Awards: 2011 Noteworthy Umpires of the Year: Jim Wolf and Chris Guccione

2011 UEFL Awards: Noteworthy Umpires: Jim Wolf and Chris Guccione (28 and 68)

Jim Wolf and Chris Guccione are the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2011 noteworthy umpires of the year.

In his 13th Major League season, Jim Wolf had one ejection and was selected to umpire his first Championship Series.

In Wolf's sole ejection of 2011, the original Quality of Correctness ("correct") was challenged based on a balls and strikes exemption. Despite criticism directed at Wolf's zone, the correct Quality of Correctness was confirmed: Wolf had umpired the corresponding half-inning at a rate of 13-for-13, or 100%.

UEFL'er highschoolump described Wolf as an "all around good umpire, well liked, a rising star." Wolf has been hailed as one of the more amiable umpires in Major League Baseball, exemplified by this mic'd up segment broadcast during Wolf's 2011 ALCS plate assignment.

Indeed, Wolf has made his way up the MLB umpiring ladder. By working his first Championship Series in 2011, Wolf is now eligible for a World Series selection.

In his 10th Major League season (3rd on the full-time roster), Chris Guccione finished with three ejections at 100% accuracy and worked his first MLB All-Star Game followed by his second consecutive Division Series.

During our discussion of Guccione's ejection of Buck Showalter, baseball broadcasters were against thrust into the spotlight, criticizing Guccione for what some commenters described as a "no doubter" of a check swing call. Matt further speculated, "No wonder that the average baseball fans think that the umpiring in MLB is subpar, simply because they have been incorrectly told so by these clueless announcers."

Guccione was praised by UEFL'ers for consistency and for his continued development and improvement during his time on the full-time staff: "Guccione is an umpire who has made great strides in recent years. He has some of the best mechanics in the game as well."

Jim Wolf now has 5 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (2 Previous + 3 Award = 5).

Chris Guccione now has 17 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (14 Previous + 3 Award = 17).

The final postseason award, Umpire of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

Awards: 2011 Honorable Umpires of the Year: Gary Darling and Alfonso Marquez

2011 UEFL Awards: Honorable Umpires: Gary Darling and Alfonso Marquez (37 and 72)

Gary Darling and Alfonso Marquez are the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2011 honorable umpires of the year.

In his 24th Major League season, Gary Darling had three ejections and was selected to umpire the 2011 NLCS.

In referring to Darling's San Francisco ejection in 2011, one UEFL'er predicted, "Tough call for Darling, he missed it, but is still a very good umpire and will be in the playoffs again."

Darling was praised as an honorable umpire for the charities he is involved with, both during the season and during the offseason. 

UEFL'er Dan made the case for Darling as Honorable Umpire: "If you want an Honorable Umpire, read this story (from UmpsCareBlog), where at a Nationals game this season, Gary Darling gave a game ball to a wounded soldier that lost his leg defending our country. And he did it quietly, privately, not wanting to draw attention to himself. That is the definition of honorable, and why Gary Darling deserves everyone's vote for Honorable Umpire."

In his 12th Major League season, Alfonso Marquez had four ejections at 100% accuracy and was selected to umpire the 2011 NLDS and the 2011 World Series. His ejection of Blue Jays pitcher Jon Rauch won the UEFL's Ejection of the Year award.

Marquez was praised after fully coming back from injury in a strong way. Marquez had been tabbed by many UEFL'ers as 2010's most declining umpire (award no longer exists), but was praised in 2011 for his game management abilities and his overall return to pre-injury form. Marquez missed all but seven games in 2009 with a bad back. Alfonso's return to prominence was a unique story which many UEFL'ers thought deserved something more significant than the Most Improved Award.

The Honorable Umpire of the Year Award goes to one or two umpires who, "perhaps through Community Service, or through struggling with and overcoming his own difficulties, has been the most personally admirable of all." Darling clearly embodies the former, while Marquez has likewise embodied the latter.

