2012-13 TFFL: Day 25, Technical Fouls 159 - 168

Day 25 of the NBA season featured 8 games which produced 10 technical fouls.

159: 48 Scott Foster, 34 Kevin Cutler, 35 Kane Fitzgerald. Bobcats' Gordon; 2OT, 4:42.

The Charlotte Bobcats ultimately won the contest, 108-106 in two overtimes.

160: 28 Zach Zarba, 26 Pat Fraher, 58 Josh Tiven. Clippers' Barnes; 4th, 10:36.

161: 28 Zach Zarba, 26 Pat Fraher, 58 Josh Tiven. Clippers' Griffin; 4th, 10:24.

The Atlanta Hawks ultimately won the contest, 104-93.

162: 14 Ed Malloy, 42 Eric Lewis, 75 Eric Dalen. Bucks' Ellis; 1st, 5:43.

163: 14 Ed Malloy, 42 Eric Lewis, 75 Eric Dalen. Bulls' Robinson; 2nd, 9:34.

The Chicago Bulls ultimately won the contest, 72-69.

164: 49 Tom Washington, 59 Gary Zielinski, 73 Tre Maddox. Kings' Thompson; 1st, 4:27.

165: 49 Tom Washington, 59 Gary Zielinski, 73 Tre Maddox. Kings' Cousins; 3rd, 1:35 (conc-166).

166: 49 Tom Washington, 59 Gary Zielinski, 73 Tre Maddox. Kings' Cousins; 3rd, 1:35 (conc-165).

Video: Sacramento Kings' DeMarcus Cousins ejected by Crew Chief Tom Washington (2nd technical).
The Sacramento Kings ultimately won the contest, 108-97.

167: 8 Marc Davis, 46 Ben Taylor, 40 Leon Wood. Warriors' Lee; 3rd, 0:14.7.
168: 8 Marc Davis, 46 Ben Taylor, 40 Leon Wood. Timberwolves' Barea; 4th, 4:21.
The Golden State Warriors ultimately won the contest, 96-85.

TFFL Standings Update

1. (39 pts) ump89, Bino.
3. (38 pts) youthministeradam.
4. (37 pts) JRD, cyclone14.

2012-13 TFFL: Day 24, Technical Fouls 150 - 158

Day 24 of the NBA season featured 12 games which produced 9 technical fouls.

150: 27 Dick Bavetta, 10 Ron Garretson, 29 Mark Lindsay. Clippers' Jordan; 3rd, 2:43.

151: 27 Dick Bavetta, 10 Ron Garretson, 29 Mark Lindsay. Clippers' Hollins; 3rd, 1:55.

The Brooklyn Nets ultimately won the contest, 86-76.

152: 43 Dan Crawford, 78 Scott Bolnick, 30 John Goble. Pacers' West; 3rd, 8:28.

153: 43 Dan Crawford, 78 Scott Bolnick, 30 John Goble. Pacers' Stephenson; 3rd, 5:46.

The San Antonio Spurs ultimately won the contest, 104-97.

154: 19 James Capers, 74 Curtis Blair, 61 Courtney Kirkland. Knicks' Anthony; 3rd, 6:22.

The Houston Rockets ultimately won the contest, 131-103.

155: 17 Joe Crawford, 11 Derrick Collins, 73 Tre Maddox. Timberwolves' Love; 3rd, 9:27 (double-156).

156: 17 Joe Crawford, 11 Derrick Collins, 73 Tre Maddox. Trail Blazers' Aldridge; 3rd, 9:27 (double-155).

157: 17 Joe Crawford, 11 Derrick Collins, 73 Tre Maddox. Trail Blazers' Leonard; 3rd, 4:25.

158: 17 Joe Crawford, 11 Derrick Collins, 73 Tre Maddox. Trail Blazers' Jeffries; 3rd, 0:58.8.

The Portland Trail Blazers ultimately won the contest, 103-95.

TFFL Standings Update

1. (39 pts) ump89.

2. (37 pts) Bino, JRD, youthministeradam.

5. (36 pts) cyclone14.

Soccer Red Card Fantasy League? 23 Games, 8 Ejections

So, you want a red card fantasy league (RCFL)? Here is an abbreviated sampling of what you might expect to find during one day in the UEFA Europa League's group stage.

With 23 games played on 11/22, officials ejected, dismissed and sent off eight players via the red card:
Referee Serge Gumienny ejected Udinese Calcio M Willians for dangerous challenge (second yellow -> red)
Referee Simon Lee Evans ejected Partizan F Aleksandar Mitrovic for fighting after team's foul (straight red)
Referee Laurent Duhamel ejected Maribor D Ales Mejac for dangerous challenge (second yellow -> red)
Referee Aleksei Kulbakov ejected Twente D Rasmus Bengtsson for dangerous foul (straight red card)
Referee Paolo Valeri ejected Basel M Cabral for second booking in four minutes (second yellow -> red)
Referee Bobby Madden ejected AEL M Luciano Bebe for dangerous foul (straight red card; dismissed)
Referee Carlos Gomez ejected Dnipro M Jaba Kankava for second booking in 3 minutes (2nd yellow -> red)
Referee Ovidiu Alin Hategan ejected Napoli D Salvatore Aronica for dangerous challenge (straight red card)

This is in addition to three ejections presented during eight games on November 21:
Referee Olegario Benquerenca ejected Zenit M Vladimir Bystrov for abuse of officials at full-time (straight red)
Referee Damir Skomina ejected Anderlecht D Bram Nuytinck for tackling last man [Pato] foul (straight red)
Referee Gianluca Rocchi ejected Real Madrid D Alvaro Arbeloa penalty area bkng (second yellow -> red)

Question: Is the sport of soccer prone to more ejections per games played than any other?
Answer: Yes, and it's not even close...

Statistical Ejection Comparison, by Sport and League
European football ejection ratio: Approx. 31% of red card or other dismissal to games played.
MLS American soccer ejection ratio: Approx. 27% of red card or other dismissal to games played.
MLB baseball ejection ratio: Approx. 8.2% of ejections to games played.
NHL hockey ejection ratio: Approx. 7.1% of game misconducts, etc. to games played.
NBA basketball ejection ratio: Approx. 6.8% of two technicals, flagrant 2 fouls, etc. to games played.
NFL football ejection ratio: Approx. 5.0% of USC/UR/PF ejection penalties, etc. to games played.

Flopping: Reggie Evans Fined $5,000 for Faking a Foul

The NBA has issued a fine in connection with a player's second violation of the league's anti-flopping rule. Reggie Evans (Brooklyn Nets) has been fined $5,000 for violating the league's policy for a second time in less than a week. This is the first fine under the league's new anti-flopping rule.

Discipline 5, Violation 2-$5K Fine: Evans' flop [Video]; BKN-LAL, 11/20/12.
- Evans' actions drew an incorrect foul call from official Rodney Mott.

NFL Instant Replay: Teams Must Know When to Challenge

With 6:50 remaining in the 3rd quarter of Thanksgiving's Texans-Lions game, Texans running back Justin Forsett received a handoff at the Texans' 14-yard line and appeared to have been downed by contact at the 26-yard line. Instead, officials kept the play alive and Forsett ran—largely uncontested—downfield and scored Houston's third touchdown of the game. Replays indicate Forsett's left knee had contacted the ground concurrent with contact by Lions free safety Louis Delmas. After the touchdown was scored and prior to the expected booth-initiated instant replay review, Lions coach Jim Schwartz threw his challenge flag, effectively eliminating the booth review that could have reversed the call of touchdown.

NFL Rule 15-9 states that a coach/team is permitted a challenge except for plays when, among other circumstances, the on-field ruling results in a score for either team. The reason for this is because the booth's replay official is given the responsibility of initiating instant replay review for all scoring plays. This clear delineation of responsibility (coach vs. replay official) is meant to answer the question "is a team responsible or liable to lose a timeout/challenge if after review of a scoring play, the call is NOT overturned?" by simply taking away the team's ability to challenge such a call. If the team doesn't or cannot challenge, it's not liable.

Accordingly, Schwartz was prohibited from challenging the aforementioned play and his initiating a challenge in this situation ran in contrast with the Rules, the penalty for which is a loss of 15 yards.

Rule 15-9 also specifies that the booth replay official cannot initiate a review of a ruling against a team that commits a foul that delays the next snap. The purpose of this penalty is to disallow the booth from rewarding a team with a replay if a team deliberately wastes time in an effort to give the replay official more time to "think it over." A dead ball 15-yard penalty is, by rule, a foul that delays the next snap; therefore, the booth was prohibited from initiating the instant replay review process after Schwartz's illegal action.

This illegal throwing of the challenge flag therefore effectively prevented the call from being overturned by eliminating the booth's ability to initiate an instant replay review of the play and resulted in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for this violation. The Texans ultimately won the contest in OT, 34-31.

Quality of Correctness, Original Play: Incorrect.
Quality of Correctness, Penalty & Prohibition of Instant Replay Review: Correct.

Officials: Referee Walt Coleman, Umpire Roy Ellison, Head Linesman Jerry Bergman, Line Judge Michael Spanier, Side Judge Rick Patterson, Field Judge Greg Gautreaux, Back Judge Greg Yette, Replay Official Bill Spikesma.

Wrap: Houston Texans at Detroit Lions (Thanksgiving Game), 11/22/12
Video: Forsett's controversial 81-yard run in which the ability to employ instant replay review was eliminated

2012-13 TFFL: Day 23, Technical Fouls 133 - 149

Day 23 of the NBA season featured 14 games which produced 17 technical fouls and one ejection.

133: 12 Violet Palmer, 14 Ed Malloy, 30 John Goble. Bobcats' Walker; 1st, 0:41.5.

134: 12 Violet Palmer, 14 Ed Malloy, 30 John Goble. Raptors' DeRozan; 3rd, 4:58 (double with 135).

135: 12 Violet Palmer, 14 Ed Malloy, 30 John Goble. Bobcats' Taylor; 3rd, 4:58 (double with 134).

The Charlotte Bobcats ultimately won the contest, 98-97.

136: 9 Derrick Stafford, 16 David Guthrie, 63 Derek Richardson. Cavaliers' Varejao; 4th, 7:26.

The Cleveland Cavaliers ultimately won the contest, 92-83.

137: 24 Mike Callahan, 20 Leroy Richardson, 66 Haywoode Workman. Hornets' Williams; 2nd, 5:20.

The Indiana Pacers ultimately won the contest, 115-107.

138: 10 Ron Garretson, 29 Mark Lindsay, 36 David Jones. Spurs' Popovich; 3rd, 2:14.

The San Antonio Spurs ultimately won the contest, 112-110.

139: 41 Ken Mauer, 54 Nick Buchert, 61 Courtney Kirkland. Bucks' Sanders; 2nd, 4:10 (consec with 140).

140: 41 Ken Mauer, 54 Nick Buchert, 61 Courtney Kirkland. Bucks' Sanders; 2nd, 4:10 (consec with 139).

Milwaukee Bucks' Larry Sanders ejected for second technical foul.

141: 41 Ken Mauer, 54 Nick Buchert, 61 Courtney Kirkland. Bucks' Udoh; 4th, 6:29.

The Miami Heat ultimately won the contest, 113-106.

142: 19 James Capers, 7 Kevin Fehr, 45 Brian Forte. Thunder's Westbrook; 2nd, 0:54.4.

The Oklahoma City Thunder ultimately won the contest, 117-111, in one overtime.

143: 48 Scott Foster, 18 Matt Boland, 38 Michael Smith. Bulls' Robinson; 3rd, 1:19.

The Houston Rockets ultimately won the contest, 93-89.

144: 43 Dan Crawford, 42 Eric Lewis, 78 Scott Bolnick. Timberwolves' Love; 3rd, 9:27.

145: 43 Dan Crawford, 42 Eric Lewis, 78 Scott Bolnick. Timberwolves' Ridnour; 3rd, 8:53.

146: 43 Dan Crawford, 42 Eric Lewis, 78 Scott Bolnick. Nuggets' Faried; 3rd, 6:44.

The Denver Nuggets ultimately won the contest, 101-94.

147: 55 Bill Kennedy, 35 Kane Fitzgerald, 44 Eli Roe. Suns' O'Neal; 2nd, 11:44.

148: 55 Bill Kennedy, 35 Kane Fitzgerald, 44 Eli Roe. Suns' Scola; 2nd, 10:36.

149: 55 Bill Kennedy, 35 Kane Fitzgerald, 44 Eli Roe. Suns' Gentry; 3rd, 8:44.

The Phoenix Suns ultimately won the contest, 114-87.

TFFL Standings Update

1. (36 pts) cyclone14.

2. (35 pts) Bino.

3. (34 pts) Niicker.

4. (33 pts) youthministeradam, ump89.

2012-13 TFFL: Day 22, Technical Fouls 131 - 132

Day 22 of the NBA season featured 3 games which produced 2 technical fouls.

131: 17 Joe Crawford, 11 Derrick Collins, 58 Josh Tiven. 76ers' Collins; 4th, 10:10.

The Philadelphia 76ers ultimately won the contest, 106-98.

132: 48 Scott Foster, 6 Tony Brown, 50 Olandis Poole. Knicks' Woodson; 1st, 2:53.

The New York Knicks ultimately won the contest, 102-80.

TFFL Standings Update

1. (30 pts) cyclone14.

2. (28 pts) Bino, youthministeradam.

4. (26 pts) ump89, Niicker, JRD.

2012 TFFL: Day 21, Technical Fouls 127 - 130

Day 21 of the NBA season featured 7 games which produced 4 technical fouls.

127: 10 Ron Garretson, 59 Gary Zielinski, 7 Kevin Fehr. Wizards' Livingston; 1st, 0:44.8.

128: 10 Ron Garretson, 59 Gary Zielinski, 7 Kevin Fehr. Pacers' George; 2nd, 5:32.

The Indiana Pacers ultimately won the contest, 96-89.

129: 25 Tony Brothers, 31 Scott Wall, 68 Marat Kogut. Grizzlies' Allen; 4th, 4:03.

The Denver Nuggets ultimately won the contest, 97-92.

130: 55 Bill Kennedy, 77 Karl Lane, 20 Leroy Richardson. Spurs' Duncan; 3rd, 5:44.

The Los Angeles Clippers ultimately won the contest, 73-65.

TFFL Standings Update

1. (29 pts) cyclone14.

2. (28 pts) Bino.

3. (26 pts) youthministeradam.

4. (25 pts) ump89, Boredcravens, Niicker, JRD.

2012 TFFL: Day 20, Technical Fouls 122 - 126

Day 20 of the NBA season featured 8 games which produced 5 technical fouls.

122: 17 Joe Crawford, 36 David Jones, 75 Eric Dalen. Knicks' Woodson; 1st, 10:30.
The New York Knicks ultimately won the contest, 88-76.

123: 19 James Capers, 38 Michael Smith, 60 James Williams. Raptors' Johnson; 4th, 9:26.
The Toronto Raptors ultimately wno the contest, 97-86.

124: 9 Derrick Stafford, 16 David Guthrie, 76 Steven Anderson. Kings' Thompson; 3rd, 9:13.
The Brooklyn Nets ultimately won the contest, 99-90.

125: 48 Scott Foster, 56 Mark Ayotte, 59 Gary Zielinski. Celtics' Terry; 4th, 0:16.1.
The Detroit Pistons ultimately won the contest, 103-83.

Chicago Bulls-Portland Trailblazers Video: After final horn, CHI takes offense at rookie Lillard's showboating

126: 28 Zach Zarba, 35 Kane Fitzgerald, 72 JT Orr. Lakers' World Peace; 3rd, 9:46.
The Los Angeles Lakers ultimately won the contest, 119-108.

TFFL Standings Update

1. (29 pts) cyclone14.

2. (28 pts) Bino.

3. (26 pts) youthministeradam.

MLS Soccer Playoff Ejections: Mark Geiger (3)

FIFA & MLS Referee Mark Geiger ejected Seattle Sounders M Osvaldo Alonso for dissent in the 95th minute of the second leg of the LA Galaxy-Seattle Sounders FC match. After time had expired in the contest, with the Galaxy knocking the Sounders out of the MLS playoffs on an aggregate 4-2 victory, Alonso was ruled to have verbally abused the officiating crew, resulting in a yellow card for dissent and, because this was his second yellow, an automatic red and send-off penalty. In the 73rd minute, Alonso received his first yellow card after fouling Galaxy midfielder Vitor Gomes Pereira "Juninho" Junior. Replays indicate Alonso appeared to pull down Juninho, grabbing Juninho's jersey and impeding his attempt to skirt around Alonso's position, the call was correct. At the time of the ejection, the contest was over. The Sounders won Leg 2, 2-1, though the Galaxy advanced to the MLS Cup with a 4-2 aggregate win.

Wrap: Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders FC (Western Conference Championship Leg 2), 11/18/12
Video: After final whistle, Alonso has choice words for Geiger and is formally dismissed
Video: Alonso received his first yellow card for an earlier foul in minute No. 73

World Baseball Classic Ejections 3 - 5: Clint Fagan (1, 2, 3)

HP Umpire Clint Fagan ejected Colombia Manager Eduardo Perez for arguing warnings in the top of the 7th inning & Panama pitcher Ramiro Mendoza and Manager Roberto Kelly for intentionally pitching at a batter in the bottom of the 7th inning of the Panama-Colombia game. In the top of the 7th, with one out and none on, Colombia pitcher Yesid Salazar surrendered a 3-2 home run to Panama batter Ruben Rivera after throwing an up-and-in pitch, resulting in Fagan issuing warnings. In the bottom of the 7th, with one out and none on, Mendoza threw a 0-0 fastball inside to Colombia batter Steve Brown, who was hit by the pitch. Replays confirm the pitches were thrown inside, the calls are irrecusable. At the time of Perez's ejection, Panama was leading, 8-4. At the time of Mendoza and Kelly's ejections, Panama was leading, 9-4. Panama ultimately won the contest, 9-7.

Clint Fagan ejects Roberto Kelly.

These are Clint Fagan (40)'s first, second and third ejections of the 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifier Stage.

These are the 3rd, 4th and 5th ejections of the 2013 WBC Qualifier.
This is the 2nd player ejection of the 2013 WBC.
These are the 2nd and 3rd Manager ejections of the 2013 WBC.
This is Colombia's 1st ejection of the WBC.
These are Panama's 1st and 2nd ejections of the WBC.

Wrap: Panama vs. Colombia (Panama), 9/23/12
Video: Teams throw at each other, Fagan issues warnings, tossing both skippers and one pitcher (Soon)
Video: Panama vs. Colombia full game video (Live stream and archived)