UEFL Draft 2013: Appeals Board Election

The 2013 UEFL Appeals Board election is now open. Pursuant to Rule 6-4-a, the UEFL has established an Appeals Board to rule on issues of Quality of Correctness. The Commissioner has additionally vested this Board with the responsibility of adjudicating similar points affecting variables, as defined by Rule 6-2, including, but not limited to, umpire classification and name of ejector.

In accordance with a 2012 Rules Summit decision, RichMSN, tmac and yawetag were re-elected to the 2013 Appeals Board, which leaves a minimum of two vacancies. The pre-season election takes the form of a plurality-at-large voting system, such that top vote recipients are elected until no additional vacancies exist (6-4-a-2-a). The Commissioner, at sole discretion, may fill or leave vacant the sixth and seventh seats (...2-b).

Listed in random order, the following five candidates have been nominated for the 2013 UEFL Appeals Board; you may vote for as many or as few candidates as you wish. Following candidate statements, which are reproduced below, is the ballot. This ballot closes on Friday, March 29, 2013.

NBA Ejections: Callahan/Tiven/Zarba (2) & TFFL 133-134

Referees Mike Callahan (crew chief), Josh Tiven (R) and Zach Zarba (R2/umpire) ejected Bucks center Larry Sanders for a second conduct technical foul and Mike Dunleavy for a flagrant foul penalty two during the second half of the Bucks-Pacers game. With 7:54 remaining in the third quarter, Sanders received two unsporting technical fouls, resulting in his automatic ejection. With 8:15 remaining in the fourth quarter, Dunleavy initiated excessive and unecessary contact during a Gerald Green shot attempt, dangerously striking Green's head and neck area, resulting in the administration of a flagrant type two foul. At the time of the Sanders ejection, the Pacers were leading, 53-47. At the time of the Dunleavy ejection, the Pacers were leading, 83-63. The Pacers ultimately won the contest, 102-78.

These are Mike Callahan (24)'s fourth and fifth involvements with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
These are Josh Tiven (58)'s first and second involvements with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
These are Zach Zarba (28)'s ninth and 10th involvements with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
This is Larry Sanders' third ejection in just 10 days.

Wrap: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers, 3/22/13
Video: Sanders loses his cool yet again, receives another early shower (0:55)
Video: Dunleavy smacks Green with force, called for a flagrant two and is thrown out (2:15)

2012-13 TFFL: Day 134 (11 Games, 7 Technicals, 1 Ejection)
875: #24 Mike Callahan, #58 Josh Tiven, #28 Zach Zarba. Bucks' Sanders; 3rd, 7:54 (consec-876).
876: #24 Mike Callahan, #58 Josh Tiven, #28 Zach Zarba. Bucks' Sanders; 3rd, 7:54 (consec-875).
Milwaukee Bucks C Larry Sanders ejected (second technical foul).
The Indiana Pacers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks, 102-78.

877: #41 Ken Mauer, #29 Mark Lindsay, #79 Kevin Scott. Heat's Wade; 2nd, 4:25.
878: #41 Ken Mauer, #29 Mark Lindsay, #79 Kevin Scott. Pistons' Frank; 2nd, 2:41.
The Miami Heat ultimately won the contest, defeating the Detriot Pistons, 103-89.

879: #13 Monty McCutchen, #72 J.T. Orr, #38 Michael Smith. Spurs' Blair; 2nd, 9:55.
The San Antonio Spurs ultimately won the contest, defeating the Utah Jazz, 104-97.

880: #19 James Capers, #56 Mark Ayotte, #32 Eddie F. Rush. Timberwolves' Stiemsma; 2nd, 5:04.
The Minnesota Timberwolves ultimately won the contest, defeating the Phoenix Suns, 117-86.

881: #49 Tom Washington, #42 Eric Lewis, #73 Tre Maddox. Wizards' Wittman; 1st, 2:31.
The Washington Wizards ultimately won the contest, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, 103-100.

2012-13 TFFL: Day 133 (3 Games, 1 Technical, 2 Flop Disciplines)

874: #14 Ed Malloy, #59 Gary Zielinski, #72 J.T. Orr. 76ers' Holiday; 2nd, 3:43.
^The Denver Nuggets ultimately won the contest, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers, 101-100.

Flopping 19: SAC Tyreke Evans (1st, Warning), Kings vs. Clippers (3/19/13, Video [Foul Called = Yes]).
Flopping 20: LAC Chris Paul (1st, Warning), Kings vs. Clippers (3/19/13, Video [Foul Called = No]).

TFFL Standings Update

1. (189 pts) Bino.

2. (182 pts) Boredcravens.

3. (171 pts) cyclone14.

