Ejection 141 - Hunter Wendelstedt Ejects AJ Hinch After Replay Review Catcher's Interference Call

2B Umpire & Crew Chief Hunter Wendelstedt ejected Tigers manager AJ Hinch following a Replay Review decision that resulted in a catcher's interference call against Detroit. Report: www.closecallsports.com/2021/...

[@fatmanchew909]

The ump needs to ask immediately if they are asking for a review and say nothing else until they get an answer. Also I think they should raise the time to more than 20 seconds.

[@thomasgoetz8723]

@Chew - Why should the umps ask? If a manager wants a review he should articulate it within the 20 seconds.

[@davidchristensen6908]

I like 20 second would have no problem with 30 second. The flow of the game and get these coaches to make a decision. But it sure seems like know one knows when the timer should start.

[@hwileyiii]

20 seconds is fine. Also, are we on the field. We don't know what happened

[@Stryyder1]

No they need to ask for a review right away if they want one.

[@travisfisher3690]

The real problem here is that the time limit wasn’t upheld. That’s the only rule broken initially and they choose to pick which ones they were going to enforce

[@andrecanis4894]

@@davej3781 great, then managers will start to argue every close call so they have more time to check if they should ask for review. Say hello to five hour long games…

[@63076topher]

@@davej3781 It was OVER 1 minute 30 seconds BEFORE he asked for the review if he had already asked why did he keep checking the dugout to see if he should ask.

[@mahasw777]

@@davej3781 Where in the rule does it say that the clock stops when the manager comes out? The video at 4:40 actually discusses the timing issue and they technically got it wrong.

[@Ryanimal]

I come here for the Mario coin sound.

[@marktwain368]

You folks draw attention to the rules and how they apply to difficult situations, and you do that very well! The distinction between catcher interference and batter interference is brilliant. And the rationale for ejection you provide makes things clear for us. I for one am very impressed and I have been trained in the law.

[@MinistryOfMagic_DoM]

I'm glad you brought up the time. That's what I was thinking the whole time. Seemed like he waited too long to review.

[@storyofcory]

Literally, the only problem I had during this whole "conference" (including Hinch's "conference" at the end) was that it took *WAY TOO LONG* to initiate a replay. I'm totally fine with *everything* else.

[@TeemoQuinton]

Catchers interference should be reviewable under al lcircumstances, there are no acceptable reasons a squeeze play or steal of home should be exempt from the rule

[@rockboulder1861]

Are you switching microphone, your voice seems way higher

[@tomogawa472]

I remember Aaron Boone got a replay request rejected last year because he asked 20 seconds after the play. Here, well over a minute and they reviewed it. Doesn’t seem very consistent.

[@bobcatnation]

It's possible. But we also don't know what the discussion was b/w Maddon and the umpire. Maybe the umpire was saying Maddon can't review it for some reason? Because once the crew chief/Hunter comes in to talk to Maddon and the umpire, within a few seconds, they then go to review it.

[@ktpinnacle]

That was Hinch's beef. Not the actual call. And he was right. Well beyond the 20 seconds, while his rookie pitcher is getting iced on the mound. It was the right move.

[@detroitrockcity8]

It’s really the first one on video over the mark and proven since these were reviewable. Several have been rejected.

[@TeemoQuinton]

@@ktpinnacle tell that to the ump for holding up the process and not reviewing it upon the manager first coming out

[@jackjon7763]

He could have asked for a review in the first second and they were clarifying what they wanted reviewed. Or madden could have been stalling to cause chaos as well

[@MrMaelstrom07]

Is Gil's voice getting higher?

[@bengalvfan]

I read the replies just to see if anyone else notices...WTF

[@tomb5482]

beem beem bom bom

[@boejiden876]

He is transitioning.

[@hnc098]

@@boejiden876 The significance of the voice is change. Caterpillar into chrysalis or pupa, from thence into beauty. Our Gil wants to change, too.

[@JayD73]

Is this dude going through reverse puberty 🤣

[@Davidtjr36]

could it of been a umpires review? because they wanted to get the call right but obviously too much time had elapsed for there to be a rightful request for a review?

