MLB News: Proposed Labor Deal Includes Expanded Instant Replay

When MLB first introduced instant replay in 2008, the release was limited to potential home run boundary calls. Now, in possibly the first ever revision to the original replay release, MLB has indicated a desire to expand instant replay to the following situations and calls:

• Fair/Foul (Supported by 36 percent of UEFL'ers)*
• Catch/No Catch (Supported by 30 percent of UEFL'ers)*
• Expansion to include all spectator interference calls (Supported by 68 percent of UEFL'ers)

*According to the UEFL's August poll regarding the subject.

Click here to read an article detailing a more comprehensive look at the proposed deal as it relates to instant replay.

What does expanded replay mean for MLB in 2012? What does it mean for the UEFL and ejections? 

Consider these case plays which have no correct answer: 

IR 1: With one out and one on, B1 hits a line drive to F8 who dives for the attempted catch. U2 rules "no catch," as he believes the ball was trapped. R1, upon seeing U2's "safe" mechanic, rounds second base and arrives at third base safely while B1 hustles into first. Meanwhile, F8, believing he caught the ball and unaware of U2's call, throws the ball to F3 who tags first base (after B1 already overran it). Believing they have just completed an inning-ending double play, the defensive team leaves the field as R1 makes a mad dash for the now-uncovered plate. Instant replay indicates the ball was clearly caught. What happens to R1?

IR 2: With one out and two on, B1 hits a line drive to F7 who dives for the attempted catch. U3 rules "catch," as he believes the ball was caught. R1, unaware of (and unable to see) U3's mechanic and believing the ball was not caught, advances to and rounds second base. R2, upon seeing U3's "out" mechanic, returns to second base where he runs right by R1, who has already rounded the second base bag. U2 immediately declares R1 out for passing R2, while R2 runs toward third base and B1 takes second base. F7 throws to F5, who steps on the bag before R2's arrival. F5 never tags R2's person. Instant replay indicates the ball was clearly trapped. What happens to our runners?

The umpires still must ratify this proposal for it to take hold in 2012, but according to our August poll, these three issues (fair/foul, catch/trap, fan int.) are the three issues that have been most supported as expansion candidates.

News: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/982463-mlb-wants-to-expand-instant-replay-a-comprehensive-look-at-the-proposed-deal

Football Ejections: Terry McAulay

Continuing the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League "Other Sports" coverage, we turn to the National Football League on this Thanksgiving night.

Referee and Crew Chief Terry McAulay ejected Green Bay Packers defensive back Patrick Lee for an unsporting personal foul with 0:30 left in the second quarter and Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh for an unsporting personal foul with 9:16 left in the third quarter of the Packers-Lions Thanksgiving game. In the second quarter, Lee became entangled with multiple Lions players during a punt play. Though no penalty was called until the ball became dead, Lee was punished for his apparent retaliation for what he felt was an uncalled series of penalties committed by Detroit. Replays indicate Lee appeared to have been held by a combination of two Lions players, the call was incorrect. In the third quarter, after Packers QB Aaron Rodgers threw an incomplete pass intended for wide receiver Donald Driver, Suh and the Packers' Evan Dietrich-Smith became tangled. Replays indicate Suh slammed Dietrich-Smith's helmet into the ground after the play, followed by a kick to the Dietrich-Smith's right arm. This call is correct per 2011's UEFL Rule 6.b.ii.e., which governs ejections for Fighting; this call would be irrecusable (neither correct nor incorrect) per 2012's UEFL Rule 6-2-b-5. As McAulay noted in his penalty announcement, Suh was disqualified immediately upon committing his flagrant personal foul. At the time of both ejections, the Packers were leading, 7-0. The Packers ultimately won the contest, 27-15.

Wrap: Packers at Lions, 11/24/11
Video (1): Packers DB Patrick "Pat" Lee is ejected for throwing a punch
Video (2): Lions DT Ndamukong Suh is ejected for kicking Packers OL Evan Dietrich-Smith

Results: 2011 Rules Summit

The Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2011 Rules Summit is now complete. The following includes an abbreviated list of proposals and initiatives which have been adopted by the UEFL Office of the Commissioner. These proposals are now rules and will take immediate effect. To view the unabridged 2012 UEFL Rules Book, click here or visit the "UEFL Rules Book" tab.

