MLB Ejection 114 - Chris Guccione (2; Miguel Cairo)

HP Umpire Chris Guccione ejected Nationals interim manager Miguel Cairo (check swing strike three call to James Wood) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the #Brewers-#Nationals game. With two out and none on, Nationals batter Wood attempted to check his swing on a 3-2 changeup from Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff, ruled a swinging strike by HP Umpire Guccione. At the time of the ejection, the Brewers were leading, 5-2. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 8-2. 

This is Chris Guccione (68)'s 2nd ejection of 2025.

This is the 114th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 61st manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 61 Managers, 19 Coaches, 34 Players.

This is Washington's 5th ejection of 2025, 1st in the NL East (WAS 5; MIA, NYM 3; PHI 2; ATL 1).

This is Miguel Cairo's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since July 30 (Ryan Additon; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Chris Guccione's 2nd ejection of 2025, 1st since June 19 (AJ Hinch; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).

Box: Milwaukee Brewers vs Philadelphia Phillies, 8/2/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 075 - Chris Guccione (1; AJ Hinch)

2B Umpire Chris Guccione ejected Tigers manager AJ Hinch (Replay Review call that upheld HP Umpire Dexter Kelley's safe call on Tommy Pham; QOCY) in the top of the 10th inning of the #Pirates-#Tigers game. With none out and one on, Pirates batter Ke'Bryan Hayes hit a 2-2 sinker from Tigers pitcher Brant Hurter on a ground ball to right fielder Kerry Carpenter, who threw to catcher Jake Rogers as Pirates baserunner R2 Pham arrived at home plate, ruled safe by HP Umpire Kelley and affirmed via Replay Review as the result of a challenge by Tigers manager Hinch. Replays do not conclusive indicate whether Pham touched home plate prior to Rogers' tag, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 5-4. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 8-4, in 10 innings.

  

This is Chris Guccione (68)'s 1st ejection of 2025.

This is the 75th ejection report of the 2025 MLB regular season.

This is the 40th manager ejection of 2025. Ejection Tally: 40 Managers, 13 Coaches, 22 Players.

This is Detroit's 2nd ejection of 2025, 2nd in the AL Central (MIN 5; CWS, DET, KC 2; CLE 0).

This is AJ Hinch's 1st ejection since Sept 29, 2024 (Marvin Hudson; QOC = N [Replay Review]).

This is Chris Guccione's 1st ejection since June 10, 2024 (Scott Servais; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Detroit Tigers (Game 2), 6/19/25 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 074 - Chris Guccione (5; Scott Servais)

HP Umpire Chris Guccione ejected Mariners manager Scott Servais (strike three call to Cal Raleigh; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #WhiteSox-#Mariners game. With one out and the bases loaded, Mariners batter Raleigh took a 1-2 fastball from White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the inner edge of home plate and above the knee (px 0.83, pz 2.33), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the White Sox were leading, 4-1. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 8-4.

This is Chris Guccione (68)'s 5th ejection of 2024.

*UEFL Rule 6-2-b-1 (Kulpa Rule): |0| ≤ STRIKE < |.748| ≤ BORDERLINE ≤ |.914| < BALL.

This pitch was located 1.02 horizontal inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 74th ejection of the 2024 MLB regular season.

This is the 34th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 34 Managers, 12 Coaches, 28 Players.

This is Seattle's 3rd ejection of 2024, T-1st in the AL West (HOU, OAK, SEA, TEX 3; LAA 1).

