UEFL 2013: Final Hours to Register for 2013 Season

UEFL 2013 registration is now in its final hours. If you have not yet signed up and wish to do so, please refer to the below form before the draft deadline of Monday, March 4, at 11:59 pm PT.

Quick Links: 2013 UEFL Registration Form / 2013 Appeals Board Nomination Form
After registering, your name will be added to the 2013 UEFL Member Roster (note Last Updated date). All preliminary registrants appear on the Roster as of the indicated last updated date and time. If you do not see your username, please register again or reply to this post.

For those who have requested inclusion on the UEFL mailing list, a draft guide will be e-mailed to you on Sunday night.

If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask. The draft process begins on Monday.

2012-13 TFFL: Days 113-114 & Technicals 745 - 757

2012-13 TFFL: Day 114 (12 Games, 12 Technicals)
746: #47 Bennie Adams, #61 Courtney Kirkland, #75 Eric Dalen. Pacers' George; 4th, 9:52.
The Indiana Pacers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Toronto Raptors, 93-81.

747: #27 Dick Bavetta, #23 Jason Phillips, #6 Tony Brown. Knicks' Smith; 1st, 0:27.7 (double-748).
748: #27 Dick Bavetta, #23 Jason Phillips, #6 Tony Brown. Wizards' Booker; 1st, 0:27.7 (double-747).
749: #27 Dick Bavetta, #23 Jason Phillips, #6 Tony Brown. Wizards' Wall; 4th, 10:11.
750: #27 Dick Bavetta, #23 Jason Phillips, #6 Tony Brown. Knicks' Anthony; 4th, 6:46.
The New York Knicks ultimately won the contest, defeating the Washington Wizards, 96-88.

751: #14 Ed Malloy, #45 Brian Forte, #74 Curtis Blair. Kings' Thomas; 1st, 7:24.
752: #14 Ed Malloy, #45 Brian Forte, #74 Curtis Blair. Kings' Thompson; 2nd, 10:53.
753: #14 Ed Malloy, #45 Brian Forte, #74 Curtis Blair. Spurs' Parker; 2nd, 2:14.
The San Antonio Spurs ultimately won the contest, defeating the Sacramento Kings, 130-102.

754: #71 Rodney Mott, #12 Violet Palmer, #40 Leon Wood. Hawks' Harris; 3rd, 4:44.
755: #71 Rodney Mott, #12 Violet Palmer, #40 Leon Wood. Suns' Morris, Mark.; 3rd, 2:10.
756: #71 Rodney Mott, #12 Violet Palmer, #40 Leon Wood. Suns' O'Neal; 4th, 6:27.
The Phoenix Suns ultimately won the contest, defeating the Atlanta Hawks, 92-87.

757: #49 Tom Washington, #42 Eric Lewis, #59 Gary Zielinski. Thunder's Durant; 2nd, 4:30.
The Denver Nuggets ultimately won the contest, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder, 105-103.

2012-13 TFFL: Day 113 (3 Games, 1 Technical)
745: 49 Tom Washington, 30 John Goble, 79 Kevin Scott. Lakers' Howard; 4th, 10:43.
The Los Angeles Lakers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves, 116-94.

2012-13 TFFL Standings Update - UNAVAILABLE through Sunday, March 3.

Healthy John Hirschbeck Works First Spring Training Game

Veteran MLB umpire John Hirschbeck is back in baseball, having worked his first 2013 Spring Training game.

Hirschbeck has returned to the field.

The contest, a fairly benign 3-hour and 34-minute 16-6 Red Sox win versus Pittsburgh in Florida's Grapefruit League, featured a four-man, all-big league crew with fellow crew chief Tom Hallion behind home plate, Chad Fairchild at third base, Wally Bell at second and Hirscheck at first.

Game-time weather was picture perfect, 71 degrees and sunny with 11 mph winds blowing from left to right field. Reported attendance was 5,212.

