2015 UEFL Rules Summit Discussion

The Umpire Ejection Fantasy League announces its 2015 Rules Summit, the annual forum for discussion of controversial issues which may have surfaced during the past season and to set forth a framework for rectifying these issues by amending the existing UEFL Rules Book ahead of the 2016 UEFL season.

This discussion thread is an open forum for the proposal, discussion and debate of potential rules changes. This thread will remain open through Sunday, November 15, which will provide ample time for the proposal and subsequent discussion of possible rules changes for the 2016 season. If necessitated by certain below decisions, a Summit runoff ballot may be presented after the initial voting closes.

The following section is grouped by Rule number and includes those matters presently on the docket for the Rules Summit ballot. During this discussion phase, any UEFL member or guest may contribute an idea for inclusion on the docket by replying to this thread. In turn, I will update the docket below to incorporate such proposal. Proposed rules modifications or changes are identified by italics, deletions by strikeout and additions by bold text. Editorial changes are underlined and individual propositions are preceded by the ">>" bullet point symbol.

Rule 1 (Selection of Umpires)

Rule 2 (The Season)

Rule 3 (Crew Division)
>> Section 3. Adds the attribution of negative one (-1) points for each QOC incorrect ejection by a crew chief's crew.

Rule 4 (League Scoring)

Rule 5 (Statistics)

Rule 6 (Challenges and Appeals)
>> Section 2-b-1. Modifies the Kulpa Rule (2-b-1) to reflect a 20" diameter of home plate (17" plate + 3" diameter of a baseball), or a range from (-.833 to +.833). Shifts the .768 to .935 range (which is centered at 0.851 feet) to a .750 to .916 range, which is centered at 0.833 feet. This change more accurately reflects the horizontal edge of the strike zone.
>> Sections 2-b-1 & 2-b-2. Specifies that Quality of Correctness for all Borderline Pitches (those within the Kulpa Rule's borderline range and within the Miller Rule's margin of error [MOE]) shall be Irrecusable.
>> Section 2-b-5. Modifies the Irrecusable QOC, specifying that a QOC of Irrecusable shall be limited to no more than the unsporting acts already listed in 2-b-5: Fighting, Throwing At, Unsportsmanlike Conduct-NEC, or Excess Contact. Effectively eliminates Subprovisions 2-b-5-a (non-active roster ejections) and 2-b-5-b (DiMuro rule regarding repeat visits).
>> Section 2-b-5-b. Independently proposes eliminating the DiMuro rule regarding repeat visits and restoring these ejections to QOC (In)Correct status.

Rule 7 (Unresolved Classifications and References)

Rule 8 (Umpire Odds & Ends and Community Issues)

Rule 9 (Unaddressed and Authorized Provisions)

Appeals Board Membership: Re-Election Ballot (Click here to view 2015 Appeals Board decisions)
This section includes 2015 UEFL Appeals Board members who are seeking re-election via the 2015 Rules Summit and will be completed in advance of Rules Summit voting.

To review, this is the discussion phase of the 2015 Rules Summit, anyone may propose a rules change by replying to this thread through 11/15, at which time all proposals will be officially drafted and voted upon. Please do not vote within this thread.

2015 UEFL Final Standings

With the final award in the books, the UEFL announces its final standings for the 2015 season. The "Perfect Score" this season was 97 while the "Worst Score Possible" was -32. Perfect Score is calculated using the highest points possible per draft category to form the "perfect" or highest-scoring crew, which is comprised of a Crew Chief + 2 Primary Umpires + 2 Secondary Umpires, while Worst Score Possible is simply the lowest possible score. Prop Predictions and Case Plays do not factor into the Perfect Score nor the Worst Score.
2015 Perfect Crew: 97 = 19 John Hirschbeck -cc + 22 Sam Holbrook -P1 + 21 John Tumpane -P2 + 20 Mark Carlson -S1 + 15 Gary Cederstrom -S2.
2015 Worst Possible Crew: -32 = -8 Gerry Davis -cc + -10 Ben May -P1 + -3 Carlos Torres -P2 + -6 Mark Ripperger -S1 + -5 Lance Barrett -S2.

