Official
Rules, Umpire Ejection Fantasy League
2012 Season
RULE 1 – SELECTION OF UMPIRES
Applicability, Draft Order
SECTION 1. After the end of the previous year’s rules summit or awards
season, and prior to the spring training period of the pre-season, the UEFL
shall establish and commence its registration process.
a.
A post announcing the opening of registrations
shall appear on the UEFL website no later than two months prior to the start of
the regular season. This post shall instruct members on the proper methods of
signing up to participate in the UEFL for the upcoming season and will contain
all appropriate pre-draft deadlines.
b.
Once the registration period is closed, a draft
order shall be pre-assigned (see Rule 1-1-c and 1-1-d). Four umpires shall be drafted
by each UEFL member in the form of one (1) crew chief per Rule 1-2, one (1)
primary umpire per Rule 1-3 and two (2) secondary umpires per Rule 1-4.
c.
The draft will be conducted in two phases: Phase
one encompasses the crew/primary round while phase two encompasses the
secondary draft.
(1) Crew
and primary draft choices shall be conducted privately and these posts will
remain hidden (screened) until the end of the first draft phase. These choices
will be revealed prior to the start of the second draft phase.
(2) Secondary
draft choices shall be conducted publically and these posts will be visible
throughout the second draft phase. See Rule 1-4-b for more information
concerning the secondary draft.
d.
Beginning with returning UEFL members, the draft
order shall generally take on the form of worst-to-best, so that the returning
UEFL member who placed the lowest in the previous year’s competition will
receive the best draft placement, and so forth.
e.
Once all returning UEFL members have been
assigned an order, assignment shall begin of new UEFL members. This draft order
shall generally be chronological, so that the first chronologically new UEFL
member to sign up will receive the best draft placement of all new UEFL
members.
f.
UEFL members shall draft umpires in the order in
which they received their draft assignments and as outlined in any official
posts made with specific instructions as to the draft.
Crew Round (Crew Division)
SECTION 2. Prior to the beginning of the year’s regular season, and
during the spring training period of the pre-season, each member of the league
shall select one MLB crew chief to serve as UEFL crew chief. See Also: Rule 3.
a.
This round shall be conducted privately.
Accordingly, two UEFL members may, by chance, pick the same umpire.
b.
In the event of injury to the designated crew
chief, the replacement umpire shall be whoever is appointed by MLB to replace
the injured umpire as crew chief or acting crew chief of his MLB crew.
c.
Although a member may select a non-MLB crew
chief during this round, it is highly recommended that crew chief be selected.
Primary Draft
SECTION 3. After
or concurrent with the crew round, each
member of the league shall select one umpire they believe will compile the most
league points at the end of the regular season. Spring training and the
All-Star Game do not count toward an individual umpire's points total. Primary
umpires may be Triple A call-ups.
a. This
round shall be conducted privately. Accordingly, two UEFL members may, by
chance, pick the same umpire.
(1) Primary umpires may be Triple A
call-ups and may be the same as the umpire picked in SECTION 2 (crew round).
b.
The primary umpire picked by one league member
may or may not be the same primary umpire of another member.
c.
This process is conducted simultaneously and the
primary umpire is submitted secretly, to ensure that no league member gains an
unfair advantage by knowing any other member's primary umpire.
Secondary Draft
SECTION 4.
Prior to the start of the year's regular season, and after the primary umpires
have been chosen, league members select two
additional umpires.
a.
This round shall be conducted publically.
Accordingly, two UEFL members may not choose the same permutation of two
umpires.
(1) Secondary umpires may be the same
as the umpire picked in SECTION 2 (crew round).
(2) Secondary umpires may not be duplicates and may not
overlap with a member’s primary umpire selection.
(3) In the event that the UEFL receives
2,278 requests for membership, the permutation requirement is suspended.
b.
The process through which members select
secondary umpires is conducted like a draft.
(1)
Prior to the start of the Umpire Fantasy League
primary selection process, league members receive their draft order based on
standings from a previous season (worst finishers receive best draft order placement).
In the case of a new member, he is assumed to have finished the previous season
with a score of zero. In the case of multiple new members, a series of
simulated coin tosses are conducted to determine draft order among these new
members.
(2)
The first member has five minutes to pick a
first secondary umpire. Once their umpire is chosen, all other members are
aware of this choice, and may still select this umpire.
(3)
Each succeeding member has five minutes to pick
their secondary umpire, until all members have selected one secondary umpire.
(4)
During the second round, the draft shall be run
in reverse order, with whoever made the last selection in the first round
beginning the second round.
(5)
During this second round, members finalize their
combinations of two umpires. Because no two members may select the same
combination of two umpires, members must ensure their second secondary draft
choice is not in violation of Rule 1-3-a.