Gary Darling now has 11 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (9 Previous + 2 Award = 11).

Alfonso Marquez now has 23 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (21 Previous + 2 Award = 23).

The next postseason award, Notable Umpire(s) of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

Awards: 2011 Crew Chief of the Year: Gerry Davis

2011 UEFL Awards: Crew Chief Umpire of the Year: Gerry Davis (12)

Gerry Davis is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2011 crew chief of the year. In his 28th Major League Baseball umpiring season and 13th as a crew chief, Davis finished 2011 with two ejections, including an April 30 ejection of Milton Bradley.

Mariners batter Miguel Olivo had been incorrectly called out at first base by 1B Umpire Todd Tichenor, who entertained an argument from Manager Eric Wedge without ejecting Wedge. Meanwhile, Bradley, who was the Seattle's base-runner at second base, began arguing with 2B Umpire Davis and Tichenor before getting the heave-ho from Davis.

Davis also ejected Red Sox batter Kevin Youkillis for arguing a check swing call on August 2. Davis had correctly ruled "swing" and Youkillis was thrown out after running down the first base line while yelling in protest (the count was 3-2; Youkillis was heading for first base in anticipation of a ball four call).

UEFL'er tmac called Davis' Aug 2 ejection the "best handled ejection of the year," while other UEFL'ers praised Davis for, among other things, "getting Angel [Hernandez] from one of the most noticed to one of the least noticed in less than 1/2 season"

Davis officiated the 2011 ALDS, extending his consecutive postseasons streak to 14 straight years with a DS, CS and/or WS assignment.

Gerry Davis now has 7 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (6 Previous + 1 Award = 7).

The next postseason award, Honorable Umpire(s) of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

Awards: 2011 Ejections of the Year: Ed Rapuano and Alfonso Marquez

2011 UEFL Awards: Ejections of the Year: Ed Rapuano and Alfonso Marquez (19 and 72)

Ed Rapuano's ejection of Jim Leyland and Alfonso Marquez' ejection of Jon Rauch are the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2011 Ejections of the Year.

On June 27, Rapuano initially and incorrectly had ruled Tigers batter Andy Dirks safe at first base on a tag play. After conferring with HP Umpire Marquez, Rapuano reversed his call and correctly declared Dirks out. As Leyland came out to argue the call, he was ejected.

UEFL'er Jon Terry watched this peculiar sequence without audio, and observed "Rapuano making a very unsure call, Farrell asking for a completely justified appeal, two umpires getting it right, and Leyland making an utterly shameful display of himself." Many commenters were amused by Leyland's exaggerated antics, with one UEFL'er remarking, "I wish they would turn up those on-field mics just a bit louder. That conversation had to have been priceless."

On July 2, Marquez ruled Phillies baserunner Chase Utley safe on a routine play at the plate. Rauch had been unhappy with what he perceived was an unfair strike zone and promptly was ejected for arguing balls and strikes.

Though his strike zone came into question, many commenters marveled at the sheer visual spectacle of a very angry 6'11" Rauch being restrained by three Blue Jays personnel, all the while ripping off his jersey and vehemently yelling at a calm and unflinching Marquez, who is 5'11" in height and considerably thinner than Rauch. As one UEFL'er put it, "This argument was 'big league'. Awesome."

Ed Rapuano now has 5 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (4 Previous + 1 Award = 5).

Alfonso Marquez now has 21 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (20 Previous + 1 Award = 21).

The next postseason award, Crew Chief of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

Awards: 2011 Fill-In Umpire of the Year: Alan Porter

2011 UEFL Awards: Fill-In Umpire of the Year: Alan Porter (64)

Alan Porter is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2011 fill-in (AAA) umpire of the year. In his second Major League Baseball fill-in umpiring season, Porter finished 2011 with two ejections, including his first career ejection. Porter's first career regular season MLB ejection occurred on June 12, when he ejected Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel for arguing a correctly called third strike.

