NBA Ejections: Capers, Kirkland & Kogut; TFFL Days 64 - 65

Referees James Capers (crew chief), Courtney Kirkland (R) and Marat Kogut (umpire) ejected Celtics center Kevin Garnett for a flagrant foul penalty two in the 4th quarter of the Pacers-Celtics game. With 8:24 remaining in the 4th period, Garnett's hand violently contacted Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough's face. After instant replay review, the officials determined Garnett's actions were unnecessary and excessive, resulting in a flagrant foul type two call. At the time of the ejection, the Celtics were leading, 78-55. The Celtics ultimately won the contest, 94-75.

This is James Capers' fourth ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
This is Courtney Kirkland's third involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
This is Marat Kogut's first involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.

Wrap: Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics, 1/4/13
Video: Garnett's hit to Hansbrough's face is ruled a flagrant two, resulting in an automatic ejection

2012-13 TFFL: Day 65 (11 Games, 8 Technicals).

403: 28 Zach Zarba, 16 David Guthrie, 79 Kevin Scott. Kings' Cousins; 1st, 3:41 (double-404).
404: 28 Zach Zarba, 16 David Guthrie, 79 Kevin Scott. Raptors' Anderson; 1st, 3:41 (double-403).
The Sacramento Kings ultimately won the contest, defeating the Toronto Raptors, 105-96.

405: 17 Joe Crawford, 56 Mark Ayotte, 73 Tre Maddox. Wizards' Nene; 2nd, 11:08.
^The Brooklyn Nets ultimately won the contest, defeating the Washington Wizards in 2OT, 115-13.

406: 7 Kevin Fehr, 15 Bennett Salvatore, 59 Gary Zielinski. Pistons' Drummond; 4th, 6:36.
The Detroit Pistons ultimately won the contest, defeating the Atlanta Hawks, 85-84.

407: 19 James Capers, 61 Courtney Kirkland, 68 Marat Kogut. Pacers' Stephenson; 1st, 6:25.
408: 19 James Capers, 61 Courtney Kirkland, 68 Marat Kogut. Pacers' Vogel; 2nd, 4:39.
409: 19 James Capers, 61 Courtney Kirkland, 68 Marat Kogut. Pacers' West; 3rd, 0:13.8.
The Boston Celtics ultimately won the contest, defeating the Indiana Pacers, 94-75.

410: 13 Monty McCuthen, 6 Tony Brown, 77 Karl Lane. Clippers' Griffin; 4th, 7:02.
The Los Angeles Clippers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, 107-102.

2012-13 TFFL: Day 64 (2 Games, 1 Technical).

402: 23 Jason Phillips, 30 John Goble, 50 Olandis Poole. Timberwolves' Love; 1st, 2:02.

The Minnesota Timberwolves ultimately won the contest, defeating the Denver Nuggets, 101-97.

2012-13 TFFL Standings Update

1. (90 pts) Boredcravens.

2. (89 pts) Bino.

3. (82 pts) Drjjulius.

4. (79 pts) flap0703.
5. (76 pts) tonyjia888.

Misleading: Replay Rules, Clock Error Key in COL-AZ Play

With time running out in the second half of Thursday's NCAA Men's Basketball Colorado-Arizona contest, Buffalo guard Sabatino Chen attempted to beat the buzzer, draining a three-point field goal to give Colorado an apparent 83-80 victory—until instant replay came into the picture.

After what Pac-12 coordinator Ed Rush described as a "thorough review courtside [with] multiple angles of the play," officials Verne Harris, James Breeding and Randy McCall waived off the basket.

Colorado coach Tad Boyle, perceptually spurned by the call, was vocal and offered a strong opinion:

Get rid of instant replay ... If human error is part of the game, let the officials call the game. Players, coaches and officials will make mistakes. It's part of the game.

Red light: Is the ball on fingertips or in air?

Meanwhile, television viewers watching in realtime on ESPNU were treated to a press box view appearing to show Chen releasing the ball with 0.2 seconds displayed on the broadcast graphic scoreboard's game clock.

