E17 - Dave Martinez Ejected by Two Umpires (Cory Blaser, Todd Tichenor) Over Uncalled Obstruction

HP Umpire Cory Blaser ejected Nationals manager Dave Martinez for arguing 2B Umpire Nate Tomlinson's obstruction no-call [out call] on runner Ildemaro Vargas' unsuccessful stolen base attempt. Replays indicate Houston fielder Jeremy Peña's foot blocked the base, but that isn't reviewable. Report: www.closecallsports.com/2024/...
Buy Me a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/closecal...
Discord: / discord
Facebook: / closecallsports
Twitter: / closecallsports
Crew Chief Todd Tichenor also ejected Martinez...but Blaser was a split second earlier, so he gets credit for the dismissal.

[@matrixphijr]

I love how whenever MLB makes a new rule, they immediately decide it's not reviewable, and then usually within a year or two, they go, "Oh yeah maybe we should be able to review that."

[@roberthudson1959]

It is a point of emphasis, not a new rule, but the frustration remains. It is also frustrating when something is reviewed despite being ineligible for review. For example, a runner steals second, is pushed off the bag, then tagged "out." The umpire only signals "safe" once, so the runner is out after review because the umpire didn't signal the push off. By rule, umpire mechanics can't be questioned.

[@Briansgate]

This is the BS people get tired of. If you're looking at a replay, either look at everything, or don't bother at all. This is stupid. Yes, it's right, but it's not right.

[@FoxtasticGaming]

In the end the umpire missed the call. Must’ve had his eye closed.

[@rj7411]

Love how this channel includes broadcasters comments to highlight how little they know about MLB rules and how they know next to nothing about how umpires are trained to do their job. Atta babe!

[@donh6416]

The MLB owners love ignorant broadcasters. It creates controversy which put eyes all over the highlights. Which equals FREE advertising.

[@bhamsoxfan72]

And it would probably be safe to say that the broadcasters know SO much more than the average fan, so (I think you can draw that conclusion out by yourself)...

[@critter2]

@@bhamsoxfan72 i doubt that

[@bhamsoxfan72]

@@critter2 You have much to learn grasshopper... These guys are paid to know baseball. They do so much research outside of the broadcast booth. A lot of them are former players. You can doubt all you want, but you can't tell me guys like Gary Thorne and the late Vin Scully and Jerry Remy (RIP) didn't know baseball rules better than the average fan.

[@theburnetts]

It doesn’t bother me at all that the broadcasters don’t know the intricacies of the incredibly complicated MLB rule book. They are broadcasters. Broadcasting a game is difficult. They are trained to know how to broadcast a game. I would expect them to have a general understanding of the rules of baseball. But I wouldn’t expect them to know the nitty gritty details of type 1 vs type 2 obstruction or the nuances of base path vs base line. Heck - most trained umpires at lower levels don’t even know the rules completely.

[@charlesbarry7479]

Why have replay at all if everything is not reviewable?

[@vincentwendt720]

Certain things can't be reviewed like check swing because there is no definitive definition for what an "attempt to strike at the pitch" is.

[@theburnetts]

@@vincentwendt720 you don’t need a definitive definition. In real time the umpires on the field make a judgement call about whether or not they felt the batter made an attempt to strike at the pitch. There is no reason at all that umpires watching a replay couldn’t make that same judgement.

[@charlesbarry7479]

@@vincentwendt720 That's weak. If an umpire can see it then it must have a definition. Otherwise the ump couldn't call it. Baseball has devolved into an almost unwatchable product. As kids, we played the game. Nothing has really changed, just play the game.

[@FoxtasticGaming]

@@theburnettsyet look at Angel who can determine anything and has the worst judgement in the league

[@azpcox]

What about amending the obstruction rule to say that if a player obstructs, then the base is “extended” by the same distance that the defense was obstructing. In this play, he clearly makes contact with his foot on the base before the slide, so safe. You obstruct? Then your leg also becomes the base.

