Friday, August 5, 2011

Ejections: Mike Muchlinski (4, 5, 6)

HP Umpire Mike Muchlinski ejected Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino and Giants catcher Eli Whiteside for fighting and Giants pitcher Ramon Ramirez for throwing at Victorino in the top of the 6th inning of the Phillies-Giants game. With two out and two on, Victorino took a 0-0 fastball from Ramirez for a hit by pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and hit Victorino in the center of his belt as he turned his back towards center field, the call is correct under UEFL Rule 6.b.ii.e.* At the time of the ejections, the Phillies were leading, 8-2. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 9-2.

These are Mike Muchlinski (76)'s fourth, fifth, and sixth ejections of 2011.
Mike Muchlinski now has 30 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (15 Previous + 3*[3 AAA + 2 Correct Call] = 30).
Mike Muchlinski was not drafted in 2011.
*This call is correct under UEFL Rule 6.b.ii.e.

These are the 144th, 145th, and 146th ejections of 2011.
These are the 68th, 69th, and 70th player ejections of 2011.
Prior to his ejection, Ramirez' line was 3 ER in 1.0 IP.
Prior to his ejection, Victorino was 2-3 in the contest.
Prior to his ejection, Whiteside was 1-2 in the contest.

Wrap: Phillies at Giants 8/5/11
Video: Bench Clearing Brawl by the Bay (or 'The Frisco Fight')

Ejections: Brian Knight (3)

HP Umpire Brian Knight ejected Blue Jays Manager John Farrell for arguing a non interference call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Blue Jays-Orioles game.* With one out and one on, Orioles batter Robert Andino hit a 0-0 fastball from Blue Jays pitcher Luis Perez down the first base line, about half way (45 feet) toward first base. When Perez attempted to field and throw the ball to first baseman Adam Lind, his throw was wide and Andino reached on a fielding error. Replays indicate Rule 6.05(k) Interference, as prescribed by rule, did not occur due to the poor quality of Perez' throw. However, replays indicate contact did occur between the feet of Andino and Perez resulting in a poor plant and poor throw; this is interference under Rule 7.08(b), the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Blue Jays were leading, 4-3. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

This is Brian Knight (91)'s third ejection of 2011.
Brian Knight now has 0 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (2 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = 0)
Brian Knight was not drafted in 2011.
*This ejection has been granted a Post-Inning Exemption under Rule 6.e.iii.b. The authority to grant a Post-Inning Exemption during a pitching change is derived from Rule 6.e.iv.b.

This is the 143rd ejection of 2011.
This is the 68th Manager ejection of 2011.
This is Farrell's third ejection of 2011.

Wrap: Blue Jays at Orioles 8/5/11
Video: Condensed Game (Play Occurs at 9:45)

Thursday, August 4, 2011

UEFL News: QOC Quick Vote

Since the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League moved from Livejournal to Blogger, we've rolled out several new features. Today the UEFL is excited to announce the League's newest feature, the QOC Quick Vote. The Quality of Correctness Quick Vote allows all UEFL'ers to conveniently provide "quick" feedback regarding ejection QOC without having to leave a comment anonymously. We've also included a video to introduce the feature.

QOC (Quality of Correctness) Quick Vote allows UEFL'ers to select one of three QOC options.
QOC Quick Vote can be found at the bottom of each post, just above the "Posted by" & "Comments" line. To effectively make use of the QOC Quick Vote, watch the video to the left, and follow along as we describe the QOC Quick Vote procedure. Try it now! Was Robinson safe, out, or was it too close to call?

PS: "Brownie Points" awarded to whoever catches the "incorrect call" (error) in the video!
PPS: "Brownie Points" are not actual UEFL League approved points.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Ejections: Marvin Hudson (5)

1B Umpire Marvin Hudson ejected White Sox pitcher Brian Bruney for arguing a safe call in the top of the 7th inning of the Yankees-White Sox game. With none out and one on, Yankees batter Brett Gardner hit a 1-1 fastball from Bruney for an infield single to White Sox first basemen Adam Dunn. Replays indicate Gardner's hand touched the base before Bruney's foot touched the base, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 13-7. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 18-7.

This is Marvin Hudson (51)'s fifth ejection of 2011.
Marvin Hudson now has 14 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (10 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Ccorrect Call = 14)
Marvin Hudson is owned as a Secondary Umpire by mtn335, who is now in 3rd place in the UEFL with 22 points.

This is the 142nd ejection of 2011.
This is the 67th player ejection of 2011.
Prior to his ejection, Bruney's line in the contest was 0.0+ IP, 0 ER (he was charged 2 ER after his ejection).

