Saturday, November 10, 2018

2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series Umpire Roster

Major League umpires Eric Cooper, Jeff Kellogg, and Quinn Wolcott are in Tokyo for the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series, joining several NPB umpires for the exhibition series. Meanwhile, the umpire mask camera that we saw in use during the 2014 series is back. For instance, here is a Juan Soto home run from said ump cam.

In 2014, Chris Conroy, Jerry Layne, and Mike Winters traveled to Japan for the best-of-five series between the MLB All-Stars and Samurai Japan (Japan's national team), plus one exhibition game between the MLB squad and a combination squad comprised of teams from Hanshin and Yomiuri. This year, the pre-series exhibition game featured MLB's team against the Yomiuri Giants.
Related PostRoster: 2014 MLB Japan All-Star Series (11/11/14).

MLB Umpires
> Eric Cooper.
> Jeff Kellogg.
> Quinn Wolcott.

Nippon Professional Baseball Umpires
> Atsushi Fukaya.
> Shinichiro Hara.
> Takayuki Ichikawa.
> Kenjiro Mori.
> Kazuaki Nakoh.
> Naoto Shikita.

While MLB sent Cooper, Kellogg, and Wolcott to Japan, NPB sent umpires Shinji Hashimoto and Chikara Tsugawa to the Arizona Fall League, where they have been working with AFL umpires for the past few weeks.
Related PostArizona Fall League Welcomes NPB (Japan) Umpires (11/2/18).

Friday, November 9, 2018

2018 UEFL Award for Umpire of the Year - Ted Barrett

Ted Barrett is the UEFL's (Best) Umpire of the Year for 2018 [2017: Mark Wegner].
Voting (Top 5): Barrett (43.6%), Jeff Nelson (10.1%), Joe West/Jim Wolf (6%), Chad Fairchild (4.7%).

Award Winner: Ted Barrett (65).
Ted Barrett wins the UEFL Umpire of the Year Award for 2018. In his 22nd season in the majors, Barrett was ejection-less and finished 16th in Replay Review (.619 RAP, eight overturns). A three-Award winner for the second time (also: 2014), Barrett chiefed the World Series and called 18 innings (seven hours, 20 minutes) behind home plate in Game 3, seeing 561 pitches (286 callable) and, on average, missing just one pitch per hour of game time.
Related PostTwofer - Plate Umpire Ted Barrett's 18-Inning Night (10/30/18).

A postseason regular (that's now 14 consecutive seasons with a playoff assignment [2005-18], the highest active streak amongst the staff), Barrett officiated his fourth World Series in October just 11 years after he worked his first Fall Classic (2007, 11, 14, 18), and just four years after his third, which in turn was three years after his second, which was four after his first. So we can expect to see him in the 2022 World Series as well.

UEFL Awards History, Ted Barrett
Umpire of the Year: 2014, 2018.
Honorable Umpire of the Year: 201220132014, 2018.
Crew Chief of the Year: 2014201620172018.

Ted Barrett now has 21 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (16 Previous + 5 Award = 21).
Final Standings will be released this weekend.

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Umpire Cody Coffman Killed in California Mass Shooting

Camarillo Pony Baseball lost its umpire-in-chief, 22-year-old Cody Coffman, in Wednesday's Thousand Oaks, California mass shooting at the Borderline Bar and Grill.

"He loved working with the kids."

Cody's father, Jason, spoke with local media Thursday, recalling the last conversation with his son before Cody left for "College Country Night" at the bar.

According to a friend, Coffman died trying to save others: "He was protecting everyone."

Conejo Valley Little League remembered Camarillo's UIC Cody in a tribute on its Twitter page: "Hug your players close tonight, as Camarillo Pony Baseball mourns the loss of former player, current umpire and dad, Cody Coffman. We at CVLL extend our sincerest condolences to the league and the family of this fine man."

At least 12 people lost their lives during Wednesday's mass shooting.

News: ‘I’m Speechless, Heartbroken’: Father of 22-Year-Old Killed in Thousand Oaks Shooting Tells of His Pain (KTLA) | Video as Follows:

MLBUA Joins Officiating Unions in Support of NFLRA

After the NFL fired down judge and former baseball umpire Hugo Cruz in the middle of football season, the MLB Umpires Association (MLBUA) joined the National Basketball Referees Association (NBRA) and Professional Soccer Referee Association (PSRA) in defense of the NFLRA and the league's "knee-jerk reaction" in dismissing an official during the season.