This is Scott Servais' 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since May 25 (Dan Bellino; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Chris Guccione's 5th ejection of 2024, 1st since April 30 (Jose Siri; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs Seattle Mariners, 6/10/24 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 032-5 - Chris Guccione (TB-MIL Fight)

HP Umpire Chris Guccione ejected Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta (throwing at Rays batter Jose Siri), manager Pat Murphy (arguing ejection) in the top of the 6th and Rays CF Siri & Brewers P Abner Uribe (fighting) in the top of the 8th inning of the #Rays-#Brewers game. In the 6th with none out and one on, Rays batter Siri took a 3-0 fastball from Brewers pitcher Peralta for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside the right-handed batter's box and struck Siri on the leg, the call was irrecusable. At the time of Peralta and Murphy's ejections, the Brewers were leading, 6-1. In the 8th, with none out and none on, Rays batter Siri hit a 1-1 slider from Brewers pitcher Uribe on the ground to first baseman Rhys Hoskins who threw to Uribe for the out. Siri continued up the baseline and a physical confrontation between Siri and Uribe ensued, resulting in punches thrown and a benches-clearing incident. At the time of the Siri and Uribe ejections, the Brewers were leading, 8-2. The Brewers ultimately won the contest, 8-2.

These are Chris Guccione (68)'s 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th ejections of 2024.

These are the 32nd, 33rd, 34th, and 35th ejection reports of the 2024 MLB regular season.

These are the 13th, 14th, and 15th player ejections of 2024.

This is the 16th manager ejection of 2024. Ejection Tally: 16 Managers, 4 Coaches, 15 Players.

This is Milwaukee's 2/3/4th ejection of 2024, 1st in the NL Central (MIL 4; PIT 3; CIN 1; CHC, STL 0).

This is Tampa Bay's 1st ejection of 2024, T-3rd in the AL East (NYY, TOR 2; BOS, TB 1; BAL 0).

This is Freddy Peralta's first career MLB ejection.

This is Pat Murphy's 2nd ejection of 2024, 1st since April 29 (Ryan Additon; QOC = Y [Backswing]).

This is Jose Siri's first career MLB ejection.

This is Abner Uribe's first career MLB ejection.

This is Chris Guccione's 1st ejection since June 5, 2023 (Alex Cora; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs Milwaukee Brewers, 4/30/24 | Video as follows:

Clint Vondrak and Ryan Wills Hired to Umpire Staff, Guccione Promoted to Crew Chief; Pawol on List of 24 Spring Invitees

Now-former Triple-A umpires Clint Vondrak and Ryan Wills are MLB's two newest full-timers MLB also promoted Chris Guccione to full-time Crew Chief and invited Jen Pawol to Spring Training, the first woman set to umpire a major league exhibition game since Ria Cortesio in 2007, following Pam Postema in the 1980s.

Clinton "Clint" Vondrak joins MLBU at the age of 34 after 12 years in Minor League Baseball, joining MiLB in 2012 and officiating the Pioneer, Midwest, California, Southern, and Pacific Coast Leagues on his way to the majors. Vondrak officiated the 2016 Southern League All-Star Game and has had his MLB debut during during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, on August 10, 2020. He has 286 games of MLB experience.

Ryan Wills is 36 years old to begin the 2024 season and has been hired after 13 years in MiLB. Since starting his minor league career in 2011, Wills has officiated in the Gulf Coast, Appalachian, South Atlantic, California, Carolina, Texas, Eastern, Florida Instructional, and International Leagues prior to his August 22, 2020 debut. Wills might be one of the last MLB new-hires to have graduated from the Jim Evans Academy for Professional Umpiring, which closed in 2012. Wills has worked 402 MLB games.

Chris Guccione has been promoted to Crew Chief after 17 years of major league service (over the course of 24 seasons starting in 2000). He has 3,021 major league games of experience during the regular season, in addition to 9 Wild Card Rounds, 7 Division Series, 5 League Championship Series, and 2 World Series. Similar to Dan Bellino last offseason, Guccione did not work the 2023 postseason prior to his 2024 promotion.

