Canadian Connection (Video): Scheurwater on Call-Up List

Umpire Stu Scheurwater was named to the MLB call-up list in advance of the 2014 season, setting the wheels in motion for a possible regular season debut following a full Spring Training slate.  A native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and then a resident of Regina, Scheurwater becomes the only active umpire on the fill-in slate from Canada; in 2012, for instance, he was one of just three Canadian umpires in Minor League Baseball.

MiLB & MLB Fill-In Umpire Stu Scheurwater

He began umpiring at 14 years of age and joined the Baseball Canada National Program at the end of his teenage years, ultimately landing at the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School in 2006, graduating to an Arizona League placement by PBUC, though he sat out the 2006 season due to a delay with Homeland Security processing his visa paperwork.

Scheurwater has also officiated in Northwest, South Atlantic and Carolina Single-A, Texas Double-A and presently serves as a Pacific Coast League (AAA) rover; he worked the 2012 Arizona Fall League, which was followed by a 2013 Spring Training invite for the Arizona region. He is also an electrician and was married this offseason, December 28, 2013.

Global's Morning News Regina produced a brief interview with Scheurwater, who discusses his baseball beginnings, journey and future. The video is accessible via the Global News: Regina website.

MLB Instant Replay Game Theory and the Delayed Debut

MLB's expanded video instant replay system will not debut in Australia with the Dodgers-Diamondbacks opening series March 22 and 23 because the Sydney Cricket Ground presently does not and will not have the requisite cameras or technology in place.

Instead, MLB's replay challenge system will make its first appearance a week later, March 30, in San Diego as Los Angeles travels to Petco Park for its 2014 United States Regular Season opener against the Padres.

The delay was confirmed by Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly, whose Dodgers have not yet had a comprehensive team or coaches' meeting regarding expanded instant replay and the associated challenge system.

Likewise, Arizona Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall succinctly stated, "The two games in Australia, we will not have replay." Well, at least in part. The 2008 local instant replay system established for use with home run boundary calls will travel to Australia with the NL West foes. Hall discussed replay as part of an interview with Arizona Sports 98.7 FM and looked forward to being able to show replay of close plays on the Chase Field video board without worrying about fines from the Commissioner's Office: "There were times where we got fined by Major League Baseball because we showed something we weren't supposed to show...Now we're able to show those replays."

Meanwhile, baseball statisticians and sabr scouts have been considering strategy for the new system—with just one challenge apiece (two if the first is successful), how should replay and challenges be used in advance of the 7th-inning manager's challenge deadline?

The statistics indicate that a significant majority of foreseeable challenged plays will result in an upheld call—replay will only overturn around 20% of them. Data suggests a missed call every five games played, or about three per day of full activity (15 games between the 30 MLB teams).

The conventional wisdom—which is mostly speculation at this point—tends towards throwing the metaphorical challenge flag earlier rather than later. For instance,

>> "You don't want to waste a challenge." - Cubs Manager Rick Renteria;
>> "Managers should just throw that flag for any close play, the first time they see one." - BP's Dan Brooks

Brooks and fellow Baseball Prospectus author Russell Carleton continued, "Since there's essentially no cost for missing, any time managers see a challenge opportunity, they should take it."

It all comes down to game theory. On average, we anticipate 0.20 missed calls per game; the likelihood of a successful challenge across any given game therefore, in the grand scheme of things, is low. Therefore, if any single play stands any chance of being overturned via instant replay review, it should be challenged. Confounding variables such as losing a timeout (NFL, NCAA Football) are wholly irrelevant as the only consequence is losing the ability to challenge another close call prior to the seventh inning when umpires take over the challenge initiation responsibility.

Given the great minuscule nature of replay calls, could we potentially see an interaction with team status as home or away? Because the visiting team tends to receive, all else equal, approximately 2-5% fewer advantageous calls than the home team, could visiting teams initiate most challenges or, alternatively, could a team's status as the visitor indicate, all else equal, a greater propensity to challenge a call?

To another end and in regards to zero sum game theory, could teams have a propensity to challenge more plays officiated by an umpire perceived as unreliable than an umpire perceived as accurate (e.g., would a CB Bucknor v Jim Joyce replay statistical analysis show a significant disparity of plays challenged—and upheld or overturned?)?

Furthermore, replay is presumably "better" than the umpire when, for instance, the replay angle is better than that of the onfield umpire. Because it is rather improbable to prove a negative in a sport that follows the "clear and convincing evidence" standard (e.g., not de novo or on its own merits), certain challenges will be more successful—presumably—than others.