[@Mark-wd5zb]

It's interesting to learn that obstruction is not reviewable especially because there have been times this year where umpires following a replay have specifically said as part of their reasoning to uphold a call that "there was no obstruction." Why would the umpires announce that if that isn't part of the review process?"

[@voxelation]

As the video mentions, blocking home plate is reviewable, and I've only heard that announcement on replay review of plays at home.

[@mbdg6810]

@@voxelationthats very odd to say blocking plate is reviewable while blocking a base isn’t.

[@hippokrampus2838]

​@@mbdg6810 the point of the plate blocking rule is to avoid collisions, combine that with it being a matter of scoring or not that's possibly why it's reviewable.

[@Josh-ut4wv]

@hippokrampus2838 also home plate ones are typically pretty obvious if there is obstruction or not on the base path it is much more of a judgement call which in most sports aren't reviewable for several reasons. One being your perspective will change greatly with an enhanced slowed down viewpoint.

[@voxelation]

@@mbdg6810 True. Obstruction calls aren't reviewable except for the home plate exception, and maybe MLB should fix that so that obstruction calls at all bases are reviewable.

[@gregorykoch6634]

Can we go to replay to see which umpire ejected him first? Is that a reviewable play?

[@mwebb6570]

does that mean he gets double or half of his money's worth?

[@devonhollands2001]

Lmao well played... I feel like double? Twice the umps to yell at, twice the umps to piss off? You did the same amount of work for double the reaction so that's my logic 😂

[@ianrotheroe2540]

Broadcast seeing their ex-player Juan Soto homer through the replay room is amazing

[@drewsummers7288]

Yeah, they’re very proud with how well Juan Soto is doing as a Yankee.

[@vincentwendt720]

Does Manfred like making some things not reviewable because he knows it will generate controversy? Otherwise, why is this not reviewable?

[@arley2246]

"Game management " in other sports. Some say sports betting

[@tigersfan14]

MLB needs to send a memo ordering all play-by-play commentators to watch your videos.

[@michaelfalkner1186]

Yes, because that WAS Obstruction, but, as Lindsey said: Not reviewable.

[@FoxtasticGaming]

Why so they can see an umpire channel make excuses for umpires who can’t do their job.

[@KevinQuinn81]

I'm glad you pointed out that this is not reviewable even though plate blocking and force play slides are. That's just ludicrous. Either they all should be or none of them should be.

[@FoxtasticGaming]

You know what’s more ludicrous? The umpire missing the obstruction call when it’s a few feet in front of his face. Umpires are getting lazier and lazier every game

[@KevinQuinn81]

I mean, yeah, that too.

[@ThomasBaxter]

As always these analyses are so illuminating. Great one!

[@Jaco927]

0:41 Wonderful reference! Instant Gratifi..STEEEEEEEEERIKE TWO!!!!!

[@brianpylant4617]

There is no rational reason why obstruction shouldn't be reviewable. IMO, the list of reviewable plays should VASTLY outnumber the non-reviewable ones. It is in everyone's best interests to get calls correct.

[@totallykoolyeah]

That time Martinez got tossed while on crutches.... That's entertainment!

[@benhufford4754]

What I don't get is how the home plate collision rule is reviewable and this isn't? How does that make any sense? What's the point of having replay if you're not going to use it?

[@reberhardt]

MLB keeps shooting itself in the foot. Why even stop a review if it gets the call right?

[@fredericbrosseau5325]

You are so knowledgeable !! Thank you for all these informative videos.

[@FoxtasticGaming]

You’re better off looking up the rules yourself. She’s just an apologist for the umpires. Notice she said nothing about the umpire missing the obstruction call. Because she’s a mouthpiece and won’t dare speak against another umpire

[@CommonSense823]

League: This rule is a point of emphasis Umpire: Huh?

[@SkinnyCow.]

Well I didn't buy my MLB game package this year, really find something more entertaining to do with my time that support this clusterfuck

[@arinerm1331]

I was surprised to see no big "P" drawn in the air by the umpire to the scorekeeper. I'm no lipreader, but it sure looked like one of the words Martinez said shortly after he entered the field was "protest."