Unfortunately, the broadcast graphic and arena scoreboard were not precisely in sync—specifically, while the graphic registered 0.2 seconds remaining in the period, the scoreboard atop the backboard read "0.0." Indeed, the graphic had suffered from an approximately two-tenths-of-a-second time delay the entire game (e.g., when the graphic read 3.3 seconds, the actual in-arena scoreboard read 3.1 seconds).

Because the on-screen game clock display and official game clock were not in complete synchronization, the graphic could not be used to determine when the ball was released and the officials were left to consider the red LED lights behind the backboard (NCAA Rule 2-13-1).

Views from other angles appeared to show the difference between finger-touch and release at 0.0 to be within one or two frames, making such a clock error or malfunction absolutely vital.

Furthermore, in football, hockey and baseball, inconclusive video in regards to an original ruling reverts to the call on the field as being correct. In basketball, this is not necessarily the case.

As distinct from football, baseball and hockey replay rules, a standard of incontrovertibility or conclusiveness does not appear in the NCAA Basketball rules book in regards to use of replay to judge an on-court ruling—because NCAA Basketball replay is not used to review an official's on-floor call, but instead is used to determine what occurred on the floor, the standard is of "definitive information."

For instance, in NCAA Football, Rule 12-1-2 requires "indisputable video evidence" in order to reverse an on-field decision, such as whether a ball was snapped before time expired. In NCAA Basketball, by contrast, officials make the call using replay as opposed to reviewing an on-court ruling, meaning a more lenient burden of proof in order to effect either call (e.g., good or time expired).

Had the Colorado-Arizona call occurred in football, a definitive on-court ruling would have been rendered at the time of the real-time play and replay would have been used to determine the accuracy of this ruling. Under football rules, had calling (center) official Harris instantaneously ruled the field goal good, the burden of proof (indisputable video evidence) would have been on disallowing the score. Had Harris instantaneously ruled the field goal late (time expired), evidence must have been indisputable in suggesting the shot was released in time.

Because basketball's "definitive information" standard is used in relation to the events on the floor as opposed to the call on the floor, the standard with which to confirm or overturn a call changes.

For an imperfect metaphor, consider a criminal case's "reasonable doubt" (as in football/hockey/baseball) versus a civil trial's "preponderance of evidence" (as in basketball).

Wrap: Colorado Buffalo vs. Arizona Wildcats, 1/3/13
Video: Chen's bucket does not count after replay review confirmation the ball was released late (ESPN)

One Point Safety: Fiesta Bowl & Ballad of Ron Cherry

With 8:03 remaining in the third quarter of the Ducks-Wildcats Fiesta Bowl game, Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota ran for a two-yard touchdown to give Oregon a 31-10 lead. After lining up for the PAT, the Wildcats blocked Ducks kicker Alejandro Maldonado's extra point attempt, linebacker Ryan Mueller recovering the football at approximately the two-yard line, and retreating into the end zone before lateraling the ball to defensive back Allen Champan, who recovered the loose ball once again for a safety, worth one point and confirmed via instant replay review.

As referee Ron Cherry explained:

On the previous play, we have an unusual ruling. The ball was blocked, caught, carried back into the end zone and declared dead by the defense. That play results in a one-point safety.

Cherry has had the mic for other unique calls before, such as the collegiate "giving him the business" personal foul (a revival of NFL official Ben Dreith's "giving him the business down there" penalty) and a "graphics blocked" extra point review.

As for the Fiesta Bowl, the relevant rules are NCAA 8-1-1 and 8-3-2-d, which specify that a safety occuring during a try after touchdown is worth one point, as is a field goal during that stopped clock period. Furthermore, approved ruling (AR) 8-3-2-IX exemplifies a one-point safety, wherein the defense recovers at the two-yard line, fumbles into the end zone, recovers once again and is downed (one-point safety).

As broadcaster Brad Nessler explained, a similar play occurred during a 2004 Texas A&M vs. Texas game.

In NFHS high school, this would not be the case, as during a try, the ball shall become dead upon a turnover.