Hirschbeck was first diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2009, undergoing surgery shortly thereafter. Prior to the 2012 season, Hirschbeck was placed on umpiring's Disabled List, presumably due to the illness.

Several months into the 2012 season, Hirschbeck informed friends he had been deemed cancer-free. At the time, Hirschbeck also planned a return to MLB service with a timeline set for some point during the 2013 season.

Pre-Season Ejections: Marty Foster (1)

1B Umpire Marty Foster ejected Yankees catcher Chris Stewart for arguing an out call in the bottom of the 2nd inning of the Blue Jays-Yankees game. With none out and one on, Stewart hit a pitch from Blue Jays pitcher Brandon Morrow on the ground to shortstop Jose Reyes, who threw to first baseman Edwin Encarnacion as Stewart arrived at first base. Replays indicate Stewart's foot contacted the base prior to the ball entering Encarnacion's glove, the call was incorrect. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 0-0. The Blue Jays ultimately won the contest, 1-0.

This is Marty Foster (60)'s first ejection of Spring Training.
This is the first MLB ejection of 2013.

Wrap: Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees, 2/28/13 (http://mlb.com/2013_02_28_tormlb_nyamlb_1/)
Video: Stewart objects, points at Foster, gets tossed (NYY) (http://m.mlb.com/video/#/video/25634485)

2012-13 TFFL: Day 112, Technical Fouls 741-744

2012-13 TFFL: Day 112 (10 Games, 4 Technicals)
741: 48 Scott Foster, 6 Tony Brown, 7 Kevin Fehr. Kings' Johnson; 3rd, 0:44.0.
The Sacramento Kings ultimately won the contest, defeating the Orlando Magic, 125-101.

742: 36 David Jones, 47 Bennie Adams, 34 Kevin Cutler. Knicks' Stoudemire; 2nd, 9:15.
The New York Knicks ultimately won the contest, defeating the Golden State Warriors, 109-105.

743: 9 Derrick Stafford, #56 Mark Ayotte, #61 Courtney Kirkland. Mavericks' Brand; 4th, 2:28.
The Memphis Grizzlies ultimately won the contest, defeating the Dallas Mavericks, 90-84.

744: 71 Rodney Mott, #40 Leon Wood, #60 James Williams. Thunder's Martin; 2nd, 11:32.
The Oklahoma City Thunder ultimately won the contest, defeating the New Orleans Hornets, 119-74.

2012-13 TFFL Standings Update - UNAVAILABLE through Sunday, March 3.

Cheers to a Cure: PCAN/Greg Willard Benefit Event on 3/24

Edison High School (Huntington Beach, California) seniors Karly Freeman and Kailea Nuzzo have created a fundraiser with the goal of raising money for pancreatic research. Their friend and neighbor, NBA referee Greg Willard, has been named as honorary beneficiary for the March 24, '13 fundraiser Cheers to a Cure, with proceeds benefitting the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PCAN).

The Cheers to a Cure website describes the event as "a night of wine and hors d'oeuvres as we come together to support a great cause," featuring a silent auction and opportunity drawings. Items include a week's stay in Bali Indonesia, surfboards, golf clubs and, of course, basketball tickets.

In lieu of attending the event, donations are being accepted under the designation "CIBACS Foundation."

Cheers to a Cure Benefitting PCAN takes place at the Huntington Beach Art Center, 3/24/13, 4-7pm.

NBA Ejection: Garretson/Collins/Palmer & TFFL Day 111

Referees Ron Garretson (crew chief), Derrick Collins (R) and Violet Palmer (R2/umpire) ejected Pacers center Roy Hibbert for a second technical foul (fighting) in the 4th quarter of the Warriors-Pacers game. With 6:10 remaining in the 4th period, Hibbert became engaged in a fighting incident with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and guard Klay Thompson, receiving double technical fouls for unsporting actions with both players, the second of which resulted in his automatic ejection. Also receiving technical fouls were Warriors forward David Lee and Pacers forward David West. At the time of the ejection, the Pacers were leading, 95-85. The Pacers ultimately won the contest, 108-97.