UEFL Final Standings
1) RichMSN (88 pts)
2) Furax01 (85 pts)
3) toss 'em (81 pts)
4) youthministeradam (76 pts)
5) CricketChapman (75 pts)
6) BkSl14812 (74 pts)
7) cyclone14 (72 pts)
8) Russ (65 pts)
9) QuickTrigger3, RadioPearl (62 pts)
11) Williec14 (61 pts)
12) kickersrule, Wesc371, wwjd2200 (60 pts)
15) johnnyg08, OC-Ump (59 pts)
17) chewy6294, jahoops10 (58 pts)
19) CohenS3, JCopp80, timjdow (57 pts)
23) Bob Abouy, Steve Holt (56 pts)
25) Big Catch 22 (55 pts)
26) GDK Team Blue (54 pts)
27) Krwill96, UmpAtty, XtremeUmp (53 pts)
30) ajbeisheim, Jeremy407, Sarge3097 (52 pts)

UEFL Express Final Standings (Umpire Draft Points Only, No Prop Predictions, No Case Plays)
1) Furax01 (83 pts)
2) youthministeradam (69 pts)
3) RichMSN (67 pts)
4) CricketChapman (65 pts)
5) QuickTrigger3 (62 pts)
6) Russ, Williec14 (61 pts)
8) Wesc371 (60 pts)
9) toss 'em, OC-Ump (59 pts)

The Rules Summit will begin tomorrow.

2015 UEFL Umpire of the Year - Alfonso Marquez

Alfonso Marquez is the UEFL's Umpire of the Year for 2015. [2014: Ted Barrett]
Voting Results (Top 5): Marquez (10.3%), Barrett (9.8%), Jim Wolf (7.9%), Mark Carlson & Jeff Nelson (7.5%).

Alfonso Marquez wins the UEFL Umpire of the Year Award for 2015, which marks his second overall UEFL year-end award (Honorable Umpire, 2011). Marquez finished first in the league amongst postseason-eligible umpires (by virtue of games worked) in replay review with just two calls overturned. Marquez subsequently received two postseason assignments in the American League Division Series and World Series, where one commenter noted he chewed gum instead of tobacco to "set a good example to younger viewers when it matters," compared to Ejection 095 (Robin Ventura), when, "looks [like] Alfonso Marquez has an entire package of redman in his cheek." His 98.1% plate score during Game 3 of the ALDS was also the highest of that round (19 games total).

Alfonso Marquez now has 15 points in the UEFL Standings (10 Previous + 5 Award = 15).
Final Standings will be released later tonight.

2015 Ejections of the Year - Bill Welke & Jim Reynolds

Bill Welke & Jim Reynolds had 2015's Best Ejections. [2014: Joe West & Mike Winters]
Voting Results (Top 4): Welke-196|7 (11%), Reynolds-055 (10%), West-S2 (8%), O'Nora-184 (5%).

Bill Welke & Jim Reynolds were the two umpires for the UEFL's 2015 Ejections of the Year. In Ejection 196-197: Bill Welke (3-4; Votto, Price), HP Umpire Bill Welke ejected Reds 1B Joey Votto and subsequently Manager Bryan Price for arguing a strike two call in the bottom of the 8th inning of the September 9 Pirates-Reds game. For the second time during a 2015 ejection, Votto initiated unsporting contact with the ejecting umpire and the league ultimately suspended Votto for his actions.

In Ejection 055: Jim Reynolds (1; Bryan Price), acting crew chief Jim Reynolds ejected Price during pregame festivities for arguing calls from the previous game, presumably then-HP Umpire Manny Gonzalez's strike zone. One observer summed up the totality of the ejection sequence thusly: "Bryan Price really did not accomplish much of anything in this ejection and Reynolds handled it like a pro, sticking up for a crew member of his who was being disrespected by Price. Very entertaining."