[@LindsayImber1]

Can't protest games anymore. They changed that during covid.

[@vincentwendt720]

Even if protests were still allowed, I don't know if this is something that could have been protested.

[@arley2246]

Protests never worked in any level of baseball.

[@arinerm1331]

@@vincentwendt720 A protest is lodged when the manager asserts that an umpire misapplies a rule. As an example, if a ball hits an outfielder and goes over the wall, never having touched the ground, it's a homerun. If the umpire were to award only a ground-rule double, the batter's manager could protest.

[@geoffroi-le-Hook]

​@@arley2246 Two upheld protests : a rainy game in August 2014 (SF at CUB) ; a rain delay in June 1986 (StL at PGH) ; a bat with too much pine tar July-August 1983 (KC at NY). Retrosheet has a listing of resumed protested games.

[@bobbrown6430]

very good explanation great job ump embarrassed but he will be spoken to by the league. not a good look when your umps do not know the rules.

[@HipsterDoofus100]

It’s amazing how many teams announcers are oblivious to the rules. Im a Phillies fan and although I think Tom McCarthy blows as an announcer, I will say he does know his rules

[@CommonSense823]

More amazing than the number of umpires that can't get the rules right?

[@richmartin1427]

This reminds me of the Cookie Rojas ejection years ago when he was manager of the Angels when three umpires threw him out at the same time in almost perfect harmony.

[@kinkaid7477]

This video is phenomenal

[@rynecorbeil4653]

I wish baseball would do what all other sports do with televised games and have a rule interpreter there so the announcers can understand and learn things and fans who are watching the game can learn the rules properly.

[@jjbre3920]

I'd rather not. Aside from the sheer number of games to cover, Jimmy Traina summed up the problem with rules analysts very well back in November, 2023; they seem to only exist to deflect criticism away from bad referees, and they are often on the air significantly more than any of them need to be (sometimes every other play).

[@FoxtasticGaming]

Umpire still missed the obstruction call. Sooooo. Maybe we should have a on field umpire review that tallies all the missed calls so umpires can be held accountable

[@matthewnickerson3991]

Ump: " yea its totally obstruction but we technically cant overturn the bad call because its not reviewable . So yea your right but your also losing the challenge. Sorry "

[@adriannguyen3257]

Never seen two umpire’s simultaneously eject at the same time

[@vincentwendt720]

I saw it happen one other time. It happened in 2011. Clint Hurdle was ejected by Jerry Layne and Bob Davidson.

[@noahgugliotta8440]

I really do like this channel, but can they acknowledge that the ump missed the call? This is pretty blatant obstruction and we need to admit when an ump misses a call

[@theburnetts]

You won’t get that much on this channel. This channel seems to exist to mock and ridicule players and coaches when they get angry during a game. And to mostly ignore when an umpire blows a call.

[@FoxtasticGaming]

@@theburnettsthis is why Lindsey is a hack. Of course she knows rules. But you don’t have to be an umpire to understand the rule book. Her opinion would a lot more solid if she actually held umpires accountable on here. At least it would show that the umpire community is aware that not all umpires are good at their job. But we all know they won’t do that

[@roberthudson1959]

@@FoxtasticGaming I must disagree. It doesn't happen as often as I think that it should, but she has questioned both the mechanics and the judgment involved in plays. Hunter Wendelstedt got both barrels over the Boone ejection, and Wendelstedit is still taking occasional flak over it.

[@briankaste6931]

Because of the point of emphasis on obstruction, this would've been a great opportunity to give your commentary of what you would've be expected as the proper ruling, regardless if the play was non-reviewable and what the call on the field was.

[@teebob21]

So since Lindsay and I aren't privy to the guidance given to pro ball umpires, we don't know what the opinion of this play will be. Maybe Andy McPherson can chime in on what his evaluators think of it.

[@MwD676]

This is exactly what we were seeing called as obstruction in spring training…under new POE.

