2015 UEFL Award for Best Crew Chief - Gary Cederstrom

Gary Cederstrom wins the UEFL's 2015 Crew Chief of the Year Award. [2014 Winner: Ted Barrett]
Voting Results (Top 3): Gary Cederstrom (23%), Ted Barrett (21%), Dale Scott (10%).

Gary Cederstrom is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2015 Crew Chief of the Year, which marks his first UEFL Award. Cederstrom finished 2015 with one ejection; he ejected zero times in 2014. In addition to the rare ejection (Ejection 190)—Cederstrom last ejected someone in 2012—Cederstrom was treated to the privilege of serving as crew chief during the controversial Chase Utley-Ruben Tejada play at second base during Game 2 of the National League Division Series. Following that round of postseason play, Cederstrom was named as crew chief of the World Series, his third such assignment.

Gary Cederstrom now has 16 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (15 Previous + 1 Award = 16).
The next postseason award, Honorable Umpire of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

2015 UEFL Award for Fill-In Umpire - John Tumpane

John Tumpane wins the UEFL's 2015 Fill-In Umpire of the Year Award. [2014 Winner: Tripp Gibson]
Voting Results (Top 3): John Tumpane (26%), Adam Hamari (21%), Chris Segal (6%).

John Tumpane is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2015 Fill-In Umpire of the Year, which marks his first UEFL Award. In his 6th Major League Baseball umpiring season, Tumpane had three ejections; he ejected four times in 2014. Tumpane's ejection of Kyle Seager (Ejection 053) prompted this comment: "This guy is ready for a big league spot. Has been for a while. Tumpane earned my respect a long time ago, and got this call right," while his April 19 ejection of David Ortiz for crew chief Jerry Meals' call (Ejection 012) was a "rookie umpire sticking up for his crew mate." Tumpane also called Mike Fiers' no-hitter (2015 No-Hitter #5), missing just two pitches, or, "as accurate as you can get."

John Tumpane now has 21 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (19 Previous + 2 Award = 21).
The next postseason award, Crew Chief of the Year, will be released later tonight.

2015 UEFL Award for Most Improved - Angel Hernandez

Angel Hernandez wins the UEFL's 2015 Most Improved Umpire Award. [2014 Winner: CB Bucknor]
Voting Results (Top 4): Angel Hernandez (29%), CB Bucknor (8%); Alfonso Marquez, Bill Welke (7%).

Angel Hernandez is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2015 most improved umpire of the year, which marks his second consecutive season receiving an award (2014 Noteworthy Umpire). In his 25th Major League Baseball umpiring season, Hernandez had two ejections; he ejected three times in 2014. Hernandez's 2015 ejections of managers Ryne Sandberg (Ejection 059) and John Gibbons (Ejection 079) earned him praise for protecting crewmate Scott Barry while his postseason performance at the Division Series proved impressive: "Solid year and a good playoff round. Given his past body of work, if he stays good he may earn a crew chief position."

Angel Hernandez now has 10 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (9 Previous + 1 Award = 10).
The next postseason award, Fill-In of the Year, will be released tomorrow.

2015 UEFL Award for Worst Umpire - John Hirschbeck

The Umpire Ejection Fantasy League announces its postseason awards schedule, beginning with the Worst Umpire of the Year, below, and continuing with Most Improved Umpire, Fill-In, Crew Chief, Honorable, Noteworthy, Ejection(s) of the Year and concluding with Umpire of the Year. 221 total ballots were cast during this year's nominations process, which is a 41% increase over 2014.

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

2015 UEFL Awards: Worst Umpire of the Year: John Hirschbeck (17) [2014 Winner: Tim Welke]
Voting Results (Top 3): John Hirschbeck (12%), Andy Fletcher (11%), Tim Welke (10%).