Bill Welke now has 7 points in the UEFL Standings (6 Previous + 1 Award = 7).
Jim Reynolds now has 5 points in the UEFL Standings (4 Previous + 1 Award = 5).
The final postseason award, Umpire of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

2015 Noteworthy Umpires - Mark Carlson & Alan Porter

Mark Carlson & Alan Porter are the 2015's Noteworthy Umpires. [2014: Vic Carapazza, Angel Hernandez]
Voting Results (Top 5): Carlson (11%), Porter (11%), Carapazza (9%), Alfonso Marquez (8%), Dan Bellino (7%).

Mark Carlson and Alan Porter are the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2015 noteworthy umpires of the year. Carlson "did an extremely good job as acting crew chief this season and would be deserving of becoming -cc next season." After a successful Division Series appearance in the National League Division Series (Game 4 plate), Carlson was named to his first World Series roster, joining Crew Chief of the Year Gary Cederstrom's crew, starting in the rotation as the first base umpire.

Alan Porter is said to "represent the 'new guard' of MLB umpires, taking care of business every game." In addition to excellent seasonal plate work and a postseason assignment in the National League Division Series as the Game 1 home plate umpire (Mets-Dodgers), he was noted for "great leadership in situations" and marked as a rising star to watch for: "I can see [him] working LCS/WS in the near future."


Mark Carlson now has 23 points in the UEFL Standings (20 Previous + 3 Award = 23).
Alan Porter now has 10 points in the UEFL Standings (7 Previous + 3 Award = 10).
The next postseason award, Ejection(s) of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

2015 Honorable Umpires - John Hirschbeck & Dale Scott

John Hirschbeck and Dale Scott are 2015's Honorable Umpires of the Year [2014: Hirschbeck & Ted Barrett]
Voting Results (Top 5): Hirschbeck (15%), Scott (14%), Ted Barrett (13%), Sam Holbrook (9%), Will Little (8%).

John Hirschbeck and Dale Scott are the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2015 honorable umpires of the year, which marks Hirschbeck's second consecutive season receiving this award. UEFL'ers noted that Hirschbeck dedicated the 2015 season to the memory of his son as driving his receipt of this award: "It's tough to top a father honoring his late son and Hirschbeck's motives for the 2015 MLB season are the definition of honorable." Said another regarding Hirschbeck's return to baseball: "Like or not for how he handles things on the field, for him to come back after a year removed from losing another child should give hope to all of us battling things off the field in our lives."

Support for Dale Scott as Honorable Umpire of the Year referred to "another solid season in what could have been a shit show of both positive and negative publicity coming off his disclosure," which refers to the December 2014 Outsports feature, "MLB umpire Dale Scott comes out as gay in quietest way possible," which itself referred to an October 2014 Referee Magazine feature. Both Scott and Hirschbeck worked postseason baseball, Scott the Division Series and Hirschbeck the League Championship Series.

Other than Hirschbeck, umpires who recently experienced immediate loss include Holbrook (9%) and Little (8%).

John Hirschbeck now has 17 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (15 Previous + 2 Award = 17).
Dale Scott now has 8 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (6 Previous + 2 Award = 8).
The next postseason award, Noteworthy Umpire(s) of the Year will be released later tonight.

2015 UEFL Award for Best Crew Chief - Gary Cederstrom

Gary Cederstrom wins the UEFL's 2015 Crew Chief of the Year Award. [2014 Winner: Ted Barrett]
Voting Results (Top 3): Gary Cederstrom (23%), Ted Barrett (21%), Dale Scott (10%).

Gary Cederstrom is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2015 Crew Chief of the Year, which marks his first UEFL Award. Cederstrom finished 2015 with one ejection; he ejected zero times in 2014. In addition to the rare ejection (Ejection 190)—Cederstrom last ejected someone in 2012—Cederstrom was treated to the privilege of serving as crew chief during the controversial Chase Utley-Ruben Tejada play at second base during Game 2 of the National League Division Series. Following that round of postseason play, Cederstrom was named as crew chief of the World Series, his third such assignment.

