2012 TFFL: Day 5, Technical Fouls 023 - 035

Day 5 of the NBA season featured 10 games which produced 13 technical fouls.

023: 55 Bill Kennedy, 61 Courtney Kirkland, 44 Eli Roe; Kings' Thompson. 2nd, 0:57.9, 48-40 IND.
The Pacers ultimately won the contest, 106-98, in two overtimes.

024: 15 Bennett Salvatore, 18 Matt Boland, 59 Gary Zielinski; Raptors' Roth. 3rd, 6:13, 73-63 BKN.
The Nets ultimately won the contest, 107-100. This was the first NBA reg. season game played in Brooklyn.

025: 49 Tom Washington, 35 Kane Fitzgerald, 60 James Williams; Hornets' Smith. 4th, 4:20, 77-69 NOH.
The Hornets ultimately won the contest, 89-82.

026: 7 Kevin Fehr, 9 Derrick Stafford, 30 John Goble; Bucks' Pryzbilla. 2nd, 3:53, 38-44 CLE.
The Bucks ultimately won the contest, 105-102.

027: 28 Zach Zarba, 68 Marat Kogut, 42 Eric Lewis; Spurs' Jackson. 2nd, 6:20, 43-27 SAS.
The Spurs ultimately won the contest, 110-100.

028: 71 Rodney Mott, 45 Brian Forte, 52 Scott Twardoski; Clippers' Barnes. 1st, 0:30.0, 30-22 GSW.
029: 71 Rodney Mott, 45 Brian Forte, 52 Scott Twardoski; Clippers' Jordan. 2nd, 4:27, 46-42 GSW.
030: 71 Rodney Mott, 45 Brian Forte, 52 Scott Twardoski; Warriors' Landry. 2nd, 3:05, 49-46 GSW.
031: 71 Rodney Mott, 45 Brian Forte, 52 Scott Twardoski; Clippers' Paul. 2nd, 3:05, 49-46 GSW.
032: 71 Rodney Mott, 45 Brian Forte, 52 Scott Twardoski; Warriors' Myers. 2nd, 2:12, GSW 49-48.
033: 71 Rodney Mott, 45 Brian Forte, 52 Scott Twardoski; Clippers' Griffin. 4th, 6:14, GSW 99-91 (d-34).
034: 71 Rodney Mott, 45 Brian Forte, 52 Scott Twardoski; Warriors' Lee. 4th, 6:14, GSW 99-91 (d-33).
035: 71 Rodney Mott, 45 Brian Forte, 52 Scott Twardoski; Warriors' Jack. 4th, 5:52, GSW 99-92.
The Warriors ultimately won the contest, 114-110.

Notable Plays Around the League (W/ Video) / Correct QOC = Green Shade, Incorrect = Red Shade.
TOR-BKN: Valanciunas foul on Brook Lopez by Lead Gary Zielinski. B17 fails to allow the airborne W11 a space to land as miscellaneous contact, including a bump & walk-under, occurs.
DEN-MIA: Brewer fouls Ray Allen on made 3pt FG by Slot/Center Kevin Scott. B13 contacts the airborne W34, causing displacement and satisfying the criteria for a shooting foul.
CHC-NOH: Joakim Noah blocks Austin Rivers no-call. W13 contacts layup attempt then pins it to glass.
CHA-DAL: Williams commits blocking foul against Jae Crowder by Lead Tony Brothers. B55 arrives late into position and does not establish legally as W9 was already airborne when B55 attempted to square.

TFFL Standings Update (All named referees/officials receive one point per 'T', one bonus per 'T' ejection)
1: (10 pts) tonyjia888.
2: (9 pts) cyclone14.
3: (7 pts) wwjd220, Niicker.
5: (6 pts) JRD, Bino, Eagle_12, Drjjulius

MLS Playoffs Ejection: Jair Marrufo

Referee Jair Marrufo ejected D.C. United right back Andy Najar for throwing a ball at an official following his receipt of a yellow card for a bookable foul (dissent; yellow-red/sent off). In the 71st minute, Najar was issued a yellow card after being whistled and cautioned for his push foul of Red Bulls midfielder Joel Lindpere; During the issuance of the yellow, Najar threw the soccer ball at Marrufo, resulting in a double-yellow => red for dissent and obligatory send off. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 1-1. The match ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw.

