Source: Brian Runge Terminated by MLB for Drug Violation

According to the AP, MLB fired umpire Brian Runge for a drug violation, marking the first known termination of a Major League umpire for violating Major League Baseball's Umpire Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.

Pro-baseball's drug suspensions in MLB/MiLB, 2006-12.
Runge's termination marks the first known firing of an umpire
directly attributed to an abuse of the drug policy.
/ Graph: MLBDD, Sources: USA Today, Baseball America

Pursuant to the Commissioner's Drug Prevention Policy, all Major League Umpires are subject to unannounced testing pursuant to the Umpires Drug Testing and Treatment Program. According to its terms, any umpire who refuses to test, fails to appear for a test or deliberately attempts to evade or alter a test result is subject to discipline. Like the players, umpires may receive a 50-day suspension without pay for the first violation of this policy with greater sanctions for subsequent violations.

According to the anonymous sources, Runge previously failed one drug test and was sanctioned; the source alleges Runge failed to abide by the terms of his post-failure employment agreement and accordingly was released from the Major League umpiring staff. His first MLB game was in 1999.

First reported as a rumor by the UEFL on June 9 and confirmed on June 14, Chris Conroy was promoted to the full-time roster where he replaced Runge after a failed return at Triple-A New Orleans in May.

News: AP Sources: MLB Umpire Let Go After Drug Violation (Associated Press/"The Big Story")

Rumor: AAA Umpire Conroy May be Hired, Replacing Brian Runge

Rumor: A call-up Triple-A umpire will replace Brian Runge on the MLB roster this season, which, if true, would mark the second Triple-A promotion to the full-time staff during the regular season since the NL and AL umpiring staffs merged and created the new era of unified MLB umpiring.* The situation is described as "fluid" yet potentially imminent. This is an unconfirmed rumor from a pro-ball source and is presented as such.

Brian Runge in 2011.

Runge, who has not worked an MLB regular season game dating back to August 30, 2012, worked a rehab assignment Triple-A New Orleans earlier this May; according to an anonymous source, Runge's attempt at the MiLB return was a failed venture, unlike similar assignments undertaken by crew chiefs Joe West and Gary Cederstrom, who both returned to MLB ball. An umpire will often work a minor league rehab assignment after significant injury or similar event that results in an extended absence from the sport.

Brian Gorman, for instance, who missed approximately 50 games to begin the 2013 MLB season, spent Memorial Day week in Triple-A Memphis before returning to the show. Rob Drake worked with Cederstrom in the Pacific Coast League before returning.

After surgery forced him to miss the entire 2006 and most of the 2007 major league seasons, MLB umpire Bill Hohn worked Tucson Sidewinders games for over a week before returning to the big league field. After being placed on umpiring's disabled list for the entire 2011 season, Hohn officially retired from baseball prior to the 2012 season, ending a NL/MLB career dating back to 1987; Todd Tichenor, who served as Hohn's de facto replacement during the 2011 season, was hired in his wake.

This past season, injuries claimed two umpires' professional on-field careers. After taking the brunt of foul balls resulting in concussions and neck injuries for years, crew chief Tim Tschida opted to retire upon hearing from multiple experts who told him "you're one hard foul tip away from quality-of-life issues." Tschida transitioned from professional umpiring to serving as a high school baseball assistant coach.

Meanwhile, Ed Rapuano retired to the position of MLB Umpire Evaluator due to similar injury concerns.

Though a midseason umpiring roster change is an exceptionally rare occurrence, the UEFL Rules Book specifically addresses the case of an umpire hire or release/retirement during the baseball season:

Rule 1-4-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... (2) the umpire is promoted to the MLB staff.

Rule 1-5-a: ...If a significant personnel modification (hiring, firing, release or retirement, except as exempted by Rule 1-4-d) occurs after the pre-season, no UEFL roster may be modified. 