The general principle is that instant replay can prove that, for instance, a fair ball actually was foul but not that a foul ball was actually fair—this isn't to say such a call cannot be overturned, it is to say that if the umpire calls a ball fair (and thus alive), the play continues until review; not so the negative.

Because of the unlikelihood in proving the negative, the ball will likely be upheld as fair with 100% probability (even with only 50% probability of QOC); if not, then not. The no-call (e.g., fair instead of foul ball—all that keeps a play alive) is a preferred call because it is easier to call the whole thing off (e.g., call a foul ball retroactively) than to (1) overturn the call (foul to fair) and then (2) incorporate its consequences (e.g., place runners). A similar theory explains an official's tendency or incentive to call a close play, all else equal, in such a way that it is not reviewable.

The umpire's threshold for making a definitive call with replay available is therefore higher than it would be in the absence of replay. This is all work generally captured at the subconscious level.

All in all, umpires simply tend to be too good for this sort of analysis to go anywhere farther than the Books-Carleton approach of "any time managers see a challenge opportunity, they should take it." Opportunity cost is minimal, marginal benefit is conceivably significant and if the challenge is lost, the seventh inning beckons anyway.

Close Call of Week: Russia Goal Disallowed v USA Hockey

Our Close Call of the Week flies in from Sochi, Russia's Bolshoy Ice Dome where Team USA knocked off Russia in an epic shootout thriller of men's hockey. At the heart of the matter, however, was an apparent Russian goal late in the third period that was waived off after video instant replay review, allowing the game to proceed to overtime in the first place.

With 4:40 remaining in the third period, Russian skater Fedor Tyutin shot from the upper offensive zone on and in goal for what was then ruled a good goal and 3-2 Russian lead. After referee Brad Meier's initial mechanic of "score the goal"—the referee must make this call when a puck finds its way into the net unless another call (the waive-off) is necessary—all four officials got together before formal video review at the scorer's bench.

This IIHF screenshot release shows the goal net off its
mooring at the time of the disallowed goal (4:40).

Pursuant to International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Rule 471(a)5, which states "no goal shall be allowed...if the goal net has been displaced from its normal position, or the frame of the goal net is not completely flat on the ice."

After video review, the goal was negated and play resumed from the point of interruption. Replays indicate USA goalkeeper Jonathan Quick appeared to displace the goal net while attempting a routine hockey move. His actions cannot conclusively be classified as deliberate or intentional.

Had the referees deemed Quick deliberately displaced the goal net, no goal would have been awarded to Tyutin for the infraction. Rule 554b states that if the goalkeeper "deliberately displaces the goal frame from its normal position, [he] shall be assessed a minor penalty." As for awarding a goal, Rule 554b(d) states that a goal may be awarded only if a goalkeeper has been removed from the ice when the infraction occurs; otherwise a minor penalty is assessed unless the criteria for a penalty shot are met (last two minutes of game or overtime; opponent in control with no opponent between him and the goalkeeper with a reasonable opportunity to score).

Contrary to popular belief, it was not referee Brad Meier of the USA and NHL who unilaterally ruled "no goal" because as a referee, he did not have access to video instant replay. Instead, that responsibility fell to the video goal judge, who reviewed whether the puck had entered the net prior to the goal frame being displaced, as in IIHF Rule 330(b)2. The goal judges listed for the match include Chris Carlson of Canada and Andre Schrader of Germany; the video goal judge is not included.

Procedural Rule 4 states that in the case of an inconclusive video review, the referee makes the final decision. As evidenced by the attached photograph, visual evidence tends to conclusively indicate the goal frame was dislodged, as in 471(a)5.

IIHF referee supervisor Konstantin Komissarov soon thereafter confirmed the no goal ruling and video review process was proper and correct. Interestingly enough, prior to the Vancouver games of 2010, Komissarov and NHL officiating director Terry Gregson mulled whether to assign and allow Canadian referee Dan O'Halloran and Canadian referee Bill McCrearly and Canadian linesman Jean Morin to officiate the gold medal game between Canada and the United States. At the time, Gregson posed a philosophical question saying, "Will we be using the best or are there political ramifications to our decisions?"

The IIHF and NHL referee supervisors then voted to put three Canadian officials on the Canada-USA game. The fourth—linesman Stefan Fonselius—was from Finland. Canada ultimately won that contest in overtime, 3-2.