(6)
In the event that attendance during the
secondary draft is unachievable, members may e-mail their “wish list”
selections ahead of time to a UEFL commissioner. E-mails shall be sent after
the primary draft has concluded, but no less than one hour prior to the
scheduled start of the secondary draft.
i. This
e-mail shall contain no fewer than five (5) acceptable secondary combinations,
in order of preference.
c.
Umpires classified as AAA call-ups are not
eligible for draft in the secondary round.
(1)
An umpire listed on the MLB Crew or MLB Roster
list shall be considered full time and MLB status for the purpose of this rule,
and for the purpose of Rule 4 (League Scoring).
(2)
An umpire considered MLB per subsection (d) may
not receive scoring reserved for AAA status umpires, even if the umpire appears
to change status during the season.
d.
Umpire classification as AAA or MLB shall be
determined during the pre-season draft period, and shall not be altered for
scoring purposes during the regular or post-season unless…
(1) An umpire, having been classified
as AAA prior to the season, is publically placed on the MLB Roster list; OR
(2) Promoted
to the MLB Staff.
e. If
such an alteration as specified in subsection d. occurs, the affected umpire’s
points shall be retroactively modified as if the named umpire had attained MLB
status prior to the season.
RULE 2 – THE SEASON
Regular Season and Phases
SECTION 1. Throughout
the season, ejections are logged, along with the correctness of the call and
other variables as specified in Rules 4 and 6.
a.
The following phases of the season shall be used
to organize ejection statistics. Standings shall be posted at the conclusion of
Phases (ii), (iii), and (v), with Final Standings to be posted at the
conclusion of Phase (vi).
(1)
Phase (i) encompasses all games played prior to
the beginning of the Regular Season. Phase (i) may commence as early as
February and terminate as late as April during a normal season year. Phase (i)
games are regarded as Pre-Season or Spring Training games and do not affect
UEFL Standings or Statistics.
(2)
Phase (ii) encompasses all games played on or
after Opening Day of the Regular Season, ending on April 30 if the Regular
Season's first game is played or started in March; May 31 if the Regular
Season's first game is played or started in April; and June 30 if the Regular
Season's first game is played or started in May.
(3)
Phase (iii) encompasses all games played after
the conclusion of Phase (ii), and before the All-Star game, if the All-Star
game is played in July. If the All-Star game is not played in July, Phase (iii)
concludes on July 31.
(4)
Phase (iv) encompasses all games played after
the All-Star game, ending on August 31. If the All-Star game is not played in
July, Phase (iv) concludes on September 15.
(5)
Phase (v) encompasses all games played after
Phase (iv), and continues through the end of the Regular Season.
(6)
Phase (vi) encompasses all Post-Season games
played in October or November.
b.
Suspended games that might span two or more
Phases by having started during one Phase, and ended during another Phase,
shall be classified under the Phase in which the game was completed (the more
recent Phase).
Post-Season
SECTION 2. During
the post-season, ejections in addition to umpire appearance, are logged.
a. The
All-Star game counts as 1 additional point for each umpire that appears in that
game. The All-Star Game crew chief receives a total of 2 points for this
appearance. No ejections are logged during the All-Star game period.
AAA Umpires
SECTION 3. AAA
call-up umpires’ ejections are logged individually, but they never contribute
to a crew's total ejections UNLESS they are named to the full-time MLB roster
during the season. In this case, their ejections will be added onto the crew
they HAVE BEEN NAMED TO, or the crew they finish the season with if they have
been designated a Rover.
Rovers and Unassigned Umpires
SECTION 4. Rovers
contribute to a crew’s ejection total by experiencing an ejection while on a
certain crew.
Disabled List
SECTION 5. In the event of an umpire entering the DL, and remaining on
the DL for the remainder of the season, this umpire shall remain the crew chief/primary/secondary
umpire as chosen at the beginning of the season, and his crew shall remain the
primary crew, if applicable. His replacement, however, shall not act as the crew
chief/primary/secondary umpire, but may contribute to the total crew ejection
count, if applicable.
Pre-Season
SECTION 6. Pre-season ejections may be logged, but shall never have any bearing on points distribution nor ejection totals.
SECTION 6. Pre-season ejections may be logged, but shall never have any bearing on points distribution nor ejection totals.
RULE 3 – CREW DIVISION
Applicability
SECTION 1. Unless otherwise stated, the points listed throughout Rule 3
(Crew Division) shall replace structures listed throughout Rule 4 (League
Scoring). As such, Rule 3 shall be the primary reference in crew division
scoring.
Chronological Eligibility
SECTION 2. Crew division begins at the start of the regular season and
is complete at the end of the post-season.
Crew Chief Points Structure
SECTION 3. Unless otherwise
specified by Rule 4, each non-incorrect ejection committed by a UEFL crew
chief’s crew shall result in the addition of one (1) point toward a UEFL
member’s overall score.
Injury or Absence
SECTION 4. In the event of injury or absence, the absent crew chief shall not receive any points for ejections that might occur during this absence.
