Unconfirmed - MLB to Promote Ump, A Look at Call-Ups

Unconfirmed: MLB will name a new full-time umpire to its staff in May 2016. This umpire would replace the departed Paul Schrieber, whose contract is set to expire at the end of April. Per our umpire sabermetrics and given past hiring behavior, we predict MLB will hire John Tumpane (37%), Adam Hamari (35%), or Clint Fagan (22%).

When putting together the umpire crew list for the 2016 season, MLB took care to leave two slots open to so-called full-time call-ups: AAA umpires by status who were assigned to a crew and would spend most of their time in 2016 not in Triple-A, but in the big leagues. As noted in the pre-season, one of these [Call-Up Umpire] slots accounted for Tim Welke's retirement, which will effectively occur only at the end of the 2016 season, while the other is for Paul Schrieber, who did not return to baseball in 2016.

Schreiber's contract reportedly expires April 30, 2016, effectively creating a vacancy on the MLB full-time staff. As we saw in 2015, when MLB hired Tripp Gibson, Mark Ripperger, and Will Little to the full-time staff, the Commissioner's Office selected three umpires with extensive experience during the 2014 season, including the coveted full-time [Call-Up Umpire] position. Gibson worked an MLB-leading 149 games in 2014, with Ripperger (142 games) and Little (141 gms) closely behind.

The 2014 MLB umpire crews had also featured several AAA rover positions to account for retiring and Disabled List umpires whose contracts ran into and through that season. For instance, Quinn Wolcott was named as a full-time MLB umpire in early July 2014, only when DL-bound umpire Gary Darling's retirement took effect and a contract-MLBU position opened up.

Here is a list of all 2016 Call-Up Umpires, sorted by MLB experience, coming into this season:
1) John Tumpane - 431 Games (6 in 2010, 68 in 2011, 10 in 2012, 80 in 2013, 138 in 2014, 129 in 2015).
2) Clint Fagan - 340 Games (5 in 2011, 16 in 2012, 69 in 2013, 119 in 2014, 131 in 2015).
3) Adam Hamari - 329 Games (48 in 2013, 127 in 2014, 154 in 2015).
4) Gabe Morales - 258 Games (123 in 2014, 135 in 2015).
5) Toby Basner - 235 Games (19 in 2012, 17 in 2013, 106 in 2014, 93 in 2015).
6) Chris Segal - 227 Games (111 in 2014, 116 in 2015).
7) Pat Hoberg - 215 Games (123 in 2014, 92 in 2015).
8) Tom Woodring - 156 Games (102 in 2014, 54 in 2015).
9) Sean Barber - 150 Games (92 in 2014, 58 in 2015).
10) Ben May - 118 Games (30 in 2014, 88 in 2015).
11) Ryan Blakney - 88 Games (88 in 2015).
12) Seth Buckminster - 67 Games (66 in 2014, 1 in 2015).
13) Stu Scheurwater - 47 Games (24 in 2014, 23 in 2015).
14) Carlos Torres - 19 Games (19 in 2015).
15) Chad Whitson - 15 Games (7 in 2014, 8 in 2015).
16) Anthony "A.J." Johnson - 6 Games (1 in 2014, 5 in 2015).
17) Ramon De Jesus - Rookie.
17) Nic Lentz - Rookie.
17) Roberto Ortiz - Rookie.

Underlined text indicates that umpire officiated the most regular season games of all 2016 call-ups during the indicated season.
Tumpane - 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014.
Fagan - 2012.
Hamari - 2015.

Sabermetric formula, hiring: (Games Worked/1000 + Games in 2015/411)/2.

Rumor: Quinn Wolcott Hired, Gary Darling Retires

Rumor: Quinn Wolcott has been hired to the MLB staff while long-time crew chief Gary Darling has retired. In our tradition of continuing to provide news breaks and rumor mill discussion, the UEFL reports the aforementioned staff shuffle as an unconfirmed report. Darling has been on Major League Umpiring's Disabled List since Opening Day 2014 while Wolcott is in his second season as an active MiLB call-up umpire, having worked 64 games in 2013.

This report is unconfirmed and should be treated as such.

Rumor: MLB to Hire 7 Umpires, in Part, for Instant Replay

MLB will hire 6-7 umpires, in part, to staff instant replay review positions, according to an anonymous source not authorized to speak on the subject. MLB's hiring of the additional crews and crew chiefs will reportedly occur this week, though no public and official announcement is expected until formal adoption of the 2014 model—including the proposed instant replay challenge system. The rumor is reported as unconfirmed.

MLB last promoted a Triple-A umpire to its full-time MLBU staff when Chris Conroy replaced the terminated Brian Runge in mid-June 2013. The UEFL reported the rumor of Conroy's promotion one week prior. Prior to Conroy's hiring, MLB hired Vic Carapazza, Manny Gonzalez and Alan Porter to the big league staff and promoted Ted Barrett, Fieldin Culbreth and Jim Joyce to crew chief, replacing the retiring Derryl Cousins, Ed Rapuano and Tim Tschida in mid-January 2013. The UEFL reported the AAA hires as a rumor on January 10.