A similar IIHF-specific rule concerns the puck on the net itself, which explains why play was not immediately blown dead when the puck deflected onto the netting itself with two seconds remaining in overtime: "When the puck is lodged in the outside netting of the goal net for more than three sec- onds or frozen against the goal net between opposing players, the Referee shall stop the play and face-off the puck" (IIHF Rule 481).

Had this game been played under NHL rules, the goal would have been allowed, as "the goal frame shall be considered in its proper position when at least a portion of the flexible peg(s) are still inside both the goal post and the hole in the ice. The flexible pegs could be bent, but as long at least a portion of the flexib;e peg(s) are still in the hole in the ice and the goal post, the goal frame shall be deemed to be in its proper position. The goal frame could be raised somewhat on one post (or both), but as long as the flexible pegs are still in contact with the holes in the ice and the goal posts, the goal frame shall not be deemed to be displaced" (NHL Rule 78.4).

International Rules also propelled Team USA through the shootout, allowing repeated use of successful winger T.J. Oshie, who ultimately scored the game-winner in the eighth round.

Wrap: United States vs. Russian Federation (XXII Olympic Winter Games Hockey), 2/15/14

MLB Names PBUC's Justin Klemm Director of Instant Replay

MLB named PBUC's Justin Klemm Director of Instant Replay for the 2014 season as announced by MLB Senior VP of Baseball Operations Peter Woodfork. Klemm served as the Professional Baseball Umpire Corp.'s Executive Director since 2008 after being hired as a field evaluator and instructor in 2006. He is a graduate of the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring and a former minor league call-up umpire. Klemm also runs MiLB's The Umpire School.

Justim Klemm

In his present role as Director of Instant Replay, Klemm will manage the New York Replay Command Center at MLB HQ where his duties will include the supervision of umpires assigned to Replay, staffing umpire supervisors and coordinating, with MLBAM, instant replay procedural configurations at all 30 ballparks.

MLB also made the formal announcement that confirms UEFL's January news break concerning the hiring of seven minor league umpires to the full-time MLB staff.

To recap, the hired umpires include Jordan Baker, Lance Barrett, Cory Blaser, Mike Estabrook, Mike Muchlinski, David Rackley and DJ Reyburn.

MLB additionally confirmed two new crew chiefs for the 2014 season in Bill Miller and Jeff Nelson, who both have had extensive experience as acting crew chiefs throughout the recent course of their careers.

Source: MLB names Klemm director of instant replay (Major League Baseball)

UmpTalk Podcast Interview: Gil & Chris Discuss CCS/UEFL

CCS/UEFL's interview with UmpTalk Podcast is now available as an audio download or stream on the UmpTalk website. For this interview, UmpTalk's Chris Kamler and UEFL's Gil Imber sat down to talk about baseball's sabermetrics revolution (and how SABR relates to umpiring), the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League and umpire issues near and dear to our hearts—namely instant replay complications and fallacies, the truth about player/coach/fan rules knowledge and, most importantly, solid statistical evidence that confirms just how good professional umpires are at their jobs (spoiler: it's 99.5% accurate at the MLB level).

UmpTalk is an umpire-focused podcast whose website describes its mission as "supporting amateur, collegiate and professional umpires by providing advice from their peers." From training and commentary to podcasts featuring Major League, NCAA and all other levels of baseball, UmpTalk is a chance to discuss and listen to conversations about umpiring.

About UmpTalk Podcast host Chris Kamler: "Chris is a sports journalist and columnist for The Platte County Landmark. Chris has also been a baseball umpire for the past 25 years. He is a veteran of the Jim Evans Umpiring School and was a candidate in professional baseball.  He has won Umpire of the Year awards in several different leagues and has served as a scheduler and Umpire-In-Chief for 15 years.  Following a career-ending spinal injury, Chris’s focus now is on giving back to the umpires that trained him by passing along his experiences.  As the producer of several other podcasts and websites in Kansas City, Chris has experience in telling stories in an irreverent way."

Click here to visit and listen to UmpTalk's Episode #14: Gil Imber of Close Call Sports.

Baseball Rules in the Real World: Multiple Mound Visits

UEFL continues its umpiring series "Baseball Rules in the Real World" with Multiple Mound Visits, a look back at two instances (one inadvertent yet not incidental) of a manager visiting the mound twice during the same at-bat, or at-bat intermission.

