Top 20 Ejections of 2017 - UEFL Year in Review

As the year draws to a close, we revisit the 2017 season with a UEFL Year in Review. With assistance from voting data gathered during the 2017 year-end Awards Nominations, these are the Top 20 Ejections from the 2017 baseball year (pre-season, regular season, and postseason).

*Quality of Correctness is 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 2017
Note: Click each ejection number and umpire name to view the report and video from the season.
20: E-090: John Libka (1); Astros 1B Marwin Gonzalez (Strike Two Call; QOC = Y).
19: E-151: Laz Diaz (2); Astros Bench Coach Alex Cora (Legal Baseball Inspection; QOC = U).
18: E-006: CB Bucknor (1); Mariners Manager Scott Servais (Fair/Out Call; QOC = Y).
17: E-117: Phil Cuzzi (6); Twins DH Miguel Sano (Strike Three Call; QOC = N).
16: E-056: Ted Barrett (1); Braves Manager Brian Snitker (Balk Call; QOC = Y).
15: E-058|9: Marty Foster (1-2); Dodgers 1B Adrian Gonzalez, C Yasmani Grandal (Strikes; QOCN).
14: E-089: Doug Eddings (1); Angels 3B Yunel Escobar (Strike Two Call; QOC = Y).
13: P-1: Mark Wegner (1); Red Sox Manager John Farrell (Strike Three Call; QOC = Y).
12: E-178: Ryan Additon (1); Marlins Manager Don Mattingly (Denied BOO Appeal; QOC = Y).
11: E-027: Vic Carapazza (1); Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons (Obstruction A Call; QOC = Y).
10: E-038-40: Carlos Torres (1-3); Marlins and Dodgers (Throwing At and Fighting; QOC = U).
#9: P-2: Mike Winters (2); Cubs Manager Joe Maddon (Replay/Overturned HP violation; QOC = Y).
#8: WBC-6: Will Little (1); Dominican Republic Mgr Tony Pena Sr (Strike One Call; QOC = U).
#7: E-107: Chris Segal (2); Nationals RF Bryce Harper (Strike One Call; QOC = Y).
#6: E-087-8: Greg Gibson (2-3); Dodgers Mgr Dave Roberts, Padres Mgr Andy Green (Fighting; QOCU).
#5: E-097: Tom Hallion (1); White Sox Manager Rick Renteria (Wild Pickoff Base Award; QOC = Y).
#4: S-7: Angel Hernandez (1); Mets SS Asdrubal Cabrera (USC-NEC [Time Not Granted]; QOC = U).
#3: E-021: Stu Scheurwater (1); Orioles Manager Buck Showalter (Balk Call; QOC = Y).
#2: WBC-2-4: Tripp Gibson (1-3); Team Columbia x3 (Out/HP block violation no-call; QOC = Y).
HONORABLE MENTION: Dan Bellino removes fan for tipping pitches (unofficial ejection).
#1: E-109: Gerry Davis (1); Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre (USC-NEC [Moving On-Deck Circle]; QOC = U).

Links to previous years' Top Ejections countdowns: 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012.

Source - Stu Scheurwater Hired to Full-Time MLB Staff

34-year-old Stu Scheurwater of Regina, Saskatchewan is, unofficially, Major League Baseball's newest umpire, MLB reportedly hiring him to the full-time staff to fill retired ump Dale Scott's vacancy, according to multiple sources.

A Baseball Canada umpiring alum, Scheurwater begins his MLBU career with 253 games of Major League experience, including 153 games in 2017, after debuting on April 25, 2014 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles; the news is reported as a SOURCE post and has not yet been confirmed.* For instance, the Press Reader reported that Scheurwater is not yet officially a full-time MLB umpire, though he "could be named to the full-time staff as early as this February."
Related Post: Major League Umpiring Debut: Stu Scheurwater (85) (4/25/14).

Stu Scheurwater is MLB's newest staff umpire.*

His foray into professional American baseball began with graduation from the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School in 2006, after which Scheurwater was forced to sit out the 2006 season due to a paperwork processing delay at Homeland Security.

After officially beginning in the minors on the 2007 Arizona League staff, Scheurwater worked his way through the Northwest, South Atlantic, Carolina, Texas, and Pacific Coast Leagues, working the 2012 Arizona Fall League along the way; in all, Scheurwater officially served six seasons in Triple-A, although he spent nearly the entire 2017 season at the Major League level due in part to Dale Scott's career-ending head injury in Toronto.
Related Post: A Look at the Dale Scott Crew Without Their Crew Chief (5/24/17).

