Ump show: Rob Thomson was ejected thanks to little-known rule change

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson was ejected for defending his pitcher, Aaron Nola, who requested a new baseball. 

Through two innings of baseball in Philadelphia, Aaron Nola managed the pitch clock quite well. However, as crew chief Bill Miller would later explain, in an attempt to circumvent the rules Nola made a critical mistake.

Per Miller, Nola requested far too many new baseballs starting in the third inning. While, yes, pitchers do need new baseballs from time to time (and they often receive those baseballs, no questions asked), home plate umpire Roberto Ortiz refused to reset the pitch clock upon Nola’s request when receiving said new baseball. This is when Thomson became upset, and was eventually ejected.

Phillies: Why Rob Thomson was ejected, explained

MLB’s new pitch clock rules have been met with mixed reviews. Pitchers, in particular, don’t enjoy the limitations on their pre-pitch routines. Some have gone as far as to find a workaround, and Nola’s attempted failed miserably on Saturday.

Crew chief Bill Miller explained the decision, via the Philadelphia Inquirer.

"“Yeah, we have regulations with the pitch clock. Obviously it’s very sensitive — when the pitch clock goes off, and whether or not people are going to circumvent the rules that are in place. Nola did a good job the first two to three innings. And then, as the game went on, he started to throw more and more balls out. Where we felt, he was trying to reset the clock. Which is an attempt to circumvent the pitch clock regulations…”It’s up to the umpire’s judgment. If any player, at any time, is attempting to circumvent the pitch clock regulations.” “"

Miller added that Ortiz noticed Nola never felt the ball, and would merely take a few steps prior to asking for a new one once the pitch clock started winding down.

It’s a new era of baseball, folks. We’re all just adjusting at the same time.