In a statement from former NFL referee and NFLRA executive director Scott Green, the union said it will fight the league's move: "The NFLRA will protect the collectively bargained rights of all officials and will challenge this reckless decision through the Grievance process."

Our football officiating counterparts at FootballZebras.com were the first to report on the NFL's termination of down judge Hugo Cruz (94) on October 25.

The joint statement, released by the NBA refs, is as follows:
The recent actions by the National Football League (NFL) in suddenly dismissing an official in the middle of the season is an affront to all professional officiating. As the standard-bearers of the integrity in our respective sports, the National Basketball Referees Association (NBRA), the Major League Baseball Umpires Association (MLBUA) and the Professional Soccer Referee Association (PSRA) support the National Football League Referees Association (NFLRA) in their challenge of the reckless decision made by the NFL.
When a league takes the extraordinary and unprecedented step of dismissing an official in the way the NFL did, it undermines the credibility of the game itself. The NFL sought to garner a hollow public relations victory at a time when trust is essential, if the ultimate goal is to work together to improve officiating. The disregard for the due process rights of the person involved is hurtful to him and his family.
This knee-jerk reaction by the NFL resulted in the unfair dismissal of an official who met the requirements to work in the playoffs in two out of his first three full seasons in the league. It is an example of mismanagement that results in a loss of trust among other professional officials.
We stand in solidarity with the NFLRA today, and every day, and for the rights of the expert officials in all sports, who protect the integrity of the game.

2018 UEFL Award for Ejections of the Year - West & Lentz

Joe West and Nic Lentz had the Best Ejections of the Year for 2018 [2017: Gerry Davis].
Voting Results (Top 3): 062 West (11%), 153 Lentz (10%), 010 Timmons (5%).

Award Winners: Joe West (22) & Nic Lentz (59).
In MLB Ejection 062, HP Umpire Joe West ejected Padres Manager Andy Green for arguing a foul ball call in Atlanta. Although West initially appeared to signal the play a swinging strikeout, the call was properly changed (as affirmed by the UEFL Appeals Board) to a foul ball, due to the ball bouncing before entering the catcher's mitt. Simply put, "It was fun seeing Andy Green and West going at each other along with the mics picking up Green’s audio in the end."

In MLB Ejection 135, HP Umpire Nic Lentz ejected Yankees Manager Aaron Boone over a strike two call in New York. Said one voter, "Whenever I vote this award I always vote for the funniest ejection and to me nothing beats Aaron Boone pretending to be a catcher to show where the pitch was. Was it over the top? absolutely. But it was also hilarious." This was the rare game in which both managers were ejected, as Paul Nauert tossed Ron Gardenhire later in the contest.

Joe West now has 31 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (30 Previous + 1 Award = 31).
Nic Lentz now has 11 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (10 Previous + 1 Award = 11).
The final postseason award, (Best) Umpire of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

Videos as follows:

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

2018 Promising Umpires - Hamari & Blaser

Adam Hamari & Cory Blaser are 2018's Promising Umpires of the Year [2017: Blaser & Fairchild].
Voting (Top 5): Hamari (10.2%), Blaser (10%), Stu Scheurwater (8%), John Tumpane (7%),  Will Little (6%).

Winners: Adam Hamari (78), Cory Blaser (89).
Adam Hamari & Cory Blaser are the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2018 Promising Umpires of the Year.

In his second season on the big league staff, Hamari earned an assignment to the NL Central tiebreaker game, concluding his season with six ejections, and earning praise for ejecting Rick Renteria in July after a check swing ball two call by 1B Umpire Chad Whitson. Hamari, central in the leaked video of Noah Syndergaard's ejection for throwing at Chase Utley, received credit in the comments: "I knew Hamari was going to be a good umpire a couple years ago when he handled the Mets throwing at Chase Utley. He did this as a AAA call up umpire. He runs his game the way it should be run. Now I don't if they got the check swing right or wrong- very close, but he handled Renteria absolutely perfect."
Related PostMLB Ejection 095 - Adam Hamari (1; Rick Renteria) (7/14/18).

