ABL Ejection - Jordan Taylor (Nathan Wright)

Australian Baseball 3B Umpire Jordan Taylor ejected Sydney Blue Sox Coach Nathan Wright for arguing an out (catch/transfer, reversed from safe/no catch) call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Aces-Blue Sox game. With one out and one on, Blue Sox batter Joshua Dean hit a 2-1 fastball from Aces pitcher Sam Street on a fly ball to left fielder Josh Davies, who attempted to catch the ball. Replays indicate Davies appeared to catch the baseball and subsequently drop the ball while attempting to transfer it to his throwing hand from his glove, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Aces were leading, 6-3. The Aces ultimately won the contest, 6-3.

Wrap: Melbourne Aces vs. Sydney Blue Sox (Australian Baseball League), 1/23/16
[Video posted below, via 'read more']

2016 MLB Umpire Crews (Pre-Season Edition)

Announcing MLB's 2016 Umpire Crew roster: 19 Crews & 75 Umpires, which is a change of -1 umpire from the 2015 iteration. Visit the UEFL's Umpire Roster and Profiles page for a sortable list of all MLB and MiLB call-up umpires (MLB umpires may be sorted by 2016 Crew). This is an unofficial early release of the 2016 MLB Umpire Crews and is subject to change prior to or during the regular season due to vacation, injury, or other events. Procedures for registering for the 2016 UEFL season will be released in early February: Stay tuned!

2016 MLB Umpire Crews (By Umpiring Crew Chief Seniority)

UEFL	Crew Chief	Umpire 2	Umpire 3	Umpire 4
Crew 1	12 Davis, Gerry	34 Holbrook, Sam	30 Drake, Rob	[Call-Up Umpire]
Crew 2	32 DeMuth, Dana	53 Gibson, Greg	15 Hickox, Ed	83 Estabrook, Mike
Crew 3	17 Hirschbeck, John	52 Welke, Bill	19 Carapazza, Vic	70 Reyburn, D.J.
Crew 4	5 Scott, Dale	58 Iassogna, Dan	61 Davidson, Bob	94 Barrett, Lance
Crew 5	22 West, Joe	44 Danley, Kerwin	49 Fletcher, Andy	90 Ripperger, Mark
Crew 6	38 Cederstrom, Gary	56 Cooper, Eric	28 Wolf, Jim	80 Johnson, Adrian
Crew 7	24 Layne, Jerry	21 Wendelstedt, Hunter	87 Barry, Scott	73 Gibson, Tripp
Crew 8	9 Gorman, Brian	6 Carlson, Mark	16 DiMuro, Mike	81 Wolcott, Quinn
Crew 9	8 Kellogg, Jeff	7 O'Nora, Brian	64 Porter, Alan	[Call-Up Umpire]
Crew 10	20 Hallion, Tom	10 Cuzzi, Phil	1 Dreckman, Bruce	2 Bellino, Dan
Crew 11	33 Winters, Mike	14 Wegner, Mark	60 Foster, Marty	76 Muchlinski, Mike
Crew 12	66 Joyce, Jim	51 Hudson, Marvin	92 Hoye, James	4 Fairchild, Chad
Crew 13	25 Culbreth, Fieldin	77 Reynolds, Jim	54 Bucknor, CB	79 Gonzalez, Manny
Crew 14	65 Barrett, Ted	55 Hernandez, Angel	23 Barksdale, Lance	93 Litle, Will
Crew 15	45 Nelson, Jeff	63 Diaz, Laz	88 Eddings, Doug	89 Blaser, Cory
Crew 16	26 Miller, Bill	11 Randazzo, Tony	91 Knight, Brian	13 Tichenor, Todd
Crew 17	41 Meals, Jerry	46 Kulpa, Ron	39 Nauert, Paul	98 Conroy, Chris
Crew 18	27 Vanover, Larry	72 Marquez, Alfonso	68 Guccione, Chris	86 Rackley, David
Crew 19	57 Everitt, Mike*	50 Emmel, Paul	95 Timmons, Tim	71 Baker, Jordan
Unassigned	3 Welke, Tim	Obtained by	Close Call Sports	/ UEFL

Some Notes and Observations:
≫ Paul Schrieber is not listed on the MLB Umpire Crew list/staff. He did not work the 2015 postseason, but did officiate the 2015 All-Star Game as the second base umpire.
≫ Tim Welke has not been assigned to a crew, but remains a Crew Chief.
≫ Mike Everitt leads Crew 19 as an interim/acting crew chief (Everitt was on Welke's crew in 2015).
≫ Because of this movement, there are 75 Umpires listed on the Crew list and two Umpire 4 slots available for Call-Up Umpires from AAA baseball. There were 76 umpires and no permanent fill-ins in 2015.

