Saturday, March 30, 2013

Introducing the 2013 UEFL Appeals Board

The 2013 UEFL Appeals Board is now set. Throughout the 2013 season, Appeals Board decisions and pending cases will be posted to the Board's UEFL Portal page. Introducing the Board for the 2013 season:

UEFL Commissioner Gil Imber, Chair and Appellate Interpreter
» Founder and owner, Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's The Left Field Corner (2006-11) and Close Call Sports (2011-present)...Rules Featured Columnist, Bleacher Report (2011-present)...Former football and baseball, present basketball official...UEFL Appeals Board (2012-13).

Deputy UEFL Commissioner Jeremy Dircks
» Umpire Ejection Fantasy League and Close Call Sports Staff (2011-present)...Former Kern County football, basketball and baseball official...Officer, United States Navy...UEFL Appeals Board (2012-13).

Ranking Member tmac
» Former baseball official...Has worked with several present MiLB and MLB umpires...Author of several key 2012 UEFL Appeals Board decisions...Returning for a second term on the UEFL Appeals Board (2012-13).

Ranking Member RichMSN
» 25 years umpiring experience, high school and college...Ardent student of the rules; Jim Evans Annotated, Jaksa/Roder, Wendelstedt Manual, PBUC Manual, Childress BRD, MLB Umpire Manual Rule Interpretations...Returning for a second term on the UEFL Appeals Board (2012-13).

Ranking Member yawetag
» Baseball official for all ages, youth through adult (2007-present)...Knowledge throughout all rule codes; recreational, NFHS, NCAA, OBR/pro...Returning for a second term on the UEFL Appeals Board (2012-13).

Associate Member BT_Blue
» Nearly 20 years of umpiring experience, youth through college and semi-professional...Formerly a 2012 Appeals Board candidate...Inaugural term on the UEFL Appeals Board (2013); 46% of vote.

Associate Member Turducken
» Has officiated high school baseball and, professionally, Single-A MiLB...Former UEFL observer and 2012 participant...Inaugural term on the UEFL Appeals Board (2013); 44% of vote.

Friday, March 29, 2013

2013 UEFL: Prop Predictions and Prop Board No. 1

UEFL Prop Predictions return in 2013 as Spring Training approaches its final weekend. Prop Predictions are yet another way to earn League points during the season and are side wagers as to events that may happen at some point during 2013. For instance, a Prop Prediction that reads, "Date of: First Marlins ejection" may be answered with "April 25." If the date of the first Marlins ejection indeed occurs on April 25, the member responding with that date will win the Prop Prediction and receive a specified amount of points. Multiple winners would each receive that specified amount of points. To enter your prop predictions for 2013, consult and submit this form. Alternately, you may reply to this post if you are unable to access the form. Prop Board No. 1 must be submitted by Monday, April 1, at 9:00 AM Pacific Time.

For reference, Prop Board No. 1: 2013 Season is included below.
 1. Name of Umpire: First regular season ejection (1-5 points, sliding scale)
 2. Date of: First ejection of a non-player and non-manager (2 points)
 3. Date of: First ejection for Throwing At and/or Fighting (2 points)
 4. Date of: Umpire Vic Carapazza's first ejection of 2013 (2 points)
 5. Name of Manager: First ejection of May 2013 (1-5 points, sliding scale)
 6. Number of: Ejections at the 2013 All-Star Break (2 points)
 7. Name of Player: Most ejected player at season's end (1-5 points, sliding scale)
 8. Date of: First Red Sox ejection (2 points)

For more information about Prop Predictions, including a sliding scale explanation, see UEFL Rule 4-6.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Case Play Solution 2013-01: Ball Comes Apart During Play

Case Play 2013-01 (ball comes apart during play) is now complete. Refer to the solution below.
Original post: Case Play: Hockey Pucks Splits in Two in Swiss Game

To recap, with two outs and bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning of a 3-0 game, B1 hits a fly to deep center field with such force that the ball comes at least partially, if not fully, apart during play (Video);

Qa) Was our umpire correct in keeping this play alive... Aa) Yes. As many UEFL'ers alluded to, Rule 5.02 Comment specifies that if a ball shall come partially apart during play, the play remains live. Though Rule 5.10(e) authorizes an umpire to call "Time" for the purposes of examining the ball or equipment, 5.10(h) prescribes an umpire shall not call "Time" while a play is in progress, as is the case with, amongst others, Rule 5.02. The video clearly indicates a play is in progress while the ball is apart.

