Ejections: Paul Emmel (2)

2B Umpire Paul Emmel ejected Cubs Manager Mike Quade for arguing an out call in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the White Sox-Cubs game. With none out and two on, Cubs batter Alfonso Soriano hit a 0-0 changeup from White Sox pitcher Philip Humber to third baseman Brent Morel, to second baseman Gordon Beckham, to first baseman Paul Konerko for a double play. Replays indicate Beckham failed to possess the ball while in contact with second base, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 0-0. The White Sox ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

This is Paul Emmel (50)'s second ejection of 2011.
Paul Emmel now has 2 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (4 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = 2)
Paul Emmel is owned as a Primary Umpire by ump_78, who is now tied for 29th place in the UEFL with 2 points.
Paul Emmel is owned as a Secondary Umpire by RichMSN, who is now in 18th place in the UEFL with 7 points.

This is the 101st ejection of 2011.
This is the 53rd Manager ejection of 2011.
This is Mike Quade's third ejection of 2011.

Wrap: White Sox at Cubs 7/2/11
Video (1): Double play turned in the 2nd inning
Video (2): Quade's Ejection

Ejections: Alfonso Marquez (3, 4)

HP Umpire Alfonso Marquez ejected Blue Jays pitcher Jon Rauch for arguing a safe call and Manager John Farrell for Unsportsmanlike-NEC in the top of the 9th inning of the Phillies-Blue Jays game. With two out and two on, Phillies batter Shane Victorino hit a 0-0 fastball from Rauch to Blue Jays left fielder Corey Patterson, who threw to catcher J.P. Arencibia as Phillies baserunner Chase Utley arrived at home plate. Replays indicate Utley touched home plate prior to the tag, the call was correct.* Farrell was ejected for Unsportsmanlike-NEC as a result of a post-ejection balls/strikes argument by Rauch.** At the time of the ejection, the Phillies were leading, 5-3. The Phillies ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

These are Alfonso Marquez (72)'s third and fourth ejections of 2011.
Alfonso Marquez now has 16 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (8 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 16)
Alfonso Marquez was not drafted in 2011.
*This ejection is not eligible for a balls/strikes exemption under UEFL Rule 6.e.iv. (see Rule 6.e.iii. for why).
**Reason for Ejections are Safe/Out and Unsportsmanlike-NEC under UEFL Rules 6.b.ii.e., 6.b.vii. & 6.b.ii.e.

These are the 99th and 100th ejections of 2011.
This is the 44th player ejection of 2011.
This is the 52nd manager ejection of 2011.
This is John Farrell's second ejection of 2011.
Prior to his ejection, Rauch's line was 0.2 IP, R.

Wrap: Phillies at Blue Jays 7/2/11
Video (1): Rauch and Farrell are ejected by Marquez
Video (2): The Howard At-Bat & Play at the Plate (Phillies Broadcast Feed)

Ejections: Jerry Layne (3)

3B Umpire Jerry Layne ejected Mets Manager Terry Collins for arguing an out call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Yankees-Mets game. With none out and one on, Mets batter Justin Turner hit a fly ball to Yankees center fielder Curtis Granderson. Mets R1 Jose Reyes tagged from first base to second, and continued to third and was ruled out on a throw from Yankees shortstop Eduardo Nunez to third basemen Alex Rodriguez. Replays indicate that Rodriguez missed tagging Reyes on the swipe tag attempt, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Yankees were leading, 3-1. The Yankees ultimately won the contest, 5-1.

This is Jerry Layne (24)'s third ejection of 2011.
Jerry Layne now has 1 point in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (3 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = 1)
Jerry Layne is owned as a Primary Umpire by 15_and_done, who is now in 20th place in the UEFL with 6 points.
Jerry Layne is owned as a Secondary Umpire by KTurner14, who is now tied for 28th place in the UEFL with 3 points.

This is the 98th ejection of 2011.
This is the 51st manager ejection of 2011.
This is Terry Collins' second ejection of 2011.

