UEFL University - Video Rulebook - Strike

The following entry in the UEFL Video Rulebook pertains to the pitched ball designated as "Strike," one of three necessary for the batter to retire via a strike out.

During a batter's time at bat, the count reflects how many pitches of each type the batter has seen in the form of Ball-Strike; for instance, a 3-2 count corresponds to three balls and two strikes. Upon receiving his third strike, the batter completes his time at bat via the strike out. There are several ways for a "Strike" to be added to the count; click each image to view a video example of the indicated term:

The umpire may add an automatic strike to the count if the batter delays the game by refusing to timely take his position in the batter's box.	A pitch not swung at by the batter, but which travels through the strike zone, when caught by the catcher, shall be ruled a strike (looking).	A pitch swung at, but missed, by the batter shall be ruled a swinging strike. Similarly, a missed bunt attempt by the batter is also ruled a strike.
A batter's half swing which leaves ambiguity as to whether he intended to strike the pitch is a check swing. The umpire shall rule upon whether or not the batter intended to strike the pitch. Batter Intends to Strike Pitch: Strike. Batter Has No Such Intention: Ball.	A pitch which produces contact between bat and ball, where the ball becomes foul and is not a foul tip, results in a strike added to the count, unless there are already two strikes, in which case the count stays the same. NOTE: A foul bunt always results in an added strike.	A foul tip occurs when contact occurs between bat and ball, wherein the ball travels swiftly, directly, and immediately back into the catcher's glove, and is held onto (caught) by the catcher. The ball remains live and is treated as a swinging strike, with a strike added to the count.
When the batter receives his third strike (whether Automatic, Pitch Location, Swinging, Foul Bunt, or Foul Tip), he has completed his time at bat. When the pitch resulting in a third strike is caught by the catcher (without having touched the ground), the batter is out on strikes (Strikeout).	If the third strike does not arrive in the catcher's glove cleanly or has touched the ground or another object (whether via a dropped ball, bouncing pitch, or otherwise), the third strike is uncaught and the batter may attempt to run to first base (unless first base is occupied with less than two out).	When the third strike is uncaught, the catcher/defense must retire the batter as a runner, as the batter is now a runner since his time at bat is complete (unless first base is occupied with less than two out). The defense may tag the batter-runner, or first base ahead of the BR's arrival, for an out.

Veteran Crew Chief Tim Welke (3) Announces Retirement

MLB veteran umpire Tim Welke (3) has retired following knee surgery. Welke had been listed on MLB's roster in January 2016, and again on the late February Spring Training list, but the crew chief was not assigned to a crew.

News of the elder Welke's (brother Bill #52 remains on the staff and has already worked several games this spring) retirement comes months after he underwent knee replacement surgery in January; Welke is scheduled for a second surgery in June.

Tim Welke retires 33 years after he first began in the American League after officiating a total of 4,216 regular season games, his 4,000th coming on April 13, 2014 in Cincinnati, three All-Star Games, eight Division Series (35 games), seven League Championship Series (41 games), and four World Series (22 games). His assignments took him across the United States and Canada, and to Sydney, Australia for the 2014 Dodgers-Diamondbacks Opening Series.

His 72 career ejections began with Boston's Ralph Houk and Bob Stanley in August 1983 and wrapped up with New York's Joe Girardi in 2012.

Link: UEFL Umpire Profile: Tim Welke.

UEFL University - Video Rulebook - Ball

The following entry in the UEFL Video Rulebook pertains to the pitched ball designated as "Ball," one of four necessary for the batter to achieve a one-base award.