Hamari placed 80th in Replay Review with a .333 RAP (five-for-15).

Transitioning to Blaser, here's what one voter had to say: "Blaser is more established than Hamari at this point, but both look like future stars. Blaser is an outstanding ball/strike guy despite a slightly disappointing postseason plate and should be a CC in the future in addition to regular postseasons. Hamari appears to be the best of the recently hired crop and he had an excellent season including behind the plate."

Blaser's fourth postseason in four seasons of eligibility (2015 Wild Card, 2016-18 Division Series) led to a consecutive nod for Promising Umpire. He finished with four ejections and 25th in Replay Review with a .583 RAP (seven-for-12).

UEFL Awards History, Adam Hamari
Fill-In of the Year: 2016.

UEFL Awards History, Cory Blaser
Promising Umpire of the Year: 2017.

Adam Hamari now has 11 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (8 Prev + 3 Award = 11).
Cory Blaser now has 18 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (15 Previous + 3 Award = 18).
The next postseason award, Ejection of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

2018 UEFL Award for Honorable - T Barrett & P Cuzzi

Ted Barrett & Phil Cuzzi are 2018's Honorable Umpires of the Year [2017 Winner: John Tumpane].
Voting Results (Top 5): Barrett (13.7%), Cuzzi (10%), Kerwin Danley/Doug Eddings (5.8%), Tumpane (3%).

Award Winners: Ted Barrett (65) & Phil Cuzzi (10).
Ted Barrett & Phil Cuzzi are the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2018 Honorable Umpires of the Year.

Barrett received praise after working 18 innings of baseball for over seven hours during Game 3 of World Series, as well as the crew's UMPS CARE Charities visit to Boston Children's Hospital on the morning of Game 2.
Related PostTwofer - Plate Umpire Ted Barrett's 18-Inning Night (10/30/18).
Related PostWorld Series Crew Embarks on Boston UMPS Care Visit (10/25/18).

Cuzzi, who finished the year with three ejections, including the Ben Zobrist "that's why we want an electronic strike zone" ejection in August, continued his ALS work this season. Cuzzi's charity, the Robert Luongo ALS fund, was established in 2003 in honor of Luongo, who died in 2004 from the disease, and its annual winter dinner draws baseball celebrities from Bob Costas to Tony LaRussa, Goose Gossage, Willie Randolph, and more.
Related PostMLB Ejections 119-120 - Phil Cuzzi (1-2; Maddon, Zobrist) (8/14/18).
Related PostPhil Cuzzi Fulfills Promise to Late Friend Luongo (2/20/17).

UEFL Awards History, Ted Barrett
Umpire of the Year: 2014.
Honorable Umpire of the Year: 201220132014.
Crew Chief of the Year: 201420162017, 2018.

UEFL Awards History, Phil Cuzzi
None.

Ted Barrett now has 16 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (14 Previous + 2 Award = 16).
Phil Cuzzi now has 19 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (17 Prev + 2 Award = 19).
The next postseason award, Promising Umpire of the Year, will be released tonight.

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

2018 UEFL Award for Top Crew Chief - Ted Barrett

Ted Barrett wins the UEFL's 2018 Crew Chief of the Year Award [2017 Winner: Ted Barrett].
Voting Results (Top 3): Ted Barrett (48.3%), Jeff Nelson (14.0%), Tom Hallion (12.6%).

Award Winner: Ted Barrett (65).
Ted Barrett is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2018 Crew Chief of the Year, which marks his fourth time Barrett has won the Crew Chief of the Year Award, and third consecutive season receiving an award (second consecutive Crew Chief of the Year selection). In his 22nd MLB season, Barrett experienced zero ejections.

Earlier this summer, Barrett and runner-up Nelson were inducted into the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame, the first two umpires ever selected to enter the AFL's Hall. Barrett officiated the AFL from 1993 through 1995 prior to his American League debut in 1994. Barrett joined the MLB staff in 1999 and became a full-time crew chief prior to the 2013 season.
Related PostTed Barrett, Jeff Nelson Named to AFL Hall of Fame (7/8/18).