Wrap: Oregon Ducks vs. Kansas State Wildcats, 1/3/13
Video: Ducks benefit from one point safety after blocked kick attempt during Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (ESPN)

NBA Ejections: D Crawford, Palmer & Kirkland; TFFL Day 63

Referees Dan Crawford (crew chief), Violet Palmer (R) and Courtney Kirkland (umpire) ejected Thunder forward Kevin Durant for his second technical foul in the 4th quarter of the Nets-Thunder game. With 1:57 remaining in the 4th period, Thunder center Kendrick Perkins was whistled for his third personal foul by -cc Crawford, resulting in a turnover. As Durant threw an "air punch" in response to the call, he was assessed a technical foul violating the NBA's "Respect for the Game" guidelines concerning overt gestures indicating resentment to a call. Upon throwing another air punch in response to the technical foul call, Durant received his second technical and ejection. At the time of the ejection, the Nets were leading, 104-90. The Nets ultimately won the contest, 110-93.

This is Dan Crawford's second ejection (first technical ejection) of the 2012-13 NBA season.
This is Violet Palmer's first involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
This is Courtney Kirkland's second involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.

Wrap: Brooklyn Nets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 1/2/13
Video: Durant's first career ejection is spurred by late game frustration at home (0:47)

2012-13 TFFL: Day 63 (12 Games, 7 Technicals, 1 Ejection).

395: 15 Bennett Salvatore, 31 Scott Wall, 75 Eric Dalen. Raptors' Acy; 4th, 2:35.
The Toronto Raptors ultimately won the contest, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers, 102-79.

396: 48 Scott Foster, 54 Nick Buchert, 59 Gary Zielinski. Kings' Thompson; 3rd, 8:24.
The Sacramento Kings ultimately won the contest, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers, 97-94.

397: 19 James Capers, 56 Mark Ayotte, 42 Eric Lewis. Mavericks' Nowitzki; 2nd, 3:38.
^The Miami Heat ultimately won the contest, defeating the Dallas Mavericks, 119-109 in one overtime.

398: 43 Dan Crawford, 12 Violet Palmer, 61 Courtney Kirkland. Thunder's Durant; 4th, 1:57 (c-399).
399: 43 Dan Crawford, 12 Violet Palmer, 61 Courtney Kirkland. Thunder's Durant; 4th, 1:57 (c-398).
Ejection: Thunder forward Kevin Durant ejected (second technical foul).
The Brooklyn Nets ultimately won the contest, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder, 110-93.

400: 13 Monty McCutchen, 6 Tony Brown, 29 Mark Lindsay. Timberwolves' Love; 3rd, 8:02.
The Utah Jazz ultimately won the contest, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves, 106-84.

401: 49 Tom Washington, 11 Derrick Collins, 63 Derek Richardson. Clippers' Crawford; 4th, 9:30.
The Golden State Warriors ultimately won the contest, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers, 115-94.

2012-13 TFFL Standings Update

1. (88 pts) Boredcravens.

2. (87 pts) Bino.

3. (81 pts) Drjjulius.

4. (75 pts) tonyjia888.

5. (74 pts) cyclone14.

NBA Ejections: Davis, Barnaky & Richardson, TFFL 61 - 62

Referees Marc Davis (crew chief), Brent Barnaky (R) and Leroy Richardson (umpire) ejected Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva for committing a flagrant foul penalty two during the second quarter of the Kings-Pistons game. With 0:04.0 remaining in the second period, Villanueva was called for a flagrant foul type two for unnecessary and excessive contact against Kings guard Isaiah Thomas, an airborne shooter. At the time of the ejection, the Pistons were leading, 58-46. The Pistons ultimately won the contest, 103-97.

This is Marc Davis' first ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.*
This is Brent Barnaky's third involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
This is Leroy Richardson's second involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.

*Flagrant foul, fighting and all other ejections confirmed via instant replay are credited to the crew chief.

Wrap: Sacramento Kings vs. Detroit Pistons, 1/1/13
Video: Villanueva's foul to Thomas' upper torso/neck/head area is ruled a flagrant foul penalty two

2012-13 TFFL: Day 62 (6 Games, Technicals).

