2015 UEFL Appeals Board Election

Welcome to the 2015 UEFL Appeals Board election. Pursuant to UEFL Rule 6-4-a, the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League has established an Appeals Board that shall routinely rule on issues of Quality of Correctness. Comprised of a roster of nine voting members, including both Commissioners and seven at-large volunteers, a pre-season nomination and election process has been established to complete this year's Board.

Listed in random order, the following two UEFL'ers have been nominated for and are seeking election to the 2015 UEFL Appeals Board. Voting closes at 11:59 PM PDT on Friday, March 27, 2015 (voting is now closed). Candidate statements are available on Page 7 of the March 2015 issue of The Left Field Corner:

MLB Ejection S-3: Ben May (S1; Alex Claudio)

HP Umpire Ben May ejected Rangers pitcher Alex Claudio for throwing at Mariners batter Jesus Sucre in the top of the 7th inning of the Mariners-Rangers game. With none out and none on, Sucre took a first-pitch fastball from Claudio for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside (pitch f/x unavailable) and was the third hit batsman of the game, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Mariners were leading, 3-2. The contest ultimately ended in a 4-4 tie.

This is Ben May (97)'s first ejection of 2015.
Ben May now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 0 [Spring Training Ejection] = 0).
Crew Chief Jordan Baker now has 0 points in Crew Division (0 Previous + 0 Spring Training = 0).

This is the 3rd ejection of the 2015 MLB Spring Training Preseason.
This is the 2nd player ejection of Spring Training. Prior to ejection, Claudio's line was 0.0IP, HBP.
This is the Mariners' 1st ejection of the preseason, 1st in the Cactus League (SEA 1, Others 0).
This is Alex Claudio's first career MLB ejection.
This is Ben May's first ejection since August 28, 2014 (Chris Coghlan; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers (Cactus League Spring Training), 3/20/15
Video: After drilling Sucre, Claudio is tossed for intentionally throwing at a batter (N/A)

Off Bereavement, Sam Holbrook Returns to the Field

Veteran MLB umpire Sam Holbrook returned from the bereavement list to officiate his first Spring Training game since 2013 following the February 10, 2014 death of his wife, Laura "Susie" Glass. Susie, who was diagnosed with cancer during the 2010 preseason, was 47 years old. Holbrook returned to the field during Friday's Phillies-Pirates Grapefruit League game as a field umpire (starting at third base).

Holbrook has been assigned to chief John Hirschbeck's crew for the 2015 regular season (link: 2015 crew list). Like Holbrook, Hirschbeck is returning from the bereavement list this season, having suffered the loss of his son Michael in April 2014.

MLB Ejection S-2: Joe West (S1; AJ Pierzynski)

HP Umpire Joe West ejected Braves catcher AJ Pierzynski for arguing a ball three call in the top of the 6th inning of the Yankees-Braves game. With none out and two on, Yankees batter Brian McCann took a 2-0 fastball from Braves pitcher Arodys Vizcaino for a called third ball. It was the 11th consecutive ball of the inning. Replays indicate the pitch was located near the lower bound of the strike zone (pitch f/x unavailable), the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 7-3. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 12-5.

This is Joe West (22)'s first ejection of 2015.
Joe West now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 0 [Spring Training Ejection] = 0).
Crew Chief Joe West now has 0 points in Crew Division (0 Previous + 0 Spring Training = 0).

This is the 2nd ejection of the 2015 MLB Spring Training Preseason.
This is the 1st player ejection of Spring Training. Prior to ejection, Pierzynski was 1-2 in the contest.
This is the Braves' 2nd ejection of the preseason, 1st in the Grapefruit League (ATL 2, Others 0).
This is A.J. Pierzynski's first ejection since June 4, 2014 (Quinn Wolcott; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Joe West's first ejection since September 14, 2014 (Jonathan Papelbon; QOC = U [lewdness]).

Wrap: New York Yankees vs. Atlanta Braves (Grapefruit Spring Training), 3/18/15
Video: West tosses Pierzynski, explaining to Fredi, "we need a new catcher; he's done" (ATL)

2015 MLB Umpire Crews Listed by Crew Chief Service

The 2015 MLB Umpire Crew list is here, with umpiring crews sorted by the crew chief's service time (as a crew chief). With the 2015 umpire crews now available, the UEFL Draft Deadline for Crew Chiefs is set as April 3. Click here to visit the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's draft & prospectus guide announcement. Visit the UEFL's Umpire Profiles page for a sortable list of all MLB and MiLB call-up umpires (MLB umpires may be sorted by 2015 Crew). This is an early release of the 2015 MLB Umpire Crews and is subject to change during the season due to vacation, injury or other events.