In other words, a Runge retirement or placement on the umpiring Disabled List would not allow for modification to the UEFL roster while a Conroy or other MiLB promotion would cause the retroactive assessment of MLB-level points for all prior ejections.

tmac's pre-season MiLB umpire power rankings placed Conroy in fourth position, behind fellow umpires Mike Estabrook, Lance Barrett and Jordan Baker. Conroy has been a regular big league fixture in 2013 and his 129 games worked in 2012 ranks third amongst call-ups that season (Mike Muchlinski [ranked #8], 132; DJ Reyburn [ranked #7], 130).

*After a blood clot developed as a complication from a knee injury and the ensuing surgery, Terry Craft missed a great part of the late 2001-early 2002 season. He retired in July 2006, prompting MLB to add Lance Barksdale to the Major League staff.

MiLB AAA Recap: Early May Ejections; Brian Runge Update

MiLB Recap: Brian Runge was spotted in Triple-A New Orleans this weekend, working the plate Saturday during Tacoma's 14-1 trouncing of the Zephyrs. As was the case with Joe West and Gary Cederstrom earlier this season, this suggests a step closer to a return to MLB ball.

Since the beginning of May, MiLB AAA has experienced the following ejections (with the argument or reason for ejection in parentheses), with a great deal of reporting from resident Triple-A scout Russ:

¤ HP Umpire Mark Ripperger ejected Sacramento River Cats C Luke Montz (3rd strike), PCL.
¤ 1B Umpire Brandon Misun ejected Tuscon Padres Manager Pat Murphy (safe call at first base), PCL.
¤ 1B Umpire Gerard Ascani ejected Reno Aces Manager Brett Butler (fair ball call), PCL.
¤ HP Umpire Travis Carlson ejected Norfolk Tides 3B Danny Valencia (check swing call), IL.
¤ HP Umpire DJ Reyburn ejected Nashville Sounds RF Cole Garner (fair/foul, prior to reversal), PCL.
¤ HP Umpire Blake Davis ejected Nashville Sounds Mgr Mike Guerrero (batter's interference no-call), PCL.
¤ 1B Umpire Gerald Ascani ejected Albuquerque Isotopes 3B Brian Braden for (out/pickoff), PCL.
¤ 1B Umpire Adam Hamari ejected Gwinnett Braves Manager Randy Ready (check swing/HBP), IL.
¤ HP Umpire Jeff Gosney ejected Columbus Clippers Manager Chris Tremie for (balk call), IL.
¤ HP Umpire Quinn Wolcott ejected Omaha Storm Chasers P Nathan Adcock (Throwing At), PCL.
¤ HP Umpire Quinn Wolcott ejected Storm Chasers Mgr Mike Jirschele (Argued Adcock Ejection), PCL.
¤ HP Umpire Sean Barber ejected Norfolk Tides LF Trayvon Robinson (called 3rd strike), IL.
¤ HP Umpire Max Guyll ejected Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 1B Dan Johnson (balls/strikes), IL.
¤ 1B Umpire Angel Campos ejected Las Vegas 51s CF Colin Cowgill (out call), PCL.
¤ 1B Umpire Angel Campos ejected Las Vegas 51s Manager Wally Backman (out call), PCL.
¤ HP Umpire Kellen Levy ejected Nashville Sounds RF Caleb Gindl (called third strike), PCL.
¤ HP Umpire Max Guyll ejected Norfolk Tides RF L.J. Hoes (called third strike), IL.

* IL = International League / PCL = Pacific Coast League *

UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Brian Runge

Umpire Brian Runge

Presenting the UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Brian Runge.
Name: Brian Edward Runge
Pronunciation Guide: BRIAN RUN-g-ee
Date of Birth: January 5, 1970
Place of Birth: San Diego, California

MiLB Leagues Worked: Northwest, Arizona Instructional, South Atlantic, California, Eastern, Pacific Coast.
MLB Debut: 1999 (NL)
MLB Finale: 2012 (MLB) [14 Years of Service]
Final Game: August 30, 2012
Level: MLB
Umpire Uniform Number: 18
Crew Chief: No
2013 Crew: Tim McClelland -cc, Wally Bell, Marvin Hudson.