During a batter's time at bat, the count reflects how many pitches of each type the batter has seen in the form of Ball-Strike; for instance, a 3-1 count corresponds to three balls and one strike. Upon receiving his fourth ball, the batter achieves a one-base award known as a walk. There are several ways for a "Ball" to be added to the count, click each image to view a video example of the indicated term:

A pitch not swung at by the batter and which does not at any point enter the strike zone, when caught by the catcher, shall be ruled a ball. This includes any such pitch which bounces prior to reaching home plate, even if the ball subsequently bounces into the strike zone.	A pitch which makes contact with the batter while the batter is legally within the batter's box is a Hit By Pitch (HBP). Award: Dead ball, Batter awarded 1st. Exception: A batter who makes no attempt to avoid being hit will not be awarded 1st base (dead ball & Ball only).
A pitcher who executes a pitch when the batter is not ready to receive it may be called for a quick return pitch. This is an illegal act. Similarly, a pitcher who takes too long to pitch may receive an automatic ball (consuming greater than 12 seconds with no runner on base). Award: Dead ball, Ball added to Count.	A pitcher whose delivery fails to reach home plate or either of the foul lines has made an illegal pitch (short). Another illegal action resulting in a ball is a pitcher on the rubber touching his hands to his mouth, except when previously authorized by the umpires. Award (No Runners on Base): Ball. Award (Runner[s] on Base): Balk.

New for 2016 - UEFL University and the Video Rulebook

The Umpire Ejection Fantasy League announces UEFL University, a new instructional initiative for 2016 that presents and illustrates the playing rules of baseball. Though all of our educational material will now fall under the umbrella of the freely-available UEFL University, the initiative's flagship production is the all new UEFL Video Rulebook, conceptually illustrated below.

The UEFL Video Rulebook home page will feature a table with nine images, pictured below, that players, coaches, umpires and fans alike may click through to access video illustrations of each principle. Every image that you see within the nine areas of the UEFL Video Rulebook will be linked to a video illustrating the concept at hand.

Over the remainder of Spring Training, each of the nine areas will be introduced: the final product—the homepage linking to each area—will be live by Opening Day 2016.

Top Row: Pitched Ball. A pitched ball generally will result in a Ball, Strike, or Batted Ball.

Middle Row: In the Field. A ball put into play will often yield a Safe, Out or an Award/Penalty.

Bottom Row: Extracurriculars. Describes the Playing Field, Ejections, and Instant Replay Review.

Introducing the 2016 UEFL Draft Board

Umpire selection continues with the UEFL Draft Board: confirm your selection has been received correctly and view other draft picks by accessing the Board, viewable in this post.

Click here to draft your umpires for the 2016 UEFL season and click here for the 2016 UEFL Draft announcement, including the historical data draft prospectus for the upcoming season. Click through to access the full board and chart.

MLB Ejection S-1, Angel Hernandez (S1; Stolmy Pimentel)

HP Umpire Angel Hernandez ejected Mets P Stolmy Pimentel for throwing at Cardinals batter Jonathan Rodriguez in the top of the 6th inning of the Cardinals-Mets game. With one out and none on, Rodriguez took a 0-0 fastball from Pimentel for a hit-by-pitch; Pimentel had surrendered a home run during the preceding at bat and previously generated warnings for HBP as a pitcher in 2013 and 2014. Replays indicate the pitch was located inside and struck Rodriguez squarely in the lower back, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Cardinals were leading, 11-6. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 14-9.

This is Angel Hernandez (55)'s first ejection of Spring Training 2016.
Angel Hernandez now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 0 ST + 0 Irrecusable Call = 0).
Angel Hernandez now has 0 points in Crew Division (0 Previous + 0 ST = 0).

This is the first ejection of the 2016 preseason.
This is the first player ejection of Spring Training 2016.
Prior to his ejection, Pimentel's line was 0.1 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 2 HR, 2 HBP.
This is the Mets' 1st ejection of Spring 2016, 1st in the Grapefruit League (NYM 1; All Others 0).
This is Stolmy Pimentel's first career MLB ejection.
This is Angel Hernandez's first ejection since June 8, 2015 (John Gibbons; QOC = Y [Check Swing]).