Wrap: Yankees at Mets 7/1/11
Video (1): Collins is Ejected by Layne
Video (2): NYY @ NYM 7/1/11 Recap 1:37-1:38 Mark

Ejections: Dana DeMuth (2, 3)

2B Umpire Dana DeMuth ejected Rays pitcher David Price and Rays second basemen Elliot Johnson for arguing ball calls made by HP Umpire Vic Carapazza in the top of the 8th inning of the Cardinals-Rays game. With two outs and one on, Cardinals batter David Freese took a 3-2 slider from Rays pitcher J.P. Howell for ball four. The subsuqent Cardinal batter, Colby Rasmus, hit a three-run home run. There were no callable pitches in the Rasmus at bat. Replays indicate there were no incorrect callable pitches during the Freese at bat, the call was correct. At the time of both ejections, the Cardinals were leading, 5-0. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

These are Dana DeMuth (32)'s second and third ejections of 2011.
Dana DeMuth now has 9 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (3 Previous + 2 MLB + 1 Correct Call [Crewmate] + 2 MLB + 1 Correct Call [Crewmate]) = 9.
Dana DeMuth was not drafted in 2011.

These are the 96th and 97th ejections of 2011.
These are the 42nd and 43rd player ejections of 2011.
David Price and Elliot Johnson did not participate in this contest.
This is David Price's second ejection of 2011.

Wrap: Cardinals at Rays Wrap 7/1/11
Video (1): Howell, Price, and Johnson are ejected
Video (2): MUST C Clip, 4 Rays ejected
Related Post: Vic Carapazza (2, 3)

Pitch f/x courtesy Brooks Baseball

Ejections: Vic Carapazza (2, 3)

HP Umpire Vic Carapazza ejected Rays Manager Joe Maddon for arguing a ball four call and Rays pitcher J.P. Howell for Unsportsmanlike-NEC in the top of the 8th inning of the Cardinals-Rays game. Prior to the Maddon ejection, with two out and none on, Cardinals batter Lance Berkman took a 3-2 fastball from Howell for a called ball four. Replays indicate the ball three pitch was located thigh high and over the heart of the plate, the call was incorrect.* Prior to the Howell ejection, with two out and one on, Howell balked, advancing Berkman to second, walked Cardinal batter David Freese, and allowed a three-run homer to Cardinal batter Colby Rasmus. Replays indicate there were no incorrect callable pitches to Freese (there were no callable pitches to Rasmus), the ejection for Unsportsmanlike-NEC was correct.** At the time of the Maddon ejection, the Cardinals were leading, 2-0. At the time of the Howell ejection, the Cardinals were leading, 5-0. The Cardinals ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

These are Vic Carapazza (85)'s second and third ejections of 2011.
Vic Carapazza now has 8 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (5 Previous + 3 AAA + -1 Penalty + -4 Incorrect Call + 3 AAA + 2 Correct Call= 8).
Vic Carapazza was not drafted in 2011.
*Manager's Quality of Correctness was challenged and overturned ("Correct" ==> "Incorrect")
**Pitcher's Reason for Ejection was challenged and overturned ("Balls/Strikes" ==> "Unsportsmanlike-NEC")

These are the 94th and 95th ejections of 2011.
This is the 50th manager ejection of 2011.
This is the 41st player ejection of 2011.
This is Joe Maddon's fourth ejection of 2011.
Prior to his ejection, Howell's line was .2 IP 3 ER.

Wrap: Cardinals at Rays Wrap 7/1/11
Video (1): Maddon is tossed by Vic Carapazza
Video (2): Howell, Price, and Johnson are ejected
Video (3): MUST C Clip, 4 Rays ejected
Related Post: Dana DeMuth (2, 3)

Pitch f/x courtesy Brooks Baseball
Berkman at bat


Freese at bat

Discussions: Losing Count & Broadcast Bias

Update: Last night (7/2/11), the Padres benefitted from an apparent three ball walk in the 5th inning, which ultimately led to the only run of the contest, which the Padres won 1-0 over the Mariners. Padres batter Cameron Maybin drew the 3-2 walk on an off-speed pitch from Mariners pitcher Doug Fister. Replays indicate the scoreboard switched from 1-2 directly to 3-2 after the ball two pitch and that no one - not the players, coaches, umpires, broadcasters, nor fans, seemed to notice the jump. After the game, Mariners Manager Eric Wedge pointed the blame squarely at himself: "Ultimately it's [the manager's] job to watch the game."

HP Umpire Phil Cuzzi relayed his thoughts through the words of Crew Chief, Umpire Tom Hallion: "My plate umpire thought his count was wrong. The scoreboard had 3-2 and he thought he was wrong because when Maybin took off for first, nobody said anything... The catcher didn't react, the dugout didn't react so he thought he had the wrong count." Surely, Cuzzi isn't the first umpire to experience a case of losing the count...