[@teebob21]

@@MwD676 Absolutely true, but there's always a difference between POE guidance calls in spring and actual on field calls in the regular season. A good allegory is when the NFL began to emphasize illegal contact beyond 5 yards in the 2018 season: we saw stringent enforcement in preseason, but in regular season games it was somewhat more lenient.

[@LindsayImber1]

Obstruction Type 1, runner gets second base.

[@LarrySkylines]

What BS...I'm upset that Todd Tichenor doesn't get any credit for the ejection. They need to adopt an NFL stat, the half sack, and give half-ejection credit to Tichenor.

[@DJTexan]

It’s also BS that replay can only be used for certain things.

[@LarrySkylines]

@@DJTexan You would think they would review everything about the play, not just one part of it. It's so weird.

[@vincentwendt720]

@@DJTexan I agree. I think if the home plate collision rule is reviewable, this should be too.

[@jacobrichardson1952]

DAVE MARTINEZ 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M DYING LAUGHING 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@poorjf]

What was the magic word or phrase that drew the simultaneous objection? Anyone figure that out yet?

[@theburnetts]

Could you let us know if you thought this should have been obstruction or not? You are very quick to point out and mock player/coach mistakes. Did the on field umpire get this non obstruction call right or wrong?

[@noahgugliotta8440]

Yep! Agreed. I actually think this channel does well at highlighting rules, but it's almost like they do not want to say a single bad thing about the ump. It's all everyone else's fault. The ump missed the call. Plain and simple. Just say it!

[@theburnetts]

@@noahgugliotta8440 yes I love the detailed rules explanations. But I can’t stand the condescending attitude towards players and managers. And the unwillingness most of the time to point out when umpires miss a call.

[@noahgugliotta8440]

@@theburnetts Totally fair! I am with you. I wish we could have a mix of Jomboy and this channel that was unbiased but clearly we are not getting that

[@Howard7474]

Where did you get the rulebook?

[@worldsedge4991]

I suppose one way to rationalize this situation is like this: The ref said player is “tagged out”. We can assume he never considered obstruction at the time. The play goes to review and, in slow motion, it seems safe because of obstruction. But the review officials can’t “add” the obstruction call after the fact. - This differs from the reasonable expectation that the review should determine whether the player was out or safe according to all evidence and all rules in effect at the moment.

[@HarrySJohnson]

how do we decide what is and is not reviewable? 🎲

[@Thirdbase9]

We review the rules. Then we roll a die, odds are reviewable, evens are not.

[@adamevans312]

How do you miss the call

[@haydenmeattey]

E18 - Pirates Manager Derek Shelton Got Ejected in the 9th because of a pitch clock violation strikeout vs the Red Sox!

[@user-fy9mj5nm7i]

Hey, this is an honest question. Is this channel mainly for umpires, or is this unbiased? I haven't seen every video from this channel but I haven't seen anything defending the managers or the players.

[@andrecanis4894]

I am only a player and find it unbiased and informative. And there are plenty of videos here where umpires make mistakes. Just not as many mistakes as players and managers think, because it turns out they don’t know the rules that well.

[@ryanvannice7878]

Biased towards umpires, but not overly so. I don't know of too many media sources that advocate for umpires, so I see this channel as a positive.

[@EvanPederson]

This is a good example of where the real villain is MLB's odd replay rules. Can't fault the manager for being mad here, because he was probably right that it should have been called obstruction. But also can't fault the umpires for correctly following the replay rules.

[@CommonSense823]

The channel mostly exists for umpires at lower levels to stroke each other's egos.

[@user-fy9mj5nm7i]

@@andrecanis4894 Hey thanks. Appreciate it

[@ryanharrison9099]

We Got a Pittsburgh Pirates Team ejection

[@rodneyrochon1901]

So long as the runner has access to the base there is no obstruction. The runner had access.

[@joesavary6081]

If obstruction is a point of emphasis, shouldn't that logically make it reviewable? Seems intuitive enough, but Manfred's DK umps don't follow that narrative

[@visarr]

"That's the plural them" at 2:53.