[@randythompson5154]

**have**

[@danbev9313]

Hope all is well with your health. Sounds like you are a bit under the weather. Another great video and analysis. Thank you

[@BaseFury]

You guys do a FANTASTIC job....when I go out to do college play-by-play this year....I'm carrying a rule book. Some of the announcers you have featured here look and sound ridiculous after your explanations. :)

[@teebob21]

As an umpire, PLEASE not only carry a rule book, but read it pregame. Not all the college rules match the summer ball/HS rules, but registering as an official in those lower levels will teach you 85% of the basics.

[@djej121]

Commentator here is wrong about what Hinch is arguing. Hes not arguing the overturned call. He's arguing that it took too long to make the review.

[@GSOF_Oven]

Thank you for calling out Shepard on PxP for not knowing the rule book. 2:01 -- great video

[@MSU-DetroitFan]

I'm so used to past Managers like Jim Leyland Brad Ausmets and Ron Gardenhire (even Sparky Anderson) so the fact that it took Hinch this long to get His 1st Ejection as a Tigers Manager

[@jamiethornton6101]

What happened to GIl's voice?

[@kendog52361]

I sometimes wonder, when is it that the Manager is requesting information about the review, and when is he arguing. I thought he could request an explanation about the review, but obviously can't argue a review.

[@jimbauer5560]

Challenge should not have been allowed. Way too long.

[@wyattwilliams1909]

I was there this afternoon home plate umpire mr. Quinn was not having a good day to say the least

[@jerrybroxson1174]

Okay. Second video of yours that I have watched. I'm subscribing now!!

[@eveningstarnm3107]

Batters used to tap the plate with the bat before getting ready. That drew the umpire's attention to their position, and this was never a problem. But that was back in the old days, before they relied on instant replay.

[@enzoferrari88]

It’s cool that a woman is so into baseball and narrates and reviews small controversial plays like this. That shows true love for the game. We need more female fans in baseball. Kudos to you!

[@Traythegemini]

That's not a woman

[@paul31046]

I’m thinking they must have judged that it was 20 seconds from when Maddon was clear about what the call was… idk

[@TeemoQuinton]

Oh god and then Hunter doesn't do anything he's trained to do. He doesn't de-escelate, he doesn't walk away, he stands ground and provokes. I genuinely hope wendelstedt isn't here next season after this. Not a good look

[@kennethkobylakiewicz3157]

Hunter is a good umpire. Certainly not the caliber of his dad The late great Harry Wendelstedt who was my mentor. I can't take exception to your de escalation and not a good look statement. Full transparency I've known hunter for 30 years so My opinion may be slightly biased.

[@storyofcory]

@@kennethkobylakiewicz3157 Harry was the shiznit. I miss that guy like crazy. He was an incredible ump. Didn't always get it right, of course, but *I* think he had a way of defusing certain situations without behaving like an ass. @Zira Tival, I respectfully disagree with your assessment. A lot of this hubbub is over a rule interpretation, so Hunter and Joe were talking rules a lot of the time here. That's not something to de-escalate. The interpretation of the rules *HAS TO* be discussed between umpire and manager. Now, if you're talking about *LATER* when Wendlestedt punts AJ out of the game, I *can* understand where you're coming from, but some players/managers won't leave umps alone and are dying to get kicked out. I think this was one of those times where AJ would have followed Hunter all over the ballpark until Hunter punted him. I dunno *why* , since his team was beating the Angels at that point pretty handily, but I think Hinch came out to argue *looking* to get kicked out.

[@TeemoQuinton]

@@kennethkobylakiewicz3157 I mean I may be overstating it there but Hunter here failed in.... Basically every way possible. It's not a good look when the mics pick up an umpire actually baiting somebody after they forget how to use their eyes. Seriously how do you mis a catchers interference that blatant? "hear it" my ass anybody with vision could see it in the seats behind homeplater

[@kennethkobylakiewicz3157]

@@storyofcory 100% agreed. Your comment @ Zira Tival was so eloquently worded. That was my thinking on the situation I failed to articulate it very well.