• Pitcher

  D. Fister

• Batter

  C. Maybin

	Speed	Pitch	Result
1	89	Fastball (Two-seam)	Called Strike
2	88	Slider	Swinging Strike
3	90	Fastball (Four-seam)	Foul
4	89	Fastball (Four-seam)	Ball
5	89	Fastball (Four-seam)	Foul
6	77	Curveball	Ball
7	90	Fastball (Four-seam)	Ball

Original Entry

Here at the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League, objective analysis is the name of the game. Nonetheless, as we discussed in Polls: Best Broadcasters, poor rules knowledge, overly critical commentary, and excessive fanaticism (or "homerism") all contribute to what we like to call "bad broadcasting." Perhaps in applying our own objectivity, we expect too much from broadcasters who cannot match that level of realistic analysis. Or perhaps we are incorrect in our assumption that sports broadcasts and news coverage alike should be free from bias.

Whatever the case may be, Jon Terry referred us to the recent Mets-Rangers series, in which the Fox Saturday crew pointed out an apparent 3-2 pitch to Rangers batter Nelson Cruz, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Mike DiMuro, that resulted in a ball three call. The broadcasters stated, "the count was 3-2... that should be ball four." Though not even the harshest critic can truly find much malice emanating from the Fox Saturday broadcasters towards the umpires, Jon Terry points out the power of editing:

Anyone know what happened here?
The video editing certainly makes the announcers look right, but with no argument from either the batter or the bench, there has to be something not shown on the tape.

Given the available online video, it certainly appears Cruz saw four balls during his at bat. The play-by-play also shows four balls during the Cruz at bat. Of course, as Jon Terry accurately states, we very well may be missing a key piece of the puzzle, which would explain the apparent fourth ball not resulting in an awarded base. The Rangers would lose that game 14-5.

• Pitcher

  J. Niese

• Batter

  N. Cruz

	Speed	Pitch	Result
1	91	Fastball (Four-seam)	Swinging Strike
2	91	Fastball (Two-seam)	Ball
3	92	Fastball (Two-seam)	Called Strike
4	76	Curveball	Ball In Dirt
5	93	Fastball (Two-seam)	Ball
6	93	Fastball (Four-seam)	Ball
7	92	Fastball (Four-seam)	Foul
8	88	Fastball (Four-seam)	Swinging Strike

Turn the page to Sunday's Mets-Rangers contest, carried by the regional FSRangers broadcast, and in which 2B Umpire Jim Reynolds called Mets baserunner Jose Reyes safe on a close play at second base. This time, the announcers are more overtly biased toward the team which their broadcast represents: "That's a shame... the throw was there, the tag was there, he was out easily, you get everything but the call," "and if you say, well, you know, the glove could have been a split second too soon, well fine, there's no way you could have seen that, the throw was there, the tag was there, the only thing you can do is call him out," and later, "There's no doubt, that's a shame... This crew really hearing it now, and this is one day after HP Mike DiMuro made things a lot harder on the Rangers early when he lost count of the balls and strikes and what should have been ball four to Cruz, he called ball three, and Cruz ended up making an out, and things went downhill from there on. This has been not the best work this series from this crew of Andy Fletcher, Tim Welke, Jim Reynolds, and Mike DiMuro." Recall, in the "things went downhill" contest, the Rangers would end up losing 14-5. By contrast, the Rangers would lose Sunday's contest to the Mets, 8-5. For the record, the UEFL would have ruled Sunday's tag play "correct," for lack of video evidence to conclusively show a recorded out. Reynolds had told Kinsler, "you missed [the tag]."

The most blatant case of broadcast bias remains the June 24, 2007 Cubs-White Sox Type B Obstruction call (the play occurs in the top of the 8th inning) that resulted in Joe West's ejection of White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen. The Quality of Correctness for this ejection was "correct," Cubs baserunner (R1) Angel Pagan was clearly obstructed by White Sox shortstop Juan Uribe while rounding second base. The play resulted in a single for Cubs batter Mark DeRosa, Uribe declared safe at second base and Pie declared safe at third base. Initially, Pagan had been tagged and declared out at second base after taking a while to recover from his collision; Pie subsequently was tagged and declared out at home plate. Watching the White Sox broadcast, the obstruction isn't evident other than 2B Umpire Ed Rapuano or 3B Umpire Ed Hickox signaling the infraction at 0:08. Had MLB featured the Cubs broadcast instead, viewers would see the replays clearly showing the entire play, including the obstruction; the White Sox replays began after the obstruction had already occurred.