Wrap: DC United vs. New York Red Bulls, MLS Playoffs, 11/3/12
Video: Unhappy with booking after pushing/tripping opponent in open, Najar throws ball at ref & is sent off

Roster: Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Game

The following umpires have been assigned to officiate the AZ Fall League Rising Stars Game, showcasing MiLB prospects from all 30 MLB franchises. Hosted by the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Scottsdale, Arizona. Assigned umpires are all Triple-A (PCL = Pacific Coast League; IL = International League).

HP: Chad Whitson (IL)
1B: Ben May (IL; Worked 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifying, Regensburg, Germany)
2B: Chris Segal (PCL; Worked 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifying, Jupiter, FL)
3B: Sean Barber (IL; Worked 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifying, Jupiter, FL)

Notable Play: You Make the QOC Call/Video: Angels prospect Kaleb Cowart catches, tumbles into stands
Top 1st inning: With 1 out & R2, B1's foul fly ball is caught by F5, who leans and subsequently falls into the stands. R2 tags from second base and scores a run. Should umpires allow the score or send R2 back to third base under the auspices of Rule 7.04(c)? Call on the field: In play, R2 scores.

Wrap: AFL West Rising Stars vs. AFL East Rising Stars, 11/3/12
Video: AZ Fall League Rising Stars Game Live Stream (MLB.com, broadcast also available on MLB Network)

Zero: Offensive, Defensive Pass Interference on Same Play

Pass interference (PI) is illegal contact beyond the neutral zone that occurs after a legal forward pass is thrown (DPI), but before it has been touched by any player or an official (e.g., the umpire). During most plays, PI is committed by either the offense or the defense. During the following play, it was effected by both.

With 6:12 remaining in the third quarter and a 1st-and-10 at the TCU 26-yard line, TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin attempted a pass intended for receiver Josh Boyce. While the ball was in the air, Boyce and West Virginia Mountaineers CB Pat Miller jockeyed for position, both players interfering with the other's attempt to field the football. Replays indicate both players appeared to grab the other's jersey and in doing so, Boyce was ruled to have failed to avoid his opponent and came into contact that interfered with the eligible defender (offensive PI) while Miller impeded an eligible receiver, preventing an opportunity of receiving a catchable forward pass (defensive PI), superceding the "bona fide attempt to reach, catch or bat the pass" exemption to pass interference as defined by Rules 7-3-8-b-2 (OPI) and 7-3-8-c-2 (DPI).

Because live-ball fouls by both teams were reported to Referee Scott Novak, the fouls offset and the down was repeated (Rule 10-1-4). At the time of the "no play," WVU was leading, 24-21. TCU ultimately won the contest, 39-38, on a two-point conversion in the second overtime period.

U: Kevin Matthews, H: Doug Moore, L: Frank LeBlanc, B: Lyndon Nixon, F: Nick Lave, S: Shane Standley.

Wrap: Texas Christian University (TCU) Horned Frogs vs. West Virginia Mountaineers, 11/3/12
Video: OPI & DPI, dual actions by opponents result in offsetting penalties, repeat from scrimmage (Soon)

2012 TFFL: Day 4, Technical Fouls 016 - 022

Day 4 of the NBA season featured 12 games which produced 7 technical fouls.

016: 10 Ron Garretson, 72 J.T. Orr, 20 Leroy Richardson: Pacers' Vogel. 2nd, 2:18, 35-31 Bobcats.
017: 10 Ron Garretson, 72 J.T. Orr, 20 Leroy Richardson: Pacers' Green. 3rd, 6:25, 58-53 Bobcats.
The Bobcats ultimately won the contest, 90-89.

