Australian Ejection - Trent Thomas (Trent D'Antonio)

Australian Baseball HP Umpire Trent Thomas ejected Sydney Blue Sox DH Trent D'Antonio for arguing a ball two call in the top of the 2nd inning of the Bite-Blue Sox game. With two out and one on, Bite batter Connar O'Gorman took a 1-2 breaking ball from Blue Sox pitcher Craig Anderson for a called second ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located around the lower bound in the vicinity of the inner edge of home plate, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Bite ultimately won the contest, 7-1.

This is Trent Thomas' first ejection since January 30, 2015 (Matt Kennelly; QOC = U [Strike 3 Call]).

Wrap: Adelaide Bite vs. Sydney Blue Sox (Australian Baseball League), 1/1/16
[Video posted below, via 'read more']

Australian Baseball Ejection - Brett Robson (Tanner Vavra)

Australian HP Umpire Brett Robson ejected Melbourne Aces SS Tanner Vavra for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 7th inning of the Aces-Heat game. With two out and none on, Vavra took a 0-2 fastball from Aces pitcher Cameron Lamb for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located along the outer edge of home plate (pitch f/x unavailable), the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Heat were leading, 6-3. The Heat ultimately won the contest, 6-3.

This is Tanner Vavra's first ejection since November 28, 2015 (Takahito Matsuda; QOC = Y [HBP/Ball]).

Wrap: Melbourne Aces vs. Perth Heat (Australian Baseball League), 12/29/15
[Video posted below, via 'read more']

Top 20 Ejections of 2015 - A UEFL Year in Review

The UEFL presents our Top 20 Ejections of 2015, a year in review. With MLB Network opting to forgo the annual MLB Network Countdown ejections special for the 2015 season, the process of selecting the top ejections of the year falls to the UEFL. Now, with assistance from voter input collected during the 2015 year-end Awards Nomination process, we present the Top 20 Ejections of 2015. We hope you had a happy Chanukah, Christmas, and New Year.

*Note: Qualities of Correctness are provided in the following format: Y=Correct, N=Incorrect, U=Irrecusable.

Umpire Ejection Fantasy League Year in Review: The UEFL's Top 20 Ejections of 2015
Note: Click each umpire's name & ejection # to be taken to the associated ejection report from the season.
20: E 142: Mike Muchlinski (1); Mariners Manager Lloyd McClendon (Check Swing [Ball]; QOC = Y).
19: E 180: David Rackley (3); Padres Interim Manager Pat Murphy (Prior Foul Ball Call; QOC = U).
18: E 135: Jeff Nelson (1). Twins Manager Paul Molitor (Check Swing [Strike Three]; QOC = Y).

17: E 046: Bob Davidson (1); Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly (Replay Review Catch Call; QOC = U).

16: E 168: Doug Eddings (4). Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez (Ball Two Call; QOC = Y).

15: E 021-025: Sam Holbrook (1-5); 3 Royals & 2 White Sox (Fighting [Bench-Brawl]; QOC = U).

14: E 119-120: Pat Hoberg (2-3); Cardinals C Yadier Molina & Mgr Mike Matheny (Ball; QOC = Y).

13: E 173: Paul Nauert (2); Rays 1B James Loney (Strike Three Call; QOC = N).

12: E 167: Dan Iassogna (4). Yankees Manager Joe Girardi (Strike Two & Three Calls; QOC = Y).

11: E 146-150: West/Reyburn; 3 Pirates & 2 Reds (Fighting. Throwing At. Arguing Ejection; QOC = U).

10: E 164-165: Brian Knight (1-2); A's CF Sam Fuld & Mgr Bob Melvin (Interference Call; QOC = Y).

#9: E 179: Dan Bellino (3); Phillies Bench Coach Larry Bowa (Instigating a Bench-Clearer; QOC = U).

#8: E 203: Chris Guccione (1); Rangers Manager Jeff Banister (Fair Ball Call Over 3B; QOC = Y).
#7: E 140: Jerry Meals (2); Nationals RF Bryce Harper (Strike Three Call; QOC = N).

#6: E P-1: Jeff Nelson (3); Pirates 1B Sean Rodriguez (Fighting after HBP; QOC = U).

#5: E 191: Mike Winters (5); Giants Manager Bruce Bochy (Check Swing K3 Call; QOC = Y).

#4: E 184: Brian O'Nora (1); Rays Manager Kevin Cash (Non-Replay Out Call; QOC = N).

#3: E S-2: Joe West (S1); Braves C AJ Pierzynski (Ball Three Call ["He's Done"]; QOC = U).

#2: E 055: Jim Reynolds (1); Reds Manager Bryan Price (Pre-Game Meeting; QOC = U).

#1: E 196-197: Bill Welke (3-4); Reds 1B Joey Votto & Mgr Bryan Price (Strike Three Call; QOC = N).

Total Correct: 8 / Total Incorrect: 4 / Total Irrecusable: 8 = 66.7% Accuracy (Compare to 69.2% in 2014).

Links to previous years' "Most Unforgettable Ejections" countdown: 2012 | 2013 | 2014.

