Catcher's Interference, Balk No Call = Ejection & Bench Clearing Incident

When HP Umpire Tyler Thurmond no-called a potential catcher's interference play at home plate, riled up 3B Coach and Manager Bobby Jones was ejected for disputing the ruling, prompting an extended and fiery argument that featured a heavy dose of finger-pointing and yelling, and not always from an expected source.
https://www.closecallsports.com/2018/05/featured-minor-ejection-jones-ump.html

After returning to the dugout, Jones appeared to throw a helmet in the direction of umpire Thurmond, spurring a verbal disagreement between the teams. As if on cue, the benches cleared shortly thereafter and, after a little jawing, pushing, and shoving, the umpires elected to issue warnings to both sides.

The play concerned a pitch with a runner on third base. Thinking that the runner from third may break for the plate, the catcher jumped out of his box to catch the ball before it got to home plate, appearing to straddle and even stand in front of the plate without possession of the ball. The baserunner, meanwhile, did not try to score.

Umpire Thurmond ruled the pitch a ball as Jones campaigned for a balk and/or catcher's interference call.

The proper ruling here is catcher's interference, as the catcher prevented or hindered the batter from exercising his free choice to swing or take the pitch (by jumping out of in front of home plate prior to the ball's arrival). Had the runner from third base attempted to score, this would have also been a Rule 6.01(g) balk (interference with the batter during a squeeze play or attempted steal of home).

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