018: 23 Jason Phillips, 6 Tony Brown, 31 Scott Wall; Hornets' Williams. 3rd, 3:41, 57-54 Hornets.
The Hornets ultimately won the contest, 88-86.

019: 19 James Capers, 26 Pat Fraher, 30 John Goble; Trail Blazers' Aldridge. 3rd, 10:55, 51-44 Thunder.
020: 19 James Capers, 26 Pat Fraher, 30 John Goble; Thunder's Perkins. 3rd, 10:55 (double with 019).
The Thunder ultimately won the contest, 106-92.

021: 24 Mike Callahan, 47 Bennie Adams, 34 Kevin Hutler; Lakers' Brown. 3rd, 1:50, 75-65 Clippers.
The Clippers ultimately won the contest, 105-95.

022: 41 Ken Mauer, 50 Olandis Poole, 40 Leon Wood; Grizzlies' Gay. 3rd, 10:15, 51-47 Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies ultimately won the contest, 104-94.

Notable Plays Around the League (W/ Video) / Correct QOC = Green Shade, Incorrect = Red Shade.
HOU-ATL: Jeff Teague offensive (player control) foul by Lead 65 Sean Wright. Secondary defender R2 (Marcus Morris) obtained legal position outside of the restricted area and was displaced by W0.
CHI-CLE: Taj Gibson no-call by Slot/Center 37 Lauren Holtkamp. Defender goes through ball to block shot.
POR-OKC: Hasheem Thabeet & Damian Lillard no-call by crew. Incidental and legal contact, blocked shot.
LAC-LAL: DeAndre Jordan fouled on airborne tap, BI no-call. Ball exited basket apparatus prior to foot/net.
MEM-GSW: Marc Gasol/Andrew Bogut no-call by L 40 Leon Wood. Defender presses top of ball.

TFFL Standings Update (All named referees/officials receive one point per 'T', one bonus per 'T' ejection)
1: (9 pts) cyclone14.
2: (7 pts) wwjd220.
3: (6 pts) Niicker, JRD.
5: (5 pts) youthministeradam, Bino, ump89.

NPB Japan Series Ejection: Koichi Yanada (Danger Pitch)

HP Umpire Koichi Yanada ejected Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters pitcher Kazahito Tadano for throwing a dangerous pitch (compare with: MLB/OBR 8.02(d), Intentionally Pitch at the Batter) in the top of the 4th inning of Game 5 of the NPB's Japan Series between the Yomiuri Giants and Fighters. With none out and one on, Giants batter Ken Kato attempted to retract a bunt attempt on a first pitch fastball thrown inside. Replays indicate the initial ruling of foul ball was correct. However, Kato fell to the ground and acted as he had been hit by the pitch, ultimately resulting in his award of first base and Tadano's expulsion for the up-and-in pitch. At the time of the ejection, the Giants were leading, 5-2. The Giants ultimately won the contest, 10-2.

Trivia: Fighters Manager Hideki Kuriyama and Umpire Yanada are former teammates (Yakult Swallows, 1980s). Said Kuriyama, "[Yanada] is so serious and works hard ... It's not like the umpires can't make mistakes. They are doing their best."

Wrap: Yomiuri Giants vs. Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (Sapporo Dome), NPB Gm 5, 11/1/12
Video: Batter fakes being hit by pitch, is awarded first base on reversed foul ball call

2012 TFFL: Technical Fouls 014, 015

Day 3 of the NBA season featured one game which produced two technical fouls.

014: 56 Mark Ayotte, 11 Derrick Collins, 43 Dan Crawford: Issued to Thunder's Ibaka (double with 015).
015: 56 Mark Ayotte, 11 Derrick Collins, 43 Dan Crawford: Issued to Spurs' Jackson (double with 014).
Issued with 6:05 remaining in the 2nd quarter, at the time of the Technicals, the contest was tied, 34-34. The Spurs ultimately won the contest, 86-84.