As was the case in 2017, all four members of Barrett's regular season crew—Barrett, Kerwin Danley, Lance Barksdale, and Will Little—officiated during the postseason, including Danley's second selection to the World Series, and Barrett's first time chiefing the Fall Classic.

With his own Division and World Series selections this fall, Barrett has officiated the postseason for 14 consecutive years (2005-18). He finished 16th amongst 88 tracked umpires with a .619 Replay Affirmation Percentage, having been overturned eight times in 21 reviews, including the postseason.

UEFL Awards History, Ted Barrett
Umpire of the Year: 2014.
Honorable Umpire of the Year: 2012, 2013, 2014.
Crew Chief of the Year: 2014, 2016, 2017.

Ted Barrett now has 14 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (13 Previous + 1 Award = 14).
The next postseason award, Honorable Umpire of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

2018 UEFL Award for Fill-In Umpire - Jeremie Rehak

Jeremie Rehak wins UEFL's 2018 Fill-In Umpire of the Year Award [2017 Winner: Stu Scheurwater].
Voting Results (Top 3): Rehak (26.2%), Nic Lentz (24.1%), Ryan Blakney/Chris Segal (12.1%).

Award Winner: Jeremie Rehak (35).
Jeremie Rehak is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2018 Fill-In Umpire of the Year. In his first season as a Major League fill-in, Rehak ejected four people over 98 MLB games officiated (fellow rookie Jansen Visconti worked 109).

Rehak's first career ejection of John Gibbons in May concerned a no step balk and drew praise similar to that Fletcher received for calling the crucial balk in Seattle referred to in the Most Improved Award: "This was absolutely textbook situation handling by Rehak. First, he had the stones to call the balk. Then he puts up the stop sign for Gibbons and then runs him with a signal that particular ejection called for. Then he walked away right after the crew chief showed up. A real pro."
Related PostMLB Ejection 033 - Jeremie Rehak (1; John Gibbons) (5/6/18).

Rehak finished 72nd in Replay Review, with five upheld calls over 13 chances (.385 RAP); Rehak's eight overturned calls mirrored the league average.

Rehak served in the International League in 2018, his third overall season in Triple-A. Jeremie is presently officiating the 2018 Arizona Fall League alongside fellow first-year call-up Visconti.
Related Posts2018 International League Umpire Roster | 2018 Arizona Fall League Roster.

UEFL Awards History, Jeremie Rehak
None.

Jeremie Rehak now has 18 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (16 Previous + 2 Award = 18).
The next postseason award, Crew Chief of the Year, will be released later today.

Monday, November 5, 2018

2018 UEFL Award for Most Improved - Andy Fletcher

Andy Fletcher wins the Most Improved Umpire Award for 2018. [2017 Winner: Marty Foster.]
Voting Results (Top 3): Andy Fletcher (28.9%), Kerwin Danley (14.8%), Vic Carapazza (5.5%).

Award Winner: Andy Fletcher (49).
Andy Fletcher is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2018 most improved umpire of the year. In his 19th Major League Baseball umpiring season, Fletcher ejected six people.

After Fletcher's ejection of Carlos Gomez in September, Gomez took to Twitter and Periscope to blast Fletcher, prompting the MLBUA to appeal to the Commissioner's Office to take action after the latest case of postgame umpire admonition. As MLB did after Ian Kinsler personally attacked Angel Hernandez in 2017, the Commissioner's Office fined, but did not suspend, Gomez. The Gomez and Kinsler fines represented less than one tenth of one percent of each player's salary.
Related PostMLB Ejection 171 - Andy Fletcher (6; Carlos Gomez) (9/20/18).
Related PostFined - Carlos Gomez to Appeal Financial Penalty (9/25/18).

Fletcher was the only umpire to call a game-ending balk in August in Seattle that replays indicated was certainly a balk and was a much more difficult get for 1B Umpire Fletcher than for his crewmates around the diamond...yet Fletcher was the only umpire with the gumption to see and call it.
Related PostWalk-Off Balk - Dodgers' Floro Does Too Much at Once (8/19/18).

For the second time in his career, Fletcher officiated the postseason, and worked his first-ever Division Series with Jerry Layne's crew in Houston. He also officiated his second All-Star Game in July.
Related Post2018 Wild Card & Division Series Umpires Roster (10/2/18).

