Protest (baseball)

When an umpire makes a decision that a manager feels is incorrect, the manager may decide to protest the decision.

Related Topics:
Umpire - Manager

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When a manager decides to protest, he must inform the umpire of the decision immediately, before the next pitch is made. He must explain that his team is now playing the game under protest. A manager may only protest when he feels the umpire's interpertation of the rules is in error. Judgement calls, such as ball or strike, foul or fair, out or safe, interference, or obstruction may not be protested. Protests also may not be lodged over issues that do not directly affect the game (such as ejection) or on scoring decisions.

Related Topics:
Pitch - Ball or strike - Foul - Fair - Out - Safe - Interference - Obstruction

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If the disputed play is last of the game, the manager has until noon the next day to lodge the protest.

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A protested game is continued as normal. If the protesting team wins, the protest is dropped. Otherwise, the decision is reviewed by the President of the League. If it is determined that the umpire was in error, and that the decision adversely affected the outcome of the game for the protesting team, then the protest is upheld. The game must be replayed from the point of protest as soon as possible for both teams. All results of the old game are thrown out. Otherwise, the protest is thrown out and the game stands.

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Protests in baseball are rare, and an upheld protest is rarer still.

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