Qb) Is B1 out or does his run count; how does play proceed... Ab: B1 is out. Also acceptable: B1 is safe. Rule 2.00 [Tag] decrees an out shall be recorded if a fielder touches a runner with a baseball that is held securely and firmly in his hand; secure possession is of tantamount importance. Depending on your interpretation of the video, the game either goes into extra innings or offensive Team A wins {see 9.01(c) below, in part (c)}.

Qc) If the ball completely severs in two, with half landing in F8's glove and half landing over the fair outfield wall, what happens... Ac) Though Rules 6.09(d) and 7.05(a) specify that all runners and the batter may advance to home plate, scoring a run, if a fair ball goes out of the playing field in flight, Rule 6.05(a) ordains a batter is out when his fair or foul fly ball (other than a foul tip) is legally caught by a fielder. Rule 2.00 [Catch] defines the act as a fielder gaining secure possession of a ball in flight and holding it. No rule or official interpretation specifically addresses a ball coming completely apart during play. Therefore, Rule 9.01(c)—the elastic clause—applies. The "larger part of the ball" theory is not an official interpretation, though Rule 9.01(c) authorizes an umpire employing this or another principle to help adjudicate this play.

Thank you to all participants—each and every league member who participated answered at least one (generally more than one) scenario correctly, thereby earning one Case Play point in the UEFL standings.

+1 point to: BigCatch22, clawdad, CricketChapman, cyclone14, Drjjulius, gkiewitt, heyblue17, JeremyJ, Kevin Nichols, kickersrule, Oakgrove1, pamarlowe, titandude25, toss 'em, Turducken, TXWrangler, wwjd220.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Pre-Season Ejection 5: Allen Bailey (1)

3B Umpire Allen Bailey ejected Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo for arguing a swinging strike (check swing) call in the top of the 9th inning of the Cubs-Royals game. With none on and two out, Rizzo attempted to check
his swing on a 3-2 breaking ball from Royals pitcher Sam Runion. On appeal, Bailey ruled Rizzo failed to check his swing. Replays indicate Rizzo appeared to have successfully arrested his try, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 9-9. The contest ultimately ended in a tie, 9-9, in 10 innings.

This is Allen Bailey's first ejection of Spring Training and first MLB ejection.
This is the 5th MLB (Pre-Season) ejection of 2013.
This is the 3rd player ejection of Spring Training.
Prior to his ejection, Rizzo was 0-4 in the contest.

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs. Kansas City Royals, 3/27/13
Video: Rizzo, frustrated with lack of calls, throws helmet and is tossed (Soon)

Pre-Season Ejection 4: Seth Buckminster (1)

HP Umpire Seth Buckminster ejected Mariners Manager Eric Wedge for arguing a ball call in the top of the 6th inning of the Dodgers-Mariners game. With two outs and two on, Dodgers batter Joc Pederson took a 2-0 curveball from Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez for a called third ball. Replays are inconclusive as to the quality of the pitch, the call is irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 4-3. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 10-7.

This is Seth Buckminster ()'s first ejection of Spring Training and first MLB ejection.
This is the 4th MLB ejection of 2013.
This is the 2nd Manager ejection of Spring Training 2013 and Wedge's first career Spring Training ejection.

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers at Seattle Mariners, 3/27/13
Video: After Buckminster warns King Felix against complaining about strike zone, Wedge is tossed (SEA)

NBA Ejection: Foster/Adams/Twardoski & TFFL Day 139

Referees Scott Foster (crew chief), Bennie Adams (R) and Scott Twardoski (R2/umpire) ejected Knicks center Marcus Camby for a second technical foul in violation of the NBA's Respect for the Game guidelines in the third quarter of the Grizzlies-Knicks game. With 8:12 remaining in the third period, Camby was called for a loose ball foul by trail official Adams against Grizzlies center Marc Gasol and reacted in an unsportsmanlike manner which drew a conduct technical foul followed by a second for his reaction to the first. At the time of the ejection, the Knicks were leading, 73-49. The Knicks ultimately won the contest, 108-101.

This is Scott Foster (48)'s third involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
This is Bennie Adams (47)'s second involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
This is Scott Twardoski (52)'s third involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.


2012-13 TFFL: Day 139 (13 Games, 13 Technicals, 1 Ejection)
905: #36 David Jones, #34 Kevin Cutler, #29 Mark Lindsay. Raptors' Lowry; 2nd, 0:04.7.
The Atlanta Hawks ultimately won the contest, defeating the Toronto Raptors, 107-88.

906: #71 Rodney Mott, #6 Tony Brown, #26 Pat Fraher. Bucks' Redick; 2nd, 7:08.
The Philadelphia 76ers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks, 100-92.

907: #55 Bill Kennedy, #45 Brian Forte, #72 J.T. Orr. Cavaliers' Walton; 2nd, 8:18.
^The Boston Celtics ultimately won the contest, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers, 93-92.

908: #48 Scott Foster, #47 Bennie Adams, #52 Scott Twardoski. Grizzlies' Allen; 1st, 2:33.
909: #48 Scott Foster, #47 Bennie Adams, #52 Scott Twardoski. Knicks' Camby; 3rd, 8:12 (consec-910).
910: #48 Scott Foster, #47 Bennie Adams, #52 Scott Twardoski. Knicks' Camby; 3rd, 8:12 (consec-910).
New York Knicks C Marcus Camby ejected (second technical)
911: #48 Scott Foster, #47 Bennie Adams, #52 Scott Twardoski. Knicks' Anthony; 4th, 9:17.
The New York Knicks ultimately won the contest, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies, 108-101.

912: #9 Derrick Stafford, #59 Gary Zielinski, #60 James Williams. Heat's Wade; 1st, 4:40.
The Chicago Bulls ultimately won the contest, defeating the Miami Heat, 101-97.

913: #28 Zach Zarba, #12 Violet Palmer, #35 Kane Fitzgerald. Thunder's Westbrook; 3rd, 3:43.
914: #28 Zach Zarba, #12 Violet Palmer, #35 Kane Fitzgerald. Thunder's Collison; 4th, 5:44.
The Oklahoma City Thunder ultimately won the contest, defeating the Washington Wizards, 103-80.

915: #25 Tony Brothers, #74 Curtis Blair, #23 Jason Phillips. Lakers' Blake; 3rd, 0:38.1.
916: #25 Tony Brothers, #74 Curtis Blair, #23 Jason Phillips. Timberwolves' Barea; 4th, 8:41.
The Los Angeles Lakers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves, 120-117.

917: #15 Bennett Salvatore, #61 Courtney Kirkland, #66 Haywoode Workman. Nuggets' Karl; 4th, 7:59.
^The San Antonio Spurs ultimately won the contest, defeating the Denver Nuggets, 100-99.

1. (196 pts) Bino.
2. (188 pts) Boredcravens.
3. (180 pts) cyclone14.
4. (176 pts) flap0703.
5. (168 pts) Niicker.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

2012-13 TFFL: Days 137 & 138, Technicals 897 - 904

2012-13 TFFL: Day 138 (3 Games, 3 Technicals)
902: #13 Monty McCutchen, #7 Kevin Fehr, #16 David Guthrie. Clippers' Griffin; 3rd, 0:07.0.
903: #13 Monty McCutchen, #7 Kevin Fehr, #16 David Guthrie. Clippers' Crawford; 4th, 10:54.
904: #13 Monty McCutchen, #7 Kevin Fehr, #16 David Guthrie. Mavericks' James, M.; 4th, 3:34.
^The Dallas Mavericks ultimately won the contest, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers, 109-102.

2012-13 TFFL: Day 137 (6 Games, 5 Technicals)
897: #14 Ed Malloy, #61 Courtney Kirkland, #63 Derek Richardson. Grizzlies' Randolph; 4th, 3:48.
898: #14 Ed Malloy, #61 Courtney Kirkland, #63 Derek Richardson. Grizzlies' Hollins; 4th, 1:10.
The Washington Wizards ultimately won the contest, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies, 107-94.

899: #22 Bill Spooner, #35 Kane Fitzgerald, #50 Olandis Poole. Hawks' Smith; 2nd, 0:57.3 (double-900).
900: #22 Bill Spooner, #35 Kane Fitzgerald, #50 Olandis Poole. Pacers' Pendergraph; 2nd, 0:57.3 (d-899).
The Indiana Pacers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Atlanta Hawks, 100-94.

901: #43 Dan Crawford, #30 John Goble, #20 Leroy Richardson. Lakers' Howard; 2nd, 3:15 [Video]
The Golden State Warriors ultimately won the contest, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, 109-103.

1. (194 pts) Bino.
2. (186 pts) Boredcravens.
3. (175 pts) cyclone14.
4. (174 pts) flap0703.
5. (165 pts) Drjjulius.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Pre-Season Ejection 3: A.J. Johnson (1)

HP Umpire Anthony A.J. Johnson ejected Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly for arguing balls and strikes in the 7th inning of the Dodgers-Royals game. With two out and one on, Dodgers batter Matt Kemp attempted to
check his swing on a 2-2 slider from Royals pitcher Dan Wheeler. Replays indicate Kemp attempted to strike the pitch, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 7-2. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 8-2.

This is A.J. Johnson's first ejection of Spring Training and first career MLB ejection (pre-season [Johnson has not yet worked an MLB regular season game]).
This is the third MLB ejection of 2013.

Wrap: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Kansas City Royals, 3/25/13
Video: Mattingly ejected following Kemp's strikeout, during "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"; KC's Rex Hudler and Steve Physioc have the call

Sunday, March 24, 2013

2012-13 TFFL: Day 136, Technical Fouls 891 - 896

2012-13 TFFL: Day 136 (8 Games, 6 Technicals)
891: #41 Ken Mauer, #47 Bennie Adams, #60 James Williams. Thunder's Brooks; 3rd, 2:53.
The Oklahoma City Thunder ultimately won the contest, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers, 103-83.

892: #24 Mike Callahan, #12 Violet Palmer, #40 Leon Wood. Timberwolves' Barea; 4th, 5:13.
The Chicago Bulls ultimately won the contest, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves, 104-97.

893: #48 Scott Foster, #18 Matt Boland, #36 David Jones. Jazz's Kanter; 4th, 8:55 (multiple-894).
894: #48 Scott Foster, #18 Matt Boland, #36 David Jones. Jazz's Corbin; 4th, 8:55 (multiple-893).
The Dallas Mavericks ultimately won the contest, defeating the Utah Jazz, 113-108.

895: #19 James Capers, #20 Leroy Richardson, #32 Eddie F. Rush. Kings' Cousins; 2nd, 5:07 (double-896).
896: #19 James Capers, #20 Leroy Richardson, #32 Eddie F. Rush. 76ers' Young, T.; 2nd, 5:07 (d-895).
The Philadelphia 76ers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Sacramento Kings, 117-103.

1. (193 pts) Bino.
2. (186 pts) Boredcravens.
3. (175 pts) cyclone14.
4. (171 pts) flap0703.
5. (163 pts) Drjjulius.

Pre-Season Ejection 2: Chad Fairchild (1)

HP Umpire Chad Fairchild ejected Pirates catcher Russell Martin for arguing balls and strikes in the top of the 1st inning of the Orioles-Pirates game. With one out and one on, Orioles batter Travis Ishikawa walked on four pitches from Pirates pitcher Chris Leroux; immediately thereafter, Orioles batter Taylor Teagarden
singled on a 1-2 fastball. Following a called ball on a 0-0 pitch to ensuing batter Chris Dickerson, Fairchild warned Martin as manager Clint Hurdle came out to discuss. On his way back from conferencing with pitcher Leroux, Martin interjected and was ejected. Replays are inconclusive as to the quality of the 0-2 and 0-0 breaking balls, the call is irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Orioles were leading, 4-0. The Orioles ultimately won the contest, 12-10.

This is Chad Fairchild (75)'s first ejection of Spring Training.
This is the second MLB ejection of 2013.

Martin, on Fairchild: "He's a good guy, I know he is. But I probably let my emotions get back to me, and I'm sure he did to. We both had our reasons and disagreements. It was frustrating. I'm really just treating it like it was a regular-season game in my intensity and the way I go about it."
Leroux, on Martin: "I'm just glad that he kind of had my back. I'm glad he noticed the same things I noticed."
Hurdle, on the situation: "[Martin] thought there was a whole bunch of pitches that we had strikes on, that we weren't getting. I wasn't going to shut him up. He's got as good of a view, if not better than the umpire, because he's set up right behind the plate. He took a stand for his men. That's good to see. I have never in 39 springs had to replace a pitcher and a catcher in the top of the first inning with one out. Never seen it. Never been a part of it. Never watched it ... It just got to the point where sometimes all you can do ... to be quiet just isn't acceptable. It's happened to me during the season. You're just not going to walk away. There comes a point in time where you just don't walk away. [Martin] didn't want to walk away."

Wrap: Baltimore Orioles at Pittsburgh Pirates, 3/24/13
Video: Martin won't let it go; Fairchild ejects and tells him, "that pitch was outside and you know it"

NBA Ejs: Brothers/Fraher/Wright & Kennedy/Lane/Zielinski

Referees Tony Brothers (crew chief), Pat Fraher (R) and Sean Wright (R2/umpire) ejected Bulls guard Nate Robinson for a flagrant foul penalty two during the third quarter of the Pacers-Bulls game. With 0:49.3 remaining in the third period, Pacers guard Lance Stephenson attempted a fast break score, but prior to his shot was pulled down from behind by Robinson in an action considered excessive and unnecessary, resulting in a flagrant foul type two and automatic ejection. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 66-66. The Bulls ultimately won the contest, 87-84.

This is Tony Brothers (25)'s first ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
This is Pat Fraher (26)'s first involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
This is Sean Wright (65)'s first involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.


Referees Bill Kennedy (CC), Karl Lane (R) and Gary Zielinski (R2/U) ejected Wizards guard John Wall for a second technical foul during the third quarter of the Wizards-Warriors game. With 6:44 remaining in the third period, Wall and Warriors guard Klay Thompson received offsetting unsporting conduct technical fouls. Since Wall had previously received a technical foul in the first quarter, he was summarily ejected. At the time of the ejection, the Warriors were leading, 69-57. The Warriors ultimately won the contest, 101-92.

This is Bill Kennedy (55)'s second involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
This is Karl Lane (77)'s second involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
This is Gary Zielinski (59)'s fourth involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.


2012-13 TFFL: Day 135 (7 Games, 9 Technicals, 1 Ejection)
882: #71 Rodney Mott, #45 Brian Forte, #50 Olandis Poole. Bobcats' Gordon; 4th, 4:17.
^The Detroit Pistons ultimately won the contest, defeating the Charlotte Bobcats, 92-91.

883: #25 Tony Brothers, #26 Pat Fraher, #65 Sean Wright. Pacers' George; 2nd, 0:49.3 (double-884).
884: #25 Tony Brothers, #26 Pat Fraher, #65 Sean Wright. Bulls' Belinelli; 2nd, 0:49.3 (double-883).
The Chicago Bulls ultimately won the contest, defeating the Indiana Pacers, 87-84.

885: #22 Bill Spooner, #28 Zach Zarba, #68 Marat Kogut. Grizzlies' Bayless; 2nd, 6:36.
886: #22 Bill Spooner, #28 Zach Zarba, #68 Marat Kogut. Celtics' Crawford; 4th, 11:34.
887: #22 Bill Spooner, #28 Zach Zarba, #68 Marat Kogut. Celtics' Rivers; 4th, 9:01.
The Memphis Grizzlies ultimately won the contest, defeating the Boston Celtics, 110-106.

888: #55 Bill Kennedy, #77 Karl Lane, #59 Gary Zielinski. Wizards' Wall; 1st, 5:38.
889: #55 Bill Kennedy, #77 Karl Lane, #59 Gary Zielinski. Warriors' Thompson; 3rd, 6:41 (double-890).
890: #55 Bill Kennedy, #77 Karl Lane, #59 Gary Zielinski. Wizards' Wall; 3rd, 6:41 (double-889).
Wizards G John Wall ejected (second technical)
The Golden State Warriors ultimately won the contest, defeating the Washington Wizards, 101-92.

1. (192 pts) Bino.
2. (185 pts) Boredcravens.
3. (171 pts) cyclone14, flap0703.
5. (162 pts) Drjjulius.