[@johngesualdo6035]

It doesn’t make sense that obstruction tag plays are non reviewable

[@rickysampson8759]

The players Union agreed to this. They can’t complain

[@nodog1961]

Second time Davey got tossed by two umps

[@BIOHAZARDRUSGaming]

Video 10 of Petitioning for an Ejection Pace Counter in the description of each E video!

[@taurusteelpan]

Rules & regulations that make sense and are coherent? Did everyone forget what league this is?

[@teebob21]

Under NCAA guidance, this is obstruction as the fielder was blocking the front edge of the base without possession of the ball. However, under OBR and in pro ball, I dont think this was OBS as the runner was never hindered or impeded by that foot until AFTER the fielder received the ball. Remember, a fielder in possession of the ball is permitted to block the base.

[@MwD676]

It should be obstruction under MLB’s new point of emphasis.

[@arley2246]

Any minor change in speed or inch of change in angle qualifies before the ball gets there. Same as rounding third and catcher standing on plate making runner take a half step change in pace.

[@teebob21]

@@arley2246 No umpire at any actual competitive level is going to rule OBS if F2 happens to be blocking the plate as the runner rounds 3B....because that's not the rule or the interpretation.

[@arley2246]

@teebob21 there was 2 last year. I remember one was the Blue Jays

[@teebob21]

@@arley2246 OBS doesn't happen until the runner is actually impeded or hindered. F2 can't hinder a runner who is 90 feet away. However, if you have a game clip, I would love to watch it.

[@offbrandsoup2579]

Just make everything reviewable

[@vincentwendt720]

Check swings can't be because there is no definitive rule. If we make a definitive rule, then it can be reviewable.

[@deancitroni4447]

So the bases are bigger now, the base runners wear gloves that probably extend their hands and other 2 in. Is there a limit to the size of glove they can wear? Or could they potentially put a foam hand with #1 on it to extend their reach another 8 in. MLB's rules are getting ridiculous

[@mahasw777]

This is why broadcasters need to have access to a rules expert during the broadcast (much like the NFL does). The broadcasters don’t know the rules any better than the average fan. I’m not saying that to be petulant. There are lots of odd rules and odd situations that occur in baseball.

[@CommonSense823]

Apparently neither do the idiot umpires who missed the call to begin with.

[@arley2246]

Odd so much is still left as not reviewable. Makes the claims about "game management" for other reasons more believable

[@pyRoy6]

This plural "them" is way too confusing.

[@zgaviation6481]

Replay is so screwed up in MLB

[@Notjackpausner]

Do the padres ejection

[@FoxtasticGaming]

Review got it wrong, umpire missed the obstruction call. Yet you call out the manager for arguing about it. The manager is the only one do his job correctly . This whole video just shows that the quality of umpiring is in the drain and should be dealt with.

[@America1st21]

Safe

[@TheChrisbarry44]

Just watched the Nationals commit three errors in first 2 innings. Martinez is a joke of a manager.

[@oldfarmer9004]

If you’re going to use reviews for some calls, why not on obstruction? That seems like it would be a good idea. The umpire shouldn’t have that kind of influence on the game any more than the home plate ump calling strikes that are a foot off the plate. (Those should be reviewable too.) They tried to speed the game up by installing the pitch clock and hustling the pitcher and batters through their routines. Then the reviews slow everything down. It’s a distorted version of what it started out as.

[@CoachOlsson]

Martinez really doesn't need the extra emphatic accent but okay

[@theuncoveredlamp]

He clearly looked to get the hand in to me

[@schlootle]

From what I know about the new obstruction rule, its that you can block one side of the bag but not the whole one. There was a play in that game earlier where the Nats 2B was actually obstructing but the Astros runner was out by a mile. The other play there was clearly enough of the bag to slide to, which from what I understand and was told it is supposed to be.