Please note that signups for the 2012 UEFL will begin over the holiday weekend. Further instructions will be contained within the signups and registrations post. The signup process will run until early March.

Rule 1 - Selection of Umpires
Adopted: Poll 1. Four umpires, 1 Crew Chief + 1 Primary + 1 Secondary (69%)
Adopted: Poll 3. Pre-assigned draft order (54%) / Rejected: Poll 3. Live draft (42%)


Rule 2 - The Season
Rejected: Poll 2. Adoption of the injury provision (39%)


Rule 3 - Crew Division
Rule 4 - League Scoring
Rule 5 - Statistics


Rule 6 - Challenges and Appeals
Adopted: Poll 4. Creation of a three (3) member appeals board (64%)
Adopted: Poll 6. Elimination of QOC from unsportsmanlike ejections (76%)
Rejected: Poll 5. Removal of the post-inning exemption (37%)
Rejected: Poll 7. Elimination of QOC from check swings (32%)


Rule 7 - Unresolved Classifications and References


Rule 8 - Umpire Odds & Ends and Community Issues
Rejected: Poll 8. Adoption of posting guidelines (39%)


Rule 9 - Unaddressed and Authorization Provisions
Adopted: Poll 9. Commissioners as restricted participants (73%)

Stay tuned for 2012 UEFL registration and instructions on Appeals Board nominations.

Polls: 2011 Rules Summit

The Umpire Ejection Fantasy League has concluded its week-long Rules Summit discussion and now it is time to vote for rules modifications and additions as we continue our preparations for the 2012 baseball season.

The following matters have been proposed during the Rules Summit discussion this past week and are now ready for a membership vote. You will notice several polls within this post, one for each proposed rule modification. Each poll carries its own set of instructions, including whether you may select one or multiple options. Please consider your options and vote prudently: upon Commissioner approval, all passing proposals will become rules for the 2012 UEFL season. The Rules Summit polls will close Monday, November 21, at 12:01 am PST.

Proposal 1: Restructuring the Primary and Secondary Umpires

• Poll 1: Shall the UEFL expand to four drafted umpires? This would result in the drafting of a crew chief, who would receive one point for any non-incorrect ejection by any person on said crew chief's crew (incorrect ejections would receive zero points). The primary umpire would remain and the secondary umpire would be expanded to two secondary umpires.
• Poll 2: Shall the UEFL employ an injury provision? If so, how shall this system function? This would result in the replacement of an umpire mid-season if said umpire becomes injured.
• Poll 3: Shall draft order be pre-assigned? Shall the secondary draft be conducted in a live format? This would result in a preseason process to determine draft order. League signups would need to be completed by the beginning of March in order to create and distribute this draft order.

Proposal 2: Creation of a UEFL Appeals Board

• Poll 4: Shall an Appeals Board be created? This would result in the creation of a 3/5/7 person board which would routinely rule on QOC challenges.

Proposal 3: Elimination of the Post-Inning Exemption, Balls/Strikes Exemptions

• Poll 5: Shall the post-inning exemption be removed from the rules? This would result in all post-inning ejections (other than ejections regarding the third out) to be ruled unsportsmanlike.

Proposal 4: Elimination of QOC for "6.b.ii.e" Unsportsmanlike/Throwing/Fighting and Check Swing Ejections

• Poll 6: Shall QOC be eliminated from "6.b.ii.e" ejections? This would result in only two base points per ejection (three for a AAA umpire), instead of four or five (2+2=4 becomes 2+0=2).
• Poll 7: Shall QOC be eliminated from check swing ejections? This would result in only two base points per ejection and the elimination of determining QOC for check swing calls.