Wrap: Yankees at White Sox 8/3/11 Wrap
Video: Gardner is called safe in a cloud of dust; Bruney ejected

Ejections: Bob Davidson (6, 7)

HP Umpire Bob Davidson ejected Cubs right fielder Tyler Colvin and Manager Mike Quade for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 5th inning of the Cubs-Pirates game. With two out and none on, Colvin took a 1-2 fastball from Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton for a called third strike. Replays indicate the called third strike was belt high and over the inner half of home plate, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 0-0. The Cubs ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

These are Bob Davidson (6)'s sixth and seventh ejections of 2011.
Bob Davidson now has 10 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (2 Previous + 2*[2 MLB + 2 Correct Call] = 10).
Bob Davidson is owned as a Primary Umpire by BGMTOM, who is now in 14th place in the UEFL with 14 points.
Bob Davidson is owned as a Primary Umpire by Bino, who is now tied for 15th place in the UEFL with 13 points.
Bob Davidson is owned as a Secondary Umpire by BrooklynUmp, who is now tied for 22nd place in the UEFL with 9 points.
*This call is correct per UEFL Rule 6.b.ii.a. (Kulpa Rule). The called third strike is associated with a px value of 0.899, which corresponds to the "always a strike" range.

These are the 140th and 141st ejections of 2011.
This is the 66th player ejection of 2011.
This is the 67th Manager ejection of 2011.
Prior to his ejection, Colvin was 0-2 in the contest.
This is Mike Quade's fifth ejection of 2011.

Wrap: Cubs at Pirates 8/3/11
Video: Colvin, then Quade, are ejected for arguing balls and strikes between innings

Pitch f/x courtesy Brooks Baseball

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Ejections: Rob Drake (7)

HP Umpire Rob Drake ejected Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 10th inning of the Cardinals-Brewers game. With none out and none on, Molina took a 1-2 fastball from Brewers pitcher Marco Estrada for a called strike three. Replays indicate the called third strike was thigh high, but off the inside corner of the plate, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 7-7. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 8-7.

This is Rob Drake (30)'s seventh ejection of 2011.
Rob Drake now has 22 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (24 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = 22).
Rob Drake is owned as a Secondary Umpire by BSBALLUMP, who is now tied for 5th place in the UEFL with 19 points.

This is the 139th ejection of 2011.
This is the 65th player ejection of 2011.
Prior to his ejection, Molina was 2-5 in the contest.

Wrap: Cardinals at Brewers 8/2/11 Wrap
Video (1): Molina Ejected, Bumps and Appears to Spit on Umpire Drake
Video (2): Molina's Tantrum, Home & Away Broadcasts

Pitch f/x courtesy Brooks Baseball

Ejections: Gerry Davis (2)

1B Umpire Gerry Davis ejected Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkillis for arguing a swing call in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Indians-Red Sox game. With one out and one on, Youkillis attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 slider from Indians pitcher Tony Sipp. Replays indicate Youkillis attempted to strike the ball, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 2-2. The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Gerry Davis (12)'s second ejection of 2011.
Gerry Davis now has 4 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4).
Gerry Davis is owned as a Primary Umpire by spence1222, who is now tied for 15th place in the UEFL with 12 points.
Gerry Davis is owned as a Primary Umpire by jeruhmed, who is now tied for 27th place in the UEFL with 4 points.

This is the 138th ejection of 2011.
This is the 64th player ejection of 2011.
Prior to his ejection, Youkillis was 1-4 in the contest.

Wrap: Indians at Red Sox 8/2/11
Video: N/A

Monday, August 1, 2011

Polls: He Gone

Last poll, we created an Umpire Ejection Fantasy League with UEFL'ers as the umpires. This week, we continue the UEFL: You Edition with another ejection question, but first let's review our last poll.

Previous Poll (Average Ejection Rate) Results: Our previous poll, Polls: Ejection Rate, asked what your own personal ejection rate is, on average. Combining your votes on the blog and on our Facebook page, we see that most umpires use the ejection sparingly and after many other means of reasoning and communication have proved fruitless. Here is your average ejection rate, along with some comparative MLB Active, Retired/DL, *AAA Fill-in/Replacement*, and Hall of Fame Umpire rates both past and present (Total Votes: 307):