4. (165 pts) flap0703.

5. (162 pts) Drjjulius.

NFL Deletes Tuck Rule During Annual Meeting in Phoenix

While baseball's Cactus League has been playing Spring Training games throughout Arizona this March, the National Football League held it's annual meeting in Phoenix, AZ, resulting in several rule changes that will be incorporated for the 2013-2014 football season. The following proposals passed:

» (1) Modification of Rule 15-9, which governs illegal challenge requests for instant replay review. Previously: When a team illegally challenges a play, the team is penalized 15 yards and the play may not be reviewed, even if the booth would have otherwise automatically reviewed the play independent of the coach's challenge. Situation: Thanksgiving's Texans-Lions game, Detroit coach Jim Schwartz threw a challenge flag after a touchdown and lost his right to an automatic booth review that would have reversed the call; the Lions were also penalized 15 yards for an illegal challenge. Previously: 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, loss of ability to review play via instant replay. Now: Team will be charged a timeout. If out of timeouts, team will lose 15 yards via a USC penalty. In either scenario, if it otherwise would been subject to automatic video instant replay review the play will be reviewed.
» (2) Defense may no longer load one side of the field with more than six players during point-after and field goal attempts. Previously: Legal. Now: Such alignment now results in a five-yard penalty for illegal formation.
» (3) Elimination of Rule 8-1-1-Forward Pass-a, the "Tuck Rule." Previously: If, after intentionally moving his hand forward, if a player (generally a quarterback) loses possession of the football as he attempts to tuck it back into his body, it is a forward pass. Only if he loses possession after completing the tucking action is it a fumble. Now: Either scenario results in a fumble. Passed 29-1-2 (Pittsburgh Steelers dissenting; New England Patriots & Washington Redskins abstaining).
» (4) Fullbacks, H-backs, F-backs and tight ends permitted to wear jerseys in the 40-range.
» (5) Banishment of peel-back-blocks wherein an offensive player blocks a defender moving back toward his own end zone below the waist and from the back. Previously: Legal. Now: Peel-back-blocks illegal inside the tackle box and may result in a 15-yard penalty for unnecssary roughness
» (6) Plays may no longer lead with the crown of their helmet outside of the tackle box, a move that is meant to address player safety. Previously: Legal. Now: 15-yard penalty for initiating forcible contact by delivering a blow via the top of his helmet against an opponent when both players are clearly outside of the tackle box area. Allows for rulings of incidental (non-violative) contact. Passed 31-1 (Cincinnati Bengals dissenting).

News: 'Tuck Rule' eliminated by wide margin at NFL Annual Meeting (NFL)

2012-13 TFFL: Day 132, Technical Fouls 863 - 873

2012-13 TFFL: Day 132 (11 Games, 11 Technicals)

863: #28 Zach Zarba, #29 Mark Lindsay, #12 Violet Palmer. Raptors' Telfair; 4th, 10:50.
864: #28 Zach Zarba, #29 Mark Lindsay, #12 Violet Palmer. Bobcats' McRoberts; 4th, 4:29.
The Charlotte Bobcats ultimately won the contest, defeating the Toronto Raptors, 107-101.

865: #13 Monty McCutchen, #30 John Goble, #66 Haywoode Workman. Heat's Chalmers; 2nd, 1:52.
866: #13 Monty McCutchen, #30 John Goble, #66 Haywoode Workman. Cavaliers' Livingston; 4th, 3:02.
The Miami Heat ultimately won the contest, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers, 98-95.

867: #48 Scott Foster, #26 Pat Fraher, #38 Michael Smith. Thunder's Westbrook; 1st, 10:06.
868: #48 Scott Foster, #26 Pat Fraher, #38 Michael Smith. Grizzlies' Randolph; 4th, 3:29.
^The Memphis Grizzlies ultimately won the contest, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder in 1OT, 90-89.

869: #15 Bennett Salvatore, #54 Nick Buchert, #65 Sean Wright. Jazz's Williams, Mo.; 3rd, 6:12.
The Houston Rockets ultimately won the contest, defeating the Utah Jazz, 100-93.

870: #25 Tony Brothers, #11 Derrick Collins, #68 Marat Kogut. Spurs' Duncan; 4th, 6:59.
The San Antonio Spurs ultimately won the contest, defeating the Golden State Warriors, 104-93.

871: #71 Rodney Mott, #70 Brent Barnaky, #6 Tony Brown. Suns' Tucker; 1st, 7:10.
872: #71 Rodney Mott, #70 Brent Barnaky, #6 Tony Brown. Wizards' Beal; 4th, 9:53.
The Washington Wizards ultimately won the contest, defeating the Phoenix Suns, 88-79.

