Ejection 177 - Doug Eddings Ejects Dave Martinez as Nats Again Called for Runner's Lane Interference

3B Umpire Doug Eddings ejected Nationals manager Dave Martinez after a runner's lane interference call against batter Josh Bell turned a potential fielder's choice into a double play. Report: https://www.closecallsports.com/2021/...

This was Martinez's third time being ejected for arguing a runner's lane interference (RLI) call against Washington since the 2019 World Series when he was tossed by Sam Holbook. Earlier in 2021, Martinez was ejected by Chris Conroy for arguing an RLI call (See Ejection 048 - 5/19/21). The present RLI decision was made by HP Umpire Adam Beck, as it is ordinarily the plate umpire who has calling responsibility for RLI plays. Martinez attempted to request a Replay Review (presumably for the catcher's touch of home plate) after the fact, but well after the 20-second replay request time limit had expired (more like 70 seconds).

Once again, the Nats were penalized because the batter-runner failed to run within the runner's lane and in doing so interfered with the fielder taking the throw at first base. The rule continues to be OBR 5.09(a)(11), which for the past several years have ruled Nationals batter-runners out for "In running the last half of the distance from home base to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, they run outside (to the right of) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line, and in the umpire’s judgment in so doing interfere with the fielder taking the throw at first base, in which case the ball is dead...The batter-runner is permitted to exit the three-foot lane by means of a step, stride, reach or slide in the immediate vicinity of first base for the sole purpose of touching first base."

The Marlins ultimately won the contest, 8-7, in 10 innings.