  • Once Every 50+ Games - 28% - Some MLB Umpires who fall into the 50+ range: Emmett Ashford (1 ejection per 90 games worked), Tim Welke (1 per 90), Don Denkinger (1 per 88)Doug Harvey (1 per 85), Jim Wolf (1 per 80), Mike Reilly (1 per 75), CB Bucknor (1 per 74), Jeff Kellogg (1 per 70), Jim Joyce (1 per 65), Al Barlick (1 per 60), Jerry Crawford (1 per 51), Bruce Froemming (1 per 51).
  • Once Every 30-50 Games - 16% - Some MLB Umpires who fall into the 30-50 range: Tim Keefe (1 per 49)`, Cal Hubbard (1 per 44), Ted Barrett (1 per 42), Shag Crawford (1 per 41), Tim Tschida (1 per 41), Tom Connolly (1 per 38)Tom Hallion (1 per 35), Dan Iassogna (1 per 34), *Angel Campos (1 per 33)*, Jocko Conlan (1 per 32), Rob Drake (1 per 30), *D.J. Reyburn (1 per 30)*.
  • Once Every 25-29 Games - 10% - In 2010, the average umpire ejected a person approximately once every 30 games.* Some MLB Umpires who fall into the 25-30 range: Joe West (1 per 29), Tim Timmons (1 per 28), Hunter Wendelstedt (1 per 27), Angel Hernandez (1 per 27), Bill Hohn (1 per 26), Doug Eddings (1 per 26).
  • Once Every 20-24 Games - 8% - Some MLB Umpires who fall into the 20-24 range: Bob Davidson (1 per 23), Cy Rigler (1 per 22), Ray DiMuro (1 per 20)*.
  • Once Every 15-19 Games - 7% - Some Umpires who fall into the 15-19 range: Bill Klem (1 per 19)*Casey Moser (1 per 19)*^, *Andy Anderson (1 per 19)*^, Silk O'Loughlin (1 per 18), Ed Andrews (1 per 17), Augie Guglielmo (1 per 17), Bud Lally (1 per 15)^, Chief Zimmer (1 per 15).
  • Once Every 10-14 Games - 7% - Bob Davidson, who led the League with 10 ejections last season, averaged one ejection per 13 games in 2010. In 2010, MLB experienced an ejection an average of once every 12.1 games.* Some Umpires who fall into the 10-14 range: Charles Mitchell (1 per 11)^, Lord Byron (1 per 10), Garnet Bush (1 per 10).
  • I have never ejected a person - 6% - Some Umpires who fall into this category: Ron Barnes (0 per 352), Mike Walsh (0 per 304), *Darren Spagnardi (0 per 91)*, *Dave Aschwege (0 per 47)*
  • N/A - I don't umpire - 6% - Consistent with our previous polling (Polls: Umpiring Experience), a single digit percentage of UEFL'ers have never umpired (we salute you!)
  • Once Every 7-9 Games - 2% - Marty Foster, who led the League with 14 ejections in 2005, averaged one ejection per 9 games in 2005. He averaged one ejection per 35 games in 2010. Some Umpires who fall into the 7-9 range: Oyster Burns (1 per 9)^, *Don January (1 per 7)*^&%, *Hank Rountree (1 per 7)*^, *Darrel Mason (1 per 7)*^&%, *Frank Ballina (1 per 7)*^&%.
  • Once Every 2-6 Games - 2% - Some Umpires who fall into the 2-6 range: Clarence Eldridge (1 per 6)^%, *Mark Widlowski (1 per 5 [Ejection occurred in his 4th MLB game])*^&%, *Larry Walding (1 per 5 [Ejection occurred in his 4th MLB game])*^&%, Phil Baker (1 per 5 [Ejection occurred in his 5th and final game, 1889])^&, Jack Doyle (1 per 4)^.
  • Once a Game - 1% - Really? I wonder if some votes are from some of those who responded "Pro (at least one MLB Game)" in Polls: Umpiring Experience...
^Indicates a sample size less than 100 games.
`Tim Keefe was selected to the Hall of Fame as a player.
&These Umpires worked less than 10 games at the Big League Level and had only one ejection each.
%Ballina, January, Mason, Walding & Widlowski additionally all worked the final week of April through May 2, 1995 during an umpires' lock-out.
*Notice the apparent disparity in average rates of ejection between Umpire and Game. With the average umpire ejecting once per ≈ 30 games & the average ejection occurring once per ≈ 12 games, what accounts for this difference? Here's your clue: "AAA."