Discussion Point: Jon Terry referenced the effect of broadcast bias. The Cubs-White Sox obstruction call is the clearest instance of Broadcast Bias I could locate. How about you? What are your memories of broadcast bias? Keep in mind, our next poll, "Worst Broadcasters," very likely may be related to the issue of broadcast bias. Is it reasonable to expect our broadcasts should be free from bias? You make the call.

Roster: 2011 All-Star Game

The following Umpires have been appointed for the 82nd All-Star Game, to be played Tuesday, July 12th at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.

HP: Dale Scott (5) [1 ejection, 0%, 0/1, -2 + 2 = 0 points]
1B: Jerry Layne (24) [2 ejections, 50%, 1/2, 3 + 1 = 4 points]
2B: Hunter Wendelstedt (21) [0 ejections, 0 + 1 = 1 point]
3B: Dan Iassogna (58) [1 ejection, 100%, 4 + 1 = 5 points]
LF: Ed Hickox (15) [1 ejection, 100%, 4 + 1 = 5 points]
RF: Chris Guccione (68) [1 ejection, 100%, 4 + 1 = 5 points]

Each umpire listed above will receive 1 point for his appearance at the All-Star Game, Scott will receive 2 for his service as crew chief, pursuant to The Left Field Corner MLB Umpire Ejection Fantasy League Rules 3.b.i, "The All-Star game counts as 1 additional point for each umpire that appears in that game. The All-Star Game crew chief receives a total of 2 points for this appearance. No ejections are logged during the All-Star game period."

Hunter Wendelstedt is owned as a Secondary Umpire by kickersrule, who is now tied for 11th place in the UEFL with 9 points.
Jerry Lane is owned as a Primary Umpire and Ed Hickox is owned as a Secondary Umpire by 15_and_done, who is now tied for 13th place in the UEFL with 8 points.
Jerry Layne is owned as a Secondary Umpire by KTurner14 who is now in 20th place in the UEFL with 6 points.
Hunter Wendelstedt is owned as a Primary Umpire and Chris Guccione is owned as a Secondary Umpire by tt49, who is now tied for 21st place in the UEFL with 5 points.
Dan Iassogna is owned as a Secondary Umpire by #1UmpFan, who is now tied for 30th place in the UEFL with 2 points.

Ejections: Paul Emmel (1)

HP Umpire Paul Emmel ejected Mariners Manager Eric Wedge for arguing a strike three call in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the Braves-Mariners game. With two out and one on, Mariners batter Jack Cust took a 3-2 slider from braves pitcher Derek Lowe for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located thigh high and over the heart of home plate, the call was correct. Replays indicate Pitch #1, a called strike, was also correctly ruled.* At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 0-0. The Braves ultimately won the contest, 5-3.

This is Paul Emmel (50)'s first ejection of 2011.
Paul Emmel now has 4 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4)
Paul Emmel is owned as a Primary Umpire by ump_78, who is now tied for 23rd place in the UEFL with 4 points.
Paul Emmel is owned as a Secondary Umpire by RichMSN, who is now tied for 8th place in the UEFL with 10 points.
*This call is correct under the "Kulpa Rule" of pitch f/x. Pitch #1 carried a px value of -.907, which is within the acceptable range for correctness.

This is the 93rd ejection of 2011.
This is the 49th Manager ejection of 2011.

Wrap: ATL @ SEA Wrap 6/29/11
Video: Wedge is ejected for arguing balls and strikes

Pitch f/x courtesy Brooks Baseball

Ejections: Phil Cuzzi (1)

HP Umpire Phil Cuzzi ejected Marlins first basemen Gaby Sanchez for arguing a check swing call in the top of the 7th inning of the Marlins-A's game. With none out and one on, Sanchez struck out swinging on a curveball from A's pitcher Gio Gonzalez while attempting to check his swing. Replays indicate that Sanchez successfully checked his swing and made no attempt to strike the ball, the call was incorrect.* At the time of the ejection, the A's were leading, 1-0. The A's ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

This is Phil Cuzzi (10)'s first ejection of 2011.
Phil Cuzzi now has -2 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (0 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = -2)
Phil Cuzzi was undrafted in 2011.
*Quality of Correctness was challenged and confirmed ("Incorrect" ==> "Incorrect").

This is the 92nd ejection of 2011.
This is the 40th player ejection of 2011.
Prior to his ejection, Sanchez was 0-3 in the contest.
This is Gaby Sanchez's first career ejection.