873: #49 Tom Washington, #42 Eric Lewis, #31 Scott Wall. 76ers' Holiday; 3rd, 15:00.
The Los Angeles Clippers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers, 101-72.

TFFL Standings Update

1. (185 pts) Bino.

2. (178 pts) Boredcravens.

3. (167 pts) cyclone14.

4. (163 pts) flap0703.
5. (162 pts) Drjjulius.

NBA Ejection: Dalen/Goble/Jones & TFFL Day 131

Referees David Jones (crew chief), Eric Dalen (R) and John Goble (R2/umpire) ejected Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn for two consecutive unsporting technical fouls during the 3rd quarter of the Magic-Pacers game. With 4:47 remaining in the 3rd period, officials assessed double technical fouls to Pacers center Roy Hibbert and Magic center Kyle O'Quinn following a free throw by Pacers forward Paul George. Vaughn protested the administration of the double technical, earning one unsporting T and earned his second technical foul after refusing to leave the playing surface and return to his coaching box. At the time of the ejection, the Pacers were leading, 58-44. The Pacers ultimately won the contest, 95-73.

This is David Jones (36)'s third ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.

This is Eric Dalen (75)'s third involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.

This is John Goble (30)'s seventh involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.

Wrap: Orlando Magic vs. Indiana Pacers, 3/19/13 / Video [N/A]

2012-13 TFFL: Day 131 (4 Games, 6 Technicals, 1 Ejection)

857: #36 David Jones, #75 Eric Dalen, #30 John Goble. Pacers' Hibbert; 3rd, 4:47 (double-858).
858: #36 David Jones, #75 Eric Dalen, #30 John Goble. Magic's O'Quinn; 3rd, 4:47 (double-857).
859: #36 David Jones, #75 Eric Dalen, #30 John Goble. Magic's Vaughn; 3rd, 4:47 (consec-860).
860: #36 David Jones, #75 Eric Dalen, #30 John Goble. Magic's Vaughn; 3rd, 4:47 (consec-859).
Orlando Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn ejected (second technical).
The Indiana Pacers ultimately won the contest, defeating the Orlando Magic, 95-73.

861: #24 Mike Callahan, #40 Leon Wood, #68 Marat Kogut. Nuggets' Karl; 2nd, 2:02.
The Denver Nuggets ultimately won the contest, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder, 114-104.

862: #71 Rodney Mott, #47 Bennie Adams, #52 Scott Twardoski. Clippers' Odom; 4th, 7:55.
The Sacramento Kings ultimately won the contest, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers, 116-101.

TFFL Standings Update
1. (183 pts) Bino.
2. (176 pts) Boredcravens.
3. (165 pts) cyclone14.
4. (160 pts) flap0703, Drjjulius.

Buckminster Breaks Hand; McClelland Umps from Infield

Umpire Tim McClelland called balls and strikes from behind the mound during Tuesday afternoon's Spring Training Angels-Brewers game. In the top of the first inning of the contest, Angels batter Albert Pujols was hit by a Wily Peralta pitch. The ball then deflected into HP Umpire Seth Buckminster, the injury necessitating Buckminster's departure from the game.

With the young umpire's absence while A.J. Johnson donned the plate umpire equipment creating a two-person crew of 3B Umpire McClelland and 1B Umpire Jim Joyce, the senior crew chief opted to move behind the pitcher in order to call pitches, an acceptable albeit rarely seen umpiring mechanic. Lack of immediately accessible plate gear also may have played a role.

Buckminster, who was struck on the left wrist, was seen exiting the field while grasping his mask with the right, not left hand. After the game, it was revealed that the errant pitch indeed fractured Buckminster's left hand.

Video: McClelland calls the game from the middle of the infield while Johnson dresses for the plate

NBA Ejection: D Crawford/L Richardson/Roe

Referees Dan Crawford (crew chief), Leroy Richardson (R) and Eli Roe (R2/umpire) ejected Cleveland Cavaliers forward Marreese Speights for a flagrant foul penalty two during the 3rd quarter of the Pacers-Cavaliers game. With 0:48.4 remaining in the 3rd period, Speights was charged with a turnover after Pacers forward Paul George stole the ball from him. While George subsequently attempted a fast break score, Speights employed contact both excessive and unnecessary by grabbing George around the neck and pulling him to the ground, resulting in a flagrant foul type two call. At the time of the ejection, the Pacers were leading, 82-62. The Pacers ultimately won the contest, 111-90.

This is Dan Crawford (43)'s seventh ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
This is Leroy Richardson (20)'s fourth involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.
This is Eli Roe (44)'s fourth involvement with an ejection of the 2012-13 NBA season.