SECTION 4. In the event of injury or absence, the absent crew chief shall not receive any points for ejections that might occur during this absence.
Physical Eligibility
SECTION 5. A crew chief is eligible to receive points for an ejection if he is serving as crew chief of his crew as assigned prior to the season, as crew chief of another crew or as acting crew chief of another crew.
SECTION 5. A crew chief is eligible to receive points for an ejection if he is serving as crew chief of his crew as assigned prior to the season, as crew chief of another crew or as acting crew chief of another crew.
Post-Season Eligibility and Structure
SECTION 6. The postseason is eligible for inclusion in crew division, though Rule 4-3 (Post-Season Points) is not applicable to crew division. Ejections that occur under the purview of an assigned post-season crew chief are eligible for crew division points, as in Rule 3-3.
SECTION 6. The postseason is eligible for inclusion in crew division, though Rule 4-3 (Post-Season Points) is not applicable to crew division. Ejections that occur under the purview of an assigned post-season crew chief are eligible for crew division points, as in Rule 3-3.
Special Events Limitation
SECTION 7. Points may not be accrued for crew division during the All-Star Game, any AL/NL Wild Card or Divisional Tiebreaker contest, nor any other special event as defined by MLB.
SECTION 7. Points may not be accrued for crew division during the All-Star Game, any AL/NL Wild Card or Divisional Tiebreaker contest, nor any other special event as defined by MLB.
RULE 4 – LEAGUE SCORING
Applicability
SECTION 1.
Unless otherwise stated, the points listed throughout Rule 4 (League Scoring) are
applicable to both primary and secondary umpires. Unless
otherwise stated, the following sections are not applicable to UEFL crew chiefs
(Rule 3).
Regular Season Points
SECTION 2. Regular
Season points are distributed according to the following structure:
a.
The base points component is present in each
ejection, regardless of quality of correctness, except as specified by Rule
4-2-a-1-a in regards to AAA umpires.
(1)
3 points for each non-incorrect ejection by a
primary AAA umpire; OR
(a)
In the event of an ejection resulting from an
incorrect call, either by himself or a crewmate, the AAA Umpire will receive
just 2 base points instead of 3 points.
(2)
2 points for each ejection by a primary MLB
umpire (MLB base points); OR
(3)
1 point for each ejection by a secondary umpire.
b.
The quality of correctness component is present
in all ejections that are not exempted by Rule 6-2-b-5.
(1)
2 points for an ejection occurring as a result
of a player/coach arguing a correctly ruled call by the ejector.
Example:
Abel is ejected by HP Umpire Baker for arguing a 3-2 fastball ruled ball four
should have instead been ruled strike three. Replays show the pitch was located
outside, the call was correct.
(2)
1 point for an ejection occurring as a result of
a player/coach arguing a correctly ruled call by a crewmate of the ejector.
Example:
Charles is ejected by 1B Umpire Daniel for arguing a safe call made by 2B
Umpire Edward should have instead been ruled an out. Replays show the runner
was safe, Edward’s call was correct.
(3)
-4 points for each ejection occurring as a
result of a player/coach arguing an incorrectly ruled call by the ejector.
Example:
Frank is ejected by 3B Umpire George for arguing a hit ruled foul should have
instead been ruled fair. Replays show the batted ball should have been ruled
fair, George’s call was incorrect.
(4)
-2 points for each ejection occurring as a
result of a player/coach arguing an incorrectly ruled call by a crewmate of the
ejector.
Example:
Henry is ejected by LF Umpire Ida for arguing a no catch call made by RF Umpire
John should have instead been ruled a catch. Replays show the ball was caught,
John’s call was incorrect.
Post-Season Points
SECTION 3.
Post-Season points are distributed as follows:
a.
During the Post-Season, primary umpires receive
3 base points (denoted as MLB-Post-Season) per ejection while secondary umpires
continue to receive 1 point per ejection.
b.
During the Post-Season, the quality of
correctness component will be modified as follows:
(1)
Ejections as the result of a correct call by the
ejectee will result in an additional two (2) points.
(2)
Ejections as the result of an incorrect call by
the ejectee will result in the application of minus six (-6) points.
(3)
Ejections as the result of a correct call by a crewmate
will result in the application of an additional one (1) point.
(4)
Ejections as the result of an incorrect call by
a crewmate will result in the application of minus two (-2) points.
c.
Post-Season appearance points are applied to the
primary or secondary umpire according to the following schedule:
(1)
Division Series appearance: 1 bonus point
(2)
Championship Series appearance: 2 bonus points
(3)
World Series appearance: 3 bonus points
(4)
Crew Chief assignment (any series): 1 bonus
point per series worked as crew chief in addition to any bonus points already
received for working a playoff series
(a)
In the event of an Umpire injury that prevents
an umpire assigned to any postseason series (DS/CS/WS) from completing his
assigned series, the Umpire will retain all applicable bonus points for the
series assignment and initial appearance.