Statistical Promotions or Leftward Lateral Movement:
≫ From Umpire 2 To Interim or Acting Crew Chief: Mike Everitt.
≫ From Umpire 3 to Umpire 2 (Backup Crew Chief): Sam Holbrook, Marvin Hudson, Tony Randazzo.
≫ From Umpire 4 to Umpire 3: Vic Carapazza, James Hoye.

Statistical Rightward Lateral Movement:
≫ From Umpire 2 to Umpire 3: Doug Eddings, Paul Nauert.

ABL Ejections - Takahito Matsuda (Dave Nilsson, E Green)

Australian Baseball 1B Umpire Takahito Matsuda ejected Brisbane Bandits Manager Dave Nilsson and pitcher Eric Green for arguing a foul ball call (reversed fair call) by HP Umpire James Shields in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Blue Sox-Bandits game. With one out and none on, Bandits batter Mitch Nilsson hit a 2-2 fastball from Blue Sox pitcher Keiji Uezono in the air between home plate and third base. Replays indicate Blue Sox third baseman Joshua Dean attempted to catch the fly ball, but are inconclusive as to whether Dean made contact with the baseball prior to it bouncing into foul territory, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the game was tied, 7-7. The Bandits ultimately won the contest 8-7, in 11 innings.

This is Dave Nilsson's first ejection since December 20, 2015 (Gavin Carson; QOC = U [Fighting]).
This is Takahito Matsuda's first ejection since November 28, 2015 (2 x Vavra; QOC = Y [HBP/Ball]).

Wrap: Sydney Blue Sox vs. Brisbane Bandits (Australian Baseball League), 1/9/16
[Video posted below, via 'read more']

ABL Ejections - Blake Halligan, Andrew Bell (2 Vavras)

Australian Baseball 3B Umpire Blake Halligan ejected Aces 1B Trey Vavra and HP Umpire Andrew Bell ejected Aces Manager Joe Vavra for arguing Bell's foul ball call (reversed HR call) in the top of the 8th inning of the Aces-Bite game. With two out and one on, Vavra hit a 3-2 fastball from Bite pitcher Nick Talbot in the air to left field and out of the playing field. Replays indicate the ball appeared to leave the field in foul territory, the call was correct. At the time of the ejections, the Bite were leading, 11-2. The Bite ultimately won the contest, 11-2.

This is Joe Vavra's first ejection since November 28, 2015 (Takahito Matsuda; QOC = Y [HBP/Ball]).
This is Blake Halligan's first ejection since December 26, 2015 (Steve Mintz; QOC = U [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Melbourne Aces vs. Adelaide Bite (Australian Baseball League), 1/8/16
[Video posted below, via 'read more']

Australian Ejection - Gavin Carson (Kevin Boles)

Australian Baseball HP Umpire Gavin Carson ejected Perth Heat Manager Kevin Boles for arguing a hit by pitch call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Heat-Cavalry game. With two out and one on, Cavalry batter River Stevens took a 0-1 fastball from Heat pitcher Edgar Valle for a hit by pitch. Replays indicate the pitch did not appear to make contact with Stevens' person or uniform, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Heat were leading, 8-2. The Heat ultimately won the contest, 9-4.

This is Gavin Carson's first ejection since a bench clearing brawl on December 20, 2015 (Josh Warner [Throwing At], Dave Nilsson & David Harris [Fighting]; QOC = U).

Wrap: Perth Heat vs. Canberra Cavalry (Australian Baseball League), 1/3/16
[Video posted below, via 'read more']

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']