Discussions: 2011 World Series

As the 2011 World Series gets underway, we again open the umpire forum to discussion, below. Notes include home plate umpire performance according to pitch f/x and UEFL Rules 6.b.ii.a. (horizontal bound, "Kulpa Rule") and 6.b.ii.b. (vertical strike zone, "Miller Rule"). Normalized strike zone plots are displayed via the "pfx" link. Plays include significant plays or activities. WS = Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals.

***End-of-Year Award distribution will begin Sunday***

- Final, TEX@STL, 7: Layne misses 17 pitches, 14 of which benefit St. Louis during the Series' only 90.0% game.
- Final, TEX@STL, 6: Cederstrom calls 94.3% during epic Rangers-Cardinals extra inning thriller.
- Final, STL@TEX, 5: Barrett calls Game 5 at 90.7% as the Texas portion of the series concludes.
- Final, STL@TEX, 4: After missing a call at first base the night before, Kulpa rebounds to call a 95.6%.
- Final, STL@TEX, 3: Marquez calls a massive 206 pitches, calling 92.2% during Cardinals rout of Rangers.
- Final, TEX@STL, 2: After calling 96.0% in the DS, Gibson has an impressive performance of 96.1% in the WS.
- Final, TEX@STL, 1: Layne starts off strong with a 94.9% performance; umpires miss 9th inning foul call.

Notes and Archives
TEX@STL, Gm1: HP Umpire Jerry Layne: pfx (34-37 Called Strikes, 97-101 Balls = 94.9%)
TEX@STL, Gm2: HP Umpire Greg Gibson: pfx (38-41 Called Strikes, 86-88 Balls = 96.1%)^
STL@TEX, Gm3: HP Umpire Alfonso Marquez: pfx (59-64 Called Strikes, 131-142 Balls = 92.2%)
STL@TEX, Gm4: HP Umpire Ron Kulpa: pfx (46-50 Called Strikes, 107-110 Balls = 95.6%)

STL@TEX, Gm5: HP Umpire Ted Barrett: pfx (42-52 Called Strikes, 95-99 Balls = 90.7%)
TEX@STL, Gm6: HP Umpire Gary Cederstrom: pfx (50-52 Called Strikes, 133-142 Balls = 94.3%)
TEX@STL, Gm7: HP Umpire Jerry Layne: pfx (53-61 Called Strikes, 100-109 Balls = 90.0%)

Plays
Game 1: Infrared: FOX Celebrates New Technology at Expense of Beltre, Rangers [b/r article]
- - Video: Beltre appears to foul ball off his foot in the ninth inning, umpires miss the call
Game 2: Kulpa correctly rules Kinsler safe on stolen base attempt, Molina expresses frustration
Game 3: Kulpa misses "obvious" out call during 1-0 game. Washington argues to no avail.
Game 3: Torre discusses missed call, blasts media for questioning St. Louis native-Kulpa's integrity
Game 6: Marquez delivers a correct out call at third base, after a Napoli-Beltre pickoff
Game 7: MLB Must Rewrite Home-Field Advantage Rule [b/r opinion]
Game 7: Umpire's Strike Zone is not to Blame for Rangers' World Series Loss [b/r article]

*Live accuracy is not available during reviews, challenges, or during suspiciously normalized contests.
'The UEFL reports all sub-90.0% accuracy games as "<90%"
^This plot includes one ball miscategorized as a called strike. The ball call was correct.

Roster: 2011 World Series Umpires

MLB has announced the 2011 World Series Umpires. The World Series is the third and final round of the 2011 MLB Playoffs. Percentages from our World Series poll are listed alongside umpire points.

Crew A (WS/TEX@STL)
Jerry Layne^ -cc (8 pts, 34%)
Greg Gibson* (6 pts, 51%)
Alfonso Marquez^ (20 pts, 41%)
Ron Kulpa* (12 pts, 31%)
Ted Barrett^ (12 pts, 50%)
Gary Cederstrom^ (4 pts, 42%)

-cc denotes Crew Chief, * denotes first World Series assignment. ^ denotes second World Series assignment. Note that no umpires have previously been assigned to more than one World Series. Per UEFL Rule 4.c.iii, all umpires selected to appear in the World Series shall receive three bonus points for this appearance; crew chiefs shall receive one additional bonus point for this role (four points total).