This is Ron Garretson (10)'s first involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
This is Derrick Collins (11)'s first involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
This is Violet Palmer (12)'s second involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.

Wrap: Golden State Warriors at Indiana Pacers, 2/26/13
Video: Lee and Hibbert exchange shoves, Roy throws Curry down, brawl falls into stands, Hib ejected

2012-13 TFFL: Day 111 (8 Games, 9 Technicals, 1 Ejection)

732: 10 Ron Garretson, 11 Derrick Collins, 12 Violet Palmer. Pacers' West; 4th, 6:10 (double-734).
733: 10 Ron Garretson, 11 Derrick Collins, 12 Violet Palmer. Warriors' Lee; 4th, 6:10 (double-736).
734: 10 Ron Garretson, 11 Derrick Collins, 12 Violet Palmer. Warriors' Thompson; 4th, 6:10 (double-732).
735: 10 Ron Garretson, 11 Derrick Collins, 12 Violet Palmer. Warriors' Curry; 4th, 6:10 (double-737).
736: 10 Ron Garretson, 11 Derrick Collins, 12 Violet Palmer. Pacers' Hibbert; 4th, 6:10 (double-733).
737: 10 Ron Garretson, 11 Derrick Collins, 12 Violet Palmer. Pacers' Hibbert; 4th, 6:10 (double-735).
Indiana Pacers C Roy Hibbert ejected (second technical).
The Indiana Pacers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Golden State Warriors, 108-97.

738: 59 Gary Zielinski, 73 Tre Maddox, 40 Leon Wood. Bulls' Thibodeau; 2nd, 8:21.
739: 59 Gary Zielinski, 73 Tre Maddox, 40 Leon Wood. Cavaliers' Waiters; 2nd, 5:53.
740: 59 Gary Zielinski, 73 Tre Maddox, 40 Leon Wood. Bulls' Noah; 4th, 12:00.
The Cleveland Cavaliers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Chicago Bulls, 101-98.

2012-13 TFFL Standings Update

1. (164 pts) Bino.

2. (159 pts) Boredcravens.

3. (139 pts) Drjjulius.

3. (139 pts) cyclone14.

5. (137 pts) Eagle_12.

2012-13 TFFL: Day 110, Technical Fouls 728 - 731

2012-13 TFFL: Day 110 (4 Games, 4 Technicals)

728: 9 Derrick Stafford, 47 Bennie Adams, 72 JT Orr. Pistons' Jerebko; 4th, 10:06.
The Atlanta Hawks ultimately won the contest, defeating the Detroit Pistons, 114-103.

729: 17 Joe Crawford, 16 David Guthrie, 58 Josh Tiven. Lakers' World Peace; 1st, 11:37.
730: 17 Joe Crawford, 16 David Guthrie, 58 Josh Tiven. Nuggets' Karl; 1st, 7:27.
731: 17 Joe Crawford, 16 David Guthrie, 58 Josh Tiven. Lakers' Bryant; 3rd, 12:00.
The Denver Nuggets ultimately won the contest, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, 119-108.

2012-13 TFFL Standings Update

1. (164 pts) Bino.

2. (159 pts) Boredcravens.

3. (139 pts) Drjjulius.

3. (139 pts) cyclone14.

5. (137 pts) Eagle_12.

MLB Confirms UEFL Report of 2013 Umpire Shuffle

MLB has confirmed the content of the UEFL's report regarding umpire roster changes for the 2013 season. As reported in January, first as a rumor on 1/10 (Unconfirmed: MLB Hires Carapazza, Porter, Gonzalez) and then as a confirmed story on 1/24 (Confirmed: 3 MLB Umps Hired, 3 Retired, 3 New Crew Chiefs), MLB made the following changes to its full-time umpiring staff. Today's formal press release makes it official:

Hired: Vic Carapazza, Manny Gonzalez, Alan Porter.
Promoted to Crew Chief: Ted Barrett, Fieldin Culbreth, Jim Joyce
Retired: Derryl Cousins, Ed Rapuano, Tim Tschida.