Scheurwater effected his first ejection on April 30, 2017, when he threw out Orioles Manager Buck Showalter for arguing a correctly officiated balk call; he finished the 2017 season with five ejections and earned the 2017 UEFL Award for Fill-In Umpire of the Year, marking the fourth consecutive Fill-In Umpire of the Year to have been hired to the full-time staff (Gibson '14, Tumpane '15, and Hamari '16).
Related Post: MLB Ejection 021 - Stu Scheurwater (1; Buck Showalter) (4/30/17).
Related Post: 2017 UEFL Award for Fill-In Umpire - Stu Scheurwater (11/7/17).

Scheurwater is the most recent Canada-born umpire to make it to the big leagues; Jim McKean, who officiated in the American League from 1973-1999, and throughout both leagues in 2000 and 2001, was born in Montreal, Quebec. Ian Lamplugh, who last worked in 2002, grew up in British Columbia, but was born in Trowbridge, England.

*Reported as a Source post pursuant to UEFL News Reporting Best Practices, and not yet officially confirmed.

GHSA Amends Bylaws to Exclude Judgment Calls

In the offseason following the Georgia High School Association's decision to overturn an on-field umpire's judgment call, the GHSA amended its Bylaws to address similar future complaints, such as this month's appeal from Peach County HS concerning a football official's incomplete pass ruling in the fourth quarter of a State championship game.

Officially speaking, the GHSA took no action when Peach County head coach Chad Campbell presented his argument in front of the GHSA Board of Trustees on Monday, despite the same Board of Trustees' ruling in the Lee County case.
Related Post: Precedent Set, Georgia Faces 2nd Judgment Call Protest (12/11/17).

The GHSA has reversed its appeal stance.
Photo: Nancy Stahl, NYTimes

Instead, newly installed GHSA Executive Director Robert Hines demurred, "[We aren't] here to talk about the call...judgment calls made by contest officials are not reviewable or reversible." Meanwhile, GHSA attorney Alan Connell—the same lawyer who ruled in May that Lee County baseball could appeal a judgment call—confirmed that Monday's meeting was informational and would not overturn the in-game ruling.

Gil's Call: In making no call and having no comment on the play, the GHSA finally made the right decision and Campbell is arguing straight from the scapegoating playbook.

In regards to the issue of not reviewing judgment calls, consider this argument from the other side (not to mention the argument that the receiver may have illegally participated by stepping out of bounds prior to the pass): "So are the peach county (sic) folks just disregarding the fact that the refs missed a fumble call in the same series of downs that gave them the opportunity to even have this play?"

A side judge signals the pass play incomplete.

Prevailing logic would dictate that if the fourth down judgment call were to be deemed reviewable, this earlier alleged non-fumble would also be looked at...and who knows how many plays prior to that would have to be considered.

In regards to the scapegoat issue, Campbell, in an interview with ESPN's Bill Shanks, stated, "We've had some bad crews this postseason and, um, you know, it so happened the worst crew were (sic) the ones we saw on the most extravagant stage of them all and viewed and watched by millions of people across the United States and the world."

Campbell then proceeded to admonish the entire crew, identified the white hat—by name—and aired some grievances about the referee, saying that he had officiated a previous state championship where another team "got hosed...how he got to be on another championship crew is beyond my belief."

The National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS)'s Coaches Code of Ethics states, "The coach shall strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct...Public criticism of officials or players is unethical."

Oh well.
Related Post: Gil's Call: The Blame Game (Umpire Scapegoating) (8/8/14).

Coach Campbell, who was seeking to reverse the incomplete pass ruling, presented several opinionated arguments, stating that the side judge who made the call was out of position and "had the worst view of them all," that the crew failed to discuss the call after it was made, and concluded with the accusation, "Not one time—not for one second—did they try to get this call right."

Following his appeal, Campbell presented the Board with the non sequitur argument that he was not protesting a judgment call, but a rules interpretation. That statement wasn't a fluke; Campbell doubled down and reiterated that he was not protesting a judgment call in his interview with Shanks.

However, the report failed to specify which rule Campbell believed had been misinterpreted and Campbell again failed to state which rule had been interpreted incorrectly in his interview with Shanks, though he did have two requests.

