Non-Roster AAA Umps Get Call in Final Days of Spring

Several non-roster AAA umpires joined Spring Training as the annual MLB March tune-up entered its final week.

Then-AA Umpire Max Guyll ejects Bryce
Harper during a 2011 Eastern League game.

For clarity's sake, these are non-Spring Training roster invites—MiLB call-ups Ryan Blakney, Ryan Goodman, Nick Lentz, Carlos Torres, and Doug Vines have been working the full slate in Arizona and Florida alongside their sleeve-numbered colleagues. Having concluded their 2015 Minor League Spring Training meetings, the following umpires have been given Major League pre-season opportunities (this list will be updated as the final week of Spring Training progresses):

Florida - Grapefruit League
Brian De Brauwere (AAA Affiliation: International League) - 4/4
Ramon DeJesus (AAA Affiliation: Pacific Coast League) - 4/2, 4/4
Max Guyll (AAA Affiliation: IL) - 3/28
Tom Honec (AAA Affiliation: IL) - 4/3
Brandon Henson (AAA Affiliation: IL) - 4/2, 4/3
Robert Moreno (AAA Affiliation: IL) - 4/2
Roberto Ortiz (AAA Affiliation: PCL) - 4/2

Arizona - Cactus League
Eric Arenn (AAA Affiliation: None) - 3/29
Joseph Born (AAA Affiliation: International League) - 3/29, 4/4
William "Billy" Cunha (AAA Affiliation: Pacific Coast League) - 4/2
Travis Eggert (AAA Affiliation: PCL) - 3/28, 4/3
Spencer Flynn (AAA Affiliation: PCL) - 4/1
Kolin Kline (AAA Affiliation: PCL) - 4/4
Shaun Lampe (AAA Affiliation: PCL; was on the 2014 Spring Training roster) - 3/28, 4/4
Nick Mahrley (AAA Affiliation: PCL) - 4/3, 4/4
Jeff Morrow (AAA Affiliation: PCL; was on the 2014 Spring Training roster) - 3/29
Alex Ortiz (AAA Affiliation: PCL; was on the 2014 Spring Training roster) - 3/28
Alberto Ruiz (AAA Affiliation: PCL) - 3/29, 4/1, 4/3
Greg Stanzak (AAA Affiliation: PCL) - 3/28

All Saturday, March 28 non-roster invitees were assigned to the home plate umpire position.
Umpires on all other days were assigned to various roles (plate/bases).

MiLB Ejection of Week: Kolin Kline (1)

For this week's Minor League ejection, we visit umpire Kolin Kline (3B), who on Wednesday ejected Round Rock Express Manager Bobby Jones for arguing an obstruction no-call. Also featured during this sequence are umpires Chris Segal (1B) and Brandon Misun (HP). Kline began the 2012 season in the Southern League and worked the 2012 SL All-Star Game (plate), while Misun began 2012 in the Texas League before being promoted. Segal umpired in the PCL last season as well. (2012 PCL Roster)

Kline and Kata

The Minor League Ejection of the Week showcases the brightest Triple-A talent and biggest MiLB meltdowns with a special "Thank You" to UEFL'er Russ, who has been filling us in on all the AAA ejection action.

In the bottom of the 9th inning of the Pacific Coast League (PCL)'s Nashville Sounds vs. Express contest, with none out and two on, Express batter Yangervis Solarte hit a 1-1 pitch from Sounds hurler Robert Wooten to first baseman Jordan Brown, who stepped on first base for one out before firing to shortstop Eric Farris, who tagged R1 Matt Kata out at second base for a double play, though Jones argued that Kata had been obstructed by second baseman Adrian Williams, who Kata alleged physically impeded his attempt at advancement. Replays do not indicate whether obstruction occurred as the camera only pans toward the second base area as R1 is sliding into second base, well past where F4 was stationed. At the time of the ejection, the contest was tied, 6-6. The Express ultimately won the contest, 7-6, in 11 innings.

Wrap: Nashville Sounds at Round Rock Express (MiLB), 8/22/12

Video: Kata is tagged out by Farris; skipper Bobby Jones ejected arguing for an obstruction call (UEFL)