Wrap: FLA @ OAK Wrap 6/28/11
Video: Cuzzi dumps Sanchez for throwing equipment

Ejections: Jerry Layne (2)

3B Umpire Jerry Layne ejected Astros Manager Brad Mills for arguing an out call in the bottom of the 6th inning of the Rangers-Astros game. With one out and one on, Astros batter Jeff Keppinger hit into a double play to Rangers shortstop Andres Blanco to second basemen Ian Kinsler to first basemen Michael Young. 1B Umpire Bob Davidson ruled Keppinger out at first base. Replays indicate that Keppinger touched first base before Young caught the ball, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Rangers were leading, 5-2. The Rangers ultimately won the contest, 7-3.

This is Jerry Layne (24)'s second ejection of 2011.
Jerry Layne now has 3 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (3 Previous + 2 MLB + -2 Incorrect Call [Crewmate]= 3)
Jerry Layne is owned as a Primary Umpire by 15_and_done, who is now tied for 20th place in the UEFL with 6 points.
Jerry Layne is owned as a Secondary Umpire by KTurner14, who is now tied for 22nd place in the UEFL with 5 points.

This is the 91st ejection of 2011.
This is the 48th manager ejection of 2011.
This is Brad Mill's fourth ejection of 2011.

Wrap: Rangers at Astros 6/28/11
Video (1): Mills is Thrown Out by Layne
Video (2): TEX @ HOU Game Recap (1:27 to 1:48 mark)

Ejections: Ed Rapuano (1)

1B Umpire Ed Rapuano ejected Tigers Manager Jim Leyland for arguing an out call in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Blue Jays-Tigers game. With none out and one on, Tigers batter Andy Dirks bunted a 1-0 fastball from Blue Jays pitcher Jason Frasor for a sacrifice bunt, second baseman Aaron Hill to first baseman Adam Lind. Rapuano initially indicated Dirks was safe, but after a brief consultation with HP Umpire Alfonso Marquez, Rapuano changed his call to out. Replays indicate Lind received the ball and tagged first base prior to Dirks' arrival, the call was correct.* At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 2-2. The Tigers ultimately won the contest, 4-2.

This is Ed Rapuano (19)'s first ejection of 2011.
Ed Rapuano now has 4 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (0 Previous + 2 MLB + 2 Correct Call = 4)
Ed Rapuano is owned by BSBALLUMP, who is now in 1st place in the UEFL with 22 points.
Ed Rapuano is owned as a Secondary Umpire by whenindoubt55, who is now tied for 21st place in the UEFL with 5 points.
*This call is correct under UEFL Rule 6.b.ii.g.

This is the 90th ejection of 2011.
This is the 47th Manager ejection of 2011.
This is Jim Leyland's first ejection of 2011.

Wrap: TOR & DET 6/27/11 Wrap
Video: Leyland ejected for arguing an overturned call

Polls: Best Broadcasters

Some umpires think good broadcasting is a fantasy these days, given what appears to be poor rules knowledge and overly critical commentary, dissecting play after play with slow motion replays from countless angles (not that we don't use replay in the UEFL, too). In determining a sports official's performance, fans tend to be critical. That is just the nature of the beast. 1,800 years ago, the family of a losing gladiator (and in those days, when you lost, you really lost it all) wrote:

After breaking my opponent Demetrius I did not kill him immediately. Fate and the cunning treachery of the summa rudis killed me.

Simply put, blaming the referee (or umpire, judge, or summa rudis) has always been in vogue, and as our previous poll demonstrates, often times, the maligned individuals are us.

Previous Poll (Umpiring Experience) Results: Our previous poll, Polls: Umpiring Experience, asked which levels of 'ball have you ever umpired. Combining your votes on the blog and on our Facebook page, we see an overwhelming majority of UEFLers have donned the blue - or black, white, red, or pink. And even taking those pranksters who answered "Pro (at least one MLB Game)" into account (though a few of those Pro (MLB) responses are indeed accurate), we see that most UEFLers umpire in the youth - college ranks. (Total Votes: 450):