1) Resume the game from the point of appeal with the touchdown awarded to Peach County; or,
2) Name Peach County as co-champions alongside the real victors, Calhoun High School.

The Board declined to do either, in stark contrast to how they handled the Lee County appeal in May.
Related Post: Dangerous Precedent - GHSA Overturns Judgment Call (5/22/17).

New Bylaws reversed White's May precedent.

To understand why, we see that in October, the GHSA quietly voted in an amendment to the association's Bylaws, adding Bylaw 2.92(g), which states, "Judgement (sic) calls by contest officials are not reviewable or reversible."

Grammarians might even observe the amendment was rushed by considering the spelling of, "judgement."

Nonetheless, new GHSA Bylaw 2.92(g) ensures that what happened back in May when the same GHSA Board overturned an umpire's judgment call will not happen again: GHSA President Glenn White's Lee County baseball precedent has been superseded by Bylaw amendment... though Monday's Board meeting ended with White announcing that the Board will meet again in January.

Peach County recently announced its plan to complain and/or boycott the Georgia Farm Bureau in protest. The Georgia Farm Bureau is one of several GHSA corporate sponsors. The plan is to make GHSA, and its sponsors, pay.

In his interview with Shanks, Campbell summarized the event, calling it, "a complete joke" and announcing his resignation from GHSA Executive Committees for football and baseball in protest. Shanks and Campbell then accused the GHSA's attorney of "dumb[ing] them [The Board] up."

Campbell concluded, "It's not over. I'm not going to rest." Although the battle may get that much more difficult, with Campbell having resigned from having a say on the GHSA committees.

Cold Case - Police Closing in on Joe West Assailants

In June, MLB umpire Joe West was struck with a baseball thrown from the stands at Miller Park. New documents in Milwaukee suggest two things: the assault was a deliberate act and police know who the suspects are.

A recently released search warrant paints the picture: According to a witness sitting along the foul-territory grandstand along the right field line in Miller Park, two fans nearby were not happy with West, allegedly shouting profanity and saying, "ump, you're going to cost us the game."

The Marlins-Brewers game was tied at zero in the bottom of the 4th inning at the time of the incident.
Related Post: Assault - Joe West Hit in Head by Ball Thrown From Stands (6/30/17).

Joe West was hit by a thrown ball in June.

The witness later observed a then-unknown projectile fly over his shoulder and down onto the playing field, where it struck West. In addition to his statement, the witness provided local police with a photograph he had taken on his phone during the game, in which the two unhappy fans were in the background: police identified the men as brothers in their 20s, arresting the siblings in August.

According to case files, one of the brothers denied involvement, while the other brother claimed a friend could prove it was not him.

On cue, the second brother's friend provided an alibi or excuse before eventually recanting and telling the police that he believed the suspect had, in fact, committed the assaultive offense.

Meanwhile, the suspects' mother visited her sons in jail, asking one in a recorded conversation, "Did you admit to doing this?" Upon the suspect's response of, "No. I maintained I did not," she cut him off and stated, "All I wanted to hear. Stop talking."

Police hope new evidence will prompt charges.

Unfortunately for most newsreaders, including Brad Ziegler, who tweeted, "I hope they file assault charges for whoever just hit Joe West with the baseball," police were unable to charge the brothers with the crime over the summer due to lack of definitive evidence to indicate which suspect threw the baseball that hit West, and, thus, the men are out of jail...for now.

The Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office are hoping that new evidence will come out of a newly-filed search warrant to cover deleted Facebook messages and purchase history, which may indicate whether the baseball held in evidence was bought by one of the brothers.

News: Police closing in on person(s) who struck MLB umpire with baseball at Miller Park (Fox6)

Dale Scott Retires in Wake of Concussion in Toronto

Veteran Crew Chief Dale Scott has retired in the wake of a concussion sustained as plate umpire in Toronto on April 14, 2017. Scott's election of retirement was first reported by the Associated Press.

This concludes Scott's 32-year umpiring career in the American League and Major League Baseball since his 1985 debut, 16th as a crew chief, during which he officiated 3,897 regular season games, three All-Star Games (1993, 2001, 11), the 2013 NL Wild Card Game, 12 Division Series (1995, 97, 98, 2001, 03, 04, 05, 07, 11, 14, 15), six League Championship Series (1996, 99, 2000, 02, 09, 13), and three World Series (1998, 2001, 04).