Australian Ejection - Blake Halligan (Steve Mintz)

Australian HP Umpire Blake Halligan ejected Adelaide Bite Manager Steve Mintz for Unsportsmanlike-NEC in the top of the 8th inning of the Cavalry-Bite game. With one out and one on, Cavalry batter Derrick Loveless took walk from Bite pitcher Takuro Ito; Mintz was ejected for unsporting conduct during an ensuing mound visit when Halligan asked for the pitching change/substitution information, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Bite were leading, 5-4. The Cavalry ultimately won the contest, 7-5.

Wrap: Canberra Cavalry vs. Adelaide Bite (Australian Baseball League), 12/26/15
[Video posted below, via 'read more']

Australian Baseball Ejections - Gavin Carson (HBP)

Australian HP Umpire Gavin Carson ejected Bandits P Josh Warner for throwing at Cavalry batter David Harris, Bandits Manager Dave Nilsson and Cavalry LF Harris for fighting, and 3B Umpire Greg Kent ejected Bandits CF Andrew Campbell for Unsportsmanlike-NEC in the bottom of the 1st inning of the Bandits-Cavalry Game. With none out and none on, Cavalry batter Harris took a first-pitch fastball from Bandits pitcher Josh Warner for a hit-by-pitch, resulting in a bench-clearing incident. Replays indicate the pitch was located up and inside, striking Harris on the back of the helmet as Harris then attempted to charge the mound as Warner gestured as if to provoke a fight, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejections, the game was tied, 0-0. The Cavalry ultimately won the contest, 5-0.

Wrap: Brisbane Bandits vs. Canberra Cavalry (Australian Baseball League), 12/20/15
[Video posted below, via 'read more']

Venezuelan Ejections - Livensparger's Bench Clearer

A pickoff attempt incited a bench clearing brawl and 7 ejections in Venezuelan League action Saturday night as HP Umpire Shane Livensparger ejected Navigantes del Magellan's pitcher Bruce Rondon, catcher Jesus Sucre, substitute pitcher Jean Machi, and Bravos de Margarita 1B Jose Osuna, DH Eliezer Alonzo, and P Luis Ramirez in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Navigantes-Bravos game. 1B Umpire Robert Moreno additionally ejected Bravos Manager Henry Blanco. With none out and none on, Bravos batter Osuna was hit by a pitch from Rondon. During the ensuing at-bat, Rondon attempted to pick off baserunner R1 Osuna, resulting in an incitement and eventual bench clearing incident during which seven people were ejected. At the time of the ejections, the game was tied, 4-4. The Bravos ultimately won the contest, 6-5.

Wrap: Navegantes del Magallanes vs. Bravos de Margarita (Venezuelan League), 12/12/15
[Video posted below, via 'read more']

Australian Baseball Ejection - Stewart Howe

Australian Baseball League HP Umpire Stewart Howe ejected Adelaide Bite 3B Marc Wik for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 5th inning of the Bite-Aces game. With one out and none on, Bite batter Wik took a 1-2 fastball from Aces pitcher Yasuo Sano for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located near the inner edge of home plate and belt-high, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 1-1. The Aces ultimately won the contest, 7-1.

Wrap: Adelaide Bite vs. Melbourne Aces (Australian Baseball League), 12/12/15
[Video posted below, via 'read more']

Australian Baseball Ejections (x2) - Takahito Matsuda

An ABL batter made no attempt to avoid being touched by a pitched ball, resulting in a pair of ejections in Australia. HP Umpire Takahito Matsuda ejected Melbourne Aces 2B Tanner Vavra & Manager Joe Vavra for arguing a ball (no-HBP / failure to attempt to avoid a pitched ball) call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Heat-Aces game. With none out and none on, Aces batter T Vavra took a 0-1 fastball from Heat pitcher Daniel Schmidt for a dead ball pitch ruled a ball. Replays indicate the pitch made contact with Vavra's left arm, but Matsuda ruled Vavra failed to attempt to avoid being touched by the ball, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejections, the Heat were leading, 4-1. The Aces ultimately won the contest, 5-4.

* OBR Rule 5.05(b)(2)(B) [formerly 6.08] states that the batter is entitled to first base when "he is touched by a pitched ball which he is not attempting to hit unless the batter makes not attempt to avoid being touched by the ball." Replays indicate Vavra may have actually 'leaned in' to the pitch by extending his elbow toward home plate, but relevant for Matsuda's ruling is that Vavra simply made no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball.
Note: Contrary to the broadcasters' depiction, Matsuda ruled the pitch a ball, not a strike. Had the pitch been located within the strike zone, the proper call would indeed have been a dead ball strike.