Porter's second ejection was of Tigers Manager Jim Leyland, for arguing a correct out call at third base. The call was so close, it was originally ruled incorrect by the UEFL, deferred to inconclusive, and eventually overturned to correct. Porter accordingly finished 2011 with 100% accuracy.

Porter was praised by UEFL'ers for a consistent "calm, collected and professional job." Porter's on-field conduct has impressed many UEFL'ers  who hope that "Porter sticks around for many years to come." A litmus test for fill-in umpires, several commenters have expressed their opinion that "he looks like he belongs."

As commenter Bugs noted regarding the Leyland ejection, "The entire argument lasted less than 40 secs. No doubt due to the way Porter handled himself. This guy has obviously had some good training. Outstanding job in my opinion."

Alan Porter now has 12 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (10 Previous + 2 Award = 12).

The next postseason award, Ejection(s) of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

Awards: 2011 Most Improved Umpire: Tim Timmons

2011 UEFL Awards: Most Improved Umpire: Tim Timmons (95)

Tim Timmons is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2011 most improved umpire. In his 11th full Major League Baseball umpiring season, Timmons finished the 2011 season with two ejections after experiencing seven ejections last season. Timmons executed his first 2011 ejection in July, followed by an August 12 ejection of Carlos Zambrano for throwing at Atlanta's Chipper Jones. 

Zambrano allegedly had grown frustrated and was accused of throwing at Jones without provokation, leaving a note on his locker announcing his retirement and leaving the stadium following the ejection. Timmons was unilaterally praised by many observers, including many UEFL'ers. One commenter wrote that Timmons "handled this situation better than any umpire I have seen in thirty years," while numerous UEFL'ers complimented Timmons for "preventing yet another MLB brawl."

Timmons worked his first career Championship Series this year, maintaining order during a Cardinals rout of the Milwaukee Brewers. 

Tim Timmons now has 5 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (4 Previous + 1 Award = 5).

The next postseason award, Fill-In Umpire of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

Awards: 2011 Worst Umpire of the Year: Hunter Wendelstedt

2011 UEFL Awards: Worst Umpire of the Year: Hunter Wendelstedt (21)

Hunter Wendelstedt is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2011 worst umpire of the year. In his 13th Major League Baseball umpiring season, Wendelstedt finished the 2011 season with eight ejections, tied with Bob Davidson (2010's Worst Umpire of the Year), and one ejection short of league leader Rob Drake. Wendelstedt spent the first half of the 2011 season without any ejections, accumulating all eight of his ejections after the All-Star Break. Wendelstedt had three multiple ejection games in 2011, including his first two ejections for Throwing At. As one UEFL'er remarked at the time, "Bout time he got a call right. He's the worst umpire in the bigs," though some complimented his handling of the situation, "he handled the whole situation great."

Wendelstedt was accused by some UEFL'ers of having a fast trigger during two other multiple ejection games (3,4: ATL-FL and 5,6: BAL-MIN), while conversely praised for a patient trigger when ejecting Jim Tracy in August. Nevertheless, Wendelstedt received more votes than the next three candidates combined and thus, is the UEFL's 2011 Worst Umpire of the Year.

Hunter Wendelstedt now has 18 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (21 Previous + -3 Award = 18).
The next postseason award, Most Improved Umpire, will be released tomorrow.

Discussions: 2011 World Series

As the 2011 World Series gets underway, we again open the umpire forum to discussion, below. Notes include home plate umpire performance according to pitch f/x and UEFL Rules 6.b.ii.a. (horizontal bound, "Kulpa Rule") and 6.b.ii.b. (vertical strike zone, "Miller Rule"). Normalized strike zone plots are displayed via the "pfx" link. Plays include significant plays or activities. WS = Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals.