2015 MLB Umpire Crews (By Umpiring Crew Chief Seniority)

UEFL	Crew Chief UEFL	Umpire 2	Umpire 3	Umpire 4
Crew A	12 Davis, Gerry	10 Cuzzi, Phil	11 Randazzo, Tony	93 Little, Will
Crew B	32 DeMuth, Dana	39 Nauert, Paul	15 Hickox, Ed	83 Estabrook, Mike
Crew C	17 Hirschbeck, John	52 Welke, Bill	34 Holbrook, Sam	92 Hoye, James
Crew D	3 Welke, Tim	57 Everitt, Mike	95 Timmons, Tim	13 Tichenor, Todd
Crew E	5 Scott, Dale	58 Iassogna, Dan	54 Bucknor, CB	94 Barrett, Lance
Crew F	22 West, Joe	44 Danley, Kerwin	30 Drake, Rob	70 Reyburn, DJ
Crew G	38 Cederstrom, Gary	56 Cooper, Eric	23 Barksdale, Lance	81 Wolcott, Quinn
Crew H	24 Layne, Jerry	21 Wendelstedt, Hunter	61 Davidson, Bob	86 Rackley, David
Crew I	9 Gorman, Brian	6 Carlson, Mark	16 DiMuro, Mike	73 Gibson, Tripp
Crew J	8 Kellogg, Jeff	7 O'Nora, Brian	64 Porter, Alan	90 Ripperger, Mark
Crew K	20 Hallion, Tom	72 Marquez, Alfonso	1 Dreckman, Bruce	2 Bellino, Dan
Crew L	33 Winters, Mike	14 Wegner, Mark	60 Foster, Marty	76 Muchlinski, Mike
Crew M	66 Joyce, Jim	53 Gibson, Greg	51 Hudson, Marvin	4 Fairchild, Chad
Crew N	25 Culbreth, Fieldin	77 Reynolds, Jim	43 Schrieber, Paul	79 Gonzalez, Manny
Crew O	65 Barrett, Ted	55 Hernandez, Angel	87 Barry, Scott	98 Conroy, Chris
Crew P	45 Nelson, Jeff	63 Diaz, Laz	68 Guccione, Chris	89 Blaser, Cory
Crew Q	26 Miller, Bill	88 Eddings, Doug	28 Wolf, Jim	80 Johnson, Adrian
Crew R	27 Vanover, Larry	46 Kulpa, Ron	91 Knight, Brian	19 Carapazza, Vic
Crew S	41 Meals, Jerry	50 Emmel, Paul	49 Fletcher, Andy	71 Baker, Jordan
[DL]	[None Probable]	obtained by	Close Call Sports	/ UEFL

Some Notes and Observations:
≫ As previously noted, Larry Vanover & Jerry Meals have been promoted to Crew Chief.
≫ New-hire assignments: Will Little -> Davis. Tripp Gibson -> Gorman. Mark Ripperger -> Kellogg.
≫ Promotions to the Umpire 2 (backup crew chief) position: Phil Cuzzi, Paul Nauert, Mark Carlson.
≫ ≫ Note that individual crews are ordinarily sorted by Major League service time (see Jerry Layne's crew for an exception; Bob Davidson has more service time [25 years] than Hunter Wendelstedt [15]); hence an umpire on a crew with the third-most service time in 2014 who now has the second-most service time on this crew in 2015 will be said to have been "promoted" to the second spot.
≫ Pursuant to terms of the WUA-MLB collective bargaining agreement, all 76 umpiring slots across 19 crews have been filled (+2 over 2014). There are no permanent [AAA Rover] positions in 2015.

MLB Ejection S-1: Dan Iassogna (S1; Fredi Gonzalez)

HP Umpire Dan Iassogna ejected Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez for arguing a ball one call in the bottom of the 1st inning of the Braves-Yankees game. With none out and none on, Yankees batter Jacoby Ellsbury took a 0-0 fastball from Braves pitcher Shelby Miller for a called first ball. Ellsbury grounded out on the ensuing pitch. Replays indicate the pitch was located outside the lower right quadrant of home plate (pitch f/x unavailable), the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 0-0. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 3-2.

This is Dan Iassogna (58)'s first ejection of 2015.
Dan Iassogna now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Prev + 0 [Spring Training Ejection] = 0).
Crew Chief Dan Iassogna now has 0 points in Crew Division (0 Previous + 0 Correct Call [ST] = 0).