• 5% responded Pro (at least one MLB Game)... of those 21 voters, at least a few are verifiably accurate.
• 24% responded Pro (MiLB only)... we do indeed have a niche following amongst some up and comers in the minors.
• 16% responded Pro (Other)... this would include independent leagues, any non-MLB entities such as overseas ball, or any other league resembling a professional structure.
• 19% responded Semi-Pro... this includes a wider range of leagues and levels, and accordingly falls somewhere in between Pro (MiLB) and Pro (Other).
• 22% responded NCAA Division I... this is the highest domestic level of college ball and requires a very high level of rules expertise.
• 45% responded Any other College... like the Pro (MiLB only) group, many of these are undoubtedly up and comers in the collegiate ranks, with many others being dedicated hobbyists of the craft.
• 61% responded High School... this is the highest percentage in this poll, and confirms that most UEFLers umpire locally while pursuing other endeavors.
• 39% responded Middle School... not as popular as High School or Youth or Rec Leagues, Middle School ball is generally not as organized or formal, and therefore likely has an overall less dedicated workforce. Many Middle School officials also responded affirmatively to the High School and/or Youth League options.
• 57% responded Youth League... Of all youth sports organizations, Little League Baseball is probably amongst the most known and cherished. It is a fairly easy route through which one enters umpiring, and after getting into it, many stay on the youth level, in addition to working others.
• 48% responded Rec or Misc Leagues... From beer league softball to that pick up game at the park, almost half of all UEFLers have worked that class of ball in which the players seem to be the least educated and most agitated. The most informal of all levels, Rec League can be incredibly easy... or incredibly challenging.
• 8% have never umpired... This is probably most telling: Umpires pay attention to and watch umpires. Fans pay attention to and watch players and teams. Only one tenth of UEFLers are non-umpires, which is a comforting thought: at least we still have people left who care to learn the game... or at least show up to the website after Tony Randazzo ejected Papelbon just to rant about how the computerized pitch f/x system is only right when the call benefits the home team, and how no matter what a computer or umpire says, you can always see the calls better from the stands.

Current Poll: From an umpire's perspective, who are the best broadcasters in Major League Baseball?
The poll is below, please select all applicable options. This poll is a two-parter. First, we are asking for the "best." Our next poll will ask for the "worst." Options for the "best" poll have been compiled based on previous game data and user feedback. Sorry, Hawk Harrelson is not an option for "best broadcaster." If you disagree or would like to add your own option to the poll, visit our Facebook Page; the Facebook poll's functionality allows you to add your own options! Poll results will be a combination of votes received on the UEFL blog as well as the UEFL Facebook page.

From an umpire's perspective, who are the best broadcasters in Major League Baseball?

Bonus: Think you know positive praise broadcasters? Try matching each quote below with the broadcaster who said it.

• "Good play by Downs and I would argue good call by Marquez as well."
• "Hey, don't get me wrong. Joe west is a good umpire. I think he is a good balls & strikes umpire."
• "It's not easy to get back there and concentrate, call balls and strikes, be responsible for the flow of a game, keep it running, and maintain all the rules that you have to remember. Umpires don't get lots of applause and when they get dinged like that, I think you need to point out that they're really special at what they do."
• "Well, you make the call. Imagine with the high powered equipment that we have, and Tom Hallion has only one shot."

Your options (links to each broadcaster saying his respective quote): Vin Scully (LAD), Mike Krukow (SF), Mark Grant (SD), Jim Deshaies (HOU)

Ejections: Andy Fletcher (3, 4)

HP Umpire Andy Fletcher ejected Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus and Manager Ron Washington for arguing a ball call in the top of the 6th inning of the Mets-Rangers game. With none out and one on, Mets batter Daniel Murphy took a 2-2 fastball from Rangers pitcher Derek Holland for a called third ball. Replays indicate the pitch was located thigh high and over the heart of the plate, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the Mets were leading, 6-3. The Mets ultimately won the contest, 8-5.

These are Andy Fletcher (49)'s third and fourth ejections of 2011.
Andy Fletcher now has 6 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (8 Previous + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call + 2 MLB + -4 Incorrect Call = 4)
Andy Fletcher is owned as a Secondary Umpire by thexfactor264, who is now tied for 28th place in the UEFL with 2 points.

These are the 88th and 89th ejections of 2011.
This is the 39th player ejection of 2011.
This is the 46th Manager ejection of 2011.
This is Ron Washington's first ejection of 2011.
Prior to his ejection, Andrus had not played in the contest.
These are the Rangers' fourth and fifth ejections of 2011, the most in the AL West.

Wrap: NYM @ TEX 6/26/11 Wrap
Video: Elvis Andrus and Ron Washington are ejected arguing balls and strikes

Pitch f/x courtesy Brooks Baseball