Cubs-Mets Ends with Plate Blocking No-Call & Legality of Removing a Helmet

After Chicago cut down New York's tying run Pete Alonso at home plate to secure a 1-0 win, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza challenged HP Umpire Charlie Ramos' out call, asserting that Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya illegally blocked runner Alonso's path in violation of the home plate collision rule. Replay Review ultimately upheld the on-field out call, ruling that video evidence did not conclusively demonstrate that Amaya violated the home plate collision rule.

We also look at the follow day's case of Cubs runner Pete Crow removing his helmet during play to touch second base, and being declared safe by 2B Umpire Carlos Torres, finding the Official Baseball Rules and MLB Umpire Manual alike do not address this peculiar case. That leaves the case of voluntary helmet removal (not 'detached equipment' since that's a defense rule; not interference as the helmet was not thrown at the ball) subject to elastic clause Rule 8.01(c): "Each umpire has authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules."

As for the home plate collision no-call to end the prior game, since its baseball debut in 2014, then known as Posey Rule 7.13, the home plate collision rule has undergone several revisions regarding interpretation, but the fundamentals of this rule remain the same. 

Official Baseball Rule 6.01(i)(2) states, "Unless the catcher is in possession of the ball, the catcher cannot block the pathway of the runner as they are attempting to score. If, in the judgment of the umpire, the catcher without possession of the ball blocks the pathway of the runner, the umpire shall call or signal the runner safe."

OBR 6.01(i)(2) also contains an exception for fielding the throw: "Notwithstanding the above, it shall not be considered a violation of this Rule 6.01(i)(2) if the catcher blocks the pathway of the runner in a legitimate attempt to field the throw (e.g., in reaction to the direction, trajectory or the hop of the incoming throw, or in reaction to a throw that originates from a pitcher or drawn-in infielder)."

The current working interpretation of the home plate collision rule considers where the catcher initially positions themself prior to receiving the throw—if the catcher sets up legally, there is a lesser likelihood their position will be considered illegal, while a catcher blocking the runner's path from the get-go will more likely be ruled for a violation.

Over the years, the foul line running between home plate and third base has been used as a delineation marker to determine whether or not a catcher is blocking the runner. If the catcher cedes the entirety of foul territory to the runner, the catcher is more likely to be ruled legal than if the catcher straddles the line or similar.

In either case, a catcher is permitted to block a runner's path in a legitimate attempt to field the throw, as well as while possessing the ball after catching it.

The Cubs-Mets case all comes down to the catcher's initial position, which is entirely on the fair territory side of the foul line and behind the leading edge of home plate, relative to the baserunner sliding from the direction of third base. Because the initial position is deemed legal (no, there exists no rule that makes it illegal for the catcher's foot to be on home plate), Replay Review confirms HP Umpire Ramos' collision violation no-call while the out/safe issue of whether Alonso was tagged in time results in a call stands outcome, an out call to end the game.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 032-5 - Chris Guccione (TB-MIL Fight)

HP Umpire Chris Guccione ejected Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta (throwing at Rays batter Jose Siri), manager Pat Murphy (arguing ejection) in the top of the 6th and Rays CF Siri & Brewers P Abner Uribe (fighting) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Rays-#Brewers game. In the 6th with none out and one on, Rays batter Siri took a 3-0 fastball from Brewers pitcher Peralta for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside the right-handed batter's box and struck Siri on the leg, the call was irrecusable. At the time of Peralta and Murphy's ejections, the Brewers were leading, 6-1. In the 8th, with none out and none on, Rays batter Siri hit a 1-1 slider from Brewers pitcher Uribe on the ground to first baseman Rhys Hoskins who threw to Uribe for the out. Siri continued up the baseline and a physical confrontation between Siri and Uribe ensued, resulting in punches thrown and a benches-clearing incident. At the time of the Siri and Uribe ejections, the Brewers were leading, 8-2. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 8-2.

These are Chris Guccione (68)'s 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th ejections of 2024.

This is the 31st ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 15th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 15 Managers, 4 Coaches, 12 Players.

This is Milwaukee's 2/3/4th ejection of 2024, 1st in the NL Central (MIL 4; PIT 3; CIN 1; CHC, STL 0).

This is Tampa Bay's 1st ejection of 2024, T-3rd in the AL East (NYY, TOR 2; BOS, TB 1; BAL 0).

This is Freddy Peralta's first career MLB ejection.

This is Pat Murphy's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 29 (Ryan Additon; QOC = Y [Backswing]).

This is Jose Siri's first career MLB ejection.

This is Abner Uribe's first career MLB ejection.

This is Chris Guccione's 1st ejection since June 5, 2023 (Alex Cora; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs Milwaukee Brewers, 4/30/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 031 - Cory Blaser (2; David Bell)

HP Umpire Cory Blaser ejected Reds manager David Bell (three ball calls to Ha-Seon Kim; QOCN) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Reds-#Padres game. With one out and two on, Padres batter Ha-Seong Kim took three cutters from Reds pitcher Emilio Pagán for called balls one, two, and three, before striking out. Replays indicate that ball one was located over the heart of home plate and near the hollow of the knee (px 0.03, pz 1.60 [sz_bot 1.66 / RAD 1.54 / MOE 1.62]), ball two was located over the outer half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px 0.31, pz 1.64 [sz_bot 1.63 / RAD 1.51 / MOE 1.59]), and ball three was located over the inner half of home plate and at the hollow of the knee (px -0.16, pz 1.66 [sz_bot 1.66 / RAD 1.54 / MOE 1.62]), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Padres were leading, 6-4. The Padres ultimately won the contest, 6-4.

This is Cory Blaser (89)'s 2nd ejection of 2024.

This is the 31st ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 15th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 15 Managers, 4 Coaches, 12 Players.

This is Cincinnati's 1st ejection of 2024, T-2nd in the NL Central (PIT 3; CIN, MIL 1; CHC, STL 0).

This is David Bell's 1st ejection since September 9, 2023 (Brennan Miller; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Cory Blaser's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 19 (Dave Martinez; QOC = N-c [Obstruction]).

Wrap: Cincinnati Reds vs San Diego Padres, 4/30/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 030 - Jansen Visconti (2; Jazz Chisholm)

HP Umpire Jansen Visconti ejected Marlins CF Jazz Chisholm (strike three call; QOCY) in the bottom of the 7th inning of the #Rockies-#Marlins game. With one out and one on, Chisholm took a 2-2 slider from Rockies pitcher Ryan Feltner for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and waist-high (px 0.79, pz 2.93), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, Rockies were leading, 5-0. The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 7-6, in 10 innings.

This is Jansen Visconti (52)'s 2nd ejection of 2024.

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

This pitch was located 1.49 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 30th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 12th player ejection of 2024. Prior to ejection, Chisholm was 0-3 (SO) in the contest.

Ejection Tally: 14 Managers, 4 Coaches, 12 Players.

This is Miami's 2nd ejection of 2024, T-1st in the NL East (MIA, WAS 2; NYM 1; ATL, PHI 0).

This is Jazz Chisholm's 1st ejection since April 22, 2023 (Dan Merzel; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Jansen Visconti's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 25 (Joe Espada; QOC = U [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Colorado Rockies vs Miami Marlins, 4/30/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 029 - Ryan Additon (1; Pat Murphy)

HP Umpire Ryan Additon ejected Brewers manager Pat Murphy (backswing contact [not interference]; QOCY) in the bottom of the 9th inning of the #Rays-#Brewers game. With one out and two on, Brewers batter Jake Bauers attempted to strike a 1-2 slider from Rays pitcher Jason Adam for a swinging third strike. As the pitch passed home plate, it eluded catcher René Pinto before batter Bauers' bat made contact with Pinto's head on the backswing, resulting in "Time" and dead ball call from HP Umpire Additon, who called Bauers for inadvertent backswing contact (colloquially known as "backswing interference" although this type of contact is not interference). As a result, Brewers baserunner Sal Frelick, who had slid across home plate on the wild pitch, was returned to third base and Bauers was declared out (since the dead ball strike on a 1-2 count resulted in strike three). Replays indicate Bauers' bat made contact with Pinto's head on the backswing, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 1-0. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

This is Ryan Additon (67)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

*Official Baseball Rule 6.03(a)(3) Comment states, "If a batter strikes at a ball and misses and swings so hard they carry the bat all the way around and, in the umpire’s judgment, unintentionally hit the catcher or the ball in back of them on the backswing, it shall be called a strike only (not interference). The ball will be dead, however, and no runner shall advance on the play."

In OBR/NCAA, this is inadvertent backswing contact (not actual interference).

In NFHS, this is follow-through interference (which is actual interference).

This is the 29th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 14th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 14 Managers, 4 Coaches, 11 Players.

This is Milwaukee's 1st ejection of 2024, 2nd in the NL Central (PIT 3; MIL 1; CHC, CIN, STL 0).

This is Pat Murphy's 1st ejection since August 4, 2023 (Edwin Moscoso; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Ryan Additon's 1st ejection since July 27, 2023 (Miles Mikolas; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs Milwaukee Brewers, 4/29/24 | Video as follows:

Jen Pawol Ejects Confused Coach After Conflicting Calls

Triple-A umpire Jen Pawol ejected Norfolk's manager and right fielder after she and 1B Umpire Kelvis Velez made conflicting calls on the same check swing play—Pawol as the home plate umpire ruling "swing" and Velez, mistaking her point at the batter as a point to him for an appeal, signaling the batter did not swing at the pitch.

With one out and a runner on second base, Norfolk Tides batter Peyton Burdick attempted to check his swing on a 2-2 fastball from Jacksonville pitcher Eli Villalobos. 

The circumstance of R2 and less than two out is important to note for this Triple-A game operating with a three-person umpire crew. In this situation, the 1B Umpire shall position themself within the infield, in front of second base (well, not directly in front of 2B, but still in the vicinity of Deep B/C), meaning there is no field umpire down the right field line anymore.

While the plate umpire assigning fair/foul responsibilities to right field in this crew configuation, the 1B Umpire retains check swing appeal responsibility for right-handed batters.

Accordingly, when Burdick tried checking his swing, HP Umpire Pawol pointed to the batter as part of a two-part "yes he did" mechanic to call the batter for a swinging strike.

1B Umpire Velez, however, saw Pawol pointing beyond the batter and near second base, where he was standing, and assumed Pawol had appealed the matter of Burdick's check swing to him (after all, the catcher requested an appeal by gesturing toward U1).

Thus, as Pawol completed her two-part mechanic ending with a fist, Velez signaled safe with outstretched arms, leading to confusion as two umpires had different calls for the same play.

Although the Official Baseball Rules do clearly state that the plate umpire has primary responsibility for all decisions on the batter—including half swings—which makes this Pawol's primary call, a more apropos response is found in OBR 8.03(c) pertaining to conflicting calls by multiple umpires: "If different decisions should be made on one play by different umpires, the umpire-in-chief shall call all the umpires into consultation, with no manager or player present. After consultation, the umpire-in-chief (unless another umpire may have been designated by the Office of the Commissioner) shall determine which decision shall prevail, based on which umpire was in best position and which decision was most likely correct. Play shall proceed as if only the final decision had been made."

With little doubt that the plate umpire's call of swinging strikeout would prevail (it was Pawol's call to begin with), that left one confused coach arguing to the point of ejection.

How to Avoid This Situation: The best way for a base umpire to avoid a situation where they might signal "safe" on a check swing where the plate umpire signals "out" is for the base umpire to pause momentarily. By waiting a beat, U1 would have been able to see the totality of UIC's swinging strike mechanic, and avoided ruling on a check swing appeal that was never indicated.

Exception: The one exception to this is an MLBUM interpretation known as "Voluntary Strike" in which the base umpire does signal on their own, with or without appeal, on an uncaught third strike, and only if they are going to rule the play a swinging strike.

Video as follows:

Aaron Judge's Slide Into 2B - Was it Interference?

After Brewers shortstop Willy Adames' throw hit Yankees baserunner Aaron Judge's raised arm during a slide into second base, umpires opted against calling interference ruling the New York runner did not intentionally act to break up a double play in contravention of the rules. After the game, Crew Chief Andy Fletcher released a statement saying it was interference after all and that the call had been missed on the field. Here's what the rule says.

Official Baseball Rule 6.01(a)(10) pertains to interference and states it is interference when "[the offensive player] fails to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball, or intentionally interferes with a thrown ball," while OBR 6.01(a)(5) which directly applies to this play states, "Any batter or runner who has just been put out, or any runner who has just scored, hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of their teammate."

This language mirrors the definition of terms: "Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play."

The intentionally interferes with a thrown ball phrasing appears elsewhere in the book as well (OBR 5.09(a)(13) explicitly puts the following runner out if a preceding runner interferes; while OBR 5.09(b)(3) puts a runner out for intentionally interfering with a thrown ball), but notably not in OBR 6.01(a)(5). Instead, the standard is lower—"simple" interference, whether or not it is actually intentional.

Obviously, intentional interference is always illegal and the intent of the retired runner can provide a clue as to whether said runner has violated the rule.

As for Judge, his action in deliberately raising his arm (one might even say willful and deliberate) and then dropping it into the path of the throw as the fielder threw the ball appears to constitute interference by a retired runner, an observation echoed by the acting Crew Chief for this game after the final out.