The first situation is the easier one. LAA-HOU, May 9, 2013: As Angels left-handed batter JB Shuck stood on deck in the top of the 7th inning of a close game, Astros manager Bo Porter relieved his right-handed pitcher, Paul Clemens from the game, replacing him with southpaw Wesley Wright for the coveted lefty-lefty matchup. Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia countered Porter's move by pinch hitting for Shuck with righty Luis Jimenez so as to restore the lefty-righty duel. As a result, Porter revisited the mound and removed Wright from the game, replacing him with the right-handed Hector Ambriz for a righty-righty face-off.

One problem—Wright hadn't thrown a single pitch. As Scioscia stormed out of the visiting dugout to argue with crew chief Fieldin Culbreth, Ambriz warmed up and after umpire discussion, he was allowed to remain in the game. Scioscia's Angels elected to play the game under protest, a game that, had the Angels lost, would have resulted in the first upheld MLB protest in over 20 years.

Here's why: When Wright—whom all sources confirm was not injured or otherwise incapacitated—left the game without pitching to a single batter, the Astros violated OBR Rule 3.05(b), which states, in part, "If the pitcher is replaced, the substitute pitcher shall pitch to the batter then at bat, or any substitute batter, until such batter is put out or reaches first base, or until the offensive team is put out, unless the substitute pitcher sustains injury or illness which, in the umpire-in-chief’s judgment, incapacitates him for further play as a pitcher."

The Comment for this rule addresses a manager (Porter) who attempts to violate Rule 3.05(b): "If a manager attempts to remove a pitcher in violation of Rule 3.05 (c) the umpire shall notify the manager of the offending club that it cannot be done. If, by chance, the umpire-in-chief has, through oversight, announced the incoming improper pitcher, he should still corrrect the situation before the improper pitcher pitches. Once the improper pitcher delivers a pitch he becomes the proper pitcher."

The umpires failed to enforce this rule, which is why the Angels protested and had an excellent case for affirmation—until they expectedly dropped the protest as a result of winning the ballgame, 6-5.

The second situation is trickier, also involves confusion regarding the pitching change rules and the double mound visit and did not result in a protest, which may have come in handy as the offended team ended up losing the game.

MLB: Umpires erred in rule application.

SF-LAD, July 20, 2010: With one out and the bases loaded in a 5-4 ballgame, Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton received a pep talk in the form of a mound visit by acting skipper Don Mattingly (manager Joe Torre had been ejected earlier in the game as had bench coach Bob Schaefer). At the meeting's seeming conclusion, Mattingly calmly walked down the pitcher's mound and onto the infield grass as first baseman James Loney said something to get the acting manager's attention. To better hear Loney in a Stadium with 53,381 fans, Mattingly stepped back onto the mound to converse with his infield before returning to the Dodgers dugout.

Manager Bruce Bochy then emerged from the Giants' first-base dugout and appealed that Mattingly's false start step-off constituted two mound visits to the same pitcher during the same inning, which meant Broxton had to come out of the ballgame. Crew Chief Tim McClelland agreed and Mattingly was forced to lift Broxton in favor of George Sherrill, who proceeded to surrender a two-RBI double to batter Andres Torres, giving the Giants to take a 6-5 lead before Travis Schlichting allowed run number seven to score. The Giants ultimately won the game, 7-5. No protest was filed.

After the game, league officials confirmed to multiple sources that umpires erred by not allowing Broxton to face Torres, pursuant to Rule 8.06(b) Comment, which states, "In a case where a manager has made his first trip to the mound and then returns the second time to the mound in the same inning with the same pitcher in the game and the same batter at bat, after being warned by the umpire that he cannot return to the mound, the manager shall be removed from the game and the pitcher required to pitch to the batter until he is retired or gets on base. After the batter is retired, or becomes a baserunner, then this pitcher must be removed from the game."

The umpires did not warn Mattingly against visiting Broxton a second time (it happened so quickly), so his removal or ejection would have been unlikely. Still, league officials confirmed the umpires misapplied—failed to apply—Rule 8.06(b) Comment, which qualifies as a rule misinterpretation and protestable offense. Had Mattingly's Dodgers protested the game, because they lost, the contest would have likely been replayed from the point of protest—top of the ninth, one out, bases loaded and Jonathan Broxton facing Andres Torres. At the conclusion of Torres' time at-bat, Broxton would have been removed from the game.

The kicker: in three previous career at-bats against Broxton, Torres was 0-3. (Video: Must C Controversial)
Similar fun fact: Both games featured the same home plate umpire, Adrian Johnson.