This is the 1st ejection of the 2015 MLB Spring Training preseason.
This is the 1st Manager ejection of the Spring Training.
This is the Braves' 1st ejection of the preseason, 1st in the Grapefruit League (ATL 1, Others 0).
This is Fredi Gonzalez's first ejection since September 15, 2014 (Tim Timmons; QOC = N).
This is Dan Iassogna's first ejection since September 14, 2014 (Steve Smith; QOC = Y).

Wrap: Atlanta Braves vs. New York Yankees (Grapefruit League Spring Training), 3/12/15
Video: Gonzalez wastes no time getting tossed, arguing the very first pitch from Miller (NYY)

2015 Draft Open, UEFL Releases Draft Prospectus

The Umpire Ejection Fantasy League announces the 2015 draft & prospectus preseason guide.

The 2015 prospectus appears in the 2015 debut edition of The Left Field Corner publication for March.

This special edition of the Corner discusses several changes baseball is making to its replay system in 2015, reviews several other rules changes for the UEFL and introduces two candidates for the vacancy on the 2015 UEFL Appeals Board.

This issue also contains a recap of the 2014 season and a detailed look at several umpire ejection trends dating back to the fabled UEFL migration from Livejournal.

The prospectus looks at the impact of instant replay on UEFL standings and how ejections, replays, and bonus points all combine to elevate certain umpires to the top spot in the league standings, with several umpires appearing in the top 10 year after year.

Click here to read the March 2015 edition of The Left Field Corner on the UEFL Portal. You can also download past issues of the Corner via its page on the Portal.

UEFL Owners: Click here to access and submit your picks for the 2015 UEFL Draft.
Pursuant to schedule, the UEFL Draft Deadlines are as follows:
≫ Primary Umpires - March 27
≫ Secondary Umpires - March 28
≫ Crew Chiefs - April 3 (if the crew list is not available by April 3, this deadline will be extended)

Introducing UEFL Digest, Final Days to Register

As the 2015 season approaches, the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League introduces the UEFL Digest, a week-in-review e-mail newsletter capturing the week that was. To sign up for the UEFL Digest, fill out the following form:

Subscribe to UEFL Communications

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Registration for the 2015 UEFL season closes this Tuesday, March 10. Don't miss out on your chance to join the league and draft your umpiring crew. Click here for more information on registration procedures and to sign up (you'll also be able to sign up for Communications during league registration). The draft will begin shortly after registrations close.

Dale Scott Exits with Injury, Joyce Umps Behind Mound

HP Umpire Dale Scott was injured on a pitch to the hand during the first inning of Thursday's Cubs-Giants split-squad game and left the field as a precaution. With none out and none on, Giants batter Nori Aoki took a 0-0 pitch from Cubs pitcher Jacob Turner for a called ball. The pitch evaded catcher Welington Castillo and struck Scott's hand.

As 3B Umpire Mark Ripperger retreated to the umpire's dressing room in order to change into his plate gear, 1B Umpire Jim Joyce stepped behind the mound to call balls and strikes with 2B Umpire Ron Kulpa filling in at first base, recalling memories of Spring Training 2013, when veteran Tim McClelland served as umpire-in-chief from behind the pitcher after plate umpire Seth Buckminster broke his hand on an errant Wily Peralta fastball that also struck batter Albert Pujols.

Information on Scott's condition was not immediately available, though we later confirmed Scott suffered a "bruise" and was placed in a temporary sling (he returned to the field on Saturday); Having recovered from his hand injury, Buckminster worked 66 games during the 2014 MLB season. Ripperger returned to the field as the plate umpire in the bottom of the second inning.

Wrap: Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants, 3/5/15
Video: Scott leaves with wrist injury, leaving Joyce to call balls and strikes from behind the mound (MLBAM)

Hirschbeck Returns, Gibson Changes Official Name to 'Tripp'

Umpire John Hirschbeck returned to baseball during Spring Training action in Florida's Grapefruit League after nearly one year each on umpiring's extended bereavement list.

Hirschbeck, whose second son Michael passed away in early April 2014, made his 2015 comeback during Wednesday's Phillies-Yankees game. Hirschbeck, whose last MLB contest worked was April 6, 2014, served as a field umpire, starting the game at first base, alongside Tim Welke, Sean Barber and home plate umpire Adam Hamari. Hirschbeck had made appearances at the New York Replay Operations Center in September 2014.

Hal 'Tripp' Gibson, whom MLB hired full-time this January, officially changed his name as appears in the box score from "Hal Gibson III" to "Tripp Gibson III." Gibson's first Spring Training game as a freshly minted MLBU was Wednesday's White Sox-Dodgers game at Camelback Ranch.

Co-hires Will Little (TOR-PIT) and Mark Ripperger (ARI-COL) have kept their pre-promotion names.