2024 Spring Training Invitee Umpires: Returning sleeve-numbered umpires for Spring Training in 2024 are David Arrieta (100), John Bacon (70), Brock Ballou (119), Paul Clemons (104), Tom Hanahan (69), Edwin Jimenez (75), Emil Jimenez (82), Alex MacKay (105), Dan Merzel (107), Jacob Metz (94), Charlie Ramos (111), Jeremy Riggs (112), Derek Thomas (106), Nate Tomlinson (114), and Brian Walsh (120).

Rounding out the list of 24 Spring invitees are Matt Brown, Steven Jaschinski, James Jean, Austin Jones, Tyler Jones, Dexter Kelley, Chris Marco, Johnathan Parra, and Jen Pawol.

Video as follows:

Mariners' France & Rays' Paredes Collide - Was it Interference or Obstruction?

With Mariners baserunner Ty France on second base, batter Teoscar Hernandez hit a ground ball between third base and shortstop. Rays third baseman Isaac Paredes charged in to field the ball, but instead collided with Seattle baserunner R2 France, resulting in both players falling to the ground and the ball rolling into shallow left field, where it was retrieved by Tampa Bay's shortstop Wander Franco.

3B Umpire Chris Guccione called "Time" and signaled R2 France out for interference—until the crew got together and reversed course to obstruction, awarding France third base. Let's review the rulebook.

Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(3) pertaining to interference states, "Any runner is out when they intentionally interfere with a thrown ball; or hinder a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball."

OBR's definition of obstruction is "the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner."

Thus, we can form a rudimentary system for this type of play based on the timeline of events—namely, when the ball is still a batted ball vs when it is not a batted ball.

Batter hits ball: Fielder has right of way and responsibility to avoid belongs to runner

Penalty for runner's infraction (impeding the fielder): Interference

Fielder no longer in act of fielding: Runner has right of way and responsibility to avoid belongs to fielder

Penalty for fielder's infraction (impeding the runner): Obstruction

Here, we see that fielder Paredes appeared to have already attempted to field, and missed, the ball such that Paredes was no longer in the act of fielding when the impeding act (the collision) occurred. Therefore, this is obstruction—type b (or type 2) as there was no play actively being made on the runner at the time of the obstruction, the penalty for which was to do precisely what the umpires did to nullify the act in awarding obstructed runner France the base he would have achieved had obstruction not occurred (third base). Of course, the even more correct call would have been to have called it live (and thus, kept play alive), but the outcome and runner placement of first and third base seemed proper.

Video as follows:

Replay Upholds Call that Fielder & Runner Missed 1B

An extra inning Replay Review in Minnesota upheld 1B Umpire Chris Guccione's call that Twins batter-runner Michael A Taylor and Red Sox pitcher Kaleb Ort both missed first base on their initial touch attempts, but that Ort successfully tagged Taylor's hand before Taylor eventually touched the base.

We review the two primary potential out contact points on plays at first base like this—namely, the fielder's touch of the base and the fielder's touch of the runner (both must be before the runner touches the base)—and how Replay Review may have come back with a "call stands" determination on a play that at first glance looked anything but inconclusive.

Then we watch Guccione find a path off the field, safely avoiding the celebrating Twins team on Minnesota's walk off base hit later that inning.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 087 - Chris Guccione (2; Alex Cora)

HP Umpire Chris Guccione ejected Red Sox manager Alex Cora (strike three call to Rafael Devers; QOCY) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the #Rays-#RedSox game. With two out and one on (R1), Devers took a 3-2 fastball from Rays pitcher Colin Poche for a called third strike after which Rays catcher Francisco Mejia threw out Red Sox baserunner R1 Alex Verdugo for a strikeout-throwout double play to end the inning. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the heart of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px -0.14, pz 1.56 [sz_bot 1.53 / RAD 1.40]), the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the Rays were leading, 4-1. The Rays ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

This is Chris Guccione (68)'s 2nd ejection of 2023.

*This pitch was located 2.92 vertical inches from being deemed incorrect.

This is the 87th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 41st manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 41 Managers, 37 Players, 9 Coaches.