Wrap: St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets (Grapefruit League Spring Training), 3/12/16
Video: After giving up a second HR, Stolmy drills another Cardinal and is tossed (SNY, click "Read more")

2016 UEFL Draft Now Open - Historical Data Prospectus

The Umpire Ejection Fantasy League announces the 2016 draft, which is now open.

Click here to draft your umpires for the 2016 UEFL season.

Prior to drafting, however, feel free to consult the UEFL Portal, Umpire Roster and Profiles, Crew List, and Close Call Sports archives to help you 'scout' umpires for the upcoming season. The UEFL Portal's Historical Data page and its subpages in particular contain linked references to every ejection from the 2012 through 2015 baseball seasons, a list of every ejection from 2008 through the present, and a yearly total for individual umpire ejections from 2005-2015. What follows is a summary of key historical data since 2011, your draft prospectus for the upcoming season.

Historical Data - Umpires (Includes Ejections Since 2011 and Replay Review Pts Since 2014)
2015 Leaders
Ejections: 8 (Joe West & Sam Holbrook), 7 (John Hirschbeck), 6 (Greg Gibson & Dan Bellino).
Replay Points: 24 (John Tumpane & Brian O'Nora), 23 (Hirschbeck, Kulpa, Gonzalez & Baker).
Total Pts: 23 (Mark Carlson), 22 (Holbrook), 21 (Tumpane), 20 (G Gibson, Tripp Gibson & D Bellino).
Crew Chief Pts: 19 (Hirschbeck), 17 (T Welke), 16 (Brian Gorman), 14 (Gary Cederstrom & Tom Hallion).

2014 Leaders
Ejections: 7 (Bellino, Vic Carapazza, Jeff Nelson), 6 (Bill Miller, Mark Ripperger, Tim Timmons, Toby Basner).
Replay Points: 24 (DJ Reyburn), 23 (Doug Eddings), 22 (Ted Barrett, Adrian Johnson).
Total Pts: 36 (Carapazza), 30 (Bellino), 26 (T Barrett, Nelson), 25 (Will Little, Chris Guccione).
Crew Chief Pts: 32 (Bill Miller), 23 (Joe West), 20 (Fieldin Culbreth), 18 (Hallion), 16 (Jeff Kellogg).

2013 Leaders
Ejections: 8 (Chad Fairchild, Clint Fagan), 6 (Hallion, Holbrook).
Total Pts: 30 (Fagan), 23 (Fairchild), 17 (Dan Iassogna, Hirschbeck), 16 (Bellino, Hunter Wendelstedt).
Crew Chief Points: 14 (Dana DeMuth, Gorman), 13 (Jerry Layne), 9 (Mike Winters, Kellogg).

2012 Leaders
Ejections: 8 (Gary Darling), 7 (Angel Campos), 6 (Nelson, Bob Davidson, Brian Knight).
Total Points: 24 (Darling), 21 (Campos), 18 (Holbrook), 15 (Alfonso Marquez, Gerry Davis).

2011 Leaders
Ejections: 9 (Rob Drake), 8 (Davidson, Wendelstedt), 7 (West).
Total Pts: 30 (Drake, Mike Muchlinski, Mike Estabrook), 23 (Marty Foster, Marquez), 22 (Nelson).

Most Ejections Since 2005: 61 (West), 57 (Marty Foster), 56 (Davidson), 49 (Holbrook & Timmons).

Pursuant to schedule, the UEFL Draft Deadlines are as follows:
≫ Primary Umpires - March 25
≫ Secondary Umpires - March 26
≫ Crew Chiefs - April 1

Click the "read more" link to view the 2016 UEFL Draft form and to submit your selections.
Note: If you have not yet registered for the UEFL, you may do so using the 2016 UEFL Draft form.