For more information about each hire, promotion and retirement, visit the January 24 piece.

News: Umpiring staff changes for 2013 announced (MLB)

NY Appeals Court Overturns Denied Runge Injury Claim

A NY appeals court ruled in favor of former NL umpire Paul Runge, reinstating a worker's compensation claim filed by Runge following an injury sustained in 1997. A previous judgment had denied Runge's claim.

Former NL Umpire Paul Runge

Runge allegedly injured both knees during an annual spring training physical in March of 1997 and received paid treatment thanks to the National League's insurance program. Because Runge reportedly did not miss any assignments and therefore allegedly did not suffer any lost wages prior to his retirement from the playing field in July 1997 and subsequent acceptance of the NL Director of Umpires position thereafter, the compensation case was quickly closed in or around 1998. Runge's final game was July 22, 1997 (HOU-STL).

When MLB reorganized its umpiring staff following the 1999 season, Runge's position was eliminated and he was fired along with Jim Quick, Harry Wendelstedt (NL) and Don Denkinger (AL).

Though the league and/or its insurance program continued funding Runge's treatment until 2002, because the compensation case had been closed, Runge allegedly did not receive further wages or compensation related to the injury reportedly sustained in 1997.

In 2004, when Runge's injury had deteriorated to a point where his left knee required a complete replacement surgery, the league office declined, citing the workers' comp case and corresponding compensation window had already been closed. Furthermore, Runge was no longer an umpire nor employee.

After a Worker's Compensation Board agreed with Major League Baseball and formally dismissed Runge's claim, the former umpire appealed, resulting in the present decision by the Appellate Division of New York State Supreme Court to overturn the Board's ruling and reinstate Runge's worker's comp claim.

Paul Edward Runge is the father of current MLB umpire Brian Runge and son of former umpire Ed Runge. Paul began his NL career in 1973, working three All-Star Games, nine League Championship Series and four World Series over the course of his 25-year on-field career.

News: Call goes ex-MLB ump's way (Timesunion)

2012-13 TFFL: Day 109, Technical Fouls 717 - 727

2012-13 TFFL: Day 109 (9 Games, 11 Technicals)

717: 41 Ken Mauer, 35 Kane Fitzgerald, 45 Brian Forte. Lakers' Bryant; 1st, 9:16.
718: 41 Ken Mauer, 35 Kane Fitzgerald, 45 Brian Forte. Mavericks' Nowitzki; 4th, 5:48.
719: 41 Ken Mauer, 35 Kane Fitzgerald, 45 Brian Forte. Mavericks' Mayo; 4th, 3:05.
The Los Angeles Lakers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Dallas Mavericks, 103-99.

720: 14 Ed Malloy, 54 Nick Buchert, 12 Violet Palmer. Heat's Spoelstra; 2nd, 0:31.7.
The Miami Heat ultimately won the contest, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers, 109-105.

721: 10 Ron Garretson, 61 Courtney Kirkland, 66 Haywoode Workman. Kings' Evans; 4th, 5:23.
The New Orleans Hornets ultimately won the contest, defeating the Sacramento Kings, 110-95.

722: 31 Scott Wall, 28 Zach Zarba, 42 Eric Lewis. 76ers' Turner; 1st, 2:30.
723: 31 Scott Wall, 28 Zach Zarba, 42 Eric Lewis. 76ers' Hawes; 3rd, 7:29 (double-724).
724: 31 Scott Wall, 28 Zach Zarba, 42 Eric Lewis. Knicks' Chandler; 3rd, 7:29 (double-723).
The New York Knicks ultimately won the contest, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers, 99-93.

725: 13 Monty McCutchen, 6 Tony Brown, 75 Eric Dalen. Celtics' Rivers; 1st, 5:11.
The Portland Trail Blazers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Boston Celtics, 92-86.