Ejections, Career: 9
First Career Ejection: 8/24/2000 (Lou Piniella)
Final Ejection: 7/11/2010 (Carlos Silva)
Ejection History: 0 (2005), 1 (2006), 1 (2007), 3 (2008), 1 (2009), 1 (2010), 0 (2011), 0 (2012).

UEFL History: Brian Runge

Postseason and Special Events History
World Baseball Classic: -
All-Star Game: 2012
Wild Card Game: -
Division Series: 2004, 2007, 2008
Championship Series: -
World Series: -

Notes: Dismissed from MLB service in 2013 due to alleged drug violation, marking the first known instance of umpire termination due to a violation of Major League Baseball's Umpire Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.
>> He was replaced by Chris Conroy, promoted to the Major League staff on June 14, 2013.

Rumor Mill Madden: Three Umpires "Quietly Let Go by MLB"

Rumor Mill Madden: Three umpires "quietly let go" by MLB, chief to be brought back at MiLB level.

Writers sometimes find creative ways to twist words to suit a motif. Read on for an umpiring-related example:

In a scathing critique of MLB officiating and an attempt to compare umpires to NFL replacement officials, New York Daily News columnist Bill Madden wrote the following curious statement:

This summer, three of the consistently lowest rated umpires were quietly let go by MLB, not for their performance but for off-the-field personal issues. Another crew chief, I’m told, was allowed to go home after being involved in numerous blown calls and complaining that he just couldn’t take the pressure — but will reportedly be brought back next year to go through the minors as an evaluator!

Given the overall tone of Madden's potshot piece, could Madden have some untoward knowledge regarding MLB Umpiring and an alleged restructuring of the staff—or is Madden twisting words and circumstances—for instance, Hunter Wendelstedt's extended absence in the wake of his father, Harry's passing following Hunter's 2011 head injury, Bruce Dreckman's extended absence due to a neck injury or even John Hirschbeck's recovery from cancer—to suit an underlying agenda?

Or could "quietly let go by MLB" really refer to an extended leave of absence that was approved? It has been reported that some umpires, such as Ed Rapuano, have suffered extended, chronic injuries that might suggest a journey into retirement, though at the time of this publication, nothing has been officially confirmed.

MLB Umpires who have not had a plate job since the beginning of September include:
Mike DiMuro (last plate: 8/12, NYY@TOR; high-profile missed call, Ejection 078: Mike DiMuro (2))
Ed Rapuno (Crew Chief; last plate: 5/30, PHI@NYM; officially out since 6/1 due to injury)
Brian Runge (last plate: 8/30, CHI@BAL; vacation?)
Tim Tschida (Crew Chief; last plate: 8/25, SD@AZ; vacation?)
Hunter Wendelstedt (last plate: 6/8, TOR@ATL; rumored/unconfirmed injury [broken ankle])

Dreckman and Hirschbeck have been sidelined the entire 2012 season due to injury/illness.

News: Hey MLB, learn from the NFL's referee debacle before baseball loses its integrity (NYDN)

Roster: 2012 All-Star Game Umpires Announced

MLB has announced the umpires for the 2012 All-Star Game to be held on July 10 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. They will include:

After a two-year absence,
Jim Joyce is back to working
special baseball events.

HP: Gerry Davis -cc: Working his fourth All-Star Game (1989, 97, 2002), Davis will serve as crew chief for just the second time. Having worked 10 Division Series, eight League Championship Series and four World Series, Davis' 106 career postseason assignments are third most all-time and most among all active umpires.
1B: Jim Joyce: This is Joyce's third Midsummer Classic (1994, 2001). Joyce has worked eight Division Series, four League Championship Series and two World Series, missing the 2011 postseason due to injury. This marks Joyce's first special event since the 2009 NLDS; the last time Joyce worked an All-Star Game, he was assigned to that season's World Series (2001).
2B: Brian Runge: This is the first All-Star Game for Brian Runge. Since joining the Majors in 1999, he has worked three Division Series (2004, 07, 08). Runge recently became the 10th umpire in MLB history to call balls and strikes for multiple no-hitters in a single season.
3B: Tony Randazzo: 2012 is Randazzo's second All-Star Game (2001). He has worked four Division Series and the 2010 ALCS.
LF: Lance Barksdale: This is the first Midsummer Classic for Lance Barksdale and first special event assignment since joining the full-time MLB staff in July 2006.
RF: Brian Knight: Promoted to the MLB staff in 2011, this is the first special event assignment for Brian Knight, who umpired his first Major League contest on May 7, 2001, as a Triple-A call-up umpire.

News: Umpires, official scorers appointed for the 2012 Midsummer Classic

Umpire Odds & Ends: Combined No-Hitter

Major League Baseball and the UEFL witnessed the fourth no-hitter of the 2012 season Friday night, a six-pitcher effort by the Seattle Mariners and the 276th regulation no-hitter in Major League Baseball history (starting pitcher Kevin Millwood left after six innings with a groin injury). This is the first combined no-hitter of the season, the 10th combined no-hitter in MLB history, and the first since the Houston Astros' of the New York Yankees on June 11, 2003. It comes exactly one week Johan Santana's Adrian Johnson-aided no-hitter and was umpire Brian Runge (18)'s second Major League no-hitter of the season. Runge's previous no-hitter was also at Safeco Field, when Phil Humber of the Chicago White Sox pitched a perfect game against the Mariners on April 21st. Runge becomes the 10th umpire in Major League history to call balls and strikes for multiple no-hitters in a single season. The Mariners threw a total of 114 pitches, 67 of which were callable (43 balls and 24 called strikes).

As in the three previous no-hitters this season, there was one noteworthy and close call that kept this no-hitter intact. The first was in Humber's perfect game, when Runge's ruled Brendan Ryan swung on the final pitch of the game (QOC: Correct). The second call was made by Umpire Angel Hernandez on a foul ball during Weaver's no-hitter (QOC: Correct). The most recent controversial call was Adrian Johnson's ruling of a foul ball on a batted ball by Carlos Beltran that hit the foul line during Santana's no-hitter (QOC: Incorrect).

Tonight's close and noteworthy call occurred in the top of the 9th with no outs, when Dee Gordon grounded out to shortstop Brendan Ryan. 1B Umpire Ted Barrett ruled Gordon out at first, drawing a brief argument from Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly. Though Quality of Correctness from individual replays appeared inconclusive, split screen footage of the call appears to show Gordon's foot on the bag prior to Justin Smoak's catch, rending this QOC Incorrect.

Umpire Odds & Ends: Perfect Game 21

Baseball and the UEFL saw a perfect game for the first time this season and 21st in MLB history today, April 21, when Brian Runge (18) umpired the plate for White Sox pitcher Phil Humber's first career no-hitter and perfect game against the Seattle Mariners. Humber threw 95 pitches, though only 51 were callable, with 28 balls and 23 called strikes

Did Ryan swing?

Watch the following video to see Humber complete the perfect game and decide for yourself whether Brian Runge's game-ending swing call on Mariners batter Brendan Ryan's attempted check swing was the correct or incorrect call.

Video: Humber strikes out Ryan on close check swing call to secure the 21st perfect game in MLB history
Video: Final Out - Side angle of Ryan's attempted check swing (Thanks to TheGunsofHochuli for the link)


Here is a quick look at the statistics of how Brian Runge called Phil Humber's perfect game & no hitter:
Total Pitches: 95
Swinging Strikes: 14
Foul Balls: 12
In Play, Out: 18
Callable Pitches: 51
Balls: 28
Called Strikes: 23

Correct Called Balls: 25
Incorrect Called Balls (Called balls within the strike zone): 3 (1 additional was in the borderline range; correct)
Correct Ball %: <90.0%

Correct Called Strikes: 21
Incorrect Called Strikes (Called strikes outside the strike zone): 2 (3 others were in the borderline range; correct)
Correct Strike %: 91.3%

Correct % of Called Pitches: 90.2%

Pitch f/x courtesy Brooks Baseball