Video Analysis of New Bona Fide Slide FPSR Rule 6.01(j)

MLB adopted a new bona fide slide rule—essentially the force play side rule (FPSR) for professional baseball. Rule 6.01(j) relates to sliding to bases on double play attempts and, accordingly is a modified version of this FPSR, specifically for double play attempts at the base of the initial out (generally second base, but possibly at third base or home plate as well).

Here is the criteria for Rule 6.01(j) - Sliding to Bases on Double Play Attempts
The runner attempting to break up a double play must engage in a bona fide slide. This means the runner:
1) Begins his slide and makes contact with the ground before reaching the base;
2) Is able and attempts to reach the base with his hand or foot;
3) Is able and attempts to remain on the base (except home) after completing the slide; and
4) Slides within reach without changing his path for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder.

Penalty: Failure to satisfy all four criteria of a bona fide slide is the already-existing double play interference.
Note: As has been interpretation in years past, the intent of the runner may be cause alone for an interference ruling. For instance, a runner may satisfy the new bona fide slide criteria, but if the umpire rules the runner intentionally attempted to initiate contact with the fielder, then double play interference may be called (Result: Both the runner and batter are out; dead ball, any remaining runners return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch).

Video Examples (the criterion that was not satisfied [for illegal plays] is indicated by text in italics):
Introducing the UEFL Videoboard: Click each thumbnail image for a video of the illustrated play.

Legal Play. This is a bona fide slide. 1) Slide begins before the base. 2) The runner's foot will reach base. 3) The runner will remain on the base. 4) Runner does not change path.	Legal Play. This is a proper slide. 1) Slide begins before second base. 2) Runner's foot & hands reach base. 3) Runner able to keep hand on base. 4) Runner does not change his path.	Legal Play. This is a bona fide slide. 1) Slide begins prior to the base. 2) Runner's hands reach the base. 3) Runner stays on the base. 4) Runner slides within reach on path.
Illegal Play. This is not a legal slide. 1) Does begin before the base. 2) A foot does graze second base. 3) No attempt to remain on the base. 4) Changes path to initiate contact.	Illegal Play. This is entirely illegal. 1) First contact is even with base. 2) Does not touch second base. 3) Does not attempt to stay on base. 4) Changes path to initiate contact.	Illegal Play. This is a roll block. 1) Begins before the base. 2) Foot arrives near second base. 3) Unable to remain on second base. 4) Slides within previous path.

Pace of Game: MLB also adopted a new 30-second time limit for mound visits by managers and pitching coaches. The clock will begin when the coach exits the dugout; when the time reaches zero, the meeting will be over.
MLB issued a Press Release accompanying the Rule 6.01(j) announcement.

2016 MLB Spring Training Umpire Roster

MLB released its Spring Training Umpires roster for 2016, which includes all 75 umpires on the full-time Major League staff, plus 20 minor league umpires invited and assigned to baseball's Spring Training in Arizona's Cactus and Florida's Grapefruit Leagues.

The Spring Training roster below also includes sleeve numbers for all applicable umpires, including Minor League call-up umpires authorized to fill in at the Major League level during the regular season. "--" indicates umpire is a Minor League (AAA) official invited to participate in Major League Spring Training, but has not been given a sleeve number for the MLB regular season fill-in list. Newcomers to the MiLB Call-Up list are indicated by bold text.

MLB Spring Training Umpires' Roster - 2016 Pre-Season

MLB Staff	MLB Staff	MiLB Call-Ups
Baker, Jordan 71 Barksdale, Lance 23 Barrett, Lance 94 Barrett, Ted 65 Barry, Scott 87 Bellino, Dan 2 Blaser, Cory 89 Bucknor, CB 54 Carapazza, Vic 19 Carlson, Mark 6 Cederstrom, Gary 38 Conroy, Chris 98 Cooper, Eric 56 Culbreth, Fieldin 25 Cuzzi, Phil 10 Danley, Kerwin 44 Davidson, Bob 61 Davis, Gerry 12 DeMuth, Dana 32 Diaz, Laz 63 DiMuro, Mike 16 Drake, Rob 30 Dreckman, Bruce 1 Eddings, Doug 88 Emmel, Paul 50 Estabrook, Mike 83 Everitt, Mike 57 Fairchild, Chad 4 Fletcher, Andy 49 Foster, Marty 60 Gibson, Greg 53 Gibson, Tripp 73 Gonzalez, Manny 79 Gorman, Brian 9 Guccione, Chris 68 Hallion, Tom 20 Hernandez, Angel 55 Hickox, Ed 15	Hirschbeck, John 17 Holbrook, Sam 34 Hoye, James 92 Hudson, Marvin 51 Iassogna, Dan 58 Johnson, Adrian 80 Joyce, Jim 66 Kellogg, Jeff 8 Knight, Brian 91 Kulpa, Ron 46 Layne, Jerry 24 Little, Will 93 Marquez, Alfonso 72 Meals, Jerry 41 Miller, Bill 26 Muchlinski, Mike 76 Nauert, Paul 39 Nelson, Jeff 45 O'Nora, Brian 7 Porter, Alan 64 Rackley, David 86 Randazzo, Tony 11 Reyburn, D.J. 70 Reynolds Jim 77 Ripperger, Mark 90 Scott, Dale 5 Tichenor, Todd 13 Timmons, Tim 95 Vanover, Larry 27 Wegner, Mark 14 Welke, Bill 52 Welke, Tim 3 Wendelstedt, Hunter 21 West, Joe 22 Winters, Mike 33 Wolcott, Quinn 81 Wolf, Jim 28	Barber, Sean 29 Basner, Toby 99 Blakney, Ryan 36 Buckminster, Seth 67 De Jesus, Ramon -- Fagan, Clint 82 Goodman, Ryan -- Hamari, Adam 78 Hoberg, Pat 31 Johnson, Anthony 48 Lentz, Nic -- May, Ben 97 Morales, Gabe 47 Ortiz, Roberto -- Scheurwater, Stu 85 Segal, Chris 96 Torres, Carlos 37 Tumpane, John 74 Whitson, Chad 62 Woodring, Tom 75 (20 MiLB Umpires) (75 MLB Umpires) (95 Total Umpires) Information obtained by UEFL on 2/24/2016. www.closecallsports.com

Some observations:

• > MiLB invites dropped by two (from 2015), while full-time MLB umpires decreased by one.
• > 2015 Full-Time MLBU Paul Schrieber is not returning to the Major Leagues. A league source indicated on condition of anonymity that the departure was not voluntary or previously planned.
• > Umpires who appeared on the 2015 Spring Training MiLB invitee list, but who have been cut from the 2016 preseason are: Jon Byrne, Jeff Gosney, Marcus Pattillo, and Doug Vines.

2016 World Baseball Classic Qualifier Roster - Australia

Umpires for the 2016 World Baseball Classic Qualifier (Australia Stage) convened in Sydney, AUS and officiated the first round of qualifying games for the upcoming 2017 WBC, featuring teams from Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, and South Africa. Six games were scheduled from February 11 through February 14 (Feb 10-13 ET).

The following is a list of the six umpires who have been assigned to and appeared during the WBC Q1 stage, along with their respective countries and leagues of representation. (Pictured to the right is South Korean Umpire Kun Young Park.)

Umpire Roster for Qualifier 1 in Sydney's Blacktown International Sportspark
Travis Eggert (USA; Pacific Coast League [PCL]).
Alex Ortiz (USA; PCL).
Roberto Ortiz (USA; PCL).
Kun Young Park (KOR).
Brett Robson (AUS; Australian Baseball League [ABL]).
Takanori Yamamoto (JPN; Nippon Professional Baseball [NPB]).*

*Takanori Yamamoto also officiated the 2014 MLB Japan All-Star Series.

WBC Qualifier 2 will take place March 17-20 at Estadio B-Air, Mexicali, Mexico.