[@PERRYSTOILETSEAT]

Ummm he’s OUT! Next

[@binder38us]

Memo to announcers: LEARN THE RULES

[@CommonSense823]

Memo to umpires: LEARN THE RULES

[@1969EType]

Am I the only person who thinks either EVERYTHING is reviewable or NOTHING should be reviewable? If we have the technology to get the calls right, then...I dunno'...let's get nuts, take some crazy pills and get...the calls...right. Now, as we know in the game of baseball, there are certain plays that really can't be reviewable because how do you place runners? A ball down the line that is called fair can be reversed to be a foul ball. A ball called foul cannot be made fair. Again, how would you place the runners? But the bottom line is...there are currently a great deal of calls in MLB that could be reviewed that are not being reviewed and this is one of them.

[@Nicky2Chains]

Just get rid of the rule. It was fine the way it was before

[@DJTexan]

The timing of calls now are late and slow compared to pre-replay era traditional standards. Now with replay, umpires don’t want to make a call right away just in case it’s overturned and they’ve embarrassed themselves. As far as the ejection, there’s no point of having replay if it doesn’t cover everything that can be seen by replay. Either get rid of replay or make it for everything possible. This specific list is dumb.

[@teebob21]

Seriously?? DJ, I know you manage to find fault with everything on this channel and everything with modern officiating, but c'mon man: it's neither 1972 nor 1982 no more. Quick calls are for hacks. See the entire play develop, then read and react: only then do we signal or make a call. The timing on this play was great. One might say "professional". If that's your biggest gripe on this one, you need a new hobby, boomer.

[@Niel2760]

@@teebob21😂😂😂

[@DJTexan]

@@teebob21 not a boomer but nice try, millennial. If you read my entire comment, that wasn’t a gripe just an observation, that you’d know had you watched baseball before 2014. My gripe was about replay not being used for this because of a list of unreviewables. Unlike you, I read entire comments even though I don’t agree with what you posted.

[@ronpeacock9939]

why you're thrown out... how about you're not allowed to argue replay reviewed calls... goodbye..

[@DCLover19]

Except he argued something that wasn't reviewed by replay

[@ronpeacock9939]

@@DCLover19 He asked for replay review... he got it.. just because the part he wanted reviewed wasn't reviewable, you're still NOT allowed to argue about whether it was overturned or not... the moment he opened his mouth, he was in violation of documented regulations punishable by ejection.... If you don't like that call not being reviewable, don't argue with the guys on the field (they didn't make that rule or call), get your ownership to push a change in the rules... barking to the umps on the field is like yelling at a private asking why a general did something... like he had/s any say in that.

[@--dh--]

Nationals broadcasters are boring as hell

[@michaelhenahan5503]

Don’t blame the umpires for baseball shit rules. Yes it’s a missed call, but even the best umpires miss calls. If you’re going to make obstruction a point of emphasis, then you should make it reviewable.

[@Mattsc1974]

LOL LOL LOL The runner is out...

[@danielhetue6968]

Fire Dave Martinez if the Nationals continue to suck. What is taking this damn lazy organization so long?! Why isn’t Martinez on the hot seat like he should’ve been?!

[@mikecumbo7531]

He won a Series ring for the current owners. Additionally, the roster isn’t great and the team is for sale. Why fire him? They would have to pay his contract and also pay another body to manage. Let him run the team until a sale, then the new owners would have to deal with his contract.

[@mbdg6810]

@@mikecumbo7531exactly

[@chrisguevara9641]

Replay center needs to stop fucking things up on challenges. It’s ruining MLB

[@paulhopkins1905]

Dave Martinez is the biggest crybaby in all of sports. He is never going to get the benefit of the doubt.

[@legalizeweed3830]

I really like how balls & strikes are reviewable in the minors. We really need that in MLB. Way to many umps with itchy trigger fingers on full counts. Also, getting the 1-1 pitch wrong can change an inning.

[@legalizeweed3830]

It wouldn'r matter if it was reviewable. MLB would just get the calls wrong anyways. Worst review system in pro sports.