Scott, who ejected 90 players, managers, and coaches over the course of his career and often opted to wear umpiring's traditional blue polo shirt behind the plate, received the 2015 UEFL Honorable Umpire of the Year Award after becoming the first umpire to publicly come out as gay in MLB history.

He was also one of four MLB umpires—alongside Tim Welke, Laz Diaz, and Mark Carlson—selected to officiate the 2014 Opening Series in Sydney, Australia.

Because of his abbreviated 2017 season, Scott was the only "Perfect Replay" umpire in 2017, having two calls affirmed and zero overturned for a 1.000 RAP in his final campaign.

Scott is retiring from on-field officiating in great part due to concerns over concussion and similar head trauma events, and the potential harm that may result from similar incidents in the future. Over the past few years, Scott has sustained several game-ending head injuries:
> April 14, 2017: Scott is struck in the facemask by a foul ball off of a 95.4-miles-per-hour fastball.
> July 16, 2016: Scott takes a fouled-off 91 mph pitch to the lower jaw portion of his mask.
> August 7, 2013: Scott is hit in the center of the mask by a fouled and deflected pitch.

As for injuries below the neck, Scott left his June 19, 2016 assignment due to a foul ball to the groin, June 24, 2015 game after being struck in the left hip by a line drive while umpiring inside at second base, and a March 5, 2015 Spring Training game after a pitch evaded the catcher and struck Scott's exposed hand/wrist.

Scott isn't the first Major League umpire to retire due, in part, to head injuries.

In 2013, we revisited Tim Tschida's retirement. Tschida, who, like Scott, suffered several concussions and neck injuries over the course of his umpiring career, elected to retire after hearing from multiple medical professionals and other experts who told him, "you're one hard foul tip [ball] away from quality-of-life issues."

Precedent Set, Georgia Faces 2nd Judgment Call Protest

Seven months after a Georgia high school baseball team protested an umpire's judgment call, the GHSA is facing another call to overturn a referee's on-field judgment decision, this time in football.

A judgment call is heading back to the board.

Baseball Background: In May, Lee County High School defeated Johns Creek in the Georgia High School Association Class 6A semifinal in controversial fashion. With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the final regulation inning of a tied ballgame, Johns Creek worked a walk and began celebrating as the runner from third touched home plate.

Lee County appealed that the runner from second failed to touch his forced base (third base), and the runner was declared out; because of the forced-to-advance situation under NFHS rules, the run was nullified and the game proceeded to extra innings, where Lee County won the game.
Related Post: Ask the UEFL - Protested Game-Ending Appeal Force Play (5/18/17).

Protest and Precedent: Johns Creek protested to the GHSA that the umpires made an error in declaring R2 out for failing to touch third base. Although then-GHSA Executive Director Gary Phillips ruled the umpires' decision a judgment call and, therefore, not subject to protest, GHSA counsel Alan Connell allowed Johns Creek to come before the GHSA as long as they dropped their "protest" and picked up an "appeal" instead.

Johns Creek submitted a revised "appeal," and the GHSA Appeals Board subsequently denied the appeal, affirming the umpire's on-field ruling. Johns Creek then petitioned the GHSA Board of Trustees and Trustees President Glenn White overturned the umpire's on-field judgment call, saying "The wrong call was made." Video evidence is inconclusive; however, GHSA Bylaw 2.92(e) states, "The National Federation prohibits the use of video tape to review an official's decision."

For what it's worth, White had previously attempted to force Phillips out by voting to recommend he resign; Phillips was replaced in May 2017 by Robin Hines, who was recommended by the Board of Trustees for the job. Meanwhile, Georgia State Representative John Meadows supported a bill to replace the GHSA with a new statewide governing body, acknowledging that he receives "more complains about the GHSA—from schools, referee, coaches and parents—than about everything else put together."
Related Post: Dangerous Precedent - GHSA Overturns Judgment Call (5/22/17)

Anticipating backlash for his decision to overturn a judgment call, White wrote, "We have set a precedent, so we need to get ready because there will probably be other people coming to see us."

White's anticipated day of reckoning has arrived in the form of another judgment call "appeal"—this time in football.

An incomplete pass on fourth down in GA.

Peach County High School Football Call: A petition circulated by Dimetria Whittaker of Fort Valley, GA calls on the GHSA to overturn a football official's judgment call of "incomplete pass"; Whittaker—and Peach County HS, which supports the petition—are asking GHSA change the call to that of "touchdown," and, in doing so, disregard GHSA Bylaw 2.92(e) regarding the prohibition of video replay in Georgia high school sports. Following Johns Creek's lead, Peach County is bypassing the lower GHSA bodies and going straight to the GHSA Board of Trustees and President Glenn White with an appeal, not a protest.