[@brentuar]

Being a Tigers fan, it was the right call but the replay never should have happened. We want the game to go faster yet this game was close to 5 hours. Now ok it was a high-scoring game but the MLB needs to pick a side and say whether it is ok for managers to stand up for their players and the clock starts after they say their peace or the clock runs from the minute the play is dead. Sloppy on the MLB parts, also I was listening to the radio broadcast of the game and they were questioning if that was the reason AJ was pissed

[@stephenhenley7452]

20 seconds is too short. You don't even have time to ask what the call was and get clarification in 20 seconds. You might not even know what the call was for a minute or two if it's a confusing play

[@k17dudeP]

It makes me wonder if the maddon didn't know this was a reviewable play because why else would he be arguing? Do umpires ask if the manager wants to challenge straight away or is it up to the manager to know the rules of what can and can't be reviewed?

[@aviationfascination]

Actually it’s not the first Detroit ejection of the season. Javy Baez was ejected earlier in the season and I could have sworn Hinch also got the thumb one other time this season.

[@jacksonboi7768]

As a tigers fan, I feel that it's good that aj Hinch in finally standing up for our team.

[@danielplotkin1586]

If only he had stood up to cheating...

[@toadwiiremotewithwiimotion6247]

Its good that he's doing that for his team, but I just cannot like him for his involvement with the 2017 Astros

[@ktpinnacle]

@Mike Heathman He made the case that the 20-second rule was NOT upheld while they were busy jawboning at home and icing his pitcher.

[@TeemoQuinton]

@@ktpinnacle sounds like an issue with the homeplate umpire who held up the process

[@ktpinnacle]

@Mike Heathman Interference is a quick call. The delay that iced the pitcher was accomplished due to the poor performance of the umps to make the proper call or end the discussion right there. Maddon is a wily manager who knew what he was doing, unlike the umps.

[@photodave219]

The process of review is so convoluted.

[@duffyy1]

I don’t see AJ’s beef with this. It’s clear cut and dry. Good on the ump for not putting up with it.

[@javtimestwo]

A.J. is a cheater. He can only win if he cheats. He proved that while managing the Asterisks, remember?

[@danielplotkin1586]

The only beef he could legitimately have is that it took too long to get to the review. Otherwise, the bat clearly hit the glove and the play is clearly reviewable.

[@Montezuma0]

I don't think this type of play is even reviewable at all which is maybe why Hinch was upset

[@brandoncurtis6535]

20 seconds passed though he's got an argument

[@alanhess9306]

@@Montezuma0 It was clearly explained in the video that it is reviewable.

[@robertahaakjr]

PU often can’t see catcher’s interference. Uptown was a good Tiger, too.

[@greenandwhite101]

Uptown haha

[@josephwingate1767]

I think Hinch has an argument here. How long can you stall before you ask for the review? That's exactly what Maddon was doing he kept looking and asking are we reviewing this to his bench. They get it right but there is a time limit.

[@kpro9560]

Catchers interference on a swing, OK. Catchers interference on a Check Swing???? Regardless, the Angles ending up winning that game after trailing 10-2. This particular call had nothing to do with the ultimate result, except of course, Hinch didn't have to watch this epic failure (or epic comeback, depending on who you are rooting for) from the dugout.

[@texassooner342]

Also I don’t think he should be allowed to challenge bc it was way past the 20 second time limit

[@TeemoQuinton]

How the fuckk the umpire misses a catchers interference that blatant is beyond me

[@connarcowanakacliffordoneo9095]

Could hinch have been ejected for the time limit rule?

[@ronyates3430]

Hinch was upset saying that they were icing his pitcher. As the crew chief he should have got his ass to home and get in the discussion earlier about the review or not.

[@anthonycurtis2778]

But was the batter standing in the box, the first thing the lead off hitters do is wipe out the back line

[@bdogg20101]

That was way past the 20 second rule. Now that gives Maddon side even more time to review.

[@stevedandy973]

Using a CLOCK/TIME LIMIT in baseball is RIDICULOUS. ⚾️

[@Khashmonet]

Footage taken moments before the Tigers completely imploded.