Proposal 5: UEFL Posting Guidelines and Commissioners as League Participants

• Poll 8: Shall posting guidelines be adopted? This would add standard guidelines for acceptable/unacceptable posts and comments.
• Poll 9: Shall Commissioners be permitted to participants in the UEFL? This would allow UEFL Commissioners to draft umpires and participate in the league. Commissioner picks would remain mutually exclusive from one another and commissioners would be prohibited from ruling on their owned umpires' ejections and participating in case play discussions.

Polls 1-9: You may place your vote below using the following polls
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Discussions: 2011 Rules Summit

As baseball's offseason begins, the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League presents the 2011 Rules Summit. The purpose of the UEFL Rules Summit is to discuss any controversial issues which have surfaced during this past season and to set forth a framework for rectifying these issues by modifying the existing UEFL Rules Book in advance of next season.

This discussion thread is an open forum for proposing, discussing and debating potential rules changes. The 2011 Rules Summit discussion thread shall remain open for one week, which should provide ample time for the discussion of possible rules changes heading into the 2012 season.

The following matters are already on the docket for the 2011 Rules Summit, though any UEFL'er or guest may contribute an idea by replying to this thread. Modifications are identified by plaintext, while deletions are identified by italics and additions are identified by bold text.

• Rules 1 and 2 (Selection of Umpires via the Pre-Season Draft), Deletion, Modification or Addition.
• Revising the description of the draft process so as to preserve consistency
• Consolidating these two rules into one single rule, AND/OR
• Adding to these rules a selection of umpiring "crew" based on 2012 Crew Listings, AND/OR
• Modifying Rule 4.a. to attribute "crew" points as one point per ejection, QOC notwithstanding.
• Adding the selection of a tertiary and fourth umpire, in which all umpires receive equal points* and the mutual exclusivity requirement is eliminated.
• *AAA umpires would/would not continue to observe their points structure.
• Adding a provision for injured umpires ("Wegner Rule")
• "Alternate Umpire" system wherein a back-up umpire is picked in the event of injury which sidelines an umpire for >1/2 the season.
• Time injured is variable, decision to replace umpire would be determined by individual UEFL'ers who own the injured umpire
• Rule 6.a. (Challenges and Appeals)
• Creating a UEFL Appeals Board, which shall be comprised of 3 OR 5 OR 7 UEFL'ers, including Commissioners
• Board Members would routinely rule on QOC Challenges (Affirm/Deny/Defer)
• Rule 6.b.ii.e. (Unsportsmanlike Conduct/Throwing At/Fighting Ejections), Modification.
• Ceasing the assessment of Quality of Correctness points associated with this Rule by modifying Rule 4.a., OR
• Eliminating the attribution of Quality of Correctness for these ejections, OR
• Umpires will receive points for the ejection, but not receive QOC nor its associated points
• Eliminating the attribution of ANY points as a result of these ejections by modifying Rule 4.a.
• Adding Post-Inning Ejections to this rule
• Removing QOC points attributed to ejections resulting from post-inning exemptions, OR
• Removing the Post-Inning Exemption and Ball/Strike Exemption entirely.
• Exempting the third out from this provision, so as to give ample argument opportunity.
• Rule 6.b.ii.h (Check Swing Calls), Addition.
• Ceasing the assessment of QOC points associated with check swing ejections by modifying Rule 4.a., OR
• Eliminating the attribution of Quality of Correctness for these ejections.
• Rule 10 (Umpire Odds & Ends), Addition
• UEFL Posting Guidelines
• Adds standard guidelines for acceptable/unacceptable posts and comments.
• Commissioners as League Participants
• Allows UEFL Admins to participate in League
• Commissioner umpire picks must be mutually exclusive
• Commissioners prohibited from ruling on their owned umpires' ejections

The discussion phase of the UEFL Rules Summit will remain active for one week, after which proposals will be officially drafted and voting will commence.

Standings: 2011 Final UEFL Standings

Pursuant to UEFL Rule 8.a., the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League presents the final standings of 2011. You can view the UEFL Roster and Standings at any time via the Roster and Standings page. You can view the UEFL Ejection List at any time via the Ejection List page.

With 2,467 games played* and 0 games remaining...