The controversy occurred with 3:40 remaining in the fourth quarter of the GHSA Football Class AAA championship game between Calhoun and Peach County on December 8. Down 10-6, Peach County attempted a pass play on fourth down, with receiver Noah Whittington appearing to catch the pass en route to the end zone. However, the play was declared incomplete as the ball rolled on the ground when Whittington extended it over the goal line. At least one commenter posited that Whittington had stepped out of bounds to evade his defender prior to catching the pass, which would be a foul for illegal participation, as in NFHS Rule 9-6-2, which states, "No player shall intentionally go out of bounds during the down and: a. Return to the field; b. Intentionally touch the ball; c. Influence the play; or d. Otherwise participate." The penalty for illegal participation is a loss of 15 yards (not an incomplete pass).
Related Video: Peach County incomplete pass at 4Q 3:40 wipes out possible late TD

KBO Fines Korean Teams That Sent Money to Ex-Ump Choi

South Korea's Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) fined three teams 10 million won ($9,230) each for wiring money to disgraced KBO umpire Choi Kyu-Soon in 2012 and 2013. Choi was indicted on gambling and fraud charges in October 2017 and last umpired KBO baseball during the 2013 season.

Former KBO ump Choi Kyu-Soon (C).
Photo from YonHap News Agency.

Choi's purported misconduct goes beyond simply taking money from baseball teams, allegedly borrowing 35 million won ($30,900) from the clubs plus friends, and then failing to pay them back.

Choi allegedly gambled away most of the borrowed money, with prosectors clearing Choi of the more sinister charge of match-fixing or bribery: Choi allegedly engaged in "personal misdeeds," though officials declined to state the precise nature of Choi's gambling and wagers.

According to YonHap News Agency, the Samsung Lions, Nexen Heroes, and Kia Tigers are the three KBO clubs accused of paying Choi in violation of KBO rules prohibiting financial transactions of any kind between club employees and umpires.

The alleged wire transfers are as follows:
> Samsung to Choi, 4 million won (about $3,700) in 2013;
> Next Heroes, 3 million won (about $2,800) in 2013;
> Kia Tigers, 1 million won (about $925) in 2012;
> Kia Tigers, 1 million won (about $925) in 2013.

Triple-A Call-Up and Fill-In Outlook - 2017 Results

With the 2017 season in the books, we revisit MLB Umpire Observer's hiring outlook and MiLB roundup of Triple-A call-up umpires, with analysis and numbers updated for the offseason. The following list is a follow-up to similar analytics compiled at the 2017 All-Star Break (ASB). Three Tiers are discussed: Tier 1 is classed as most likely to be imminently hired, Tier 2 follows with a year or more remaining in development and Tier 3 are the newest umpires. Casualties are in red.
Related Post: Future MLB Umpire Hiring Outlook at the Break (7/14/17).

Stu Scheurwater - (100 games in 3 years + 153 games in 2017 = 253 total), age in 2018: 35.
ASB Power Ranking: 1. Most likely to be hired full-time in 2018.
End of Year Ranking: 1 (-). Most likely to be hired full-time in 2018. Tier 1 leader.

Chris Segal - (248 games in 3 years + 124 games in 2017 = 372 total), age in 2018: 36.
ASB Power Ranking: 7. Tier 2 - likely to be hired in 2019, but possibly not 2018.
End of Year Ranking: 2 (↑5). Heaviest post-ASB use (77 games), Tier 1 looking for imminent hire.

Ryan Blakney - (230 games in 2 years + 119 games in 2017 = 349 total), age in 2018: 33.
ASB Power Ranking: 6. Likely to be hired either this or next offseason.
End of Year Ranking: 3 (↑3). Heavy usage post-ASB (68 games), Tier 1 fast-tracking behind Segal.

Chad Whitson - (67 games in 3 years + 124 games in 2017 = 191 total), age in 2018: 36.
ASB Power Ranking: 2. Steadily climbing, in line for hiring after next season.
End of Year Ranking: 4 (↓2). Heavy usage post-ASB (60 games), should be first or second in Tier 2.