[@ynotttt]

Maybe the umpire told Maddon it wasn’t reviewable and corrected themselves.

[@shelleyking8450]

Upton told the ump he hit the mitt, not the ball. THAT is all the notice needed. As slow as play is now already, WTF would a challenge stopwatch save?

[@alanhess9306]

No, that is not all that is needed. The manager has to request a review.

[@kylepeikert8508]

No it’s 1st ejection for AJ HINCH not the tigers Matt Shepard was right

[@bdogg20101]

Thats broadcasters for you. Confuse the hell out of everyone.

[@renkessler5476]

The problem I have with this is that the plate ump is wearing a blue shirt, and the other three are wearing black.

[@greg9313]

No voice Gil?

[@MarcusDET]

pretty easy to point out rules while not watching live.

[@jimpigato2149]

But wouldn’t knowing the rules off the top of your head be something a professional baseball announcer should be able to do?

[@MarcusDET]

@@jimpigato2149 not necessarily if the rules are always changing. No reason to backhanded scrutinize the commentator.

[@alanhess9306]

@@MarcusDET The rules are not constantly changing. Announcers are some of the least knowledgeable when it comes to rules.

[@MarcusDET]

@@alanhess9306 you think that announcers are some of the least knowledgeable people when it comes to the rules of baseball? That doesn’t make sense.

[@alanhess9306]

@@MarcusDET It sure makes sense to anyone that knows the rules. Announcers don't know the difference between a foul ball and a foul tip. They don't know the difference between obstruction and interference. They constantly give out incorrect rule interpretations when they are confused by what is happening, which is often. I hope you are not one of the fans that learn the rules from the announcers.

[@charlesgraves4634]

Maybe my eyes deceived me but it sure looked like the ball changed direction before getting to the mitt as if deflected from the bat to the bat.

[@TPinesGold]

I don't think that would matter unless you're suggesting that the bat did not contact the mitt. Pretty clear that it did.

[@Tiny_wxlf]

No way the angels went on to win this ahahahaha

[@johnathanpatrick6118]

Yep, el-choke-o. 🤷🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️

[@joshnaudi]

7:05 You know how many times my wife has heard that

[@drjosholds]

So this could have been avoided if the umpire had made the right call?

[@demitirusmcneal1327]

That catcher's interference jumpstart the Angels comeback win

[@pavanatanaya]

Why is AJ Hinch still in baseball?

[@michaelfalkner1186]

BOOM!!! LET'S GO!!!!

[@michaelblair6955]

So the catchers not supposed to to catch the ball that the batter didn't swing at, Upton should have been tossed first for delay of game, and arguing.

[@beedevil11]

Do you have catchers obstruction when there was no attempt to swing. An offer is not a swing.

[@davidtsang4949]

There WAS an attempt before he checked it. That's still interference...

[@alanhess9306]

An offer at the pitch is always a strike according to the rules.

[@jeffnowak3144]

He didn't swing at the pitch anyway

[@PtolemyJones]

Maybe they should move the catcher back another foot, the ball is gonna get there anyway.

[@jimyeats]

Hey, could you have Jomboy narrate your rules reviews? I like your attention to detail but think your videos could benefit Jomboys voice. Thanks!

[@jimyeats]

@Coding Crusader I did know! I’m suggesting they collaborate, because Jomboy has a good narration voice, while this person sounds like a prepubescent 12 year old that just sucked on some helium, and its kind of hard to listen to, but still interesting.

[@drjosholds]

@@jimyeats Pretty sure the two fanbases hate each other.

[@jimyeats]

@@drjosholds Huh. They both have their niche.

[@YetiSmasherOhnO]

Wolcott been watching too much youtube. Don't argue more than 20sec, blue.

[@texassooner342]

This is a bad call…. I don’t think you should be able to call catchers interference when he’s not trying to swing. He’s clearly doing check swing which the bat barely gets off his shoulder. The review should of just called it a ball and moved on and everyone would be happy

[@tedgey4286]

Much like a cop at a donut shop joke I'll never tire of the get your money's worth bell

[@jacobholt906]

This dude goes out of his way to apologize for and defend umpires to a ridiculous degree while snarkily pointing out every little mistake of announcers and managers. Massive double standard.