Wrap: Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 3/18/13
Video: Speights rips opponent George and drags him to the ground via a choke-hold; is tossed (1:45)

2012-13 TFFL: Day 130 (11 Games, 6 Technicals)

851: #43 Dan Crawford, #20 Leroy Richardson, #44 Eli Roe. Pacers' Green; 2nd, 4:27.
The Indiana Pacers ultimately own the contest, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers, 111-90.

852: #15 Bennett Salvatore, #27 Dick Bavetta, #32 Eddie F. Rush. Hawks' Smith; 3rd, 8:58.
853: #15 Bennett Salvatore, #27 Dick Bavetta, #32 Eddie F. Rush. Mavericks' Kaman; 3rd, 4:57.
The Dallas Mavericks ultimately won the contest, defeating the Atlanta Hawks, 127-113.

854: #14 Ed Malloy, #74 Curtis Blair, #58 Josh Tiven. Nets' Blatche; 4th, 10:49.
The Brooklyn Nets ultimately won the contest, defeating the Detroit Pistons, 119-82.

855: #48 Scott Foster, #18 Matt Boland, #16 David Guthrie. Heat's James; 2nd, 5:22.
The Miami Heat ultimately won the contest, defeating the Boston Celtics, 105-103.

856: #7 Kevin Fehr, #41 Ken Mauer, #35 Kane Fitzgerald. Bulls' Deng; 3rd, 5:47.
^The Denver Nuggets ulimately won the contest, defeating the Chicago Bulls in 1OT, 119-118.

2012-13 TFFL: Day 129 (8 Games, 1 Technical)

850: #25 Tony Brothers, #75 Eric Dalen, #36 David Jones. Nets' Evans; 3rd, 4:34.

The Atlanta Hawks ultimately won the contest, defeating the Brooklyn Nets, 105-93.

2012-13 TFFL Standings

1. (183 pts) Bino.

2. (176 pts) Boredcravens.

3. (164 pts) cyclone14.

4. (159 pts) flap0703.

5. (155 pts) Drjjulius.

Case Play: Hockey Puck Splits in Two in Swiss Game

What happens when a hockey puck splits in half leaving one shard in the net and the other on the boards?

This exact play occured during a Swiss hockey game on March 16, 2013 when Cédric Botter attempted a wrist shot. The goal was waived off by refereee Stéphane Rochette following instant replay review.

Video: Pucks breaks into two pieces and is ultimately ruled frozen and a no-goal (SwissHabs)

NHL Rule 78.4 states, in part, "a goal shall be scored when the puck shall have been put...entirely across a red line." Rule 85—Puck Out of Bounds—addresses the instance of a puck causing the glass, lighting timing device or supports to break, but does not consider the situation of a puck itself shattering.

In concert with Rule 78.4, a similar situation in the Americas would likely be treated as a Puck Out of Sight pursuant to Rule 85.3 ("Should...the puck be out of sight of the Referee, he shall immediately blow his whistle and stop play").

As baseball season approaches, the UEFL announces its first Case Play of the 2013 season, based on the above scenario. Consider the following situation, modified from the above real-world hockey example.

Play: With two out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Gray Sox are trailing the Blue Sox 3-0. Hoping to get the Gray Sox back into the game, batter B1 hits a fly to deep center field, causing the ball to come apart during flight. (For video of this goofy play, click here to see this most cartoony of events).

Goofy's "How to Play Baseball" is Copyright, Walt Disney Co.

Case Play 2013-01:
a: Was our umpire correct in keeping this play alive through the collision at home plate?
b1: If so, and assuming F8 held in his hand part of the attached yet splintered baseball and this part of the baseball touched B1 prior to B1 touching home plate, is B1 out or does his run count; how does play proceed? R1, R2 and R3 have already legally scored.
b2: If not, what is the result of the play?
Now that we're warmed up, consider part (c):
c: Assume the ball has completely severed in two, as per the hockey scenario. One half of the ball is caught by F8 while the other half goes over the outfield wall in fair territory, both on the fly. Is that 3 outs, a grand slam or something else?

This is a Group Case Play in which you may respond to this post with your answer. Productive participants stand to gain one Case Play point (+1) in the UEFL Standings—before the season even begins. To receive credit, be sure to include your UEFL username.

*It is highly improbable that a baseball may come partially apart during one play. While one baseball would routinely be used during games in the late 1800s and early 1900s and occassionally fail or change properties during later innings, the death of Ray Chapman due to a HBP to the head in 1920 spurred the the American and National Leagues to consider replacing ripped, scuffed, cut, worn, fatigued or pitcher-manipulated balls.*