This is Boston's 4th ejection of 2023, 2nd in the AL East (NYY 6; BOS 4; BAL 3; TOR, TB 2).

This is Alex Cora's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 24 (Quinn Wolcott; QOC = Y-c [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Chris Guccione's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since May 6 (Craig Counsell; QOC = Y [Pitch Clock]).

Wrap: Tampa Bay Rays vs Boston Red Sox, 6/5/23 | Video as follows:

MLB Ejection 045 - Chris Guccione (1; Craig Counsell)

3B Umpire Chris Guccione ejected Brewers manager Craig Counsell (pitcher timer/disengagement limit violation no-call) in the top of the 4th inning of the #Brewers-#Giants game. With none out and none on, Brewers batter Willy Adames singled. During batter Rowdy Tellez's plate appearance, Giants pitcher Alex Cobb, sensing the pitch clock was nearing expiration, disengaged the pitcher's plate and was visited on the mound by catcher Joey Bart. Cobb subsequently attempted two pick off throws where baserunner R1 Adames was safe at first, initially ruled a third disengagement by 1B Umpire Jeremy Riggs, resulting in the automatic advancement of the runner to second base, before consultation with the other umpires, upon which the call was reversed to ruling Cobbs' latest pickoff attempt his second—not third—disengagement, thus returning runner Adames to first base. Replays indicate Cobbs' first disengagement was a mound visit, which is excluded by the pitch timer rules from being counted as a free disengagement, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Giants were leading, 3-0. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

This is Chris Guccione (68)'s 1st ejection of 2023.

This is the 45th ejection report of the 2023 MLB regular season.

This is the 23rd manager ejection of 2023. Ejection Tally: 23 Managers, 17 Players, 5 Coaches.

This is Milwaukee's 3rd ejection of 2023, 2nd in the NL Central (STL 4; MIL 3; PIT 2, CIN 1; CHC 0).

This is Craig Counsell's 2nd ejection of 2023, 1st since April 29 (Adam Beck; QOC = Y [Pitch Clock]).

This is Chris Guccione's 1st ejection since June 6, 2022 (Scott Servais; QOC = U [Fighting]).

Wrap: Milwaukee Brewers vs San Francisco Giants, 5/6/23 | Video as follows:

Teachable - Guccione Steals a Second During Strike Call

When Rays baserunner R1 Randy Arozarena tried stealing second base against Seattle, HP Umpire Chris Guccione made sure to emphasize his strike call on the initial pitch, holding the mechanic while still keeping his head oriented toward the home plate area to watch for potential batter interference or other activity.

In doing so, Guccione stays engaged with the play and, in a notably exaggerated way, keeps his head height constant to see that indeed Mariners catcher Luis Torres was not impeded or interfered with by Rays batter Ji-Man Choi, not that it much mattered as runner R1 Randy Arozarena was thrown out trying to steal, a call affirmed via Replay Review.

Video as follows:

MLB Ejections 059-062 - Chris Guccione (HOU-SEA)

HP Umpire Chris Guccione ejected Mariners manager Scott Servais and Astros 1B Coach Omar Lopez (fighting), and pitcher Hector Neris, and manager Dusty Baker (throwing at after warnings) in the top of the 9th inning of the #Mariners- #Astros game. With two out and none on, Mariners batter Ty France took a first-pitch fastball from Astros pitcher Neris for a hit-by-pitch, resulting in a benches-clearing incident and Servais and Lopez's ejections for instigating the altercation, as well as warnings. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and made contact with the jersey along France's lower back, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejections, the Mariners were leading, 5-4.

Following France's HBP, ensuing batter Julio Rodriguez hit a two-run home run before JP Crawford walked. New batter Eugenio Suarez then took a first-pitch fastball for a called first ball, resulting in Neris and Baker's ejection for throwing at Suarez. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and above the height of Suarez's head, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejections, the Mariners were leading, 7-4. The Mariners ultimately won the contest, 7-4.