(b)
In the event of an Umpire injury, whereupon a
Replacement Umpire is assigned to complete any postseason series (DS/CS/WS) for
an injured Umpire, the Replacement Umpire shall receive one (+1) bonus point
for this postseason appearance, regardless of series or length of assignment (DS/CS/WS).
(c)
In the event of an Umpire injury, whereupon a
Crew Chief becomes injured and another umpire on the postseason crew becomes
the new Crew Chief, he shall receive no additional bonus points for this role
as Crew Chief, unless this replacement is for a majority of games during the
series, or, if the series duration is an even number of games, no less than one
half of the total number of games.
End-of-Season Awards
SECTION 4.
End-of-Season awards are given to umpires who have shown any of several
characteristics throughout the season. Umpires receiving the distinction of
subsections (a) through (f) will have shown dedication, professionalism,
advancement, and/or an affinity for a positive work ethic. Umpires receiving
the distinction of (g) will have executed the best ejection(s) of the year,
either through a correct call or other valuable contribution during this
ejection. To qualify, the ejection need not possess a correct QOC. Umpires
receiving the distinction of subsection (h) will have shown a regression in
ability and might have had a regrettable situation occur in-season. Points
scale for postseason awards:
a.
An umpire recognized as Umpire of the Year (min.
1 / max. 1 umpire) will receive 5 bonus points.
b.
An umpire recognized as Noteworthy Umpire of the
Year (min. 1 / max. 2 umpires) will receive 3 bonus points.
c.
An umpire recognized as Honorable Umpire of the
Year (min. 0 / max. 2 umpires) will receive 2 bonus point.
d.
An umpire recognized as Fill-In of the Year
(min. 0 / max. 1 umpire) will receive 2 bonus points.
e.
An umpire recognized as Most Improved Umpire of
the Year (min. 0 / max. 1 umpire) will receive 1 bonus point.
f.
An umpire recognized as Crew Chief of the Year
(min. 0 / max. 1 umpire) will receive 1 bonus point.
g.
An umpire whose ejection is recognized as Best
Ejection of the Year (min. 0 / max. 2 ejections) will receive 1 point.
h.
An umpire recognized as Worst Umpire of the Year
(min. 0 / max. 1 umpire) will receive -3 bonus points.
Case Plays and Rules Applications
SECTION 5.
Occasional case plays or other hypothetical scenarios may be posted to the
UEFL. A case play is part rules analysis, part rules application and does have
bearing on the distribution of points. Sporadically and unannounced, a Case
Play posted to the UEFL will present one scenario that might play out on the
field, with the possibility of multiple questions within the Case Play.
a.
Case play guidelines may vary from case play to
case play; therefore, guidelines listed within each case play shall take
precedence over the guidelines listed in Rule 4-5.
b.
Case plays shall remain open to UEFL members for
no less than 48 hours (2 days) so that adequate time is given for UEFL members
to provide responses in the form of a comment/reply to the “Case Play: __”
post.
c.
Members requesting to receive credit for their
responses must clearly convey their identity so that they may be credited with
points, if applicable. This is the sole responsibility of the user replying to
the case play post.
d.
In the interest of fairness, all responses will
remain in moderation (screened or invisible) until the submission period has
closed. Case plays will be worth a maximum of however many points are specified
in the “Case Play: __” post.
The UEFL Commissioners shall make all determinations in
regards to the correctness of a case play response. Though this ruling shall be
final and may not be challenged, members may increase their chances of winning
points by thoroughly citing rules and/or other evidence to support their
claims.
RULE 5 – STATISTICS
Reporting of Field-of-Play Statistics
SECTION 1. The
following field-of-play statistics will be regularly reported, as in Rule
2-1-a:
a.
Ejections: The raw total number of ejections by
an umpire
b.
Points: The total points received by an umpire.
See Rule 4.
c.
Accuracy: The percentage of correct calls made
by an umpire, where quality of correctness has been determined. The formula is
"correct/correct+incorrect * 100." Accuracy is arranged by total number
of ejections from correct/incorrect calls, if two umpires with a different
number of ejections have the same accuracy rating.
d.
Simple Accuracy: The percentage of correct calls
made by an umpire. The formula is "correct/correct+incorrect * 100."
Simple Accuracy is arranged by the percentage of correctness, rather than
number of correct ejections.
Reporting of UEFL Statistics
SECTION 2.
The following UEFL statistic will be regularly reported, as in Rule 2-1-a:
a. Points:
The total points accrued within the UEFL. See Rules 3 and 4.
Ties
SECTION 3.
Ties across Field-of-Play statistics will be allowed. Ties across UEFL
statistics will be resolved in the following manner:
a.
The primary determining factor will be the raw
total number of ejections by the primary umpire.
b.