Interesting Facts:
Has an umpire ever worked only one AL/NL/MLB game and ejected someone in that game? Yes. In 1907, Boston Doves pitcher (and former postal carrier) Vive Lindaman, working as a field umpire, ejected Superbas shortstop Phil Lewis after "a long wrangle" in the top of the 13th of the Superbas-Doves game (the second of a double-header). The Superbas eventually beat the Doves 4-3 (and swept the series). Lindaman never umpired again.
Fastest 1st Ejection, "Big Name" Umpire: Rick Reed ejected Indians Manager Jeff Torborg in Reed's first ever MLB game.
Most All Time Ejections: Bill Klem called for an ejection 279 times over the course of his storied career.
Fewest All Time Ejections: During the 1890s and 1900s, many players and coaches took turns umpiring a few games each without producing ejections. Since then, many umpires have likewise never ejected a soul.
Most Games Worked with Fewest Ejections: Ron Barnes worked 352 games and recorded zero ejections.
Most Ejections in One Season: Bill Klem racked up 26 ejections - or 1 per 6 games - in his rookie season of 1905. He dropped down to 15 in 1906, but returned to 21 in 1907 (and again in 1911). After dropping to 8 ejections in 1908, Klem received his first World Series assignment. In 1903, rookie ump Augie Moran ejected 24 (losing steam, he would only eject 12 more over three more umpiring seasons). Years later, Frank Dascoli had 22 ejections of his own, claiming third place on the list.
Highest Rate: Joe Hornung, pitcher for Boston at the time, ejected 2 people over 9 games in 1896. At a rate of one ejection per 4.5 games Hornung holds the lead for highest rate of ejection. Former player-manager Jack Doyle ejected nine people over 42 games in 1911. At a rate of one ejection per 4.67 games, Doyle closely trails Hornung for the lead. 

Current Poll: Per our previous poll, around nine out of 10 UEFL'ers have ejected one or multiple persons throughout their careers. Our current poll asks who you tend to eject most often. Selecting only one option, what class of personnel do you eject more than any other? Your choices: player, coach, spectator: parent, spectator: other. And, yes, asking Game Management to remove a spectator counts as an ejection even if you do not dump 'em yourself.

When you eject, who do you most often eject?

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Ejections: Dan Bellino (3)

HP Umpire Dan Bellino ejected A's right fielder Ryan Sweeney for arguing a strike call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Twins-A's game. With two out and none on, Sweeney took a 1-1 fastball from Twins pitcher Matt Capps for called strike two. Sweeney subsequently struck out swinging on the next pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was borderline over the inside corner and below the midpoint between the shoulders and top of the uniform pants, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the A's were leading, 7-3. The A's ultimately won the contest, 7-3.

This is Dan Bellino (93)'s third ejection of 2011.
Dan Bellino now has 12 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (8 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 12).
Dan Bellino is owned as a Secondary Umpire by sachmet, who is now tied for 4th place in the UEFL with 21 points.
*This ejection is correct under the "Kulpa Rule," with a px value of .988 (borderline range-->correct).

This is the 137th ejection of 2011.
This is the 44th ejection of July 2011.
This is the 63rd player ejection of 2011.
Prior to his ejection, Sweeney was 1-4 in the contest.

Wrap: Twins at A's 7/31/11
Video: Sweeney is tossed arguing the strike zone

Pitch f/x courtesy Brooks Baseball

Ejections: Hunter Wendelstedt (1, 2)

HP Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ejected Angels pitcher Jered Weaver and Angels Manager Mike Scioscia for throwing at Tigers batter Alex Avila in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Angels-Tigers game. With two out and none on, Avila took a 0-0 fastball from Weaver for a ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located directly at the head of Avila (which he avoided), the call was correct.* The pitch from Weaver was immediately after surrendering a home run to Tigers Carlos Guillen, where Guillen dropped his bat and stared at Weaver while appearing to mouth something. Immediately after the this incident, Wendelstedt spoke to Weaver and issued both teams warnings. At the time of the ejection, the Tigers were leading, 3-0. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

These are Hunter Wendelstedt (21)'s first and second ejections of 2011.
Hunter Wendelstedt now has 9 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (1 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 9).
Hunter Wendelstedt is owned as a Primary Umpire by tt49, who is now in 14th place in the UEFL with 13 points.
Hunter Wendelstedt is owned as a Secondary Umpire by kickersrule, who is now in 3rd place in the UEFL with 24 points.
*The call is correct under UEFL Rule 6.b.ii.e.

These are the 135th and 136th ejections of 2011.
These are the 42nd and 43rd ejections of July 2011.
This is the 62nd player ejection of 2011.
This is the 66th Manager ejection of 2011.
Prior to his ejection, Weaver's line was 6.2 IP and 3 ER in the contest.

Wrap: Angels at Tigers 7/31/11
Video: Hunter Ejects Weaver, Scioscia
Video (2): Guillen Homers, Wendelstedt Issues Warnings