These are Chris Guccione (68)'s 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th ejections of 2022.

Chris Guccione now has 12 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Prev + 4*[2 MLB + 0 Irrecusable] = 12).

Crew Chief Chris Guccione now has 6 points in Crew Division (2 Previous + 4 Irrecusable Calls = 6).

These are the 59th, 60th, 61st, and 62nd ejection reports of the 2022 MLB regular season.

These are the 30th and 31st manager ejections of 2022.

This is the 20th player ejection of 2022. Prior to ejection, Neris' line was 0.2 IP, 2 ER, BB, HBP.

This is Seattle's 3rd ejection of 2022, 2nd in the AL West (HOU 4; SEA 3; LAA, OAK 2; TEX 0).

This is Houston's 2-4th ejection of 2022, 1st in the AL West (HOU 4; SEA 3; LAA, OAK 2; TEX 0).

This is Scott Servais' 2nd ejection of 2022, 1st since April 28 (Shane Livensparger; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

This is Omar Lopez's first career MLB ejection.

This is Hector Neris' 1st ejection since July 16, 2019 (Chris Conroy; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

This is Dusty Baker's 1st ejection since June 10, 2021 (Sean Barber; QOC = Y [Fair/Foul]).

This is Chris Guccione's 1st ejection since Sept 14, 2019 (Dale Sveum; QOC = N [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros, 6/6/22 | Video as follows:

Ask UEFL - Anderson Safe After Donaldson Pushes Runner Off Base

In a physical play that wound up clearing the benches, 3B Umpire Chris Guccione ruled White Sox baserunner Tim Anderson safe at third base during Chicago's game against New York Friday, as Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson appeared to push the runner off third base while making a tag.

This edition of Ask the UEFL answers the question of what happened, with references to the Official Baseball Rules' definition of oversliding ("the act of an offensive player when their slide to a base, other than when advancing from home to first base, is with such momentum that they lose contact with the base"), and, more importantly, the MLB Umpire Manual's interpretation of fielder-runner contact that results in the runner no longer touching the base.

According to MLBUM, "If in the judgment of an umpire, a runner is pushed or forced off a base by a fielder, intentionally or unintentionally, at which the runner would have otherwise been called safe, the umpire has the authority and discretion under the circumstances to return the runner to the base they were forced off following the conclusion of the play."

As such, because runner R3 Anderson slid headfirst in the direction of the left field foul pole and appeared to touch third base prior to Donaldson's tag, only for Anderson to then fall off the base to his left—a direction Anderson never slid in until Donaldson made contact with him—it can be concluded that Donaldson illegally pushed Anderson off the base and, thus, the remedy is to declare the runner safe.

Related Post: Was Max Muncy's Fall From 2nd Base a Legal Out? (10/24/20).

Related Post: Replay Rewind - Runner Pushed Off Base (6/25/18).

Note: This is not Obstruction, as Donaldson possessed the ball in his glove prior to blocking Anderson's path to the base. Were it obstruction, it would have been Type One (play being made on runner).

Video as follows:

Injury Scout - Chris Guccione Leaves Game in Toronto

HP Umpire Chris Guccione exited Saturday's #Orioles-#BlueJays game in Toronto following the top of the 3rd inning. According to the Blue Jays broadcast, Guccione left the field due to an accelerated heart rate.

Guccione approached Blue Jays staff following the final out of Baltimore's 3rd inning and was taken to the home team's clubhouse for further evaluation and treatment. After a delay, 2B Umpire Chris Conroy replaced Guccione behind home plate with 1B Umpire and Crew Chief Mark Wegner staying at first base and 3B Umpire Alan Porter remaining at third base as the crew completed the game with three umpires.

Relevant Injury History: There is no relevant injury history.