Video: St. Louis hometown umpire Kulpa in World Series, Interview

The UEFL Standings have been updated:

1. kickersrule (West/Wendelstedt) - 38

2. sachmet (West/Bellino) - 33

3. tt49 (Wendelstedt/Guccione) - 32

3. mtn335 (West/Hudson) - 32

5. yawetag (Hernandez/Joyce) - 30

6. cyclone14 (Wegner/Johnson) - 28

6. BONZ_kansascity (West/Hernandez) - 28

8. RichMSN (West/Emmel) - 26

9. BSBALLUMP (Rapuano/Drake) - 25

9. DanNJ316 (West/Kulpa) - 25

The results of our World Series umpire poll are listed below.

From the Eligible List, Choose Your World Series Umpires (Select 6).

Nominations: 2011

As the 2011 season draws to a close, the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League prepares to distribute its Postseason Awards to eligible umpires* who, during the past season, have had significant seasons to fit the terms of one of these awards (UEFL Rule 4.e.).

i. Umpire of the Year (min. 1 / max. 1 umpire)

ii. Noteworthy Umpire of the Year (min. 1 / max. 2 umpires)

iii. Honorable Umpire of the Year (min. 0 / max. 2 umpires)

iv. Most Improved Umpire of the Year (min. 0 / max. 1 umpire)

v. Crew Chief of the Year (min. 0 / max. 1 umpire)^

vi. Worst Umpire of the Year (min. 0 / max. 1 umpire)

vii. Fill-In Umpire of the Year (min. 0 / max. 1 umpire)

viii. Best Ejection of the Year (min. 0 / max. 2 ejections)^

Points scale for post season awards: i. (+5); ii. (+3); iii. (+2); iv. (+1); v. (+1); vi. (-3); vii. (+2); viii. (+1).

*An eligible umpire for Awards i-vi started the season at the MLB-level, or was promoted to the MLB-level prior to the All-Star Break. An eligible umpire for Award vii is not on the Full-Time MLB Staff and has worked at least five games at the Major League Level.

^Denotes new award for 2011.

i. Umpire of the Year: This Umpire has been the best MLB Umpire the past year, bar none. This Umpire has been more dedicated, professional, and positive than all others. This award will be given to one umpire.

ii. Noteworthy Umpire of the Year: This Umpire has been dedicated, professional, and has worked hard. Perhaps a rising star, the Noteworthy Umpire of the Year is an umpire to keep an eye on, for an expectation of great things down the line. This award will be given to one or two umpires.

iii. Honorable Umpire of the Year: This Umpire has been the most honorable Umpire during the past year. Perhaps through Community Service, or through struggling with and overcoming his own difficulties, this Umpire has been the most personally admirable of all. This award may or may not be given to either one or two umpires.

iv. Most Improved Umpire of the Year: This Umpire has improved his overall performance from the previous season more noticeably than any other Umpire. Generally, this umpire has developed into a solid arbiter within the past year. This award may or may not be given to a maximum of one umpire.

v. Crew Chief of the Year: This Umpire has been the best MLB Umpire Crew Chief, the past year, bar none. This Umpire has led his crew(s) better than all others. This award will be given to one umpire.

vi. Worst Umpire of the Year: This Umpire has shown a continual regression in ability, and might have had a regrettable incident(s) occur in-season. The Worst Umpire of the Year is unprofessional and does a disservice to Umpires and the game. This award may or may not be given to a maximum of one umpire.

vii. Fill-In Umpire of the Year: This Umpire has been the best AAA Call-Up Umpire the past year, bar none. This Umpire has been the most dedicated, professional, and positive AAA/Non-MLB Full Time Umpire of all non-MLB Full Time Umpires. This award may or may not be given to a maximum of one umpire.

viii. Best Ejection of the Year: In the form of "Umpire (1)," this award recognizes the best ejection(s) of the year. Nominated and selected due to form, mechanics, entertainment value, reason for ejection, or overall quality, the Best Ejection of the Year is awarded to one or two umpires for one or two specific ejections. The award may be given to one umpire for two separate ejections, in which case, he receives one point for each ejection.

Please take some time to consider an umpire for as many or as few awards as you prefer, and reply to this entry with your nomination(s). Nominations will be accepted throughout the post-season, and awards will be distributed after the World Series has concluded.