***End-of-Year Award distribution will begin Sunday***

- Final, TEX@STL, 7: Layne misses 17 pitches, 14 of which benefit St. Louis during the Series' only 90.0% game.
- Final, TEX@STL, 6: Cederstrom calls 94.3% during epic Rangers-Cardinals extra inning thriller.
- Final, STL@TEX, 5: Barrett calls Game 5 at 90.7% as the Texas portion of the series concludes.
- Final, STL@TEX, 4: After missing a call at first base the night before, Kulpa rebounds to call a 95.6%.
- Final, STL@TEX, 3: Marquez calls a massive 206 pitches, calling 92.2% during Cardinals rout of Rangers.
- Final, TEX@STL, 2: After calling 96.0% in the DS, Gibson has an impressive performance of 96.1% in the WS.
- Final, TEX@STL, 1: Layne starts off strong with a 94.9% performance; umpires miss 9th inning foul call.

Notes and Archives
TEX@STL, Gm1: HP Umpire Jerry Layne: pfx (34-37 Called Strikes, 97-101 Balls = 94.9%)
TEX@STL, Gm2: HP Umpire Greg Gibson: pfx (38-41 Called Strikes, 86-88 Balls = 96.1%)^
STL@TEX, Gm3: HP Umpire Alfonso Marquez: pfx (59-64 Called Strikes, 131-142 Balls = 92.2%)
STL@TEX, Gm4: HP Umpire Ron Kulpa: pfx (46-50 Called Strikes, 107-110 Balls = 95.6%)

STL@TEX, Gm5: HP Umpire Ted Barrett: pfx (42-52 Called Strikes, 95-99 Balls = 90.7%)
TEX@STL, Gm6: HP Umpire Gary Cederstrom: pfx (50-52 Called Strikes, 133-142 Balls = 94.3%)
TEX@STL, Gm7: HP Umpire Jerry Layne: pfx (53-61 Called Strikes, 100-109 Balls = 90.0%)

Plays
Game 1: Infrared: FOX Celebrates New Technology at Expense of Beltre, Rangers [b/r article]
- - Video: Beltre appears to foul ball off his foot in the ninth inning, umpires miss the call
Game 2: Kulpa correctly rules Kinsler safe on stolen base attempt, Molina expresses frustration
Game 3: Kulpa misses "obvious" out call during 1-0 game. Washington argues to no avail.
Game 3: Torre discusses missed call, blasts media for questioning St. Louis native-Kulpa's integrity
Game 6: Marquez delivers a correct out call at third base, after a Napoli-Beltre pickoff
Game 7: MLB Must Rewrite Home-Field Advantage Rule [b/r opinion]
Game 7: Umpire's Strike Zone is not to Blame for Rangers' World Series Loss [b/r article]

*Live accuracy is not available during reviews, challenges, or during suspiciously normalized contests.
'The UEFL reports all sub-90.0% accuracy games as "<90%"
^This plot includes one ball miscategorized as a called strike. The ball call was correct.

Roster: 2011 World Series Umpires

MLB has announced the 2011 World Series Umpires. The World Series is the third and final round of the 2011 MLB Playoffs. Percentages from our World Series poll are listed alongside umpire points.

Crew A (WS/TEX@STL)
Jerry Layne^ -cc (8 pts, 34%)
Greg Gibson* (6 pts, 51%)
Alfonso Marquez^ (20 pts, 41%)
Ron Kulpa* (12 pts, 31%)
Ted Barrett^ (12 pts, 50%)
Gary Cederstrom^ (4 pts, 42%)

-cc denotes Crew Chief, * denotes first World Series assignment. ^ denotes second World Series assignment. Note that no umpires have previously been assigned to more than one World Series. Per UEFL Rule 4.c.iii, all umpires selected to appear in the World Series shall receive three bonus points for this appearance; crew chiefs shall receive one additional bonus point for this role (four points total).