Fletcher finished in the middle of the pack for Replay Review, with eight upheld and nine overturned calls (.471 RAP, T-52nd).

One commenter characterized Fletcher's season thusly: "Absolutely TREMENDOUS year by Andy. He has struggled mightily for many years, but he reinvented himself this year. I saw confidence in his calls, belief in himself behind the plate, and MLB assigned him as a rover for playoff caliber series in August and September...what a tremendous job Andy did and highlights the fact that you should never give up trying to improve and get better. This was a break-through year for Fletcher."

UEFL Awards History, Andy Fletcher
None.

Andy Fletcher now has 3 points in the UEFL Standings (8 Previous + 1 Award = 9).
The next postseason award, Fill-In Umpire of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

Case Play 2018-9 - Walk-off Appeal Madness

As the 2018 Arizona Fall League All-Star Game ended on a walk-off base hit, 1B Umpire Nestor Ceja lingered for a few extra seconds as first baseman Peter Alonso tried calling for an appeal, claiming that batter-runner Meibrys Viloria failed to touch first base.

East All-Star Alonso calls out to deaf ears.
The Play: With one on (R3) and two out in the bottom of the 9th inning of a tied ballgame, West All-Stars batter Viloria hit a line drive to the gap in right-center field, easily scoring baserunner R3 Buddy Reed from third base. As Viloria approached and rounded first base, an onslaught of celebrating teammates pushed and shoved him away from the bag such that Viloria was unable to touch first base as he ran by.

Both U1 Ceja and F3 Alonso noticed Viloria's struggle and non-touch, as Ceja remained in the vicinity and Alonso tried calling for the ball to retire Viloria for the inning's third out and send the AFL's Fall Stars game into extras.

Ceja, waiting for appeal, is trapped in the mob.
The theatre turned out to be all for naught, as Viloria, after rounding first base without actually touching it, fought through a mob of celebrating teammates to return to and touch first base, all while the baseball remained in right-center field, the East All-Stars having given up on the play.

Question: Assume Alonso's teammates in the outfield were actually paying attention and threw the ball to Alonso as Viloria fought through his teammates to return to first base. What would be the proper ruling if... A) Alonso tagged Viloria while off his base (or tagged first base before Viloria returned to touch it)? B) Alonso was unable to get to Viloria (or the base) before Viloria returned due to the human traffic jam caused by the West All-Star celebration?

And, if you're really daring, C) A security guard picked up the baseball and threw it back to Alonso, who then tagged Viloria while off his base (go ahead and assume the bases were loaded, too)?

This Q resembles a 2015 play in AZ.
Yes, this is meant as a reference to the walk-off non-appeal play in Arizona from 2015, when Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips tried to appeal R2 and R3's failures to touch their respective bases on a bases loaded, one-out, walk-off single. A security officer retrieved and threw the ball to Phillips, who tagged several bases in an attempt to appeal the baserunning infractions. Crew Chief Larry Vanover said that because R3 touched home and BR touched first, the game was over, thus leaving the security guard issue unanswered.

MLB added an interpretation to Rule 5.08(b) since then [formerly known as 4.09(b)] to state that a base hit does not qualify as a 5.08(b) game-ending play since 5.08(b) now requires an event that "forces the batter and all other runners to advance without liability of being put out." The rule used to say "...which forces the runner on third to advance" only. MLB since made it clear that 5.08(b) (f/k/a 4.09(b)) only applies to bases-loaded without liability of being put out situations. This time, the batter-runner hasn't yet touched first, so we ask the question again.
Related PostCase Play 2015-07, Merkle Revisited [Solved] (8/10/15).