726: 15 Bennett Salvatore, 18 Matt Boland, 77 Karl Lane. Thunder's Westbrook; 1st, 5:47.
727: 15 Bennett Salvatore, 18 Matt Boland, 77 Karl Lane. Thunder's Perkins; 3rd, 2:57.
The Oklahoma City Thunder ultimately won the contest, defeating the Chicago Bulls, 102-72.

2012-13 TFFL Standings Update

1. (164 pts) Bino.

2. (159 pts) Boredcravens.

3. (139 pts) Drjjulius.

3. (139 pts) cyclone14.

5. (137 pts) Eagle_12.

NBA Ejection: Spooner/Zielinski/Barnaky & TFFL Day 108

Referees Bill Spooner (crew chief), Gary Zielinski (R) and Brent Barnaky (R2/umpire) ejected Pistons guard Will Bynum for a flagrant two foul in the 4th quarter of the Pacers-Pistons game. With 8:39 remaining in the 4th period, Bynum appeared to punch Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough in the midsection and was immediately ejected by Barnaky. At the time of the ejection the Pacers were leading, 70-50. The Pacers ultimately won the contest, 90-72.

This is Bill Spooner (22)'s first involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
This is Gary Zielinski (59)'s third involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
This is Brent Barnaky (70)'s fourth involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.

Wrap: Indiana Pacers at Detroit Pistons, 2/23/13
Video: Bynum throws and lands a punch on Hansbrough's stomach, instantly ejected for the violent act

2012-13 TFFL: Day 108 (7 Games, 12 Technicals)

705: 19 James Capers, 42 Eric Lewis, 34 Kevin Cutler. Nuggets' Faried; 1st, 4:27.
706: 19 James Capers, 42 Eric Lewis, 34 Kevin Cutler. Nuggets' Karl; 4th, 5:23.
The Denver Nuggets ultimately won the contest, defeating the Charlotte Bobcats, 113-99.

707: 65 Sean Wright, 27 Dick Bavetta, 52 Scott Twardoski. Cavaliers' Speights; 3rd, 1:34.
The Cleveland Cavaliers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Orlando Magic, 118-94.

708: 22 Bill Spooner, 59 Gary Zielinski, 70 Brent Barnaky. Pacers' West; 2nd, 3:35.
709: 22 Bill Spooner, 59 Gary Zielinski, 70 Brent Barnaky. Pistons' Villanueva; 2nd, 3:04.
The Indiana Pacers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Detroit Pistons, 90-72.

710: 32 Eddie F. Rush, 8 Marc Davis, 7 Kevin Fehr. Bucks' Jennings; 1st, 6:24.
711: 32 Eddie F. Rush, 8 Marc Davis, 7 Kevin Fehr. Bucks' Dalembert; 1st, 0:36.1 (double-712).
712: 32 Eddie F. Rush, 8 Marc Davis, 7 Kevin Fehr. Hawks' Pachulia; 1st, 0:36.1 (double-711).
^The Atlanta Hawks ultimately won the contest, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks, 103-102.

713: 48 Scott Foster, 75 Eric Dalen, 20 Leroy Richardson. Jazz's Corbin; 2nd, 8:58.
714: 48 Scott Foster, 75 Eric Dalen, 20 Leroy Richardson. Clippers' Griffin; 2nd, 3:35.
715: 48 Scott Foster, 75 Eric Dalen, 20 Leroy Richardson. Jazz's Millsap; 2nd, 0:36.6.
716: 48 Scott Foster, 75 Eric Dalen, 20 Leroy Richardson. Clippers' Crawford; 4th, 12:00.
The Los Angeles Clippers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Utah Jazz, 107-94.

2012-13 TFFL Standings Update

1. (158 pts) Bino.

2. (153 pts) Boredcravens.

3. (139 pts) Drjjulius.
4. (136 pts) cyclone14.

5. (134 pts) Eagle_12.