UEFL University - Video Rulebook - Strike

The following entry in the UEFL Video Rulebook pertains to the pitched ball designated as "Strike," one of three necessary for the batter to retire via a strike out.

During a batter's time at bat, the count reflects how many pitches of each type the batter has seen in the form of Ball-Strike; for instance, a 3-2 count corresponds to three balls and two strikes. Upon receiving his third strike, the batter completes his time at bat via the strike out. There are several ways for a "Strike" to be added to the count; click each image to view a video example of the indicated term:

The umpire may add an automatic strike to the count if the batter delays the game by refusing to timely take his position in the batter's box.	A pitch not swung at by the batter, but which travels through the strike zone, when caught by the catcher, shall be ruled a strike (looking).	A pitch swung at, but missed, by the batter shall be ruled a swinging strike. Similarly, a missed bunt attempt by the batter is also ruled a strike.
A batter's half swing which leaves ambiguity as to whether he intended to strike the pitch is a check swing. The umpire shall rule upon whether or not the batter intended to strike the pitch. Batter Intends to Strike Pitch: Strike. Batter Has No Such Intention: Ball.	A pitch which produces contact between bat and ball, where the ball becomes foul and is not a foul tip, results in a strike added to the count, unless there are already two strikes, in which case the count stays the same. NOTE: A foul bunt always results in an added strike.	A foul tip occurs when contact occurs between bat and ball, wherein the ball travels swiftly, directly, and immediately back into the catcher's glove, and is held onto (caught) by the catcher. The ball remains live and is treated as a swinging strike, with a strike added to the count.
When the batter receives his third strike (whether Automatic, Pitch Location, Swinging, Foul Bunt, or Foul Tip), he has completed his time at bat. When the pitch resulting in a third strike is caught by the catcher (without having touched the ground), the batter is out on strikes (Strikeout).	If the third strike does not arrive in the catcher's glove cleanly or has touched the ground or another object (whether via a dropped ball, bouncing pitch, or otherwise), the third strike is uncaught and the batter may attempt to run to first base (unless first base is occupied with less than two out).	When the third strike is uncaught, the catcher/defense must retire the batter as a runner, as the batter is now a runner since his time at bat is complete (unless first base is occupied with less than two out). The defense may tag the batter-runner, or first base ahead of the BR's arrival, for an out.

Veteran Crew Chief Tim Welke (3) Announces Retirement

MLB veteran umpire Tim Welke (3) has retired following knee surgery. Welke had been listed on MLB's roster in January 2016, and again on the late February Spring Training list, but the crew chief was not assigned to a crew.

News of the elder Welke's (brother Bill #52 remains on the staff and has already worked several games this spring) retirement comes months after he underwent knee replacement surgery in January; Welke is scheduled for a second surgery in June.

Tim Welke retires 33 years after he first began in the American League after officiating a total of 4,216 regular season games, his 4,000th coming on April 13, 2014 in Cincinnati, three All-Star Games, eight Division Series (35 games), seven League Championship Series (41 games), and four World Series (22 games). His assignments took him across the United States and Canada, and to Sydney, Australia for the 2014 Dodgers-Diamondbacks Opening Series.

His 72 career ejections began with Boston's Ralph Houk and Bob Stanley in August 1983 and wrapped up with New York's Joe Girardi in 2012.

Link: UEFL Umpire Profile: Tim Welke.

UEFL University - Video Rulebook - Ball

The following entry in the UEFL Video Rulebook pertains to the pitched ball designated as "Ball," one of four necessary for the batter to achieve a one-base award.

During a batter's time at bat, the count reflects how many pitches of each type the batter has seen in the form of Ball-Strike; for instance, a 3-1 count corresponds to three balls and one strike. Upon receiving his fourth ball, the batter achieves a one-base award known as a walk. There are several ways for a "Ball" to be added to the count, click each image to view a video example of the indicated term:

A pitch not swung at by the batter and which does not at any point enter the strike zone, when caught by the catcher, shall be ruled a ball. This includes any such pitch which bounces prior to reaching home plate, even if the ball subsequently bounces into the strike zone.	A pitch which makes contact with the batter while the batter is legally within the batter's box is a Hit By Pitch (HBP). Award: Dead ball, Batter awarded 1st. Exception: A batter who makes no attempt to avoid being hit will not be awarded 1st base (dead ball & Ball only).
A pitcher who executes a pitch when the batter is not ready to receive it may be called for a quick return pitch. This is an illegal act. Similarly, a pitcher who takes too long to pitch may receive an automatic ball (consuming greater than 12 seconds with no runner on base). Award: Dead ball, Ball added to Count.	A pitcher whose delivery fails to reach home plate or either of the foul lines has made an illegal pitch (short). Another illegal action resulting in a ball is a pitcher on the rubber touching his hands to his mouth, except when previously authorized by the umpires. Award (No Runners on Base): Ball. Award (Runner[s] on Base): Balk.

New for 2016 - UEFL University and the Video Rulebook

The Umpire Ejection Fantasy League announces UEFL University, a new instructional initiative for 2016 that presents and illustrates the playing rules of baseball. Though all of our educational material will now fall under the umbrella of the freely-available UEFL University, the initiative's flagship production is the all new UEFL Video Rulebook, conceptually illustrated below.

The UEFL Video Rulebook home page will feature a table with nine images, pictured below, that players, coaches, umpires and fans alike may click through to access video illustrations of each principle. Every image that you see within the nine areas of the UEFL Video Rulebook will be linked to a video illustrating the concept at hand.

Over the remainder of Spring Training, each of the nine areas will be introduced: the final product—the homepage linking to each area—will be live by Opening Day 2016.

Top Row: Pitched Ball. A pitched ball generally will result in a Ball, Strike, or Batted Ball.

Middle Row: In the Field. A ball put into play will often yield a Safe, Out or an Award/Penalty.

Bottom Row: Extracurriculars. Describes the Playing Field, Ejections, and Instant Replay Review.

Introducing the 2016 UEFL Draft Board

Umpire selection continues with the UEFL Draft Board: confirm your selection has been received correctly and view other draft picks by accessing the Board, viewable in this post.

Click here to draft your umpires for the 2016 UEFL season and click here for the 2016 UEFL Draft announcement, including the historical data draft prospectus for the upcoming season. Click through to access the full board and chart.