TFFL Standings Update (All named referees/officials receive one point per 'T', one bonus per 'T' ejection)
1: (7 pts) cyclone14
2: (5 pts) Niicker, wwjd220
4: (4 pts) youthministeradam, MrNBASmith, Eagle_12, Bino, flasherasher, ump89

2012 TFFL: Technical Fouls 004 - 013

Day 2 of the NBA season featured nine games which produced 10 technical fouls:

004: 10 Ron Garretson, 33 Sean Corbin, 61 Courtney Kirkland: Issued to Rockets' Morris.
Issued with 5:42 remaining in the 2nd quarter, at the time of the technical foul, the Rockets were leading, 45-41. The Rockets ultimately won the contest, 105-96.

005: 36 David Jones, 12 Violet Palmer, 45 Brian Forte: Issued to Kings' Cousins.
Issued with 8:23 remaining in the 3rd quarter, at the time of the Technical Foul, the Bulls were leading, 51-42. The Bulls ultimately won the contest, 93-87.

006: 41 Ken Mauer, 50 Olandis Poole, 71 Rodney Mott: Issued to Jazz' Williams.
Issued with 7:50 remaining in the 1st quarter, at the time of the Technical Foul, the Mavs were leading, 13-8.
007: 41 Ken Mauer, 50 Olandis Poole, 71 Rodney Mott: Issued to Mavericks' Carter.
Issued with 5:17 remaining in the 3rd quarter, at the time of the Technical Foul, the Mavericks were leading, 70-69. The Jazz ultimately won the contest, 113-94.

008: 24 Mike Callahan, 47 Bennie Adams, 34 Kevin Cutler: Issued to Suns' Gentry.
Issued with 1:40 remaining in the 1st quarter, at the time of the Technical, the Warriors were leading, 22-18.
009: 24 Mike Callahan, 47 Bennie Adams, 34 Kevin Cutler: Issued to Suns' O'Neal.
Issued with 10:38 remaining in the 2nd qtr, at the time of the Technical, the Warriors were leading, 31-23.
010: 24 Mike Callahan, 47 Bennie Adams, 34 Kevin Cutler: Issued to Suns' Morris.
Issued with 10:15 remaining in the 4th quarter, at the time of the Technical, the Suns were leading, 71-65. The Warriors ultimately won the contest, 87-85.

011: 55 Bill Kennedy, 73 Tre Maddox, 40 Leon Wood: Issued to Lakers' Bryant.
Issued with 8:04 remaining in the 4th quarter, at the time of the Technical, the Trailblazers were leading, 102-85. The Trailblazers ultimately won the contest, 116-106.

012: 48 Scott Foster, 75 Eric Dalen, 59 Gary Zielinski: Issued to Grizzlies' Randolph (double with 013).
013: 48 Scott Foster, 75 Eric Dalen, 59 Gary Zielinski: Issued to Clippers' Griffin (double with 012).
Issued with 4:30 remaining in the 4th quarter, at the time of the Technicals, the Clippers were leading, 89-86.

TFFL Standings Update (All named referees/officials receive one point per 'T', one bonus per 'T' ejection)
1: (7 pts) cyclone14
2: (5 pts) Niicker, wwjd220
4: (4 pts) youthministeradam
5: (3 pts) zcr57, Boredcravens, JRD, Paddy Towers, Russ

UEFL Awards: 2012 Umpire of the Year: Gerry Davis

2012 UEFL Awards: Umpire of the Year: Gerry Davis (12)
Voting Results (min. 10%): Davis 13%, Alfonso Marquez 11%, Jeff Kellogg 10%, Dan Iassogna 10%.

Gerry Davis is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2012 Umpire of the Year.

Umpire Gerry Davis

In his 29th MLB season, Gerry Davis concluded 2012 with zero ejections following two ejections in 2011. Davis greeted AAA call-up Jordan Baker for his June debut and was named as crew chief to his fourth All-Star Game in July. In the fall, Davis worked his 19th postseason, appearing as a crew chief in both the Reds-Giants NLDS and the Tigers-Giants World Series, during which his crew called non-balls/strikes with 100% accuracy, with 11 correctly officiated close calls that required replay review to verify Quality of Correctness. After working nine postseason games in 2012 to bring his total to 115 postseason contests, Davis now holds the Major League officiating record for most postseason games umpired in history. Davis has appeared in every MLB postseason since 1998 and has worked at least one special event annually since 1995.