[@alanhess9306]

Nonsense. CCS points out the rules and often tells us when the umpires are wrong. Mistakes by idiot announcers cause idiot fans to think the announcers are right and the umpires are wrong, which is almost never true.

[@JasonRego]

it's impossible to point out every mistake an announcer makes, youtube doesn't allow video uploads that are that long :) To be fair to them, they often have to say stuff before they've had time to process what really has occurred to avoid dead air.

[@AirRaider56]

Mickey Mouse on commentary for the video

[@BaffinSailor]

See yea dude 👋🏻 #GOANGELS

[@URAWESOME94]

Hinch shouldn’t even be in the game ever after what happened with the Astros.

[@formercoach1202]

I agree with the comments that the issue was the time limit. The biggest issue I have is the comments from the umpire. He was unprofessional in his handling of this situation.

[@teebob21]

Tell me you don't work in pro baseball without telling me you don't work in pro baseball.

[@mgilmore5931]

Its 9-2 for chrissake!

[@cam1398]

I can not believe Griener is still finding major league service time. He is awful...Tigers would be better off calling up the bullpen catcher.

[@M747022]

How is a foul tip not reviewable? MLB...c'mon

[@alanhess9306]

A foul tip is the same as a swing and a miss, so what would there be to review?

[@geoffroi-le-Hook]

Yippie-yai-yay.... Cow Patty

[@ocbroadband]

1 Request. Please clarify and don't reiterate catchers "INTERFERENCE". Catchers don't interfere, they obstruct. Interference is done by the 'Offence', Interference is done by the 'Defense'.

[@CloseCallSports]

OBR and NCAA use catcher's "interference" NFHS uses catcher's "obstruction"

[@TeemoQuinton]

"didn't hear it" so we're ignoring you have to be able to see to umpire in the MLB. Ok The home plate ump fucked this up from go, every ounce of it. Don't hide behind "didn't hear it" that is so fucking stupid I'd imagine hellen keller's ghost is pissed at you

[@alanhess9306]

You've never called balls and strikes, have you? if you have, you would know there are things that are impossible to see.

[@arturomansour-hull930]

Should have been catchers interference

[@alanhess9306]

That's what was ultimately ruled.

[@rickhayden3343]

replay should never gotten into baseball, not needed, extends games, they still get it wrong, DITCH IT

[@borisjohnson7799]

AJ Hench needs to be out of the league. But he had no argument here anyway.

[@danielhowell6605]

MLB umps are really big babies.

[@g.b.174]

aj wants the rules to not count once again... waaaaaaaaahhhh

[@richardvinyard1895]

Catcher interference

[@tmtmoormr]

The tigers sucked in this game

[@ktpinnacle]

Well, their pen sure did.

[@HDobson24]

Hinch = Best manager in baseball

[@lgsg65]

Ron Darling, the Mets color commentator, changed my opinion of catcher's interference. He says it usually happens when the batter is fooled by the pitch, makes a terrible swing, and then gets rewarded for being fooled. There needs to be a judgment call mixed in with this. The only thing the catcher interfered with in this case was a swing and miss or a very foul ball. For the record, I mean the rule needs changing, not just about the call.

[@javtimestwo]

A.J Hinch-where is his garbage can so he can insert himself into it. Tigers are having a bad couple days. This was an easy call and A.J. is just foolish for even arguing the call. Then you have Mr Morris, making racist comments about the best player currently in the game.

[@danielplotkin1586]

Tigers having a bad couple of years.

[@macmac3374]

Didn't know Elmer Fudd voice was racist 🤣🤣 if you got offended by that, you are what's wrong with america and the world.

[@Frozenduckling]

Umpire ruined the game probably bet on the tigers

[@rayray4192]

I have more respect for a hitter who stays in the box and hits. It’s 9-2. Be a hitter and drive the ball into a gap.