*The second game of the September 8 Dodgers-Nationals doubleheader was postponed, and, because neither team was within a 1/2 game of a playoff spot, officially cancelled at the conclusion of the regular season. 38 games were played during the 2011 postseason.

1. kickersrule (West/Wendelstedt) - 35

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. BSBALLUMP (Rapuano/Drake) - 26

8. RichMSN (West/Emmel) - 26

10. DanNJ316 (Rapuano/Kulpa) - 25

10. spence1222 (O'Nora/Nelson) - 25

199 Ejections: 98 Manager ejections, 88 player ejections, 13 Coach ejections

Top 3 Reasons for Ejection: Balls/Strikes (101 Ejections), Safe/Out (45), Throwing At (20)

Cumulative Ejection Quality of Correctness: 147 Correct, 52 Incorrect: Accuracy = 73.9%

Umpire Ejection Leaders

1. Rob Drake - 9

2. Bob Davidson - 8

2. Hunter Wendelstedt - 8

4. Joe West - 7

5. Mike Estabrook - 6

5. Mike Muchlinski - 6

5. Brian Knight - 6

5. Dan Bellino - 6

10. Marvin Hudson - 5

10. Chad Fairchild - 5

10. Angel Campos - 5

10. Vic Carapazza - 5

Umpire Points

1. Rob Drake - 30

1. Mike Estabrook - 30

1. Mike Muchlinski - 30

4. Marty Foster - 23

4. Alfonso Marquez - 23

6. Jeff Nelson - 22

7. Hunter Wendelstedt - 18

7. Sam Holbrook - 18

7. Dan Bellino - 18

10. Angel Hernandez - 17

10. Chris Guccione - 17

Accuracy

1. Mike Estabrook - 100% (6/6)

1. Mike Muchlinski - 100% (6/6)

1. Marty Foster - 100% (6/6)

4. Alfonso Marquez - 100% (4/4)

4. Jim Joyce - 100% (4/4)

4. Angel Hernandez - 100% (4/4)

4. Sam Holbrook - 100% (4/4)

4. Jeff Nelson - 100% (4/4)

9. Chris Conroy - 100% (3/3)

9. Dana DeMuth - 100% (3/3)

9. Jerry Meals - 100% (3/3)

9. Mark Wegner - 100% (3/3)

9. Chris Guccione - 100% (3/3)

9. Mark Carlson - 100% (3/3)

9. Bill Welke - 100% (3/3)

Awards: 2011 Umpire of the Year: Jeff Nelson

2011 UEFL Awards: Umpire of the Year: Jeff Nelson (45)

Jeff Nelson is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2011 umpire of the year.

In his 13th Major League season, Jeff Nelson called four ejections at 100% accuracy (4/4) and was selected to umpire his fourth Championship Series and his fourth consecutive postseason.

Nelson's ejection of Nationals left fielder Jerry Hairston, Jr. concerned an overturned call at first base. Originally ruled an out by 1B Umpire Mike Estabrook, the call was correctly overturned to "safe" after umpire consultation. While some UEFL'ers have speculated that acting crew chief Nelson improperly overruled Estabrook, others praised Nelson for his hustle and work ethic in working to get the call right.

Nelson has been described as "definitely one of the best," turning in the best plate performance of the 2011 postseason. In Game 5 of the ALCS, Nelson missed just two pitches and called 98.7% correctly, a full 2.6% higher than second place Greg Gibson's 96.1% during Game 2 of the World Series.

Nelson's ALCS Game 5 Plot

UEFL'er clement30 described Nelson as "a total class act, and an A+ umpire...He would be deserving of this award based off his umpiring skills alone, but his incredible work this year should put him over the top."

Others referred to Nelson as a "consummate professional" and praised him for a tremendous performance as interim crew chief while Tim Tschida was injured during the latter half of the 2011 season. These consistent praises for Nelson combined with his tremendous all-around performance this season have combined to make Jeff Nelson the UEFL's 2011 Umpire of the Year.

Jeff Nelson now has 22 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (17 Previous + 5 Award = 22).

Final Standings will be released tomorrow. The Rules Summit will begin tomorrow as well.

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.