Prior to Spring Training 2013, UEFL Appeals Board member tmac posted his power rankings for the league's call-up contingent. Removing Conroy (#98) from the list, the 2013 power rankings were:
1) Jordan Baker (#71)
2) Lance Barrett (#94)
3) Mike Estabrook (#83)
4) Toby Basner (#99)
5) Cory Blaser (#89)
6) DJ Reyburn (#70)
7) Mike Muchlinski (#76)
8) David Rackley (#86)
9) John Tumpane (#74)
10) Angel Campos (#84)*
11) Clint Fagan (#82)
12) Mark Ripperger (#90)
13) Mark Lollo (#96)
14) (tie) Tripp Gibson (#73), Adam Hamari (#78) [ranking prior to either umpire working an MLB game]

*Angel Campos, who did not work a single regular season MLB game in 2013, is expected to be released.

As for retirements, the league's senior-most umpires include Joe West (36 years, -cc 2003), Tim McClelland (31.5 years, -cc 2000), John Hirschbeck (30.5 years, -cc 2000), Gerry Davis/Dana DeMuth (both 30 years, -cc 1999), Dale Scott (27 years, -cc 2001) and Gary Darling (26 years, -cc 2004).

As for potential crew chief promotes, Larry Vanover & Angel Hernandez are the only active umpires with 20+ years experience and a #2 role on their respective crews (Hernandez has worked the World Series [twice], Vanover has not). Bob Davidson, with 25 years of service, was a #3 on his crew last season. Other notable #2s with notable acting/interim crew chief appearances include Mike Everitt (14 years), Kerwin Danley (16), Bill Miller (14), Dan Iassogna (11) and Jeff Nelson (15).

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.

Unconfirmed: MLB Hires Vic Carapazza, Porter, Gonzalez

The UEFL reports the unconfirmed rumor that 2012 Triple-A fill-in umpire Vic Carapazza has been hired to the full-time MLB staff along with call-ups Alan "Al" Porter and Manny Gonzalez.

Professional Baseball Umpire Vic Carapazza

At present, 2012 fill-in umpires Mike Estabrook (595 games since 2006), Angel Campos (549 games since 2007), Mike Muchlinski (467 games since 2006) & D.J. Reyburn (387 games since 2008) have worked more MLB regular season games than Carapazza (302 games since 2010). Porter has worked 299 contests since 2010 while Gonzalez has worked 175.

After the end of the 2012 regular season, umpires Ed Rapuano and Tim Tschida were amongst those discussed as possible retirements (see Rumor Mill Madden, 10/7/12); other names mentioned solely due to extended absences and/or injury to end the 2012 season were Mike DiMuro, Brian Runge, Hunter Wendelstedt, Bruce Dreckman and John Hirschbeck. Hirschbeck has previously stated he intends to return to MLB in 2013.

Previously, Todd Tichenor was hired in advance of the 2012 season as a replacement for the retiring Bill Hohn. An official "Hired: " post will be created when/if this story is confirmed or announced.

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)

Exclusive: Umpire John Hirschbeck to the Disabled List

According to a source, MLB umpire John Hirschbeck will miss the 2012 season—and potentially more—due to illness.

Hirschbeck was one of several umpires who suffered injury or illness and missed significant time during the 2011 season. After Hirschbeck worked first base during the Nationals-Padres game on June 12, he did not return to action until July 8's Pirates-Cubs contest. He also suffered through a few painful deflections while a plate umpire, once on April 12 and again on July 24. Prior to deflection, the second pitch had been clocked at 95 MPH.

While most full-time crew chiefs worked between 127 and 136 regular season games in 2011, Hirschbeck worked just 112 due to back pain. Only Tim Tschida (81 games) worked fewer.

Hirschbeck previously missed the entire 2008 MLB season due to back surgery to repair a ruptured disk, while Hirschbeck was diagnosed with testicular cancer in mid-2009. August 2 was his last game that season and oncological surgery shortly followed.

The offending tumor was removed and doctors at the time predicted a 10 percent chance of the cancer returning.

At the time, Hirschbeck had predicted a retirement in the near future: "I'm 55 and I don't plan on working a whole lot longer."

Hirschbeck was the first president of the World Umpires Association and concluded the 2011 UEFL season with zero ejections and zero points. His younger brother, former MLB umpire Mark Hirschbeck, was also bitten by the injury bug, suffering a career-ending injury when his artificial hip shattered during a game. In April, Hirschbeck settled his lawsuit with Wright Medical Technology of Arlington, Tenn. for several millions of dollars.

Umpire Bill Hohn was on MLB's Disabled List in 2011 before retiring prior to 2012.

Unconfirmed: MLB won't expand instant replay in 2012

According to a source, MLB will not expand instant replay in 2012. It is unknown whether the umpires' union or playing rules committee (or some other MLB entity) rejected the proposal, but if this rumor is confirmed as accurate, it will be the first update regarding the expanded replay proposal since late 2011, when the players and owners ratified their newest labor contract with expanded replay on the docket. At the time, the deal was still pending umpire approval.

Baseball's Instant Replay "Box"

As I wrote in December (MLB News: Proposed Labor Deal Includes Expanded Instant Replay), the new CBA indicated a desire to expand instant replay to include Fair/Foul, Catch/No Catch (Catch/Trap) and Stadium-wide Spectator Interference calls (the present model only allows for instant replay when the spectator interference occurs in fair territory where it might interfere with a home run).

According to the UEFL's August 2011 poll, 36 percent of UEFL'ers were in support of Fair/Foul replay, 30 percent supported Catch/No Catch and 68 percent supported spectator interference.

At the time of this post's publishing, no other sources have confirmed nor denied this anonymous account; as such, this is being posted under the heading of Unconfirmed Rumor. This is the first we at the UEFL have heard regarding possible instant replay expansion since 2011 and it is the first we have heard regarding MLB potentially not expanding replay after all.