Saturday, November 15, 2014

Polls: 2014 UEFL Rules Summit Voting

The Umpire Ejection Fantasy League announces 2014 Rules Summit voting, which follows the Summit's discussion phase. It is now time to vote for UEFL rules modifications in advance of the 2014 baseball season.

The following ballot includes a description of proposals and an opportunity to vote on each measure. Upon Commissioner approval, all passing proposals will become rules for the 2014 UEFL season. Pursuant to the terms of UEFL Rule 8-1, a proposal with two options (e.g., Yes/No) is considered passing if it receives an absolute majority.

The Rules Summit ballot will close Saturday, November 22, at 11:59 pm PST. A run-off ballot and/or election will follow, beginning the afternoon or evening of Sunday, November 23.

The 2014 Rules Summit includes 19 polls related to proposals and six Appeals Board re-election polls. Carefully consider the below options before submitting your ballot. As in years past, you may vote in as many or as few polls as you wish. Be advised we will review voting records to determine ballot authenticity, which includes allegations or suspicions of fraudulent activity or misconduct. Click "read more" or click here to access the ballot.

Roster: 2014 Arizona Fall League Championship Game

Umpire Ryan Blakney plates the Arizona Fall League Championship Game played Saturday, November 15, 2014. He is joined by Doug Vines (1B), Ryan Goodman (2B) and Shaun Lampe (3B). The AFL Championship is the final game of the Arizona Fall League season, pitting together top prospects in baseball on the fall stage. The 2014 AFL Championship is being played at Scottsdale Stadium and features the Peoria Javelinas and Salt River Rafters.

Umpiring Crew, 2014 Arizona Fall League Championship Game (Peoria vs Salt River):
HP: Ryan Blakney (AAA: Pacific Coast League)
1B: Doug Vines (AAA: International League)
2B: Ryan Goodman (AAA: PCL)
3B: Shaun Lampe (AAA: PCL)

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Roster: 2014 MLB Japan All-Star Series

Umpire Chris Conroy & Crew Chief Mike Winters are in Japan for MLB's All-Star Series, joining local officials Fumihiro Yoshimoto and Hideto Fuke for the Exhibition Game at Koshien Stadium in Osaka. Veteran Fumihiro Yoshimoto worked his 1,000th career game in Nippon Professional Baseball in July 2014. In the postseason, Winters served as crew chief for the 2014 NLDS with Chris Conroy assigned to NY's Replay Operations Center while both Yoshimoto and Fuke officiated the NPB's equivalent for the Pacific League. Game 1 vs. Samurai Japan saw the addition of Jerry Layne while Game 3's combined no-hitter featured Mike Winters behind the dish.

Look closely and you might see the portable camera mounted on the hockey-style mask of plate umpire Fumihiro Yoshimoto. MLB Network will show replays from the camera throughout the broadcast.

Umpiring Assignments, MLB All-Stars vs Hanshin-Yomiuri*, Exhibition Game:
HP: Fumihiro Yoshimoto (JPN)
1B: Chris Conroy (USA)
2B: Hideto Fuke (JPN)
3B: Mike Winters (USA)

Umpires, MLB All-Stars vs. Samurai Japan (Japanese National Team), Game 1:
HP: Chris Conroy (USA)
1B: Takanori Yamamoto (JPN)
2B: Jerry Layne (USA)
3B: Katsumi Manabe (JPN)

Umpires, Samurai Japan (Japanese National Team) vs. MLB All-Stars, Game 2:
HP: Shoji Arisumi (JPN)
1B: Jerry Layne (USA)
2B: Chikara Tsugawa (JPN)
3B: Chris Conroy (USA)

Game 3:
HP: Mike Winters
1B: Kyohei Makita
2B: Jerry Layne
3B: Masanobu Sasaki

Game 4:
HP: Masao Yanada
1B: Mike Winters
2B: Kinji Nishimoto
3B: Chris Conroy

Game 5:
HP: Jerry Layne
1B: Kunio Kiuchi
2B: Mike Winters
3B: Norihiro Akimura

Sunday, November 9, 2014

ABL Ejection: Greg Kent (1; Dae-Sung Koo)

Here's a textbook ejection from the Australian Baseball League to brighten your offseason. HP Umpire Greg Kent ejected Blue Sox pitcher Dae-Sung Koo for arguing a ball four call in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Blue Sox-Cavalry game. With one out and one on, Cavalry batter Mitch Walding took a 3-1 pitch from Koo for a called fourth ball. After the walk, Koo walked to home plate, pointed down at the inner edge where he believed the pitch was located, and was dismissed by Kent. At the time of the ejection, the Blue Sox were leading, 7-5. The Blue Sox ultimately won the contest, 7-5.

Wrap: Sydney Blue Sox vs. Canberra Cavalry (Australian Baseball League), 11/9/14
Video: Dae-Sung Koo is ejected in textbook ejection for drawing line in the dirt on 'black' of plate (ABL)