The secondary determining factor will be the raw
total number of ejections by all primary and secondary umpires.
c.
The tertiary determining factor will be the
total number of points by all owned umpires.
d.
The fourth determining factor will be the accuracy
percentage experienced by the primary umpire.
e.
The fifth determining factor will be the
combined accuracy experienced by all primary and secondary umpires.
f.
The sixth determining factor will be the
arrangement of simple accuracy of the primary umpire.
g.
The seventh determining factor will be the earliest
date of the primary umpire’s first correctly ruled ejection.
h.
The eighth determining factor will be the
earliest date of the primary umpire’s first ejection.
i.
The ninth determining factor will be the highest
points earned by the primary umpire as a result of playoff appearances.
j.
The tenth determining factor will be the
seniority experienced by the primary umpire.
The eleventh determining factor will be the previous year’s
UEFL league standings.
RULE 6 – Challenges and Appeals
Definition and Application
SECTION 1. Challenges and
appeals shall be used interchangeably and may be employed by any League member
or visitor/guest to the UEFL. Challenges shall be posted as a comment or reply
to the entry containing the variable to be challenged. The word “challenge” or
“appeal” must be included in this post. Challenges are utilized by a person who
disagrees with a determination made by the League in regards to an ejection and
wishes to overturn a ruling.
Points Affecting Variables
SECTION 2. Eligible
points-affecting variables for challenge include the following and must be
challenged during the seasonal phase in which the ejection occurs, as
prescribed by Rule 2-1-a and 2-1-b.
a. Umpire classification as
MLB- or AAA-.
b. Quality of correctness (QOC)
regarding a call. May be correct, incorrect or irrecusable.
(1) In rendering QOC regarding a
pitch location (ball/strike), Pitch f/x shall be the primarily cited source. Borderline
pitches, which are centered no more than one (1.00) foot from the absolute
center of the strike zone (the center of home plate), shall be deemed a strike,
if the call on the field was strike, as the pitch f/x plot takes into account
the working strike zone (24 inches), which includes the 17" home plate, its
edges, plus the diameter of a baseball to either side. To account for a
projected margin of error, pitches with an absolute horizontal location (px)
value of less than 0.900 from shall always be deemed a strike, pitches with an
absolute px value between 0.901 and 1.000 shall be deemed borderline, and shall
routinely reflect the call on the field as correct unless evidence
overwhelmingly suggests otherwise, and pitches with an absolute px value
greater than 1.000 may be deemed a ball. This provision only applies to static
borders of the strike zone (e.g.: its horizontal, as opposed to vertical,
boundaries). This may be referred to as the "Kulpa Rule."
(2) Judgement of Quality of
Correctness regarding a pitch location call (ball/strike), which involves the
vertical, as opposed to horizontal, boundaries, shall be calculated using pitch
f/x data. To do so, first calculate the midpoint of the non-normalized strike
zone. Then, subtract non-normalized pitch height from the midpoint to find its
Distance. Divide normalized height by Distance to find its Ratio. Multiply one
inch in feet (0.0833) with Ratio to find normalized margin of Error. Subtract,
then add margin of Error to normalized height to create a range &
confidence interval of vertical pitch location (normalized). If the range
includes only numbers greater than |1.000|, the correct call must be a ball. If
the range partially or completely includes numbers less than |1.000|, the
correct call may be a strike. This may be referred to as the "Miller Rule."
Rule 6-2-b-2 Comment: The formula reads as follows: "sz_top + sz_bot / 2 = C... |C - pz| = D... norm_ht / D = R... 0.0833 * R = E... norm_ht + E = [Lower Bound, Upper Bound]. If this range of [Lower Bound, Upper Bound] is completely greater than |1.000|, then the correct call must be a ball. If this range of [Lower Bound, Upper Bound] at some point is less than or equal to |1.000|, then the correct call may be a strike.
Rule 6-2-b-2 Comment: The formula reads as follows: "sz_top + sz_bot / 2 = C... |C - pz| = D... norm_ht / D = R... 0.0833 * R = E... norm_ht + E = [Lower Bound, Upper Bound]. If this range of [Lower Bound, Upper Bound] is completely greater than |1.000|, then the correct call must be a ball. If this range of [Lower Bound, Upper Bound] at some point is less than or equal to |1.000|, then the correct call may be a strike.
(3) In the event of a called
ball four, in an at bat that has lasted no more than four pitches, including
the called ball four, the four called balls shall be adjudged to have been
correctly ruled, provided that the Pitch f/x chart for the at bat does not
include any pitch within the bounds of the strike zone. Borderline pitches in a
four-pitch walk at bat shall be deemed as having been correctly called, due to
the unrealistic chance of an alternative outcome.