Last Game: Oct 2 | Return to Play: 2022 | Time Absent: Rest of Season | Video as follows:

Catcher Casali's Detached Equipment Violation (SF-ARI)

When San Francisco's Curt Casali stopped a slowly rolling baseball by using his catcher's mask, HP Umpire Chris Guccione called "Time" and awarded Arizona runners an extra base on the Giants' violation of detached equipment rule 5.06(b)(3)(E), leading to a brief argument and bringing manager Gabe Kapler out of the dugout for an explanation.

Play: With two out and two on in the Diamondbacks' half of the second inning vs SF, Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto's first pitch to D-Backs batter Asdrubal Cabrera bounced in the dirt around home plate, where it was blocked by Giants catcher Casali. Upon blocking the ball, it continued slowly rolling away so Casali, from a crouched position, removed his catcher's mask and used it to stop and cover the baseball.

Call/Rule: Umpire Guccione awarded Arizona runners one base each, ruling a violation of Official Baseball Rule 5.06(b)(3)(E), which states, "Each runner, other than the batter, may without liability to be put out, advance one base when...A fielder deliberately touches a pitched ball with his cap, mask or any part of his uniform detached from its proper place on his person. The ball is in play, and the award is made from the position of the runner at the time the ball was touched."

Replays indicate Casali's action appeared to feature a deliberate use of detached equipment (the mask) to touch a pitched ball, meaning OBR 5.06(b)(3)(E) was applicable and each runner advanced a base as a result. Upon discussion with Giants Manager Gabe Kapler, after which followed consultation with the remainder of Chief Guccione's crew, the original ruling of detached equipment/pitched ball (one base award) prevailed.

Christian Vasquez's illegal touch in Boston.

Sidebar/Rules Myth: Despite social media or broadcast interference, this is NOT a "catcher's balk" nor does it have anything to do with the balk rule.

Related Rule: It should also be noted that pursuant to OBR 5.06(B)(4)(B), "each runner including the batter-runner may without liability to be out put, advance: Three bases, if a fielder deliberately touches a fair ball with his cap, mask or any part of his uniform detached from its proper place on his person. The ball is in play and the batter may advance to home base at his peril." For thrown balls, OBR 5.06(B)(4)(D) applies: "Two bases, if a fielder deliberately touches a thrown ball with his cap, mask or any part of his uniform detached from its proper place on his person. The ball is in play."

In Sum: If a fielder deliberately touches a ball with detached equipment, the penalty is one base (if it was a pitched ball), two bases (if it was a thrown ball), or three bases (if it was a batted ball).

Video as follows:

Teachable - Walk off Pickoff with Chris Guccione

With Kansas City leading 3-2 and Los Angeles threatening with the bases loaded and two out in the 9th inning Tuesday night, Angels baserunner R3 David Fletcher wandered a little too far off third base, leaving 3B Umpire Chris Guccione to officiate a pickoff play when Royals catcher Salvador Perez threw to third baseman Hunter Dozier as Fletcher dove back into the base.

With fielder Dozier facing home plate and the tag area in front of his body, that meant a necessary position adjustment for 3B Umpire Guccione, who hustled parallel to the foul line to observe the moment of truth and render a game-ending verdict, which was confirmed via Replay Review.

In this Teachable Moment, tmac reviews Guccione's journey toward officiating this play correctly, including how Gooch moved to capture the valuable keyhole angle during a fast-developing sequence.

Video as follows:

2019 UEFL Award for Honorable - Cooper & Guccione

Eric Cooper & Chris Guccione are 2019's Honorable Umpires of the Year [2018 Winners: Ted Barrett & Phil Cuzzi].
Voting Results (Top 4): Cooper (31.2%), Guccione (11.4%), Barrett (6.4%), Cederstrom (3.5%).

Eric Cooper and Chris Guccione are the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2019 Honorable Umpires of the Year.