Wrap: Perth Heat vs. Melbourne Aces (Australian Baseball League), 11/27/15
(Click the "read more" link for video of this play)

Australian Baseball Ejection - Bob Crawford (Non-INT)

Australian Baseball celebrated American Thanksgiving with an ejection for an interference no-call. 3B Umpire Bob Crawford ejected Bandits Manager Dave Nilsson for arguing a safe call (non-interference) in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Bandits-Blue Sox game. With none out and two on, Blue Sox batter Alex Howe hit a 1-1 fastball from Bandits pitcher Rick Teasley on the ground to second baseman Mitch Nilsson, who threw to shortstop Riley Unroe as R1 Joshua Strong arrived at second base, Unroe's attempted throw to first base bouncing off Unroe and deflecting into foul territory, allowing Howe to advance to second on the throwing error. Replays indicate Nilsson slid late, as in a rolling block, and did not attempt to reach second base, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the Blue Sox were leading, 3-1. The Blue Sox ultimately won the contest, 5-1.

*OBR Rule 5.09(a)(13) [formerly 6.05(m)] states that the batter is out when: "A preceding runner shall, in the umpire’s judgment, intentionally interfere with a fielder who is attempting to catch a thrown ball or to throw a ball in an attempt to complete any play." The rule's associated Comment states, "The objective of this rule is to penalize the offensive team for deliberate, unwarranted, unsportsmanlike action by the runner in leaving the baseline for the obvious purpose of crashing the pivot man on a double play, rather than trying to reach the base. Obviously this is an umpire’s judgment play."

As specified in the UEFL's October 11 analysis of Dodgers baserunner Chase Utley's takeout of Mets pivot man Ruben Tejada during Game 2 of the 2015 National League Division Series, willful and deliberate interference, as interpreted in the MLB Umpire Manual, occurs when a runner fails to make a "bona fide effort to reach and stay on the base." This is an additional criterion for willful/deliberate interference, which, when combined with the "should be able to reach the base with his hand or foot" guideline, and the rolling block guideline (contacting the fielder before sliding on the ground) confirm that R1 Strong's actions in the ABL game constituted willful and deliberate interference, and, thus, a double play. Note that in MLB/pro, there is no "mandatory slide" rule at second base: only the aforementioned criteria requiring a bona fide effort to reach and stay on the applicable base.

Wrap: Brisbane Bandits vs. Sydney Blue Sox (Australian Baseball League), 11/26/15
(Click the "read more" link for video of this play)

Final Results of the 2015 UEFL Rules Summit

The 2015 UEFL Rules Summit is complete and final results are available. Pursuant to UEFL Rules, the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League announces the following rules changes for the 2016 UEFL season. The results of the Summit have been referred to the UEFL Rules Committee for formal codification and adoption.

➤ 6-1: UEFL Challenges/Appeals will require a second in order to be reviewed; 73% Yes, 27% No.
➤ 6-1: UEFL Challenges/Appeals may be initiated by the UEFL Appeals Board; 54% Yes, 46% No.
➤ 6-2-b-5: Calls that may be associated with a QOCY or N will receive such status; 51% Yes, 49% No.
➤ 6-2-b-8: Appeals Board may initiate review of MLB Replay Review decisions; 51% Yes, 49% No.
➤ 8-1-h: Penalized commenters may apply for reinstatement; 53% Yes, 47% No.
➤ Appeals Board: Arik G; 81% Yes, 19% No.
➤ Appeals Board: cyclone14; 83% Yes, 17% No.
➤ Appeals Board: RichMSN; 93% Yes, 7% No.
➤ Appeals Board: tmac; 93% Yes, 8% No. (*92.5% and 7.5% were both rounded up to 93/8*)
➤ Appeals Board: Turducken; 87% Yes, 13% No.

2016 UEFL Appeals Board: Gil, Jeremy, RichMSN, tmac, Turducken, Arik G, cyclone14, [2 vacancies].

The following proposals did not receive an absolute majority of 'yea' votes and, therefore, did not pass:
➤ 1-3: Modification of drafted umpire structure; 38% Add ump, 12% +1 cc -1 PRM, 50% No.
➤ 3-3-a: Charge the Crew Chief -1 points per QOCN ejection; 36% Yes, 64% No.
➤ 4-7: Remove Replay Review from league scoring; 33% Yes, 67% No.
➤ 6-1: Institute an automatic QOC trigger based on Quick Vote; 22% Yes, 78% No.
➤ 6-2-b-1|2: Make all Borderline/MOE pitches QOCU [Irrecusable]; 48% Yes, 52% No.
➤ 6-2-b-5-b: Eliminate the DiMuro Rule regarding repeat visits; 46% Yes, 54% No.
➤ 8-5: Require a membership or entry fee; 21% Yes, 79% No.
➤ 8-6: Allow for trades during the season; 35% One Trade, 3% 2+ Trades, 62% No.

The following editorial change has been adopted:
➤ 2-b-1: Modifies the Kulpa Rule to reflect a 20" diameter of home plate, or a 0+.833 range, which corresponds to a |.750| to |.916| MOE range, centered at |.833| feet, which replaces |.768| to |.935|.

Thank you all for joining us for the 2015 UEFL season and participating in the year-end Rules Summit. For those sticking around this offseason, we'll continue bringing you ejections from the Fall and Winter Leagues, including the Arizona Fall League, Caribbean Winter Leagues, and Arizona Baseball League, posting video when available. Make sure to follow the @SportEjections twitter account for ejections in these and other major sport leagues. We are also working on a new educational component for the website and hope to have that launched by next UEFL season.