Close Call of the Week: NBA Basketball without a Bench

This edition of Close Call of the Week concerns Wednesday evening's NBA matchup between the shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Dressing just eight players for the game, the Lakers lost shooting Guard Nick Young and point guard Jordan Farmar to left injuries, leaving just six eligible players until center Chris Kaman fouled out early in the fourth quarter. With 3:32 remaining in the final period, Lakers center Robert Sacre committed his sixth foul. Had Sacre's sixth foul disqualified him from further participation in the contest, the Lakers would have conceivably been left with just four eligible players with which to finish the game. Instead, NBA Rule 3-I-a came into play.

If a player in the game receives his sixth personal foul and all substitutes have already been disqualified, said player shall remain in the game and shall be charged with a personal and team foul. A technical foul also shall be assessed against his team. All subsequent personal fouls, including offensive fouls, shall be treated similarly. All players who have six or more personal fouls and remain in the game shall be treated similarly.

Accordingly, Sacre was permitted to remain in the contest at the expense of a team technical foul charged to the Lakers. Had Sacre committed any further personal fouls, the Lakers would have been charged with an additional technical foul for each infraction (Sacre did not foul after 3:32). At the time of the invocation of Rule 3-I-a, the Lakers were leading, 111-101. The Lakers ultimately won the contest, 119-108.

It is this rule that enabled Don Otten in 1949 to set an NBA record with eight personal fouls over the course of just one game when his Tri-Cities Blackhawks ran out of subs when he committed his sixth foul.

Test Your Knowledge (Basketball Rules Differences): Had this same scenario occurred at the NCAA college level, the affected team would have lost Sacre's services for the remainder of the contest, as in NCAA Rule 3-1-2: "Each team may continue to play with fewer than five players when all other squad members are not eligible or able to play." If multiple players foul out, the team can continue playing until just one player remains, at which time, "that team shall forfeit unless the referee believes that both teams have an opportunity to win" (3-1-3).

NFHS high school follows the college rule (and clarifies/cleans up the misleading language provided by NCAA Rule 3-1-3: "A team must begin the game with five players, but if it has no substitutes to replace disqualified or injured players, it must continue with fewer than five. When there is only one player participating for a team, the team shall forfeit the game, unless the referee believes that team has an opportunity to win the game" (NFHS Rule 3-1-1 NOTE).

Wrap: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 2/5/14

UEFL 2014: Registration & Appeals Board Nomination

Registration is now open for the 2014 Umpire Ejection Fantasy League season.

Quick Links: 2014 UEFL Registration Form / 2014 Appeals Board Nomination Form
After registering, your name will be added to the 2014 UEFL Member Roster (note Last Updated date). Preliminary registrants will appear on the Roster. If you submit registration and do not see your username on the roster by the following day, please register again.

Per UEFL Rule 1, as adopted prior to the 2013 season:

a.     A post announcing the opening of registrations shall appear on the UEFL website no later than two months prior to the start of the regular season. This post shall instruct members on the proper methods of signing up to participate in the UEFL for the upcoming season and will contain all appropriate pre-draft deadlines.
b.     Once the registration period is closed, a draft order shall be pre-assigned (see Rule 1-1-c). Five umpires shall be drafted by each UEFL member in the form of one (1) crew chief per Rule 1-2, two (2) primary umpires per Rule 1-3 and two (2) secondary umpires per Rule 1-4.
c.     The draft will be conducted in two phases: Phase one encompasses the crew/primary round while phase two encompasses the secondary draft. Members have the option of drafting all umpires during the first phase.

For more information about the UEFL draft and selection process, see the 2014 UEFL Rules Book. Note that the draft will occur in March 2014, no umpires will be selected until the draft begins in March.

Any visitor, guest or user may become a league member. There is no cost to register for this league. If you would like to register for the 2014 UEFL season, please complete the 2014 UEFL Registration Form. If you experience technical difficulties, please respond to this post with your requested username. If you participated during the 2013 season, please use the same username or otherwise mention what your username was last season. Do not select umpires during the registration process.

Important Note: To register for the 2014 Umpire Ejection Fantasy League, please indicate your desired username and e-mail address, the combination of which shall serve as user verification. Pursuant to Rules 4-7 and 6-1, users must be logged in to initiate challenges. The UEFL uses DISQUS for this purpose. To register, view any post on the website and scroll to the comments section. Click the "Join the discussion" text box and a variety of sign in options will appear. You can sign in with Facebook, Twitter or Google, or create an account with DISQUS. Your DISQUS sign in (whether Facebook, Twitter, Google or DISQUS itself) must match your UEFL username.

It is recommended that UEFL members be placed on an e-mail list so that we may expeditiously communicate important site-related news, such as UEFL Live Draft order and Prop Boards. If you wish to be included, please indicate this during registration.