(4) In the event of a called
third strike, in an at bat that has lasted no more than three pitches,
including the called third strike, the three called strikes shall be adjudged
to have been correctly ruled, provided that the Pitch f/x chart for the at bat
does not exclude any pitch from the bounds of the strike zone. Borderline
pitches in a three-pitch strikeout at bat shall be deemed as having been correctly
called, due to the reasonable probability of these pitches being within the
bounds of the strike zone. This provision does not apply to an at bat in which
the batter has swung at any of the three pitches.
(5) The Quality of Correctness
for all ejections for reasons of Fighting, Throwing At, Unsportsmanlike
Conduct-NEC, or Excess Contact shall be adjudged as "Irrecusable" by
default, unless there is clear and convincing evidence to suggest otherwise;
however, proving "Incorrect" status for Fighting, Throwing At,
Unsportsmanlike Conduct-NEC, or Excess Contact is extremely difficult.
Approved Ruling: An umpire who ejects a person who was clearly and overwhelmingly not involved in the unsportsmanlike act may receive a QOC of “incorrect.”
Approved Ruling: An umpire who ejects a person who was clearly and overwhelmingly not involved in the unsportsmanlike act may receive a QOC of “incorrect.”
a. All ejections of players/coaches
not on the active roster (e.g., Disabled List) shall be associated with a
reason listed under aforementioned UEFL Rule 6-2-b-5.
b. Repeat visit ejections: If a
manager, coach or player leaves the dugout or his position to argue a call with
an umpire, this is considered one visit and argument. If a person is ejected
during a repeat visit (second or subsequent) to argue the same play that he
argued during the first visit, this ejection shall be considered
Unsportsmanlike-NEC under Rule 6-2-b-5. This may be referred to as the DiMuro
Rule.
(6) Quality of Correctness for
an ejection that occurs prior to or during the course of umpire consultation,
wherein the initial call was incorrect, and after consultation, the correct
call was made, shall be incorrect. Quality of Correctness for all other
ejections prior to consultation shall be adjudged as correct.
a. Any displayed reasoning for
such a call, including a communicated application or interpretation of a rule,
shall not affect the determination of Quality of Correctness. Quality of
Correctness is governed by the (in)correctness of the call made, not by the
quality of reasoning given for such a call.
(7) Quality of Correctness for
an ejection that occurs after umpire consultation, wherein the initial call was
correct or incorrect, and after consultation, the initial call was changed to
incorrect or correct, shall be adjudged as to whether the call after
consultation is correct or incorrect.
c. Name of ejector.
(1) Ejector classification as
calling or secondary due to a crewmate designated as the calling umpire.
a. All classifications in
regards to calls that are upheld or overturned after umpire consultation shall
revert to whichever umpire would have had primary responsibility (calling) had
the consultation not occurred.
b. All classifications in
regards to calls that are overturned after instant replay review shall revert
to reflect the crew chief as the calling umpire, whether or not he had calling
responsibility on the field of play.
Approved Ruling: A calling umpire is the umpire who has primary responsibility
for a play and makes the original call on the field. In the event of a live
ball appeal play (such as a check swing appeal), in which a play is
instantaneously appealed AND the decision of the appellate umpire shall regularly
prevail AND the ball remains live during this appeal process (excepting a ball
which becomes dead for reasons other than to execute this appeal), the call of
the appealing umpire shall be judged secondary to the call of the appellate
umpire, which shall be deemed the primary call.
d. Umpire classification as
crew chief.
e. Umpire crew listing.
f. Date of ejection (See Rule
2).
g. Reason for ejection is a
pseudo points altering variable, which is primarily considered an inalterable
variable under Rule 6-3. It may be challenged but may also be reviewed at any
time under Rule 6-3 (see Rule 6-2-b-5).
Points Inalterable Variables
SECTION 3. Eligible points
inalterable variables for review during any seasonal phase include the
following.
a. Seasonal ejection number.
b. Player ejection number.
c. Manager ejection number.
d. Ejected team.
e. Position of ejected person.
f. Name of ejected person.
g. Team W/L and score at time
of ejection.
h. Runs scored/allowed after an
ejection.
i. Inning of ejection and
top/bottom designation.
j. Reason for ejection (See
Rules 6-2-b-5 and 6-2-g).
k. Play result.
Presentation and Review of Appeals and Challenges
SECTION 4. Upon review of an
appeal, the determination shall be made upon a course of action to result from
such an appeal or challenge.
a.
The UEFL shall establish an Appeals Board that shall
routinely rule on issues of Quality of Correctness.
(1) This board shall be
comprised of both UEFL Commissioners and two at-large members. Board members
shall rotate abstentions such that exactly three board members adjudicate each QOC
appeal.
a. Abstentionism is determined
by conflicts of interest: an appeal that includes a member’s umpire.
(2) Selection of the two
at-large members shall be determined by a pre-season membership nomination.
b. After a decision has been
rendered by a Commissioner or the QOC Appeals Board, the appeal may be:
(1) Upheld (Affirmed), through
which the initial ruling is overturned.