393: 8 Marc Davis, 70 Brent Barnaky, 20 Leroy Richardson. Pistons' Abdenour; 3rd, 6:01.
The Detroit Pistons ultimately won the contest, defeating the Sacramento Kings, 103-97.

394: 23 Jason Phillips, 40 Leon Wood, 50 Olandis Poole. Lakers' Bryant; 3rd, 2:39.
The Philadelphia 76ers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, 103-99.

2012-13 TFFL: Day 61 (6 Games, 1 Technical).

392: 71 Rodney Mott, 72 J.T. Orr, 31 Scott Wall. Pacers' Vogel; 1st, 0:25.4.

The Indiana Pacers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies, 88-83.

2012-13 TFFL Standings Update

1. (88 pts) Boredcravens.

2. (84 pts) Bino.

3. (78 pts) Drjjulius.

4. (74 pts) tonyjia888.
5. (73 pts) cyclone14.

Top 25 Ejections of 2012: MLB Network's Take

As 2013 arrives, the UEFL reviews the Top 25 Ejections of 2012, as selected by MLB Network and aired during their offseason "MLB Network Countdown" series, a countdown of baseball history. Included in MLB Network's list are the comical Darling-Valentine "gum" ejection, several reversed calls including Vin Scully's Tracy "fertilizer argument" translation, a few events resulting in notable league discipline to umpires, players, managers and broadcasters and a few absolute trainwrecks. Enjoy and Happy New Year!

*Note: Qualities of Correctness are provided in the following format: Y=Correct, N=Incorrect, U=Irrecusable.

MLB Network Countdown: Top 25 Most Unforgettable Ejections of 2012

25: E 078: Mike DiMuro (2); Indians 3B Jack Hannahan (Out [Catch] Call, QOC = N).
24: E 136/7: Wally Bell (1, 2); Twins P Scott Diamond & Manager Ron Gardenhire (Throwing At, QOC = U).
23: E 112: Larry Vanover (2); Diamondbacks CF (Called Third Strike, QOC = Y).
22: E 134: Angel Campos (6); Marlins Manager Ozzie Guillen (Balk No-Call, QOC = Y).
21: E 138/9: Lance Barrett (4, 5); White Sox C Pierzynski & Manager Robin Ventura (Ball Call, QOC = N).
20: E 087: Dale Scott (3); Mets Manager Terry Collins (Safe [Reversed Catch/Trap] Call, QOC = Y).
19: E 166: Mike Estabrook (3); Royals DH Billy Butler (Called Second Strike, QOC = Y).
18: E 080: Manny Gonzalez (1); Mets 1B Ike Davis (Safe Call, QOC = N).
17: E 093/4: D.J. Reyburn (4, 5); Royals SS Alcides Escobar & Manager Ned Yost (NEC [Visit], QOC = U).
16: E 071: Kerwin Danley (1); Cardinals Manager Mike Matheny (Safe [Reversed Catch/Trap] Call, QOC = Y).
15: N/A Jim Reynolds; During Angels-Rangers game, LAA's Albert Pujols at-bat, crew chief Reynolds directs stadium security to remove outfield (batter's eye) fan's State of Texas flag after fan failed to stop waiving item when first instructed to by security. After removal, Pujols hit HR to give LAA a 10-7 lead. Not official ejection.
14: E 109: Mike Everitt (2); Rockies Manager Jim Tracy (Safe [Reversed Catch/Trap] Call, QOC = Y).
13: E 126/7: Vic Carapazza/Marty Foster; Orioles 1B Reynolds & M Buck Showalter (Safe [Rev], QOC = N).
12: E 031: Bob Davidson (1); Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel (Umpire Interference No-Call, QOC = Y).
11: E 120/1: Mike Everitt (3, 4); Red Sox 1B Gonzalez & M Bobby Valentine (Illegal Pitch No-Call, QOC = Y).
10: E 114: Tim Welke (1); Yankees Manager Joe Girardi (Fair Ball Call, QOC = Y).
#9: E 053/4: Mark Wegner (1, 2); White Sox P Quintana & M Robin Ventura (Throwing At, QOC = U).
#8: E 103: Chad Fairchild (1); Reds C Devin Mesoraco (Ball Two Call, QOC = Y).
#7: E 110: Paul Nauert (1); Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia (NEC [Previous Check Swing], QOC = U).
#6: E 051: Bill Welke (2); Tigers Manager Jim Leyland (NEC [Previous Foul Ball], QOC = U).
#5: E 038: Gary Darling (5); Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine (Out [Time] Call, QOC = Y).
#4: E 084/5: Sam Holbrook (3, 4); Brewers P Zack Greinke & M Ron Roenicke (Safe [Time], QOC = Y).
#3: E 123: Angel Campos (4); Dodgers CF Matt Kemp & Tschida M Mattingly (Called Strike, QOC = Y).
#2: E 074: Tim Tschida (3); Rays P Joel Peralta (Illegal Substance in Glove, QOC = U).
#1: E 033/4: Bill Miller (1, 2); Blue Jays 3B Brett Lawrie & M John Farrell (Called Third Strike, QOC = N).

