCE (d)(1) and (2); replays indicate this spectator interference clearly prevented the right fielder from catching a fly ball under Rule 3.16, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 2-2. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 3-2, in 14 innings, on a walk off walk by batter Mike Cameron, Emilio Bonafacio scoring (Herndon pitching).

The Phillies played this game under protest per Rule 4.19, claiming that umpires may not use instant replay to determine and adjudge spectator interference. On 9/7/11, the Phillies' formal protest was denied by Major League Baseball Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations Joe Torre. [Related Discussion Regarding What may be Reviewed via Instant Replay, May 24: Discussions: Video Interference]

MLB Press Release, 08/26/08: Instant replay will apply only to home run calls -- whether they are fair or foul, whether they have left the playing field, or whether they have been subject to fan interference. The decision to use instant replay will be made by the umpire crew chief, who also will make the determination as to whether or not a call should be reversed. 

2.00 INTERFERENCE (d): Spectator interference occurs when a spectator reaches out of the stands, or goes on the playing field, and (1) touches a live ball or (2) touches a player and hinders an attempt to make a play on a live ball.

3.16: When there is spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball, the ball shall be dead at the moment of interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference.
APPROVED RULING: If spectator interference clearly prevents a fielder from catching a fly ball, the umpire shall declare the batter out. 

This is Joe West (22)'s seventh ejection of 2011.
Joe West now has 13 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (9 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 13)
Joe West is owned as a Primary Umpire by kickersrule, who is now in 1st place in the UEFL with 37 points.
Joe West is owned as a Primary Umpire by sachmet, who is now in 4th place in the UEFL with 28 points.
Joe West is owned as a Primary Umpire by mtn335, who is in 5th place in the UEFL with 26 points.
Joe West is owned as a Primary Umpire by BONZ_kansascity, who is now tied for 6th place in the UEFL with 25 pts.
Joe West is owned as a Primary Umpire by RichMSN, who is now in 9th place in the UEFL with 21 points.
Joe West is owned as a Primary Umpire by DanNJ316, who is now tied for 12th place in the UEFL with 19 points.
Joe West is owned as a Primary Umpire by whenindoubt55, who is now tied for 16th place in the UEFL with 16 pts.
Joe West is owned as a Primary Umpire by Scumpire, who is now tied for 16th place in the UEFL with 16 points.
Joe West is owned as a Primary Umpire by thexfactor264, who is now tied for 20th place in the UEFL with 13 points.
Joe West is owned as a Primary Umpire by jhagen88, who is now tied for 20th place in the UEFL with 13 points.
Joe West is owned as a Secondary Umpire by BGMTOM, who is now tied for 10th place in the UEFL with 20 points.
*Joe West is credited as the calling umpire under UEFL Rule 6.b.iii.a.2.

This is the 180th ejection of 2011.
This is the 88th Manager ejection of 2011.
This is Charlie Manuel's third ejection of 2011.
This is the second instant replay reviewed and overturned ejection of 2011.
Chad Fairchild was also the HP Umpire during another 2011 contest with a disputed replay call.
This is the 24th ejection by Joe West's crew (West (7), Fairchild (5), Paul Schrieber (1); Angel Campos (5), Angel Hernandez (4), Sam Holbrook (2) while working with West's crew).

Wrap: Phillies at Marlins, 9/4/11
Video (Play/Ejection): Umpires use replay to review and reverse call; Manuel tossed arguing the replay decision
Video (Interview with Spectators who Interfered): Offending fans are ejected, don't understand rule

Related Discussion: Discussions: Video Interference