UEFL Year End Award Nominations for the 2016 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 (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: 2016 MLB Ejections (UEFL Portal)]
h. Worst Umpire of the Year (min. 0 / max. 1 umpire)

Click here for the complete history and list of UEFL Postseason Awards recipients.

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 Sunday, November 6; Awards distribution will begin Monday, November 7. 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. You may also write in an umpire if such umpire does not appear by commenting on this post. Make sure you use the phrase "Write In" so it is counted.

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.

The ballot is available below. Click "read more" to view and vote.

Discussion and Live Blog of the 2016 World Series

Umpire discussion for the 2016 World Series (Cubs-Indians) is now open. Notes include home plate umpire performance according to pitch f/x and UEFL Rules 6-2-b-a (horizontal bound, "Kulpa Rule") and 6-2-b-b (vertical strike zone, "Miller Rule"). Plays include significant plays and instant replay reviews, if such plays occur. Call +/- also included/highlighted.

- 10/25, CHC@CLE Gm 1: Larry Vanover: pfx (107/110 Balls + 65/67 Strikes = 172/177 = 97.2%) +1 CHC.
- 10/26, CHC@CLE Gm 2: Chris Guccione: pfx (144/145 Balls + 51/61 Strikes = 195/206 = 94.7%) +1 CLE.

- 10/28, CLE@CHC Gm 3: John Hirschbeck: pfx (95/102 Balls + 40/44 Strikes = 135/146 = 92.7%) +5 CHC.
- 10/29, CLE@CHC Gm 4: Marvin Hudson: pfx (77/84 Balls + 38/43 Strikes = 115/127 = 90.6%) +0 NU.
- 10/30, CLE@CHC Gm 5: Tony Randazzo: pfx (94/97 Balls + 50/57 Strikes = 144/154 = 93.5%) +0 NU.

- 11/1, CHC@CLE Gm 6: Joe West: pfx (113/118 Balls + 45/50 Strikes = 158/168 = 94.0%) +4 CLE.
- 11/2, CHC@CLE Gm 7: Sam Holbrook: pfx (109/117 Balls + 47/51 Strikes = 156/168 = 92.9%) +6 CHC.
Series Complete (WS CHC Over CLE 4-3, 93.8%, 1075/1146, Net Skew: +7 CHC.

LIVE BLOG: Join the CCS Crew LIVE for the World Series (NOTE: Requires Java)

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NOTE: The highest plate score during the 2015 World Series was Mike Winters' 97.3% (WS Game 3). The highest plate score overall during the 2015 Postseason was Paul Emmel's 98.5% (NLCS Game 4).

Instant Replay Reviews (R-QOC Colors: Green [Confirmed], Yellow [Stands], Red [Overturned]):
WS 3) 1B Umpire Marvin Hudson's safe call is overturned as Hendricks picks off Lindor at first base
WS 3) 3B Umpire Joe West's safe call stands at third base on attempted back-pick by Contrereas
WS 3) 1B Umpire Marvin Hudson's out call stands at first on diving play with pitcher covering
WS 4) 1B Umpire Tony Randazzo's safe call is overturned to complete backend of double play
WS 6) 1B Umpire Sam Holbrook's safe call on Lindor's infield hit bid is overturned in 7th inning
WS 7) 2B Umpire John Hirschbeck's out/transfer call is overturned after Baez fail to control baseball
WS 7) 1B Umpire Chris Guccione's out call is confirmed on double play in the 5th inning of Game 7
WS 7) 2B Umpire John Hirschbeck's slide rule violation no-call is confirmed on legal slide into 2nd
NOTE: There were 3 Replay Reviews during the 2015 World Series (1/3 Affirmed = .333 RAP).
2016 World Series Totals: 2 Confirmed, 2 Stands, 4 Overturned. 4/8 Affirmed = .500 RAP.

Case Play 2016-12 - Sliding into an Opposing Bullpen

When Indians batter Rajai Davis hit a foul fly ball to Cleveland's right field bullpen, Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward slid onto the warning track and around two uniformed Indians in an attempt to field the ball, which ultimately dropped untouched for a foul ball.

Heyward's bullpen pursuit of the foul fly ball.

An seemingly innocuous play on the first batter of the game, replays indicate the two Indians players/coaches whom Heyward had to avoid actually walked towards Chicago's right fielder as he attempted to make a play on the ball, and that Heyward's legs actually made contact with Cleveland's bullpen catcher, Armando Camacaro.

With RF Umpire Marvin Hudson giving the "safe" mechanic, allowing Davis to continue his at-bat, we can surmise that offensive interference was not called. But should it have been?

Case Play Question: As depicted above (and in the video below), is this interference? How would your ruling differ if instead of Cleveland bullpen personnel, Heyward had to contend with a Wrigley Field ballboy or security guard, all else equal?

Official Baseball Rules Library
OBR 6.01(b): "Fielder Right of Way. The players, coaches or any member of a team at bat shall vacate any space (including both dugouts or bullpens) needed by a fielder who is attempting to field a batted or thrown ball. If a member of the team at bat (other than a runner) hinders a fielder’s attempt to catch or field a batted ball, the ball is dead, the batter is declared out and all runners return to the bases occupied at the time of the pitch."
OBR 6.01(d): "In case of unintentional interference with play by any person herein authorized to be on the playing field (except members of the team at bat who are participating in the game, or a base coach, any of whom interfere with a fielder attempting to field a batted or thrown ball; or an umpire) the ball is alive and in play. If the interference is intentional, the ball shall be dead at the moment of the interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference."
OBR Definition of Terms [INTERFERENCE](a): "Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play."

Video available via "Read more"