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Defector

Barry Petchesky

Ty France grabs a ball that is seemingly foul. But it's fair!

That’s A Fair Ball, Believe It Or Not

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 24: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees stands on deck in the third inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Jazz Chisholm Is So Bad At ABS Challenges

Kathryn Xu

A 0.2" inch ABS challenge where a ball was turned into a strike, made by Eugenio Suarez against umpire CB Bucknor.

What Is A Strike

Maitreyi Anantharaman

A detail shot of the scoreboard as a call is overturned in an ABS challenge review in the first inning during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Friday, March 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

For Now, ABS Makes Good Theater

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

John Schneider argues with umpire Gabe Morales.

John Schneider Seeks A Cure For The Blue Jays’ Case Of Loser Brain

Torey Lovullo gives the business to an umpire.

No, You’re Outta Here!

Stumbling Minnesota Twins Struggle With Clocks, Gizmos, Rules, And Authority

Lauren Theisen

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux (9) disagrees with umpire Andy Fletcher who called him out on strikes in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium.

Life Isn’t Fair. Why Should The Strike Zone Be?

MLB umpire Pat Hoberg looks on during a game between the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs on May 12, 2023.

MLB Loses Its Best Umpire To Sports Gambling

Giri Nathan

Frances Tiafoe yells "Fuck you" at the umpire after a loss.

Tennis

Frances Tiafoe Provides Postmatch Feedback To Umpire: “Fuck You”

Ray Ratto

Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman argues with umpire Laz Diaz from the dugout, while manager John Schneider stands in front of him.

Please Rise And Remove Your Caps For Kevin Gausman’s Argument With The Umpire

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 19: Umpire Angel Hernandez looks on during the MLB game between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 19, 2024 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

End Of An Error As Ángel Hernández Calls It Quits

David Roth

Yankees manager Aaron Boone argues with home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt after being ejected in the first inning of his team's game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium on April 22, 2024 in New York City.

Aaron Boone Gets Ejected For Whatever Some Fan Yelled At Hunter Wendelstedt

Anthony Volpe #11 of the New York Yankees reacts after a call made by home plate umpire umpire Angel Hernandez #5 during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium.

This May Be Hard To Believe, But It Gets Even Worse Than Ángel Hernández

PROVIDENCE, RI - JANUARY 03: Referee Jeffrey Anderson calls a blocking foul during a college basketball game between Marquette Golden Eagles and Providence Friars on January 3, 2018, at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, RI. Marquette won in overtime 95-90 . (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Underexplained Lists

Referee And Umpire Signals It’s Fun To Do From Your Couch, Ranked

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts during the fifth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on September 21, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Angel Hernandez Will Make You Want To Throw A Thing

Aaron Boone Is Helpless

Patrick Redford

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 24: Ryne Stanek #45 of the Houston Astros reacts to a balk call from second base umpire Junior Valentine #25 as he comes off the field, allowing Jonny Deluca #89 of the Los Angeles Dodgers to score a run for an 8-7 Dodgers lead, after the end of the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Astros Reliever Melts Down After Balk Call Gives Dodgers Game-Winning Run

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

Los Angeles, CA - April 19: Mets starter Max Max Scherzer (21) reacts after being ejected in the fourth inning of the game against the Dodgers on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

Max Scherzer Is In A Sticky, Not Tacky, Situation

Tom Ley

An umpire ejects JT Realmuto for no reason