Davis is a previous recipient of the UEFL's Crew Chief of the Year Award (2011).

Gerry Davis now has 15 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (10 Previous + 5 Award = 15).

The Rules Summit will begin tomorrow.

UEFL Awards: Ejections of the Year: J Joyce & B Davidson

2012 UEFL Awards: Ejections of the Year: Jim Joyce, Bob Davidson ([Ejection 026], [Ejection 031])
Voting Results (min. 10%): Joyce 026-13%, Davidson 031-12%, Gary Darling Ejection 038-10%.

Ejection 026 (Joyce) and 031 (Davidson) are the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's ejections of the year.

Ejection 026: Jim Joyce (1); On May 11, 1B Umpire Jim Joyce ejected Brad Mills over a foul ball call originally ruled a bunt. After conferring with crewmates, HP Umpire James Hoye reversed his initial call becaues the batter did not attempt to strike the pitch with a bunt attempt, making the resulting strike two contact a foul ball as opposed to a fouled bunt and third strike. After explaining the crew's reversal, Joyce and Mills engaged in an lengthy and animated discussion before Joyce ejected the Houston skipper. After ejection, Joyce employed the "Joyce mechanic" (placing both hands behind his back while allowing Mills to finish his conversation) until Mills left the playing field.

Ejection 031: Bob Davidson (1); On May 15, HP Umpire Bob Davidson ejected Charlie Manuel over Manuel's complaint that Davidson had impeded Phillies catcher Brian Schneider from retrieving a wild pitch, dropped third strike (swinging). Davidson's initial response, yelled from the grassy fringe of the dirt circle behind home plate into the first base dugout, was plainly audible on the accompanying ejection video, as were several fan remarks, such as "Bob, fix your pants!" Shortly after this ejection, Davidson was suspended one game for "repeated violations" of the BOC's standards for situation handling.

Joyce also won the 2012 Award, "Honorable Umpire," while Davidson won "Most Improved Umpire."

Jim Joyce now has 9 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (8 Previous + 1 Award = 9).
Bob Davidson now has 6 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (5 Previous + 1 Award = 6).

The final postseason award, Umpire of the Year, will be released later today.

2012 TFFL: Technical Fouls 001, 002 & 003

Opening Night of the NBA season featured three games which produced three technical fouls:

001: Tony Brothers, Michael Smith, Haywoode Workman; Issued to Wizards' Crawford (double with 002).
002: Tony Brothers, Michael Smith, Haywoode Workman; Issued to Cavaliers' Thompson (double with 001).
Issued with 18.1 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter, at the time of the double technical foul (player altercation/unsportsmanlike action), the Cavaliers were leading, 94-84. The Cavaliers ultimately won the contest, 94-84.

003: Monty McCutchen, Kane Fitzgerald, Sean Wright: Issued to Celtics' Rondo (complaining about no-call).
Issued with 7:16 remaining in the 4th quarter, at the time of the technical foul (overt resentment), the Heat were leading, 102-89. The Heat ultimately won the contest, 120-107.

Video, Other Items of Interest: Lakers' Howard's Flagrant One Foul, Celtics' Rondo's Flagrant One Foul.

TFFL Standings Update (All named referees/officials receive one point per 'T', one bonus per 'T' ejection)
1: (2 pts) KC_Cale, MrNBA Smith.
3: (1 pt) Eagle_12, idkbasketball, JeremyJ, pamarlowe, zcr57.

UEFL Awards: Noteworthy Umps: A Hernandez, C Guccione

2012 UEFL Awards: Noteworthy Umpires: Angel Hernandez, Chris Guccione (55, 68)
Voting Results (min. 10%): Hernandez 15%, Guccione 12%, Jim Joyce 11%, Dan Bellino 10%, Wally Bell 10%.

Angel Hernandez and Chris Guccione are the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2012 noteworthy umpires.

Umpire Angel Hernandez

In his 20th MLB season, Angel Hernandez concluded 2012 with zero ejections following a four ejection season in 2011 during which he moved from Joe West's crew; Hernandez's 2012 crew featured the injured Ed Rapuano. Hernandez notably called a balk on Astros pitcher Armando Galarraga during an August 9 game and correctly enforced the balk over the resultant sacrifice fly, while Angel's "Hernandez Hustle" as the right field umpire during Game 3 of the Orioles-Yankees ALDS was praised by several commenters.

Umpire Chris Guccione

In his 6th season of MLB service (11th overall, 4th on the full-time roster), Chris Guccione finished 2012 with zero ejections following a three ejection season in 2011. Involved in the comedic, replay-aided home run recreation game on September 30, it was Guccione's vacation fill-in, Angel Campos, whose ejection of Dodgers Matt Kemp and Joe Blanton on August 16 coincided with chief Tim Tschida's ejection of manager Don Mattingly; Mattingly was suspended two games for his extended argument (Ejections 123, 124, 125). In September, Guccione was selected to his third consecutive postseason and his first Championship Series, the 2012 NLCS. Guccione also appeared in right field during the inaugural AL Wild Card Game.


A back-to-back winner, Guccione received the UEFL's Noteworthy Umpire of the Year Award in 2011.

Angel Hernandez now has 5 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (2 Previous + 3 Award = 5).
Chris Guccione now has 7 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (4 Previous + 3 Award = 7).

The next postseason award, Ejections of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

College Soccer Player Arrested After Battering Referee

Following his club's loss to UC Davis over the weekend, UC Santa Barbara Gauchos defender Peter McGlynn charged in and allegedly struck referee Reed Christy. McGlynn had previously been ejected from the contest after receiving a yellow, then red card in overtime. After the incident, McGlynn was restrained by campus security, handcuffed and detained by University of California police before being released on his own recognizance. Police are recommending charges be filed. Originally recruited from Ireland, McGlynn has subsequently been kicked off the UCSB soccer team.

California is one of 21 states with officiating assault and/or battery laws (19 criminal + 2 civil). The full list of states with enhanced penalties for this crime is: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and West Virginia. Visit naso.org for more information.

Under California Penal Code section 243.8, battery on a sports official may result in one year's imprisonment in the county jail and/or a $2,000 fine. This maximum penalty is twice as severe as "simple" battery.

News: UCSB Soccer Player Assaults Official After Loss

NBA & TFFL: Opening Day Tip-Off

Welcome to basketball's tip-off and Opening Day for the Technical Foul Fantasy League (TFFL). As we prepare for tonight's three games (WSH@CLE: Tony Brothers, Michael Smith, Haywoode Workman; BOS@MIA: Monty McCutchen, Kane Fitzgerald, Sean Wright; DAL@LAL: Scott Foster, Eric Dalen, Gary Zielinski), the TFFL releases the following roster of 28 participants & draft picks for the 2012 season:

Draft Stat: 44% UEFL draft alumni, 38% UEFL observer/participant, 17% CCS rookie.
Most Commonly Drafted: Joe Crawford (13), Ken Mauer (9), Scott Foster (8), Dan Crawford (7).

UEFL Awards Honorable Umpires: Jim Joyce & Ted Barrett

2012 UEFL Awards: Honorable Umpires of Year: Jim Joyce & Ted Barrett (66, 65)
Voting Results (min. 10%): Joyce 22%, Barrett 13%, Gary Darling 10%, Andy Fletcher 10%.

Jim Joyce and Ted Barrett are the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2012 honorable umpires of the year.