(2) Denied, through which the
initial ruling stands or is confirmed.
(3) Deferred, through which the
initial variable is listed as inconclusive.
Quality of Correctness Guidelines and General Instructions to
the Appeals Board
SECTION 5. The general rules
regarding appears for Quality of Correctness include:
a. In the event that a play
under appeal can be conclusively categorized or adjudged as Correct/Incorrect
as a result of this action, through the use of conclusive and/or clear and/or
convincing evidence, the appeal shall be either Upheld or Denied, as specified
in Rule 6-4-b-1 or 6-4-b-2, respectively.
b. In the event that a play
under appeal cannot be conclusively categorized or adjudged as
Correct/Incorrect as a result of this action, through the lack of conclusive
nor clear nor convincing evidence, the appeal shall be Deferred, as specified
in Rule 6-4-b-3.
c. Quality of Correctness only
applies to the call made directly prior to ejection, or, if balls/called
strikes during a single at-bat, any pitch called during that at bat, provided
that the call was against the ejected person (or his team) and this call
realistically resulted in a different outcome of the at-bat.
Approved Ruling: "Realistically
resulted in a different outcome" refers to a decisive pitch being
incorrectly ruled, provided this call is against the ejected person (or his
team). An example of a decisive pitch, when the batter is ejected, is a 1-2
pitch that is incorrectly ruled strike three. An example of a decisive pitch,
when the pitcher is ejected, is a 3-1 pitch that is incorrectly ruled ball
four. "Realistically resulted in a different outcome" also refers to
a contributing pitch, which itself is not decisive, being incorrectly ruled,
provided this call is against the ejected person (or his team) and this
contributing pitch has preceded a decisive pitch being called later in the at
bat which included only the minimum number of contributing + decisive pitches
(generally, strikes).
(1) Rule 6-5-c. only applies to
ejections and calls made by the HP Umpire, in the event of a Balls/Strikes
ejection. Otherwise, this Rule may be applied to any Umpire for any ejection
and call.
(2) In the event of an ejection
which occurs during an inning break immediately following the half inning in
which the play to be argued occurred, the ejection must undoubtedly be for this
one specific call, and is considered a Post-Inning Exemption. If there is any
doubt as to the call being argued immediately prior to and during ejection, the
Post-Inning Exemption shall be denied. The Post-Inning Exemption may be applied
directly, or as the result of a challenge.
(3) Ejections,
wherein an argument for a previously ruled play (either correct or incorrect)
continues into a later play (i.e., some point after a pitch has been delivered
to the next batter), shall be ruled irrecusable under Rule 6-2-b-5, which
states that these ejections, which are colloquially deemed
"Unsportsmanlike Conduct-NEC," are ordinarily not assigned a QOC.
(4) The Quality of Correctness
of a post-at bat ejection, if arguing balls/strikes or some other call which
occurs during the at bat immediately preceding ejection, shall be judged in
relation to the holistic effect of the argued call(s)/pitch(es). This rule
further declares that the argued call(s) during this preceding at bat must be
against the ejected person (or his team) and this call must have realistically
resulted in a different outcome of the individual at bat.
d. Balls/Strikes ejections that
occur at the end of an inning shall be judged on a case-by-case basis, with a
strong regard for Rule 6.e.iii. Single-case exemptions may or may not be made,
depending on the overall inning's performance by the Home Plate umpire.
Typically, an umpire must have less than 66% accuracy on callable pitches
during a specific half inning for an exemption to be made, though some
exemptions may be made where an umpire's accuracy is greater than 66% during
any given inning. For an exemption to be made under this rule, a challenge for
Quality of Correctness must be made for said ejection. Only ejections flagged
"Eligible for Balls/Strikes Exemption" may be challenged under the
realm of Rule 6.e.iv., and only ejections flagged "Eligible for Balls/Strikes
Exemption" may receive such an exemption after challenge, though not all
ejections flagged in this way will ultimately receive an exemption. The
accuracy rating of 66% has been determined as the result of the finding that of
all ejections, 66% are as a result of a correctly ruled play.
(1) No precedents shall be
established based on any actions taken in regards to Rule 6-5-d as by rule, all
B/S Exemptions under Rule 6-5-d. are determined on a case-by-case basis.
(2) Balls/Strikes ejections that
occur during a pitching change, mound visit, or other pause in play, shall be
judged on a case-by-case basis, as above, with a strong regard for Rule 6-5-c.
The same exemption that may be made under Rule 6-5-d shall also apply to this
provision, except that this exemption shall not be referenced as a Rule 6-5-d
exemption, but as a Rule 6-5-d-2 exemption. The exemption title,
"Balls/Strikes Exemption," however, shall remain the same as if the
exemption were granted under Rule 6-5-d.
e. In the event of an ejection
resulting from one or more calls which occur during the same play and which
carry the same Quality of Correctness, in which it is feasible that the
argument may have been in response to any number of these calls which carry the
same Quality of Correctness, as opposed to overwhelmingly clear and convincing
evidence that the argument was indeed in response to only one call, Quality of
Correctness and Ejector Classification (if applicable) will be determined by
virtue of the points application by call order. For instance, if a ball
(incorrect) and subsequent check [no] swing (incorrect) call result in the
ejection of a player/coach, with no overwhelmingly clear and convincing
evidence to suggest one call was exclusively argued, the scoring would proceed
as such: the ejecting 1B/3B Umpire would receive -2 Incorrect Call (Crewmate)
points, while the HP Umpire would receive -4 Incorrect Call points. The 1B/3B
Umpire in this case would remain secondary, whereas the HP Umpire would remain
primary.
Comments
on Appeals for Quality of Correctness may be made by any user, and may or may
not have influential value in regards to the final decision made to uphold,
deny, or defer the appeal for Quality of Correctness. As such, the recommended
interval of time from the first post of appeal ("Challenge") to the
post displaying the result of appeal as overturned, confirmed/upheld, or
deferred shall be no less than 24 hours.
RULE 7 – Unresolved Classifications
and References
Classifications and Probable Reversion
SECTION 1. All unresolved
classifications, which fall under the category of points-affecting variables,
as in 6.b., shall be resolved and reverted to a probable classification, or the
default if no probable classification can be made. Although
unresolved/inconclusive classifications are subject to review and resolving
and/or reversion at any time, such resolving and reversion must be made no
later than the conclusion of the phase of the season, defined in Rule 2-1,
during which the ejection occurred.
a. In the instance of an Umpire
changing status from AAA to MLB, or any other status change, during the season,
the classification of Level shall reflect the level assigned at the time of the
ejection.
b. In the instance of an
exhaustive disputed or inconclusive Quality of Correctness, the Quality of
Correctness shall revert to reflect the call made on the field as correct.
c. In the instance of a
disputed name of Ejector, the name shall reflect the ejector noted in the
official Box Score of the game during which the ejection occurred.
d. In the instance of a
disputed crew listing, the crew shall reflect the umpires listed in the
affected game’s box score or if inapplicable, the pre-season crew listing,
unless definite evidence (injury, etc.) proves otherwise.
Disputed Information
SECTION 2. In all other
instances of disputed information, the listing in the official box score shall
prevail. Only ejections documented in the specific contest’s box score shall be
deemed official ejections. All other ejections shall be deemed unofficial
ejections. The box score criterion shall override any other criteria ordinarily
applied to gaining information.
Official Rules Reference
SECTION
3. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the Official Baseball Rules shall take
precedence over any other documents in determining information including, but
not limited to, Quality of Correctness.
RULE 8 – Umpire Odds & Ends and
Community Issues
Comment and Posting
Guidelines
SECTION 1. Per a UEFL membership poll, the UEFL shall not
impose a set of posting guidelines. Instead, post moderation shall be delegated
to the UEFL Commissioners, whose judgment shall be final and unchallengeable.
Odds and Ends
SECTION
2. As a result of discussion regarding the disputed value of unofficial
ejections, what constitutes an unofficial ejection, and the desire to discuss
unique umpiring situations that may not lead to an ejection, either official
nor unofficial, a different category of discussion will occasionally appear on
the UEFL page. Post headings that fall under this category, but do not involve
ejection, will read "Umpire Odds & Ends"; followed by a brief
description of the situation involved. Unlike Case Plays as specified in Rule 4-5,
Umpire Odds & Ends do not involve ejection, do not have bearing on points
distribution, nor are Umpire Odds & Ends logged statistically. .
RULE 9 – Unaddressed and
Authorization Provisions
Elastic Clause
SECTION 1. Any issue that
may arise during the season, which has not been addressed in the above rules,
nor in prior cases, shall be judged by the UEFL in a manner seen fit by the
creator/owner of the UEFL and/or any designated appellate interpreter.
Finality and the Overwhelming Exemption
SECTION 2. All decisions
regarding challenges shall be final unless overwhelming evidence surfaces to
overturn the challenged decision. This overwhelming clause challenge may only
be initiated by the appellate interpreter of the UEFL.
League Participation: Commissioners and Appeals Board
SECTION
3. Commissioners and Board members shall be eligible to participate with the
following restrictions.
a.
Commissioners must not overlap any draft choices with any
other UEFL Commissioners. This applies to crew chiefs, primary and secondary
umpires.
b.
Commissioners may not rule on any play, either initially or
on appeal, involving any of their drafted umpires or crews, if applicable.
c.
Board members may not rule on any play involving any of their
drafted umpires or crews, if applicable.
UEFL Rules initially adopted
March 2008
Last revised: November 2011