Official Baseball Rules Library
OBR 5.09(c)(2): "Any runner shall be called out, on appeal, when—With the ball in play, while advancing or returning to a base, he fails to touch each base in order before he, or a missed base, is tagged."
OBR 5.09(c): "Any appeal under this rule must be made before the next pitch, or any play or attempted play. If the violation occurs during a play which ends a half-inning, the appeal must be made before the defensive team leaves the field...For the purpose of this rule, the defensive team has 'left the field' when the pitcher and all infielders have left fair territory on their way to the bench or clubhouse."
OBR 6.01(a)(4): "It is interference by a batter or a runner when—Any member or members of the offensive team stand or gather around any base to which a runner is advancing, to confuse, hinder or add to the difficulty of the fielders. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of his teammate or teammates."
OBR 6.01(a)(8): "It is interference by a batter or runner when—In the judgment of the umpire, the base coach at third base, or first base, by touching or holding the runner, physically assists him in returning to or leaving third base or first base."
OBR 6.01(b) [Fielder Right of Way]: "The players, coaches or any member of a team at bat shall vacate any space (including both dugouts or bullpens) needed by a fielder who is attempting to field a batted or thrown ball...If a member of the team at bat (other than a runner) hinders a fielder’s attempt to field a thrown ball, the ball is dead, the runner on whom the play is being made shall be declared out and all runners return to the last legally occupied base at the time of the interference."
OBR 6.01(d) [Unintentional Interference]: "In case of unintentional interference with play by any person herein authorized to be on the playing field (except members of the team at bat who are participating in the game, or a base coach, any of whom interfere with a fielder attempting to field a batted or thrown ball; or an umpire) the ball is alive and in play. If the interference is intentional, the ball shall be dead at the moment of the interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference."

Video as follows:

2018 UEFL Award for Disappointing Season - Eric Cooper

The Umpire Ejection Fantasy League announces its postseason awards schedule, beginning with the Most Disappointing Season, below, and continuing with Most Improved, Fill-In, Crew Chief, Honorable, Promising, Ejection(s) of the Year and concluding with Umpire of the Year. 156 total ballots were cast during this year's nominations process.

UEFL Rule 4-4 governs postseason awards distribution, which begins with Most Disappointing Season.

2018 UEFL Award, Most Disappointing Season: Eric Cooper (56) [2017 Winner: Bucknor/Emmel].
Voting Results (Top 3): Eric Cooper (21.5%), Angel Hernandez (19.2%), Jeff Kellogg (6.9%).

Award Winner: Eric Cooper (56).
Eric Cooper receives the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2018 Most Disappointing Season. In his 21st Major League Baseball umpiring season, Cooper concluded the year with five ejections; he ejected once in 2017 and three in 2016. Cooper might have had one of the strangest ejections you'll ever see in July when he tossed Reds skipper Jim Riggleman over an intentional walk signal from the dugout. Originally ruled irrecusable and affirmed as such by the UEFL Appeals Board, Cooper ejected Riggleman over a dispute as to whether Riggleman visually indicated his request to intentionally walk an opposing batter. Though replays conclusively show Riggleman motioning to walk the hitter, Cooper clearly hadn't seen the sign, and the miscommunication quickly devolved into an unsportsmanlike conduct ejection, eliciting several comments critical of Cooper's apparent shouted instruction to Riggleman to, "do your job."
Related PostMLB Ejection 086 - Eric Cooper (2; Jim Riggleman) (7/3/18).

The "unprofessional" critique followed through into Cooper's August ejections of Yasiel Puig and Nick Hundley for fighting, while another commenter wrote, of Cooper's late August ejection of AJ Hinch, "Cooper definitely was escalating the situation when he started walking towards him. That seems a bit aggressive on his part. But he’s had a year to forget, that’s for sure."
Related PostMLB Ejections 121-122 - Eric Cooper (3-4; Puig, Hundley) (8/14/18).
Related PostMLB Ejection 137 - Eric Cooper (5; AJ Hinch) (8/31/18).

Added another, "Cooper has had a very rough season. Between the post game comments, the Riggleman situation and the fact that he's struggled on the bases this is not what we've usually seen from Cooper."

Cooper finished 79th in Replay Review, with a .350 RAP (seven upheld out of 20 total reviews). His 13 overturns was tied for second-most in the league, behind first place Brian O'Nora and Sam Holbrook (14 each).

Unfortunately, Cooper's streak of seven consecutive years of postseason appearances came to an end in 2018.

UEFL Awards History, Eric Cooper
None.

Eric Cooper now has 1 point in the UEFL Standings (2 Previous - 1 Award = 1).
The next postseason award, Most Improved Umpire of the Year, will be released later this afternoon.