Umpire Jim Joyce

In his 25th MLB season, Joyce served as interim crew chief for the ill John Hirschbeck and concluded 2012 with one ejection in which a strike three call (foul bunt) by HP Umpire James Hoye was reversed after crew consultation and determination that in attempting to avoid being hit by the strike two pitch, the batted did not "intentionally [meet] with the bat"; therefore the foul was not a bunt (Ejection 026). In 2011, Joyce had four ejections. Joyce worked both the 2012 All-Star Game and the NLDS. In August, en route to the umpires' dressing room 90 minutes prior to first pitch, Joyce performed CPR on a Diamondbacks food service employee who had collapsed and was suffering cardiac arrest. Levy employee Jayne Powers was revived and taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, where Joyce and his wife Kay visited her the next day. That night, FSN Arizona's Brad Steinke reported, "Without a doubt, that man right there saved a life."

Joyce previously won the UEFL's Umpire of the Year Award in 2009 and Honorable Umpire of the Year Award in 2010.

Umpire Ted Barrett

In his 16th MLB season, Barrett concluded 2012 with zero ejections after completing two ejections in 2011. Barrett, however, made Major League umpiring history on June 13, becoming the first umpire to have worked home plate for two perfect games (David Cone 1999, Matt Cain 2012). In all Barrett and crewmate Brian Runge each partook in three no-hitters in 2012; Runge had called balls and strikes for the most recent no-hitter and perfect game. Barrett worked both the 2012 American League Wild Card Game and the NLCS. Prior to the season, Barrett & Mexico native Alfonso Marquez travelled to El Carmen, Nuevo Leon to teach, evaluate and assist umpires in the Mexican League. Indeed, Barrett & Marquez visit Mexico every year prior to spring training for both umpires and for children who are lacking clothing and other necessities ("Fonzie's Kids"). Marquez was the UEFL's Honorable Umpire of the Year in 2011. Reverend Barrett is additionally one of the founders for the baseball-themed ministry Calling for Christ, a ministry for professional baseball umpires, and is a Doctoral candidate in Biblical Studies at Trinity University. In November, Barrett will join Adrian Johnson, Mark Carlson and Marvin Hudson to serve as instructors at the 2012 MLB Umpire Camp at the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Compton, California.

Both Barrett (3B) and Joyce (HP) previously appeared on the 2011 UEFL Poll: All-Star Umpire Crew.

Jim Joyce now has 8 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (6 Previous + 2 Award = 8).
Ted Barrett now has 6 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (4 Previous + 2 Award = 6).

The next postseason award, Noteworthy Umpires of the Year, will be released later today.

UEFL Awards: Crew Chief of the Year: Jeff Kellogg

2012 UEFL Awards: Crew Chief of the Year: Jeff Kellogg (8)
Voting Results (min. 10%): Kellogg 15%, Gerry Davis 11%, Jim Joyce 10%, Tom Hallion 10%, Joe West 10%.

Jeff Kellogg is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2012 crew chief of the year. In his 20th MLB season, Kellogg finished 2012 with one ejection following zero ejections in 2011. Though some criticized Kellogg for his ejection of Dodgers manager Don Mattingly on July 25 (Ejection 099), others praised Kellogg for his charity work with crewmates Eric Cooper, D.J. Reyburn (AAA, for Tim Timmons) and Marty Foster (2012 UEFL "Worst Umpire of the Year") on behalf of Umps Care Charities. Kellogg was also lauded for tackling a fan who intruded upon the playing field at Baltimore's Camden Yards on April 27 and for an interference call during the 2012 NL Wild Card Game. Kellogg's NLWC crew also worked the ALCS round of the postseason.

Jeff Kellogg now has 11 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (10 Previous + 1 Award = 11).
The next postseason award, Honorable Umpires of the Year, will be released later today.

UEFL Awards: Fill-In Umpire of the Year: Alan Porter

2012 UEFL Awards: Fill-In (AAA) Umpire of the Year: Alan Porter (64)
Voting Results (min. 10%): Porter (24%), Vic Carapazza (14%), Jordan Baker (10%).

Umpire Alan Porter

Alan Porter is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2012 fill-in (AAA) umpire of the year. In his third (second full) fill-in Major League Baseball umpiring season, Porter finished the 2012 season with three ejections, following a two-ejection season in 2011. Though Porter concluded the year with an ejection accuracy of zero percent, UEFL'ers praised Porter's situation handling in the wake of missed calls: "While Alan did miss this call, the way he handled the EJs made me a fan of his." Others, as in 2011 during the nominations period, speculated about Porter's future, once again citing Porter's game, coach and player management style: "Alan Porter is going to be a great MLB umpire. He is only 34 years old, so he has many years left ahead of him...He is a model umpire, in my opinion" and "Alan Porter sure handles his ejections like a seasoned pro. Even though he missed this call, he handled things nicely. There's just something about this guy that makes him a fun umpire to watch."

This is a back-to-back win for Porter, having received the 2011 Fill-In Umpire of the Year award.

Alan Porter now has -4 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (-6 Previous + 2 Award = -4).
The next postseason award, Crew Chief of the Year, will be released later today.

UEFL Awards: Most Improved Umpire: Bob Davidson

2012 UEFL Awards: Most Improved Umpire of the Year: Bob Davidson (61)
Voting Results (min. 10%): Davidson (31%), Angel Hernandez (11%), Phil Cuzzi (10%).

Bob Davidson is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2012 most improved umpire of the year, in landslide fashion. In his 24th Major League Baseball umpiring season, Davidson finished 2012 with six ejections; Davidson ejected eight times in 2011. While some described Davidson's ejection of Charlie Manuel on May 15 (Ejection 031) as "Classic Balkin' Bob," after Davidson's subsequent one-game suspension for repeated violations of the MLB Office of the Commissioner's standards for situation handling, Davidson was described in Ejection 147 as "more approachable" and "no longer the sandwichboardman for alprazolam [a prescription drug used to treat anxiety]." Davidson was also involved with a lineup card mishap in Miami after Ozzie Guillen appealed that Cardinals manager Mike Matheny had failed to properly execute a double switch.

Bob Davidson now has 5 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (4 Previous + 1 Award = 5).
The next postseason award, Fill-In of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

UEFL Awards: Worst Umpire of Year: Marty Foster

The Umpire Ejection Fantasy League announces its postseason awards schedule, beginning with the Worst Umpire of the Year, below, and continuing with Best Ejection, Crew Chief, Most Improved Umpire, Fill-In, Honorable Umpire, Noteworthy Umpire and concluding with Umpire of the Year. 87 total ballots were cast during this year's nominations process.

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

2012 UEFL Awards: Worst Umpire of the Year: Marty Foster (60)
Voting Results (min. 10%): Foster (11%), Bob Davidson (10%), Jerry Meals (10%).

Marty Foster is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2012 worst umpire of the year. In his 14th Major League Baseball umpiring season, Foster finished 2012 with five ejections, matching eight other umpires in that category; Foster ejected six times in 2011. UEFL'ers described Foster as possessing a "quick hook" and/or employing contested judgment during two ejections this season, Ejections 019 (May 4) and 049 (May 26). In response to his ejection of Buck Showalter during Ejection 127, one UEFL'er alleged Foster "picks so many fights and had nothing to do with the play tonight."

Marty Foster now has 5 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (8 Previous + -3 Award = 5).
The next postseason award, Most Improved Umpire of the Year, will be released later today.

NFL Ejection: Pete Morelli's Crew

As reported by the @SportEjections twitter account, Referee Pete Morelli's crew ejected Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall for multiple unsportsmanlike conduct fouls that occurred during the same play with 3:43 remaining in the 4th quarter of the Redskins-Steelers game. During a 0-yard run by Steelers running back Jonathan Dwyer, Hall engaged Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. After the play, Hall removed his helmet to argue with Head Linesman Dana McKenzie, drawing an obligatory unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. As Hall continued to address McKenzie, he made a pointing gesture and drew a second flag for unsportsmanlike conduct and ejection from Side Judge Don Carlsen. At the time of the ejection, the Steelers were leading, 27-12. The Steelers ultimately won the contest, 27-12.

Wrap: Washington Redskins vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 10/28/12
Video: Hall snaps off helmet, drawing flag, and continues argument with official, drawing second penalty