When Cooper passed away following his Division Series assignment, prior to the World Series, the compliments and accolades were plentiful from players, coaches, broadcasters, and, of course, other umpires.

Coop's longtime Crew Chief and mentor Mike Reilly spoke of Cooper on The Plate Meeting Podcast in October, saying that one of his fondest memories was how well Cooper treated Reilly's own children. It was Cooper's work off the field through charitable endeavors and and all-around resilient attitude that earns him this postseason award.
Related Post: Podcast - Mike Reilly Recalls Crew Mate Eric Cooper (10/24/19).

After a 13-year-old umpire in Colorado presided over a game-ending brawl involving parents on the field during a matchup of seven-year-old players, Guccione reached out and invited the youth umpire to a major league game in Denver, explaining, "I thought it was the perfect opportunity to reach out to Josh, not only to him but his family, to say, 'Hey, I'm proud of you, I'm rooting for you and what you did was the right thing.'"

Wrote Russ, "For Gooch to show Cordova he has his back is special in a way non Officials just cannot understand. I said it at the time and I will say it again, best call Gooch made all season! Oh and he had another fantastic season on the field getting his third straight LCS and being lined up for a Game 7 plate."
Related Post: Chris Guccione to Host Youth Lakewood Umpire (6/28/19).
Related Post: Umpires Host Cordova in Colorado (7/1/19).
UEFL Awards History, Eric Cooper
Most Improved Umpire: 2019.
Disappointing Season: 2018.

UEFL Awards History, Chris Guccione
(Best) Umpire of the Year: 2016.
Noteworthy Umpire of the Year: 2011, 2012.

Eric Cooper now has 14 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (12 Prev + 2 Award = 14).
Chris Guccione now has 1 point in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (-1 Prev + 2 Award = 1).
The next postseason award, Promising Umpire of the Year, will be released Thursday.

MLB Ejection 204 - Chris Guccione (2; Dale Sveum)

HP Umpire Chris Guccione ejected Royals Bench Coach Dale Sveum (ball two call; QOCN) in the top of the 2nd inning of the #Astros-#Royals game. With none out and none on, Astros batter Alex Bregman took a 1-0 sinker from Royals pitcher Mike Montgomery for a called second ball before taking a 3-1 sinker for a called fourth ball. Replays indicate the 1-0 pitch was located over the heart of home plate and above the hollow of the knee (px -0.09, pz 1.73 [sz_bot 1.55 / MOE 1.63] [sz_bot 1.54 / MOE 1.62]) while the 3-1 pitch was located off the inner edge of home plate and thigh-high (px -0.82, pz 2.54), the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Astros ultimately won the contest, 6-1.

This is Chris Guccione (68)'s second ejection of 2019.
Chris Guccione now has -4 points in the UEFL Standings (-2 Prev + 2 MLB - 4 Incorrect Call = -4).
Crew Chief Mike Everitt now has 4 points in Crew Division (4 Previous + 0 Incorrect Call = 4).
*The 1-0 pitch was located 1.20 1.32 vertical inches from being deemed a correct call.
Overnight processing changed Bregman's sz_bot value from 1.55 to 1.54 (-0.12 inches).

This is the 204th ejection report of 2019.
This is Kansas City's 11th ejection of 2019, T-1st in the AL Central (CWS, DET, KC 11; MIN 4; CLE 1).
This is Dale Sveum's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since April 17 (Joe West; QOC = U [Fighting]).
This is Chris Guccione's 2nd ejection of 2019, 1st since June 22 (Gabe Kapler; QOC = N-c [Check Swing]).

Wrap: Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals, 9/14/19 | Video as follows:

Injury Scout - Guccione Exits in Kansas City

Chris Guccione left Monday's Athletics-Royals game and entered concussion protocol in Kansas City following a deflected pitched ball off his mask.

With one out and none on, Royals batter Ryan O'Hearn took a 1-2 83-mph splitter that bounced in the dirt and caromed directly into Guccione's traditional-style facemask; Guccione remained in the game for two additional at-bats before being removed during a mound visit.