Nic Lentz - (105 games in 1 year + 109 games in 2017 = 214 total), age in 2018: 28.
ASB Power Ranking: 5. Very likely to remain on constant call-up duty while gaining MLB experience.
End of Year Ranking: 5 (-). Schedule suggests a strong developmental preference to lead Tier 3.

Tom Woodring (192 games in 3 years + 107 games in 2017 = 299 total), age in 2018: 36.
ASB Power Ranking: 4. Unclear how he is perceived by League brass.
End of Year Ranking: 6 (↓2). A reversal from just 36 games in 2016, another year+ as mid-Tier 2.

Ben May - (187 games in 3 years + 104 games in 2017 = 291 total), age in 2018: 36.
ASB Power Ranking: 9. Filler call-up as younger umpires are developed (based on 36 games at ASB).
End of Year Ranking: 7 (↑2). Heavy usage post-ASB (68 games) suggests a second look is in play.

Ramon De Jesus - (97 games in 1 year + 81 games in 2017 = 178 total), age in 2018: 34.
ASB Power Ranking: 8. Wobbler between Tiers 1 and 2.
End of Year Ranking: 8 (-). Likely amongst top candidates in Tier 2 or 2019 and beyond class.

Sean Barber - (217 games in 3 years + 67 games in 2017 = 284 total), age in 2018: 33.
ASB Power Ranking: 13. Not seen in baseball's immediate full-time future.
End of Year Ranking: 9 (↑4). Heavy usage post-ASB (54 games), Low Tier 2 candidate.

Roberto Ortiz - (8 games in 1 year + 66 games in 2017 = 74 total), age in 2018: 33.
ASB Power Ranking: 12. 'Tweener looking for at least 60 games by year's end as an encouraging sign.
End of Year Ranking: 10 (↑2). Solid potential Tier 3 umpire for pipeline development.

Ryan Additon - (rookie + 55 games in 2017 = 55 total), age in 2018: 32.
ASB Power Ranking: 14. Promising young rookie.
End of Year Ranking: 11 (↑3). Mid-Tier 3 umpire with room for development and growth.

Shane Livensparger - (rookie + 40 games in 2017 = 40 total), age in 2018: 34.
ASB Power Ranking: 11. Looking for further development in 2018 and beyond.
End of Year Ranking: 12 (↓1). Mid-Tier 3 umpire behind Additon.

Nick Mahrley - (rookie + 31 games in 2017 = 31 total), age in 2018: 35.
ASB Power Ranking: 16. Freshest of all new call-ups for 2017; only one to debut post-ASG.
End of Year Ranking: 13 (↑3). Fairly optimistic schedule during the second half of 2017.

John Libka - (rookie + 19 games in 2017), age in 2018: 31.
ASB Power Ranking: 15. Bottom of Tier 3 amongst the call-up class of 2017.
End of Year Ranking: 14 (↑1).

Clint Fagan - (453 games in 6 years + 69 games in 2017 = 522 total), age in 2018: 36.
ASB Power Ranking: 3. Possible hire in 2018 IF persevering through constantly getting passed over.
End of Year Ranking: 15 (↓12). Largest fall; a casualty of MLB's failure to hire while he was primed.

Toby Basner - (323 games in 5 years + 26 games in 2017), age in 2018: 33.
ASB Power Ranking: 10. Phasing out started in 2015 and continued in 2017. Looking like release.
End of Year Ranking: 16 (↓6). Second-largest fall behind Fagan; writing on the wall, this is the end.

---

Umpires that may retire in the next couple of years: Gerry Davis, Dana DeMuth, Joe West, Gary Cederstrom, Tom Hallion, Phil Cuzzi, Jerry Layne, Larry Vanover, Dale Scott (in relation to his April 14 injury), Kerwin Danley (for no other reason than unrelenting history of head trauma).

2017 Rules Summit - Results

The following are results of the 2017 UEFL Rules Summit. Notable changes for 2018 include elimination of the Triple-A ejection bonus point, renaming of the Declining Umpire Award to Most Disappointing Season, elimination of the Worst Umpire of the Year Award, and 30+ day absence replacement eligibility. Appeals Board re-election results are also posted.

Items which have gained passage (indicated in green highlight) will become rules for the 2018 UEFL season. Text of items which did not pass are indicated in red highlight.

Rule 1 - Selection of Umpires
Prop 1-2: Addition of Drafted Crew Chief - 27.0% YES.
> Would have added one crew chief (2 cc). Count remains one (cc).