Video as follows:

Lindor's Runner's Lane Interference - Taking the Throw

Called out for runner's lane interference, Mets batter-runner Francisco Lindor and manager Carlos Mendoza argued with HP Umpire Eric Bacchus to no avail that New York's SS didn't actually interfere with St Louis on the almost-wild pitch strikeout that led to Lindor running to first base.

We review professional baseball's runner's lane interference rule and compare this call across baseball's different levels, namely college (NCAA) and high school (NFHS). Is Lindor out for RLI at each level?

Contrary to Lindor's claim that he ran legally within the running lane—including the extended-for-2024 dirt area in fair territory—replays indicate Lindor ran entirely on the infield grass and well out of the runner's lane or "inside the line" during his jaunt to first base.

Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras' throw to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, however, was high and Goldy was unable to catch the ball upon jumping for it. HP Umpire Bacchus' RLI call thus put an out on the board even with the overthrow.

Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(11) states, "A batter is out when in running the last half of the distance from home base to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, he runs outside (to the right of) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line and on the infield grass, and in the umpire’s judgment in so doing interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base."

College has a similar rule on its face, but unlike OBR, NCAA 7-11-p has a note that states, "If the batter-runner is running illegally to first base and their being outside the lane alters the throw of a fielder, hinders or alters a fielder’s opportunity to field the throw, or the batter-runner is hit by the throw that has been made in an attempt to make a play, it shall be called interference and the batter-runner is to be called out."

This means the primary difference between college and pro is with whom the batter-runner, by virtue of running out of the lane, is interfering with. Under OBR, the only consideration is "the fielder taking the throw" while NCAA RLI provides for either the fielder taking the throw or the fielder making the throw, provided the batter-runner's illegal positioning "alter[ed] the throw of a fielder."

Accordingly, we must determine whether 1B Goldschmidt, as the fielder taking the throw, was actually interfered with by Lindor's running out of the running lane. Because of the high throw and the jump that couldn't reel it in, I'm inclined to say the throw could not have "reasonably retired the runner", which is the standard interpretation for RLI when considering questionable throw quality.

Meanwhile, high school's rule is probably the easiest as NFHS 8-4-1g states, succinctly, that a batter-runner is out when they run "outside the three-foot running lane (last half of the distance from home plate to first base), while the ball is being fielded or thrown to first base." In other words, NFHS is strict: fail to run within the lane, if there's any question of whether there was interference, you're out, period.

Also the broadcaster incorrectly stated Lindor was out for running "out of the baseline." Sigh.

Wrap: Houston Astros vs Chicago Cubs, 4/25/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 028 - Jansen Visconti (1; Joe Espada)

HP Umpire Jansen Visconti ejected Astros manager Joe Espada (general strike zone complaint) during the break before the top of the 9th inning of the #Astros-#Cubs game. Chicago had just concluded its turn at-bat in the bottom of the 8th, and there were no contested calls during that inning, the reason for ejection was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Cubs were leading, 3-1. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 3-1.

This is Jansen Visconti (52)'s 1st ejection of 2024.

This is the 28th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 13th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 13 Managers, 4 Coaches, 11 Players.

This is Houston's 1st ejection of 2024, T-2nd in the AL West (OAK 2; HOU, LAA, SEA, TEX 1).

This is Joe Espada's first career MLB ejection.

This is Jansen Visconti's 1st ejection since Sept 19, 2023 (Mark Kotsay; QOC = U [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Houston Astros vs Chicago Cubs, 4/25/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 027 - John Tumpane (2; Alex Wood)

3B Umpire John Tumpane ejected Athletics bench player Alex Wood (no stop balk call on pitcher Joe Boyle; QOCY) in the bottom of the 1st inning of the #Athletics-#Yankees game. With one out and one on, Tumpane called A's pitcher Joe Boyle for a balk during his 1-2 delivery to Yankees batter Aaron Judge. Replays indicate Boyle did not entirely stop prior to delivering to Judge, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 7-3.

This is John Tumpane (74)'s 2nd ejection of 2024.

*Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a) states it is a balk when the pitcher "delivers from Set Position without coming to a stop."

This is the 27th ejection report of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 11th player ejection of 2024. Prior to ejection, Wood did not participate in the game.

Ejection Tally: 12 Managers, 4 Coaches, 11 Players.

This is Oakland's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st in the AL West (OAK 2; LAA, SEA, TEX 1; HOU 0).

This is Alex Wood's 1st ejection since May 5, 2021 (Tony Randazzo; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

This is John Tumpane's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 23 (Lawrence Butler; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Oakland Athletics vs New York Yankees, 4/24/24 | Video as follows: