MLB Ejection S-13: Ben May (S2; Tyler Flowers)

2B Umpire Ben May ejected White Sox C Tyler Flowers for arguing an out call in the top of the 7th inning of the White Sox-Diamondbacks game. With one out and none on, Flowers hit a 1-1 changeup from Diamondbacks pitcher Brad Ziegler on the ground to third baseman Jordan Pacheco, who threw to first baseman Rudy Flores as Flowers arrived at first base. Replays indicate Flores gained possession of the ball prior to Flowers touching first base, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the Diamondbacks were leading, 10-1. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the contest, 10-2.

This is Ben May (97)'s second ejection of Spring Training 2015.
Ben May now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 0 Spring Training = 0).
Crew Chief Paul Schrieber now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 0 ST = 0).

This is the 13th ejection of MLB Spring Training 2015.
This is the 5th player ejection of Spring Training. Prior to ejection, Flowers was 0-1 in the game.
This is the White Sox' 1st ejection of Spring, T-2nd in the Cactus League (ARI 4; CWS, SEA, TEX 1).
This is Tyler Flowers' first ejection since May 26, 2014 (Ron Kulpa; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Ben May's first ejection since March 20, 2015 (Alex Claudio; QOC = U [Throwing At]).

Wrap: Chicago White Sox vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (Cactus League Spring Training), 4/2/15
Video: Flowers grounds out in the ChiSox's final game in Arizona, a blowout loss (Soon)

Introducing the 2015 UEFL Appeals Board

The 2015 UEFL Appeals Board roster is now final. Introducing the following members of the board who, throughout the 2015 season, will contribute to cases and other matters referred to the Board as prescribed rule, such as all check swing ejections and matters of UEFL challenge. Appeals Board decisions and pending cases will be posted to the UEFL Portal's Appeals Board page. The following members were selected to represent the Appeals Board for the 2015 UEFL season:

Ejections 01, 02: Odo Ital (Benjamin Sisko, Captain Solok)

HP Umpire Odo Ital ejected Niners Manager Benjamin Sisko for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 5th inning and Logicians Manager Captain Solok for arguing a celebration in the bottom of the 9th inning of the Logicians-Niners game. In the 5th, with two out and one on, Niners first baseman Worf took a 3-2 fastball for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located over the outer edge of home plate and at the hollow of the knee, the call was correct. In the 9th, with two out and one on, Niners batter Rom executed a squeeze bunt, scoring baserunner R3 Nog for the Niners' first run, prompting a bench-clearing incident during which the Niners celebrated Rom's RBI, the call was irrecusable. At the time of Sisko's ejection, the Logicians were leading, 7-0. At the time of Solok's ejection, the Logicians were leading, 10-1. The Logicians ultimately won the contest, 10-1.

These are Odo Ital (6)'s first and second ejections of the DS9 Exhibition Game.
*Immediately preceding both ejections, Sisko and Solok touched Odo's chest, prompting Odo to reference and quote OBR Rule 4.06(a)(4), which states that "No manager, player, substitute, coach, trainer or batboy shall at any time, whether from the bench, the coach’s box or on the playing field, or elsewhere make intentional contact with the umpire in any manner."

Wrap: USS T'Kumbra Logicians vs. Deep Space 9 Niners (Star Trek Exhibition), 2375 (N/A)
Video: Following a fifth-inning strikeout, Sisko touches the umpire, good for an auto-EJ (DS9)

Happy April Fools' Day!

MLB Ejection S-12: Alan Porter (S1; Lloyd McClendon)

HP Umpire Alan Porter ejected Mariners Manager Lloyd McClendon for arguing warnings and an ejection no-call (Unsporsmanlike-NEC) in the top of the 4th inning of the Mariners-Indians game. With two out and none on, Mariners batter Rickie Weeks took two fastballs from Indians pitcher Bruce Chen inside for called balls, whereupon Porter issued warnings to both teams. Replays indicate the pitches were thrown behind Weeks, who eventually struck out swinging; Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez had hit Indians batter Michael Brantley with a pitch in the bottom of the 2nd inning, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Indians were leading, 7-4.

This is Alan Porter (64)'s first ejection of Spring Training 2015.
Alan Porter now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 0 Spring Training = 0).
Crew Chief Jim Wolf now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 0 Irrecusable/ST = 0).

This is the 12th ejection of MLB Spring Training 2015.
This is the 4th Manager ejection of the MLB Spring Training 2015.
This is the Mariners' 1st ejection of Spring 2015, T-2nd in the Cactus League (ARI 4; SEA, TEX 1).
This is Lloyd McClendon's first ejection since Sept 8, 2014 (Jeff Nelson; QOC = Y [Replay Review]).
This is Alan Porter's first ejection since July 23, 2014 (Mike Redmond; QOC = Y [Safe/Out]).

Wrap: Seattle Mariners vs. Cleveland Indians (Grapefruit League Spring Training), 3/31/15
Video: Throwing inside prompts warnings from Porter and heated protest from McClendon (SEA)

MLB Ejections S-9-11: Chad Fairchild (S-1-3; PHI-PIT)

HP Umpire Chad Fairchild ejected Phillies 1B Coach Juan Samuel and Pirates 3B Coach Rick Sofield for Unsportsmanlike-NEC in the bottom of the 5th and Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle for arguing strike calls in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Phillies-Pirates game. In the 5th, with none out and none on, Samuel and Sofield engaged in a verbal dispute, resulting in a bench-clearing incident, the call was irrecusable. In the 6th, with one out and one on, Pirates batter Andrew Lambo struck out on three pitches from Phillies pitcher Kevin Slowey. Replays are unavailable (pitch f/x unavailable), the call was irrecusable. At the time of the 5th inning ejections, the Pirates were leading, 6-0. At the time of Hurdle's ejection, the Pirates were leading, 10-2. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, ---.

These are Chad Fairchild (4)'s first, second and third ejections of Spring 2015.
Chad Fairchild now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 0 Spring Training = 0).
Crew Chief Chad Fairchild now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 0 Irrecusable/ST = 0).

These are the 9th, 10th and 11th ejections of MLB Spring Training 2015.
This is the 3rd Manager ejection of the MLB Spring Training 2015.
This is the Phillies' first ejection of Spring 2015, 3rd in the Grapefruit League (ATL 3; PIT 2; PHI 1).
This is the Pirates' 1st/2nd ejection of Spring 2015, 2nd in the Grapefruit League (ATL 3; PIT 2; PHI 1).
This is Juan Samuel's first ejection since May 23, 2014 (Seth Buckminster; QOC = U [USC-DiMuro]).
This is Rick Sofield's first ejection since May 4, 2014 (Greg Gibson; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).
This is Clint Hurdle's first ejection since July 22, 2014 (Jeff Nelson; QOC = U [Arguing Ejection]).

Wrap: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (Grapefruit League Spring Training), 3/30/15
Video: Argument between Samuel and Sofield turns into bench clearer in blowout ST game (N/A)

MLB Ejection S-8: Jeff Nelson (S1; Terry Pendleton)

2B Umpire Jeff Nelson ejected Braves 1B Coach Terry Pendleton for arguing a balk no-call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Pirates-Braves game. With one out and one on, Braves batter Andrelton Simmons took a 0-0 fastball from Pirates pitcher John Holdzkom for a called first ball. Replays are unavailable concerning the balk no-call; During the top of the 7th inning, Braves pitcher Jason Grilli committed two balks, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Pirates were leading, 2-1. The Pirates ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is Jeff Nelson (45)'s first ejection of 2015 Spring Training.
Jeff Nelson now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 0 Spring Training = 0).
Crew Chief Larry Vanover now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 0 Irrecusable/ST = 0).

This is the 8th ejection of MLB Spring Training 2015.
This is the Braves' third ejection of Spring 2015, 1st in the Grapefruit League (ATL 3, All Others 0).
This is Terry Pendleton's first ejection since Sept 10, 2010 (Jim Reynolds; QOC = N-C [Balls/Strikes]).*
This is Jeff Nelson's first ejection since September 26, 2014 (Rick Renteria; QOC = Y [Balk]).

*QOC for the 9/10/10 ejection is incorrect. U1 Reynolds ruled "no swing" on a pitch that PU Tim Welke had incorrectly ruled a ball (pitch was located within the strike zone). Thus, QOC = N-Crewmate.

Wrap: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Atlanta Braves (Grapefruit League Spring Training), 3/29/15
Video: Pendleton protests umpire crew's interpretation of deception, prompting heave-ho (N/A)

Non-Roster AAA Umps Get Call in Final Days of Spring

Several non-roster AAA umpires joined Spring Training as the annual MLB March tune-up entered its final week.

Then-AA Umpire Max Guyll ejects Bryce
Harper during a 2011 Eastern League game.

For clarity's sake, these are non-Spring Training roster invites—MiLB call-ups Ryan Blakney, Ryan Goodman, Nick Lentz, Carlos Torres, and Doug Vines have been working the full slate in Arizona and Florida alongside their sleeve-numbered colleagues. Having concluded their 2015 Minor League Spring Training meetings, the following umpires have been given Major League pre-season opportunities (this list will be updated as the final week of Spring Training progresses):

Florida - Grapefruit League
Brian De Brauwere (AAA Affiliation: International League) - 4/4
Ramon DeJesus (AAA Affiliation: Pacific Coast League) - 4/2, 4/4
Max Guyll (AAA Affiliation: IL) - 3/28
Tom Honec (AAA Affiliation: IL) - 4/3
Brandon Henson (AAA Affiliation: IL) - 4/2, 4/3
Robert Moreno (AAA Affiliation: IL) - 4/2
Roberto Ortiz (AAA Affiliation: PCL) - 4/2

Arizona - Cactus League
Eric Arenn (AAA Affiliation: None) - 3/29
Joseph Born (AAA Affiliation: International League) - 3/29, 4/4
William "Billy" Cunha (AAA Affiliation: Pacific Coast League) - 4/2
Travis Eggert (AAA Affiliation: PCL) - 3/28, 4/3
Spencer Flynn (AAA Affiliation: PCL) - 4/1
Kolin Kline (AAA Affiliation: PCL) - 4/4
Shaun Lampe (AAA Affiliation: PCL; was on the 2014 Spring Training roster) - 3/28, 4/4
Nick Mahrley (AAA Affiliation: PCL) - 4/3, 4/4
Jeff Morrow (AAA Affiliation: PCL; was on the 2014 Spring Training roster) - 3/29
Alex Ortiz (AAA Affiliation: PCL; was on the 2014 Spring Training roster) - 3/28
Alberto Ruiz (AAA Affiliation: PCL) - 3/29, 4/1, 4/3
Greg Stanzak (AAA Affiliation: PCL) - 3/28

All Saturday, March 28 non-roster invitees were assigned to the home plate umpire position.
Umpires on all other days were assigned to various roles (plate/bases).

MiLB Announces Umpire Department Name Changes

Minor League Baseball announced name changes for its umpiring properties based in Florida. According to Director (and former MiLB ump himself) Dusty Dellinger, "We wanted to capitalize on the established brand of Minor League Baseball to help provide a clearer identity within the baseball industry."

The new MiLB umpire logos (Photo: MiLB.com)

The Umpire School changed its name to the Minor League Baseball Umpire Training Academy, which both confirms the institution's association with Minor League Baseball and delineates the purpose of the Academy, which is to train umpires. "Academy" comes from the former Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring name. With JEAPU de-certified, MiLB hired Evans as Umpire Advisor this past offseason, effectively making the newly named MiLB Umpire Training Academy the new JEAPU. The name also differentiates MiLB's holding from the Wendelstedt School.

Professional Baseball Umpire Corp. changed its name to Minor League Baseball Umpire Development, which also uses the MiLB name to align itself with the league it serves while using "development" to depict what its purpose is, though the jury's still out on whether MiLBUD is a better acronym than PBUC.

The Umpire Training Academy also changed its website address to www.milbumpireacademy.com.

News: MiLB announces changes to umpire entities (Minor League Baseball)

Derryl Cousins Arrested in Arizona for Extreme DUI

Retired MLB umpire Derryl Cousins was arrested in Arizona last week on suspicion of extreme DUI, reports the Los Angeles Daily News. Cousins graduated from the LA-area El Segundo High School and El Camino College.

Former MLBU Derryl Cousins in 2009

According to a police report filed in Scottsdale, AZ, Cousins was driving slowly and drifting over lane dividers in downtown at 2:22 a.m. on March 18. The report states that Cousins registered a blood alcohol reading .220 at the scene and subsequently blew a BAC as high as .231 at the booking station, which is nearly four times over the legal limit. According to Arizona state law, this qualifies for the charge of extreme DUI; Cousins was released on $2,000 bail and will be assigned a future court date. Extreme DUI is classified as a misdemeanor.

The officer noted that Cousins was polite throughout the traffic stop, arrest and booking process, stating, "I'm a law-abiding citizen, I've just been drinking too much."

Cousins retired from baseball in 2013 following 34 years of Major League service and 4,496 MLB games worked. The veteran crew chief officiated 3 All-Star Games, 5 Division Series, 7 League Championship Series and 3 World Series; he ejected 118 players, coaches and managers in his time on the field.

News: Retired MLB umpire Derryl Cousins arrested on Extreme DUI in Arizona (LA Daily News)

MLB Ejections S-4-7: Tom Woodring (S1-4; 4 D'Backs)

HP Umpire Tom Woodring ejected Diamondbacks pitcher Allen Webster, Manager Chip Hale, pitcher Derek Eitel and Bench Coach Glenn Sherlock for throwing at Dodgers batters Justin Turner and Dillon Moyer in the bottom of the 5th and 8th innings, respectively, of the Diamondbacks-Dodgers game. In the 1st inning, Dodgers pitcher Chris Anderson hit Diamondbacks batter Mark Trumbo and Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson hit Dodgers batter Turner with inside fastballs, leading to Woodring issuing warnings to both teams. In the 5th, with warnings in effect, Dodgers lead-off batter Turner took a 2-0 fastball from D'Backs pitcher Webster for a hit-by-pitch, and was injured and left the game as a result. In the 8th, Dodgers batter Dillon Moyer took a first-pitch fastball from D'Backs pitcher Eitel for a hit-by-pitch. Replays indicate both HBPs were inside (pitch f/x unavailable), the calls were irrecusable. At the time of the 5th inning ejections, the Dodgers were leading, 4-1. At the time of the 8th inning ejections, the game was tied, 4-4. The Dodgers ultimately won the contest, 7-4.

These are Tom Woodring (75)'s first, second, third and fourth ejections of 2015 Spring Training.
Tom Woodring now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 0 Spring Training = 0).
Crew Chief Bill Miller now has 0 points in the UEFL Standings (0 Previous + 0 Irrecusable/ST = 0).

These are the 3rd and 4th player ejections of Spring Training.
This is the 2nd Manager ejection of Spring Training.
These are the D'Backs' 1st-4th ejections of the preseason, 1st in the Cactus League (ARI 4, SEA 1).
This is Allen Webster's first career MLB ejection.
This is Chip Hale's first ejection since May 30, 2013 (Brian Knight; QOC = Y [Fan Interference]).
This is Derek Eitel's first career MLB ejection.
This is Glenn Sherlock's first career MLB ejection.
These are Tom Woodring's first ejections since May 7, 2014 (Rick Renteria; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).

Wrap: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (Cactus League Spring Training), 3/23/15
Video: Woodring issues warnings to both benches as Turner gets hit in the 1st inning (LAD)
Video: Turner is drilled by Webster's inside pitch, drawing heave-hos and a game-ending injury (LAD)
Video: Bean ball war claims Moyer's back, prompting two more Arizona dismissals (LAD)