Umpire Ejections

Currently Playing: E125 - Alex Cora Ejected on Balk No-Call by Ryan Blakney as Boston Doesn't Know Windup vs Set Rule

HP Umpire Ryan Blakney ejected Red Sox manager Alex Cora for arguing that Astros pitcher Hunter Brown balked by switching from Windup to Set Position mid at-bat without declaring. By rule, notification is only required if a pitcher uses what's called the Hybrid Stance. Report: https://www.closecallsports.com/2025/08/mlb-ejection-125-ryan-blakney-2-alex.html Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/closecallsports Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Lindsay715 Discord: https://discord.gg/eFXWr7yHWM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CloseCallSports Twitter: https://twitter.com/CloseCallSports *Official Baseball Rule 5.07(a): "There are two legal pitching positions, the Windup Position and the Set Position, and either position may be used at any time." OBR 5.07(a)(2) Comment: "With a runner or runners on base, a pitcher will be presumed to be pitching from the Set Position if they stand with their pivot foot in contact with and parallel to the pitcher’s plate, and their other foot in front of the pitcher’s plate, unless they notify the umpire that they will be pitching from the Windup Position under such circumstances prior to the beginning of an at-bat." Boston incorrectly thought pitcher Brown's second pitch to Romy Gonzalez was a balk because he delivered from Set Position, whereas he had delivered the first pitch of the at-bat from Windup (traditional, indicated by facing the batter prior to delivery). But the notification requirement only obliges the pitcher declare when they are pitching out of so-called Hybrid: ie, when they assume the physical footwork of Set Position, but intend to pitch out of the Windup (e.g., by taking a step back during their delivery). There was no Hybrid in use during this play, and therefore, no declaration/notification was required. This is not a balk.