Video: St. Louis hometown umpire Kulpa in World Series, Interview

The UEFL Standings have been updated:

1. kickersrule (West/Wendelstedt) - 38

2. sachmet (West/Bellino) - 33

3. tt49 (Wendelstedt/Guccione) - 32

3. mtn335 (West/Hudson) - 32

5. yawetag (Hernandez/Joyce) - 30

6. cyclone14 (Wegner/Johnson) - 28

6. BONZ_kansascity (West/Hernandez) - 28

8. RichMSN (West/Emmel) - 26

9. BSBALLUMP (Rapuano/Drake) - 25

9. DanNJ316 (West/Kulpa) - 25

The results of our World Series umpire poll are listed below.

From the Eligible List, Choose Your World Series Umpires (Select 6).

Nominations: 2011

As the 2011 season draws to a close, the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League prepares to distribute its Postseason Awards to eligible umpires* who, during the past season, have had significant seasons to fit the terms of one of these awards (UEFL Rule 4.e.).

i. Umpire of the Year (min. 1 / max. 1 umpire)

ii. Noteworthy Umpire of the Year (min. 1 / max. 2 umpires)

iii. Honorable Umpire of the Year (min. 0 / max. 2 umpires)

iv. Most Improved Umpire of the Year (min. 0 / max. 1 umpire)

v. Crew Chief of the Year (min. 0 / max. 1 umpire)^

vi. Worst Umpire of the Year (min. 0 / max. 1 umpire)

vii. Fill-In Umpire of the Year (min. 0 / max. 1 umpire)

viii. Best Ejection of the Year (min. 0 / max. 2 ejections)^

Points scale for post season awards: i. (+5); ii. (+3); iii. (+2); iv. (+1); v. (+1); vi. (-3); vii. (+2); viii. (+1).

*An eligible umpire for Awards i-vi started the season at the MLB-level, or was promoted to the MLB-level prior to the All-Star Break. An eligible umpire for Award vii is not on the Full-Time MLB Staff and has worked at least five games at the Major League Level.

^Denotes new award for 2011.

i. Umpire of the Year: This Umpire has been the best MLB Umpire the past year, bar none. This Umpire has been more dedicated, professional, and positive than all others. This award will be given to one umpire.

ii. Noteworthy Umpire of the Year: This Umpire has been dedicated, professional, and has worked hard. Perhaps a rising star, the Noteworthy Umpire of the Year is an umpire to keep an eye on, for an expectation of great things down the line. This award will be given to one or two umpires.

iii. Honorable Umpire of the Year: This Umpire has been the most honorable Umpire during the past year. Perhaps through Community Service, or through struggling with and overcoming his own difficulties, this Umpire has been the most personally admirable of all. This award may or may not be given to either one or two umpires.

iv. Most Improved Umpire of the Year: This Umpire has improved his overall performance from the previous season more noticeably than any other Umpire. Generally, this umpire has developed into a solid arbiter within the past year. This award may or may not be given to a maximum of one umpire.

v. Crew Chief of the Year: This Umpire has been the best MLB Umpire Crew Chief, the past year, bar none. This Umpire has led his crew(s) better than all others. This award will be given to one umpire.

vi. Worst Umpire of the Year: This Umpire has shown a continual regression in ability, and might have had a regrettable incident(s) occur in-season. The Worst Umpire of the Year is unprofessional and does a disservice to Umpires and the game. This award may or may not be given to a maximum of one umpire.

vii. Fill-In Umpire of the Year: This Umpire has been the best AAA Call-Up Umpire the past year, bar none. This Umpire has been the most dedicated, professional, and positive AAA/Non-MLB Full Time Umpire of all non-MLB Full Time Umpires. This award may or may not be given to a maximum of one umpire.

viii. Best Ejection of the Year: In the form of "Umpire (1)," this award recognizes the best ejection(s) of the year. Nominated and selected due to form, mechanics, entertainment value, reason for ejection, or overall quality, the Best Ejection of the Year is awarded to one or two umpires for one or two specific ejections. The award may be given to one umpire for two separate ejections, in which case, he receives one point for each ejection.

Please take some time to consider an umpire for as many or as few awards as you prefer, and reply to this entry with your nomination(s). Nominations will be accepted throughout the post-season, and awards will be distributed after the World Series has concluded.