Prop 1-3: Restructuring of Drafted Crew - 25.8% YES.
> Would have modified crew structure to (cc + 1 PRM + 1 SEC + 1 Fill-In); structure remains as (cc + 2 PRM + 2 SEC).

Prop 1-5-b: Mid-Season Replacement - 68.9% YES.
> Any consecutive 30+ day absence during the season qualifies as a circumstance for replacement.

Prop 1-5-c: Trade and Switch - 34.9% YES.
> Would have authorized one mid-season trade or replacement at the All-Star Break.

Rule 3 - Crew Division
Prop 3-3: Penalty for Incorrect Ejection - 41.9% YES.
> Would have deducted one point (-1) from crew chief's score for an incorrect crew ejection.

Rule 4 - League Scoring
Prop 4-2-a: Elimination of AAA Bonus Point - 55.6% YES.
> Eliminates the Triple-A ejection bonus point; all ejections are now allocated two base points.

Prop 4-2-b-3: Full Game Performance Points - 41.9% YES.
> Would have allowed full-game accuracy to mitigate QOCN ball/strike ejection loss of points.

Prop 4-3-c: Post-Season Appearance Points - 35.5% YES.
> Would have added one point to each round of the postseason.

Prop 4-4-h: Modification of Declining Umpire Award - 60.6% YES (Renaming), 30% Elimination.
> "Most Declining Umpire the Year" shall be renamed to "Most Disappointing Season."

Prop 4-4-i: Elimination of Worst Umpire Award - 51.5% YES.
> The "Worst Umpire of the Year" Award is removed from the postseason awards slate.

Rule 6 - Challenges and Appeals
Prop 6-1: Challenger Eligibility - 24.6% YES.
> Would have allowed any person logged into DISQUS to file a challenge.

Prop 6-2-b-1: Pitch f/x and Statcast - 75.9% YES.
> Statcast language shall be adopted while allowing Pitch f/x terms to still be used interchangeably.

Prop 6-2-b-5: Consistency and Meals Rule - 20.3% YES.
> Would have allowed consistent intra-at-bat ball/strike calls to be QOCU instead of QOCN.

Prop 6-2-b-5-c: Check Swings - 35.5% YES.
> Would have removed automatic Appeals Board referral for Check Swings.

Prop 6-4-a-3: Appeals Board Terms of Office - 45.2% YES.
> Would have extended at-large Appeals Board members' terms of office from one to two years.

Prop 6-4-a-4: Early Re-Election Elimination - 23.7% YES.
> Would have eliminated at-large Appeals Board members' re-election votes in the Rules Summit.

Prop 6-5-a -b: Appeal Language - 81.4% YES.
> UEFL Rules language for appeals shall be changed to match Appeals Board internal terminology.

Prop 6-5-c-5: Realistic Result - 32.8% YES.
> Would have removed the 3-0 count from list of "different outcome" counts.

Rule 8 - Umpire Odds & Ends and Community Issues
Prop 8-1: Restrict Commenters - 49.2% YES.
> Would have restricted commenting to only members registered and signed into DISQUS.

Prop 8-1-h: Comment Penalty - 27.0% YES.
> Would have instituted a mandatory seven-day penalty for violative/removed comments.

Prop 8-5: League Fee and Prizes - 11.7% YES.
> Would have instituted a fee for the league and allowed for a year-end prize.

UEFL Appeals Board (The Following At-Large Members sought re-election to the Board)
Arik G - 87.5% YES.
cyclone14 - 87.0% YES.
jvick2017 - 73.6% YES.
MarkCanada - 86.5% YES.
MLBUmpireObserver - 89.1% YES.

2017 AFL Championship Game Roster

The following four minor league umpires officiated Saturday's Arizona Fall League Championship Game at Scottsdale Stadium. The AFL staff includes 12 officials from Triple-A Baseball's International (IL) and Pacific Coast (PCL) Leagues.

Related Post: 2017 Arizona Fall League Umpire Roster

2017 AFL Championship Game Umpires
HP: Roberto Ortiz, IL. 2016 AFL, MLB Fill-In.
1B: Bryan Fields, PCL. 2017 MiLB Postseason.
2B: Jeremie Rehak, IL. 2017 MLB Spring Training, 2017 MiLB Postseason.
3B: Garrett Patterson, PCL. 2016 AFL, 2017 MLB Spring Training, 2017 MiLB Postseason.