Gary Cederstrom now has 16 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (15 Previous + 1 Award = 16).
The next postseason award, Honorable Umpire of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

2015 UEFL Award for Fill-In Umpire - John Tumpane

John Tumpane wins the UEFL's 2015 Fill-In Umpire of the Year Award. [2014 Winner: Tripp Gibson]
Voting Results (Top 3): John Tumpane (26%), Adam Hamari (21%), Chris Segal (6%).

John Tumpane is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2015 Fill-In Umpire of the Year, which marks his first UEFL Award. In his 6th Major League Baseball umpiring season, Tumpane had three ejections; he ejected four times in 2014. Tumpane's ejection of Kyle Seager (Ejection 053) prompted this comment: "This guy is ready for a big league spot. Has been for a while. Tumpane earned my respect a long time ago, and got this call right," while his April 19 ejection of David Ortiz for crew chief Jerry Meals' call (Ejection 012) was a "rookie umpire sticking up for his crew mate." Tumpane also called Mike Fiers' no-hitter (2015 No-Hitter #5), missing just two pitches, or, "as accurate as you can get."

John Tumpane now has 21 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (19 Previous + 2 Award = 21).
The next postseason award, Crew Chief of the Year, will be released later tonight.

2015 UEFL Award for Most Improved - Angel Hernandez

Angel Hernandez wins the UEFL's 2015 Most Improved Umpire Award. [2014 Winner: CB Bucknor]
Voting Results (Top 4): Angel Hernandez (29%), CB Bucknor (8%); Alfonso Marquez, Bill Welke (7%).

Angel Hernandez is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2015 most improved umpire of the year, which marks his second consecutive season receiving an award (2014 Noteworthy Umpire). In his 25th Major League Baseball umpiring season, Hernandez had two ejections; he ejected three times in 2014. Hernandez's 2015 ejections of managers Ryne Sandberg (Ejection 059) and John Gibbons (Ejection 079) earned him praise for protecting crewmate Scott Barry while his postseason performance at the Division Series proved impressive: "Solid year and a good playoff round. Given his past body of work, if he stays good he may earn a crew chief position."

Angel Hernandez now has 10 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (9 Previous + 1 Award = 10).
The next postseason award, Fill-In of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

2015 UEFL Award for Worst Umpire - John Hirschbeck

The Umpire Ejection Fantasy League announces its postseason awards schedule, beginning with the Worst Umpire of the Year, below, and continuing with Most Improved Umpire, Fill-In, Crew Chief, Honorable, Noteworthy, Ejection(s) of the Year and concluding with Umpire of the Year. 221 total ballots were cast during this year's nominations process, which is a 41% increase over 2014.

Pursuant to UEFL Rule 4-4, the postseason Awards distribution now begins with Worst Umpire of the Year.

2015 UEFL Awards: Worst Umpire of the Year: John Hirschbeck (17) [2014 Winner: Tim Welke]
Voting Results (Top 3): John Hirschbeck (12%), Andy Fletcher (11%), Tim Welke (10%).

John Hirschbeck is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2015 Worst Umpire of the Year. In his 33rd Major League Baseball umpiring season, Hirschbeck finished with seven ejections, which includes one postseason ejection; Hirschbeck ejected zero times with a reduced schedule in 2014 and twice in 2013. UEFL'ers described Hirschbeck as confrontational: "Although he has gone through a lot of bad things in his personal life, he constantly takes it out on the field and acts unprofessional and bitter towards players and managers." Commenters were particularly critical of Hirschbeck's actions in ejecting Troy Tulowitzki during the postseason (Ejection P-4), Joe Girardi (Ejection 206), Pablo Sandoval (Ejection 183), and the tandem of Bruce Bochy and Angel Pagan (Ejections 089, 090): "He looks uninterested, combative and worst of all, unprofessional. Been seeing cracks in the armor for a while, most of which got a pass for the respect he’s earned over 31 years….it’s time [for retirement]."

John Hirschbeck now has 15 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (18 Previous - 3 Award = 15).
The next postseason award, Most Improved Umpire of the Year, will be released later tonight.