Not mentioned: UEFL Ejection of the Year, Ejection 026: Jim Joyce (1), Brad Mills (Bunt No-Swing, QOC = Y).
Mentioned: UEFL Ejection of the Year #2, Ejection 031: Bob Davidson (1) [Listed at #12].

Total Correct: 13 / Total Incorrect: 5 / Total Irrecusable: 7 = 72.22% Accuracy (Greater than 56.8% AVG)

NFL Ejections: John Parry (2, 3)

Referee John Parry's crew ejected Chargers linebacker Takeo Spikes and Raiders running back Mike Goodson for fighting in the second quarter of the Raiders-Chargers game. With 12:57 remaining in the second period, Spikes and Goodson entered into a dead-ball altercation following an incomplete pass attempt, Raiders quarterback Terrelle Prior intended for wide receiver Rod Streater, and were ejected pursuant to NFL Rule 12-2-8 regarding flagrant personal foul: unnecessary roughness penalties. At the time of the ejections, the Chargers were leading, 10-0. The Chargers ultimately won the contest, 24-21.

These are John Parry's second and third ejections of 2012.

Wrap: Oakland Raiders vs. San Diego Chargers, 12/30/12
Video: During a larger skirmish, Spikes & Goodson are charged with fighting and ejected from the contest

[Referee: John Parry, Umpire: Dan Ferrel, Head Linesman: Derick Bowers, Line Judge: Allen Baynes, Side Judge: Ronald Robert, Field Judge: Scott Edwards, Back Judge: Perry Paganelli]

2012-13 TFFL: Day 60, Technicals 389 - 391 & Flops 12 - 14

2012-13 TFFL: Day 60 (4 Games, 3 Technicals, 3 Flopping Disciplines).

389: 23 Jason Phillips, 7 Kevin Fehr, 26 Pat Fraher. Clippers' Griffin; 1st, 2:34.
390: 23 Jason Phillips, 7 Kevin Fehr, 26 Pat Fraher. Jazz's Tinsley; 3rd, 5:59.
391: 23 Jason Phillips, 7 Kevin Fehr, 26 Pat Fraher. Clippers' Barnes; 4th, 9:34.
The Los Angeles Clippers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Utah Jazz, 107-96.
Note: The Clippers currently possess a 17-game win streak, including an undefeated month of December.

Flopping 12: ORL Gustavo Ayon (1st; Warning), Magic vs. Hornets (12/26/12, Video [Foul Called = No]).
Flopping 13: PHI Royal Ivey (1st; Warning), 76ers vs. Grizzlies (12/26/12, Video [Foul Called = Yes]).
Flopping 14: SAS Tony Parker (1st; Warning), Spurs vs. Rockets (12/28/12, Video [Foul Called = No]).

2012-13 TFFL Standings Update

1. (88 pts) Boredcravens.

2. (84 pts) Bino.

3. (78 pts) Drjjulius.

4. (73 pts) tonyjia888, cyclone14.