Registration, draft and roster deadlines (Note: All deadlines extend to 11:59 PM Pacific on date indicated)
March 3, 2013 (Monday): Preliminary and standard registration processes closed, draft opens.
March 13, 2013 (Thursday): Last day to submit unrestricted Primary umpires.
March 13, 2013 (Thursday): Last day to RSVP for the Live Secondary Draft. Date and time TBD.
March 14, 2013 (Friday): Last day to submit unrestricted Secondary umpires (Live Draftees exempt).
March 15 or 16, 2013 (Sat or Sun): Live Secondary Draft. Date and time TBD.
March 20, 2013 (Thursday): Last day to submit unrestricted Crew Chief selections.
March 21, 2013 (Friday): Last day for roster changes (retirements, pre-season injuries, etc.).
March 22, 2013 (Saturday): Dodgers at Diamondbacks (MLB Australia Opening Series)
Any late submissions will be "restricted," meaning umpire selection will be limited to a list as determined by the Commissioner and based on timely league drafting activity.

Appeals Board: Rule 6-4-a mandates the establishment and maintenance of an Appeals Board to rule on disputed issues, such as Quality of Correctness. Any visitor, guest or user may become an Appeals Board member and may or may not also be a concurrent league member. The Appeals Board operates on a voluntary basis only and is a one-year term (no term limits). To apply, please access this form. If you are interested in nominating yourself for the 1-3 at-large Appeals Board vacancies, please consider the following requirements:
Ability to separate subjectivity from objective analysis;
Extensive rules knowledge or ability to attain exceptional proficiency;
Acceptance of prior and willingness to form UEFL precedent and rule interpretations;
Ability to objectively and thoroughly analyze plays to determine, among others, Quality of Correctness;
Availability to respond to the "Office of the UEFL Commissioner" in a timely fashion;
Board members must abstain from ruling on plays involving drafted umpires (if applicable).
2014 Appeals Board page on the UEFL Portal
Permanent Appeals Board members are: Gil (Commissioner, Chair), Jeremy (Deputy Commissioner).
Appeals Board members re-elected via the 2013 Rules Summit are: tmac, RichMSN, BT_Blue, Turducken.
Vacancy: Seat 7. At the Chair's discretion, Seat 8 and/or Seat 9 may also be filled or left vacant.

Appeals Board nomination and election procedures, deadlines
January 28, 2013 (Tuesday): Appeals Board nominations opened.
March 14, 2013 (Friday): Appeals Board nominations closed and voting begins.
March 21, 2012 (Friday): Appeals Board voting ends.
March 31, 2013 (Sunday): Opening Day, Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks, MLB season begins.

If you have any questions, please post here. As you can see, registration will remain open for over four weeks while Appeals Board nominations will remain open for over six weeks. We hope you enjoy this registration process for the 2014 season. Read on for a "How To" example...

Australian Ball Ejections: Bob Crawford & Trent Thomas

HP Umpire Bob Crawford ejected Melbourne Aces pitcher Trevor Holder, catcher Ryan Casteel & Manager Phil Dale for arguing a safe call ("Time" not granted) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Aces-Blue Sox game (Added: 1B Umpire Trent Thomas ejected Sydney Blue Sox 3B Coach Grahame Cassel for Unsportsmanlike-NEC). With two out and two on, Blue Sox baserunner R3 Trent D'Antonio successfully stole home to give Sydney a 4-3 lead. F1 Holder had bent down to tie his shoe during a live ball but did not appear to request nor was granted time by PU Crawford; with time in, D'Antonio attempted to score and slid in safely at home plate. Replays indicate that after his ejection, Manager Dale returned to the field multiple times before finally leaving the visual confines. The Blue Sox ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

The Aces played the remainder of the game under protest, claiming time was out at the time of the play.

Wrap: Melbourne Aces vs. Sydney Blue Sox (Australian Baseball League, 1/23/13)

NHL Milestone: Referee Brad Watson (1,000 Career Games)

Close Call Sports acknowledges and congratulates NHL referee Brad Watson on his 1,000th NHL game, Tuesday evening's Avalanche-Maple Leafs contest. Watson, whose minor league career took him through the SJHL, WHL, IHL and AHL, breaking into the NHL on March 7, 1996; he was named to full-time staff in 1999. He is the 22nd NHL referee to reach the 1,000-game mark.

Source: Regina's Watson to referee 1,000th NHL game (The Regina Leader-Post)