John Hirschbeck is the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League's 2015 Worst Umpire of the Year. In his 33rd Major League Baseball umpiring season, Hirschbeck finished with seven ejections, which includes one postseason ejection; Hirschbeck ejected zero times with a reduced schedule in 2014 and twice in 2013. UEFL'ers described Hirschbeck as confrontational: "Although he has gone through a lot of bad things in his personal life, he constantly takes it out on the field and acts unprofessional and bitter towards players and managers." Commenters were particularly critical of Hirschbeck's actions in ejecting Troy Tulowitzki during the postseason (Ejection P-4), Joe Girardi (Ejection 206), Pablo Sandoval (Ejection 183), and the tandem of Bruce Bochy and Angel Pagan (Ejections 089, 090): "He looks uninterested, combative and worst of all, unprofessional. Been seeing cracks in the armor for a while, most of which got a pass for the respect he’s earned over 31 years….it’s time [for retirement]."

John Hirschbeck now has 15 points in the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League (18 Previous - 3 Award = 15).
The next postseason award, Most Improved Umpire of the Year, will be released later tonight.

UEFL Year End Award Nominations for the 2015 Season

Award Nominations: The Umpire Ejection Fantasy League prepares to distribute its Postseason Awards to eligible umpires* who, during the past season, have demonstrated significant performances to fit the terms of one of these awards (UEFL Rule 4-4).

a. Umpire of the Year (min. 1 / max. 1 umpire)
b. Noteworthy Umpire of the Year (min. 1 / max. 2 umpires)
c. Honorable Umpire of the Year (min. 0 / max. 2 umpires)
d. Fill-In Umpire of the Year (min. 0 / max. 1 umpire)
e. Most Improved Umpire of the Year (min. 0 / max. 1 umpire)
f. Crew Chief of the Year (min. 0 / max. 1 umpire)
g. Best Ejection of the Year (min. 0 / max. 2 ejections) [Link: 2015 MLB Ejections (UEFL Portal)]
h. Worst Umpire of the Year (min. 0 / max. 1 umpire)

Please take your time in consideration of an umpire for as many or as few awards as you prefer; Ballots will be accepted until 11:59 PM PT on Thursday, November 5; Awards distribution will begin Friday, November 6. To cast your ballot, complete the following voting form.
Points scale for post season awards: a. (+5); b. (+3); c. (+2); d. (+2); e. (+1); f. (+1); g. (+1); h. (-3).
*Eligible umpires are listed on the ballot for each applicable category. For instance, only umpires on the full-time staff roster are eligible for Awards a-c, e, f and h.

a. Umpire of the Year: This Umpire has been the best MLB Umpire the past year, bar none. This Umpire has been more dedicated, professional, and positive than all others. This award will be given to one umpire.
b. Noteworthy Umpire of the Year: This Umpire has been dedicated, professional, and has worked hard. Perhaps a rising star, the Noteworthy Umpire of the Year is an umpire to keep an eye on, for an expectation of great things down the line. This award will be given to one or two umpires.
c. Honorable Umpire of the Year: This Umpire has been the most honorable Umpire during the past year. Perhaps through Community Service, or through struggling with and overcoming his own difficulties, this Umpire has been the most personally admirable of all. This award may or may not be given to either one or two umpires.
d. Fill-In Umpire of the Year: This Umpire has been the best AAA Call-Up Umpire the past year, bar none. This Umpire has been the most dedicated, professional, and positive AAA/Non-MLB Full Time Umpire of all non-MLB Full Time Umpires. This award may or may not be given to a maximum of one umpire.
e. Most Improved Umpire of the Year: This Umpire has improved his overall performance from the previous season more noticeably than any other Umpire. Generally, this umpire has developed into a solid arbiter within the past year. This award may or may not be given to a maximum of one umpire.
f. Crew Chief of the Year: This Umpire has been the best MLB Umpire Crew Chief, the past year, bar none. This Umpire has led his crew(s) better than all others. This award will be given to one umpire.
g. Best Ejection of the Year: In the form of "Ejection 123: Umpire (1)," this award recognizes the best ejection(s) of the year. Nominated and selected due to form, mechanics, entertainment value, reason for ejection, or overall quality, the Best Ejection of the Year is awarded to one or two umpires for one or two specific ejections. The award may be given to one umpire for two separate ejections, in which case, he receives one point for each ejection.
h. Worst Umpire of the Year: This Umpire has shown a continual regression in ability, and might have had a regrettable incident(s) occur in-season. The Worst Umpire of the Year is unprofessional and does a disservice to Umpires and the game. This award may or may not be given to a maximum of one umpire.