Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro was ejected from Friday’s game against the Chicago White Sox in the fifth inning.
Quatraro was tossed after arguing with second base umpire Tom Hanahan. He stormed out of the Royals’ dugout to address Hanahan after outfielder Kyle Isbel was called out on a stolen base attempt.
Isbel raced toward second base, but the incoming throw beat him to the bag. He was tagged out by White Sox shortstop Colston Montgomery.
However, Quatraro argued that Montgomery blocked Isbel’s path. Replays showed Montgomery did place his knee in front of where Isbel slid.
The question was whether Montgomery did so before he caught the incoming throw. It’s up to the umpire to determine whether that was the case.
And Hanahan let the play continue without a definitive call.
It led Quatraro to argue that obstruction should’ve been called. MLB rules state that obstruction is deemed non-reviewable.
Here is a further definition of the rule:
“Obstruction describes an act by a fielder, who is not in possession of the ball or in the process of fielding it, that impedes the baserunner’s progress,” MLB’s rules glossary says.
An MLB umpire has the judgment to make a ruling on such plays.
“If a play is being made on the obstructed baserunner, the ball is ruled dead and the umpire can place all runners on the base he determines they would have reached without the obstruction,” the glossary continues. “If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the umpire will allow the play to progress until its natural conclusion and then impose any penalties he sees fit to nullify the act of obstruction.”
Royals bench coach Paul Hoover took over for Quatraro as the acting manager for the remainder of the game.