1B Umpire and Crew Chief Mike Everitt took over as home plate umpire for the remainder of the contest, with 2B Umpire Lance Barrett moving to first base and 3B Umpire Bill Welke remaining at the hot corner.

Relevant Injury History: Guccione has a significant history of head trauma.

On August 8, 2019, Guccione left a game in Cleveland after a foul ball off the mask.
Related Post: Injury Scout - Guccione Leaves DH (8/8/19).

On August 1, 2018, Guccione exited in Pittsburgh after a foul ball to the face.
Related Post: Injury Scout - Guccione Leaves Game on Foul to Mask (8/1/18).

On May 26, 2016, Guccione exited a game in Pittsburgh following a foul to the head.
Related Post: Injury - Chris Guccione Exits After Foul to Mask (5/26/16).

Last Game: August 26 | Return to Play: Sept 6 | Time Absent: 10 Days | Video as follows:

Injury Scout - Guccione Leaves DH

Chris Guccione left the second game of Wednesday's Rangers-Indians doubleheader in Cleveland after a foul ball off the mask.

With two out and one on in the bottom of the 2nd inning, Indians batter Jason Kipnis fouled a 96-mph 0-1 fastball from Rangers pitcher Lance Lynn into Guccione's traditional-style facemask; Guccione remained in the contest until the middle of the fourth inning, upon which time he left the field.

3B Umpire John Libka assumed duties behind home plate with 1B Umpire/Crew Chief Brian O'Nora remaining at first base and 2B Umpire Mark Ripperger sliding over to third.

Relevant Injury History: Guccione has a history of head trauma as a plate umpire.

On August 1, 2018, Guccione left the Cubs-Pirates game after a foul ball to the jaw.
Related Post: Injury Scout - Guccione Leaves Game on Foul to Mask (8/1/18).

On May 25, 2016, Guccione left the D'Backs-Pirates game following a first-inning foul to the mask.
Related Post: Injury - Chris Guccione Exits After Foul to Mask (5/26/16).

Last Game: August 7 | Return to Play: August 20 | Time Absent: 12 Days | Video as follows:

Umpires Host Cordova in Colorado

13-year-old Lakewood umpire Josh Cordova's tale came full circle as he joined Chris Guccione and crewmates Tony Randazzo, Laz Diaz, and Cory Blaser for Sunday's Dodgers-Rockies game in Colorado. @UmpsCare Charities helped arrange logistics as Cordova and family walked on the field for the plate meeting, having sat in on the umpires' own pregame meeting in the dressing room.

Cordova, whose youth game devolved through a complete loss of parental sportsmanship and into criminal violence, was honored during the Coors Field pre-game festivities as he met with the umpires, Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts, and Rockies Manager Bud Black.
Related Post: Chris Guccione to Host Youth Lakewood Umpire (6/28/19).

Cordova and Blaser review lineup cards.

Salida, CO native Guccione was the primary umpire who reached out to Cordova to show support: "I thought it was the perfect opportunity to reach out to Josh, not only to him but his family, to say, 'Hey, I'm proud of you, I'm rooting for you and what you did was the right thing.'"

Cordova added, "I don’t want this to be all about me; it must’ve been scary for the 7-year-olds, seeing their parents on the field. I don’t want them to have the idea that baseball is like that. I want them to have the idea that baseball is a great game, to love the game."

"I'm proud of you" - Chris Guccione.

In the end, Cordova received umpiring gear, including a few #68 jerseys and a chest protector, and he recounted one of the questions he asked the big league umps as he sat in during their pre-game: "I asked them a couple questions...just like, 'How many people have you thrown out?'"

For the record, Guccione has 58 career MLB ejections, Randazzo has 39, Diaz has 35, and Blaser has 14 in just under 1,000 career big league games.

Video as follows: