UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Chris Conroy

Umpire Chris Conroy

Presenting the UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Chris Conroy.
Name: Christopher Patrick Conroy
Pronunciation Guide: KRIS CON-roy
Date of Birth: July 22, 1974
Place of Birth: North Adams, Massachusetts

MiLB Leagues Worked: New York-Penn, South Atlantic, Carolina, Eastern, Pacific Coast and International Leagues.
MLB Debut: September 29, 2010
Level: MLB
Umpire Uniform Number: 98
Crew Chief: No

2019 Ejections: 3.
Ejection 120 (PHI M Gabe Kapler; QOC = U).
Ejection 119 (PHI P Hector Neris; QOC = U).
Ejection 097 (WAS PH Gerardo Parra; QOC = N).

2018 Ejections: None.
2017 Ejections: 3.
Ejection 139 (CHC M Joe Maddon; QOC = Y).
Ejection 105 (SF PC Dave Righetti; QOC = N).
Ejection 104 (SF M Bruce Bochy; QOC = Y).

2016 Ejections: 2.
Ejection 171 (TOR 3B Josh Donaldson; QOC = N).
Ejection 085 (PIT CF Andrew McCutchen; QOC = N).

2015 Ejections: 3.
Ejection 207 (LAA P Hector Santiago; QOC = N).
Ejection 085 (LAA M Mike Scioscia; QOC = N).
Ejection 038 (CIN 1B Joey Votto; QOC = U).

2014 Ejections: 1.
Ejection 016 (SF M Bruce Bochy; QOC = Y).

2013 Ejections: 1 (100%).
Ejection 023 (TOR BC DeMarlo Hale; QOC = U).

2012 Ejections: 1.
Ejection 022 (ATL M Fredi Gonzalez; QOC = U).

First Career Ejection: 5/14/11; Ejection 037 (PIT M Clint Hurdle; QOC = Y).
Ejection History: 0 (2010), 3 (2011), 1 (2012), 1 (2013), 1 (2014), 3 (2015), 2 (2016), 3 (2017), 0 (2018), 3 (2019).

UEFL History: Chris Conroy

Postseason and Special Events History
World Baseball Classic: -
All-Star Game: -
Wild Card Game: 2015, 2020
Division Series: 2018
Championship Series: 2019, 2020
World Series: -

Notes: Minor League umpire from 2000 through hire on June 14, 2013.
» Promoted to MLB staff in 2013 to replace Brian Runge, terminated due to an alleged drug violation.
» Worked the 2014 MLB Japan All-Star Series.

UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Cory Blaser

Umpire Cory Blaser

Presenting the UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Cory Blaser.
Name: Cory Steven Blaser
Pronunciation Guide: COREE BLAZE-uhr
Date of Birth: December 8, 1981
Place of Birth: Denver, Colorado

MiLB Leagues Worked: Arizona, Midwest, Carolina, Eastern and Pacific Coast Leagues.
MLB Debut: April 24, 2010
Level: MLB
Umpire Uniform Number: 89
Crew Chief: No

2019 Ejections: None.
2018 Ejections: 4.
Ejection 163 (MIN 3BC Gene Glynn; QOC = Y).
Ejection 127 (MIL M Craig Counsell; QOC = U).
Ejection 024 (CHC AHC Andy Haines; QOC = U).
Ejection 023 (CHC HC Chili Davis; QOC = U).

2017 Ejections: None.
2016 Ejections: 2.
Ejection 129 (MIA HC Barry Bonds; QOC = N).
Ejection 024 (ATL C AJ Pierzynski; QOC = N).

2015 Ejections: 2.
Ejection 160 (WAS PC Steve McCatty; QOC = Y).
Ejection 086 (PIT M Clint Hurdle; QOC = N).

2014 Ejections: 2.
Ejection 127 (ARI M Kirk Gibson; QOC = Y).
Ejection 126 (ARI 3B Martin Prado; QOC = Y).

2013 Ejections: None.
2012 Ejections: None.
2011 Ejections: 3.
Ejection 121 (COL M Jim Tracy; QOC = N).
Ejection 120 (COL C Chris Iannetta; QOC = N).
Ejection 022 (CWS CF Alex Rios; QOC = N).

Ejection History: 1 (2010), 3 (2011), 0 (2012), 0 (2013), 2 (2014), 2 (2015), 2 (2016), 0 (2017), 4 (2018), 0 (2019).

UEFL History: Cory Blaser

Postseason and Special Events History
World Baseball Classic: -
All-Star Game: 2018
Wild Card Game: 2015, 2019, 2020
Division Series: 2016, 2017, 2018
Championship Series: 2019, 2020
World Series: -

UEFL Promising Umpire of the Year: 2017, 2018

Notes: Minor League umpire from 2002 through hire prior to the 2014 season (346 MLB games at hire).
» Promoted to MLB staff in 2014 in wake of baseball's expanded instant replay program.

UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire David Rackley

Umpire David Rackley

Presenting the UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire David Rackley.
Name: David Ross Rackley
Pronunciation Guide: DAY-vid RACK-lee
Date of Birth: October 11, 1981
Place of Birth: Houston, Texas

MiLB Leagues Worked: Arizona, Northwest, South Atlantic, California, Texas and International Leagues.
MLB Debut: August 13, 2010
Level: MLB
Umpire Uniform Number: 86
Crew Chief: No

2019 Ejections: 1.
Ejection 184 (LAA M Brad Ausmus; QOC = N).

2018 Ejections: 2.
Ejection 094 (OAK M Bob Melvin; QOC = Y).
Ejection 054 (SEA 1BC Chris Prieto; QOC = Y).

2017 Ejections: 3.
Ejection 167 (LAA M Mike Scioscia; QOC = Y).
Ejection 086 (WAS M Dusty Baker; QOC = N-C).
Ejection 002 (LAD CF Joc Pederson; QOC = Y).

2016 Ejections: None.
2015 Ejections: 3.
Ejection 180 (SD M Pat Murphy; QOC = U).
Ejection 152 (MIA M Dan Jennings; QOC = Y-C).
Ejection 005 (PIT M Clint Hurdle; QOC = N).

2014 Ejections: 2.
Ejection 128 (CIN M Bryan Price; QOC = Y).
Ejection 125 (LAD RF Yasiel Puig; QOC = N).

2013 Ejections: 2.
Ejection 123 (STL M Mike Matheny; QOC = Y).
Ejection 122 (STL 2B Daniel Descalso; QOC = Y).

2012 Ejections: 1.
Ejection 140 (HOU SS Marwin Gonzalez; QOC = Y).

Ejection History: 0 (2010), 0 (2011), 1 (2012), 2 (2013), 2 (2014), 3 (2015), 0 (2016), 3 (2017), 2 (2018), 1 (2019).

UEFL History: David Rackley

Postseason and Special Events History
World Baseball Classic: -
All-Star Game: -
Wild Card Game: 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020
Division Series: 2020
Championship Series: -
World Series: -

Notes: Minor League umpire from 2001 through hire prior to the 2014 season (170 MLB games at hire).
» Promoted to MLB staff in 2014 in wake of baseball's expanded instant replay program.

UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Mike Estabrook

Umpire Mike Estabrook

Presenting the UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Mike Estabrook.
Name: Michael Joseph Estabrook
Pronunciation Guide: MIKE EST-uh-brook
Date of Birth: July 28, 1976
Place of Birth: Daytona Beach, Florida

MiLB Leagues Worked: Gulf Coast, Appalachian, South Atlantic, Florida State, Southern and International Leagues.
MLB Debut: May 7, 2006
Level: MLB
Umpire Uniform Number: 83
Crew Chief: No

2019 Ejections: 13.
Ejection 191 (WAS M Dave Martinez; QOC = Y).
Ejection 190 (WAS SS Trea Turner; QOC = Y).
Ejection 180 (TOR 3B Vladimir Guerrero Jr; QOC = Y).
Ejection 154 (BOS P Chris Sale; QOC = N).
Ejection 153 (BOS M Alex Cora; QOC = Y).
Ejection 103 (MIA M Don Mattingly; QOC = Y).
Ejection 102 (MIA SS Miguel Rojas; QOC = Y).
Ejection 066 (MIL 3B Mike Moustakas; QOC = Y).
Ejection 064 (MIL M Craig Counsell; QOC = N).
Ejection 063 (MIL LF Ryan Braun; QOC = Y).
Ejection 046 (TOR DH Justin Smoak; QOC = Y).
Ejection 022 (MIN M Rocco Baldelli; QOC= Y).
Ejection 015 (CHC M Joe Maddon; QOC = Y).

2018 Ejections: 1.
Ejection 025 (CWS M Rick Renteria; QOC = N).

2017 Ejections: 1.
Ejection 158 (TEX CF Carlos Gomez; QOC = N).

2016 Ejections: 3.
Ejection 126 (OAK 3B Danny Valencia; QOC = Y).
Ejection 110 (SF M Bruce Bochy; QOC = Y).
Ejection 109 (SF 1B Brandon Belt; QOC = Y).

2015 Ejections: 4.
Ejection 153 (PHI PC Bob McClure; QOC = Y).
Ejection 042 (TB HC Derek Shelton; QOC = Y).
Ejection 041 (TB M Kevin Cash; QOC = Y).
Ejection 003 (MIL 2B Scooter Gennett; QOC = Y).

2014 Ejections: None.
2013 Ejections: None.
2012 Ejections: 3.
Ejection 166 (KC DH Billy Butler; QOC = Y).
Ejection 157 (TB 1B Carlos Pena; QOC = N).
Ejection 117 (LAA PC Mike Butcher; QOC = Y).

Ejection History: 0 (2006), 0 (2007), 0 (2008), 3 (2009), 2 (2010), 6 (2011), 3 (2012), 0 (2013), 0 (2014), 4 (2015), 3 (2016), 1 (2017), 1 (2018), 13 (2019).

UEFL History: Mike Estabrook

Postseason and Special Events History
World Baseball Classic: -
All-Star Game: -
Wild Card Game: 2015
Division Series: 2020
Championship Series: -
World Series: -

Notes: Minor League umpire from 1999 through hire prior to the 2014 season (696 MLB games at hire).
» Promoted to MLB staff in 2014 in wake of baseball's expanded instant replay program.

UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Mike Muchlinski

Umpire Mike Muchlinski

Presenting the UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Mike Muchlinski.
Name: Michael William Muchlinski
Pronunciation Guide: MIKE Muh-LYNN-Skee
Date of Birth: February 26, 1977
Place of Birth: Tacoma, Washington

MiLB Leagues Worked: Arizona, Northwest, Midwest, Carolina, Eastern and Pacific Coast Leagues.
MLB Debut: April 24, 2006
Level: MLB
Umpire Uniform Number: 76
Crew Chief: No

2019 Ejections: 2.
Ejection 197 (TEX M Chris Woodward; QOC = Y).
Ejection 110 (ARI M Torey Lovullo; QOC = Y).

2018 Ejections: 1.
Ejection 129 (SEA M Scott Servais; QOC = Y).

2017 Ejections: 4.
Ejection 100 (MIL M Craig Counsell; QOC = N).
Ejection 099 (MIL 3B Travis Shaw; QOC = N).
Ejection 025 (OAK 3B Ryon Healy; QOC = Y).
Ejection 003 (TB CF Kevin Kiermaier; QOC = N).

2016 Ejections: 1.
Ejection 073 (LAD 3B Justin Turner; QOC = Y).

2015 Ejections: 2.
Ejection 194 (SD CF Melvin Upton, Jr.; QOC = Y).
Ejection 142 (SEA M Lloyd McClendon; QOC = Y).

2014 Ejections: 1.
Ejection 094 (SF M Bruce Bochy; QOC = N).

2013 Ejections: 1.
Ejection 133 (DET C Brayan Pena; QOC = U).

2012 Ejections: 1.
Ejection 027 (ATL PH Eric Hinske; QOC = N).

Ejection History: 1 (2007), 0 (2008), 1 (2009), 0 (2010), 6 (2011), 1 (2012), 1 (2013), 1 (2014), 2 (2015), 1 (2016), 4 (2017), 1 (2018), 2 (2019).

UEFL History: Mike Muchlinski

Postseason and Special Events History
World Baseball Classic: 2006
All-Star Game: 2018
Wild Card Game: 2020
Division Series: 2016, 2018
Championship Series: 2019
World Series: -

Notes: Minor League umpire from 1999 through hire prior to the 2014 season (570 MLB games at hire).
» Promoted to MLB staff in 2014 in wake of baseball's expanded instant replay program.
» Officiated the 2019 Opening Series in Japan.

UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Jordan Baker

Umpire Jordan Baker

Presenting the UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire Jordan Baker.
Name: Jordan Christopher Baker
Pronunciation Guide: JOR-dun BAY-kur
Date of Birth: December 23, 1981
Place of Birth: Enid, Oklahoma

MiLB Leagues Worked: Arizona, Appalachian, New York-Penn, South Atlantic, International and Pacific Coast Leagues.
MLB Debut: June 22, 2012
Level: MLB
Umpire Uniform Number: 71
Crew Chief: No

2019 Ejections: 3.
Ejection 178 (HOU RF Josh Reddick; QOC = Y).
Ejection 132 (CHC 1B Anthony Rizzo; QOC = Y).
Ejection 118 (MIL C Yasmani Grandal; QOC = Y).

2018 Ejections: 1.
Ejection 001 (ATL M Brian Snitker; QOC = Y).

2017 Ejections: 6.
Ejection 177 (CHC C Willson Contreras; QOC = N).
Ejection 176 (CHC P John Lackey; QOC = N).
Ejection 161 (OAK HC Darren Bush; QOC = Y).
Ejection 075 (DET M Brad Ausmus; QOC = Y).
Ejection 012 (MIN 3B Miguel Sano; QOC = U).
Ejection 011 (DET P Matthew Boyd; QOC = U).

2016 Ejections: 3.
Ejection 181 (PIT 1B Sean Rodriguez; QOC = U).
Ejection 180 (WAS P AJ Cole; QOC = U).
Ejection 165 (DET 2B Ian Kinsler; QOC = U).

2015 Ejections: 2.
Ejection 083 (SD M Bud Black; QOC = N).
Ejection 009 (BAL P Ubaldo Jiminez; QOC = U).

2014 Ejections: 5.
Ejection 089 (COL BC Tom Runnells; QOC = U).
Ejection 088 (COL P Nick Masset; QOC = U).
Ejection 087 (COL M Walt Weiss; QOC = U).
Ejection 086 (ATL P David Carpenter; QOC = U).
Ejection 019 (HOU M Bo Porter; QOC = U).

2013 Ejections: 3 (100%).
Ejection 070 (KC DH Billy Butler; QOC = U).
Ejection 064 (ARI BC Alan Trammell; QOC = U).
Ejection 002 (CLE P Carlos Carrasco; QOC = U).

2012 Ejections: 3.
Ejection 172 (SEA LF Michael Saunders; QOC = N).
Ejection 131 (NYM PH Daniel Murphy; QOC = N).
Ejection 096 (SF SS Brandon Crawford; QOC = U). *First Career Ejection*

Ejection History: 3 (2012), 3 (2013), 5 (2014), 2 (2015), 3 (2016), 6 (2017), 1 (2018), 3 (2019).

UEFL History: Jordan Baker

Postseason and Special Events History
World Baseball Classic: -
All-Star Game: 2019
Wild Card Game: 2017, 2020
Division Series: 2019
Championship Series: -
World Series: -

Notes: Minor League umpire from 2005 through hire prior to the 2014 season (197 MLB games at hire).
» Promoted to MLB staff in 2014 in wake of baseball's expanded instant replay program.
» Baseball's tallest active umpire at 6'7" (Tim McClelland, 6'6").

UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire DJ Reyburn

Umpire DJ Reyburn

Presenting the UEFL Profile of MLB Umpire DJ Reyburn.
Name: Daniel James Reyburn
Pronunciation Guide: DEE Jay RAY-burn
Nickname: D.J.
Date of Birth: October 13, 1976
Place of Birth: Grand Rapids, Michigan

MiLB Leagues Worked: Arizona, Appalachian, Midwest, Florida State, Eastern, Pacific Coast, International Leagues.
MLB Debut: June 10, 2008
Level: MLB
Umpire Uniform Number: 70
Crew Chief: No

2019 Ejections: 2.
Ejection 135 (BOS 2B Brock Holt; QOC = Y).
Ejection 054 (OAK M Bob Melvin; QOC = N).

2018 Ejections: 3.
Ejection 170 (WAS RF Bryce Harper; QOC = N).
Ejection 169 (NYM M Mickey Callaway; QOC = Y).
Ejection 037 (MIN LF Robbie Grossman; QOC = Y).

2017 Ejections: 4.
Ejection 116 (ARI PH AJ Pollock; QOC = N).
Ejection 108 (DET P Bruce Rondon; QOC = U).
Ejection 084 (ARI M Torey Lovullo; QOC = N).
Ejection 083 (ARI C Jeff Mathis; QOC = N).

2016 Ejections: 3.
Ejection 138 (MIA AHC Frank Menechino; QOC = Y).
Ejection 103 (OAK CF Coco Crisp; QOC = N).
Ejection 060 (WAS HC Rick Schu; QOC = Y).

2015 Ejections: 3.
Ejection 150 (PIT M Clint Hurdle; QOC = U).
Ejection 149 (PIT P Mark Melancon; QOC = U).
Ejection 039 (CHC M Joe Maddon; QOC = Y).

2014 Ejections: 2.
Ejection 103 (MIN M Ron Gardenhire; QOC = Y).
Ejection 070 (BOS 2B Dustin Pedroia; QOC = Y).

2013 Ejections: 2 (50%).
Ejection 080 (CHC M Dale Sveum; QOC = N).
Ejection 033 (OAK M Bob Melvin; QOC = Y).

2012 Ejections: 5.
Ejection 094 (KC M Ned Yost; QOC = U).
Ejection 093 (KC SS Alcides Escobar; QOC = U).
Ejection 086 (CWS M Robin Ventura; QOC = Y).
Ejection 061 (LAD BC Trey Hillman; QOC = N).
Ejection 060 (LAD M Don Mattingly; QOC = N).
Pre-Season Ejection 002 (NYM M Terry Collins; QOC = U).

2011 Ejections: 2.
Ejection 184 (MIL 3B Casey McGehee; QOC = Y).
Ejection 055 (ARI M Kirk Gibson; QOC = Y).

Ejection History: 1 (2009), 4 (2010), 2 (2011), 5 (2012), 2 (2013), 2 (2014), 3 (2015), 3 (2016), 4 (2017), 3 (2018), 2 (2019).

UEFL History: DJ Reyburn

Postseason and Special Events History
World Baseball Classic: 2013 Q
All-Star Game: 2019
Wild Card Game: 2020
Division Series: 2018, 2019
Championship Series: -
World Series: -

Notes: Minor League umpire from 2000 through hire prior to the 2014 MLB season.
» Promoted to MLB staff in 2014 in wake of baseball's expanded instant replay program.

Test Yourself: MLB Adopts Home Plate Collision Rule 7.13

MLB adopted a formal rule on home plate collisions meant to decrease violent contact at home plate on plays in which a runner attempts to score and a catcher attempts to tag him out by blocking home plate. After lengthy negotiations, Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association reached an agreement to adopt the new Rule 7.13, which outlines rights and responsibilities for runners and catchers (or other defensive players) on specific plays at home plate that historically have proven susceptible to the traditional home plate collision.

Official Baseball Rule 7.13: Collisions at Home Plate

A runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate). If, in the judgment of the umpire, a runner attempting to score initiates contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate) in such a manner, the umpire shall declare the runner out (even if the player covering home plate loses possession of the ball). In such circumstances, the umpire shall call the ball dead, and all other baserunners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the collision.

Rule 7.13 comment: The failure by the runner to make an effort to touch the plate, the runner's lowering of the shoulder, or the runner's pushing through with his hands, elbows or arms, would support a determination that the runner deviated from the pathway in order to initiate contact with the catcher in violation of Rule 7.13. If the runner slides into the plate in an appropriate manner, he shall not be adjudged to have violated Rule 7.13. A slide shall be deemed appropriate, in the case of a feet first slide, if the runner's buttocks and legs should hit the ground before contact with the catcher. In the case of a head first slide, a runner shall be deemed to have slid appropriately if his body should hit the ground before contact with the catcher.

Unless the catcher is in possession of the ball, the catcher cannot block the pathway of the runner as he is attempting to score. If, in the judgment of the umpire, the catcher without possession of the ball blocks the pathway of the runner, the umpire shall call or signal the runner safe. Notwithstanding the above, it shall not be considered a violation of this Rule 7.13 if the catcher blocks the pathway of the runner in order to field a throw, and the umpire determines that the catcher could not have fielded the ball without blocking the pathway of the runner and that contact with the runner was unavoidable.

This collision looks illegal, but is it? (Yes, it is)

In other words, a runner must attempt to touch home plate rather than initiate contact with the defensive player while the defensive player must concede a path to home plate unless he is in possession of the baseball. Nowhere in the Rule does interference and/or obstruction come into play as the umpire shall simply signal the runner safe if the catcher violates while penalties similar to interference (declared out, other runners back to bases) but not explicitly termed interference will result if the runner violates.

The new Rule 7.13 requires catchers to concede a path to home plate unless they have possession of the ball. The change here concerns timing. Whereas in 2013, a catcher could block the plate from the moment he was in the act of fielding the throw, in 2014, a catcher can only block the plate when he is in physical possession of the ball (after the catch) unless the throw clearly takes him into the path of the runner.

Got it? See below for sample videos of plays at the plate and make the call! Answers are below.

Scenarios 1-26: Compilation of plays at the plate (identified by timestamp in answer key) (Various)

Answer Key - Yellow represents legal play / Red signifies runner's violation / Green = fielder violated
1 (0:10): R2 is out; no violation of Rule 7.13 as runner did not deviate from his direct pathway to plate.
2 (0:23): R3 is out; legal play; runner does not deviate and catcher has possession of the ball.
3 (0:26): R3 is out; potential violation of Rule 7.13 as runner had access to home plate.
4 (0:28): R3 is out; angle prohibits discussion as to legality (did runner have access/catcher poss)?
5 (0:30): R3 is out; legal play; F2 must occupy position in order to field throw, contact unavoidable.
6 (0:32): R3 is safe; F2 violated, blocking pathway without ball possession.
7 (0:35 & 0:42): R3 is out; legal play; F2 must occupy in order to field throw, contact unavoidable.
8 (0:38): R3 is out; illegal because R3 deviates from direct pathway in order to initiate contact with catcher.
9 (0:52): R2 is out; illegal because R3 deviates from direct pathway (see still frame at 0:35).
10 (0:59): R2 is out; potentially illegal due to R2's actions; F2 possessed ball, contact unavoidable.
11 (1:08): R3 is out; illegal because R3 makes no attempt to touch, as in Rule 7.13 comment.
12 (1:16): R2 is out; illegal because R2 deviated by pushing through with upper body; F2 in poss.
13 (1:29): R2 is safe; F2 violated by blocking pathway without possession of the baseball.
14 (1:40): R1 is safe; legal, contact incidental because F2 must occupy position to receive the throw.
15 (1:57): Same Play as 6 (0:32) ("Posey play") - Posey violated by not having possession of the ball.
16 (2:09): R3 is safe; catcher fails to provide runner pathway by blocking plate without the ball.
17 (2:16): R1 is out; illegal because runner pushes through with upper body; initiates contact; F2 poss.
18 (2:30): R2 is safe; catcher occupies base path after failing to field throw in violation of 7.13 comment.
19 (2:46): R1 is safe; contact incidental (runner attempting to score, fielder has possession of ball).
20 (2:52): R3 is out; illegal because runner pushes through with upper body to initiate contact.
21 (3:06): R2 is out; illegal, runner deviated from direct pathway to initiate contact with catcher.
22 (3:24): R3 is out; illegal, runner makes no effort to touch plate; deviates to initiate contact.
23 (3:35): R3 is safe; contact incidental as catcher must occupy position in order to field throw.
24 (3:48): R2 is out; contact incidental as catcher occupies pos to receive throw, runner attempts to score.
25 (4:02): R3 is out; illegal, runner pushes through with upper body to initiate contact on catcher in poss.
26 (4:11): R1 is out; contact incidental as catcher carried up the line to receive the throw from RF.

Roster: 2014 MLB Spring Training Umpires

MLB released its Spring Training Umpires roster for 2014, which includes all 74 umpires on the freshly expanded Major League staff, plus those minor league umpires invited and assigned to baseball's Spring Training in Arizona and Florida. The Major League staff remains unchanged from January 2014, when MLB hired seven MiLB umpires to the full-time MLB squad. This is a "contract year" as the present collective-bargaining agreement between the World Umpires Association (WUA) and MLB expires December 31, 2014.

The Spring Training roster below also includes sleeve numbers for all applicable umpires, including the new Minor League call-up umpires authorized to fill in at the Major League level during the regular season. "--" indicates umpire is a Minor League (AAA) official and has not been placed on the MLB regular season fill-in list.

MLB Spring Training Umpires' Roster - 2014 Pre-Season

MLB Staff	MLB Staff	MiLB Call-Ups
Baker, Jordan 71 Barksdale, Lance 23 Barrett, Lance 94 Barrett, Ted 65 Barry, Scott 87 Bellino, Dan 2 Blaser, Cory 89 Bucknor, CB 54 Carapazza, Vic 85 Carlson, Mark 6 Cederstrom, Gary 38 Conroy, Chris 98 Cooper, Eric 56 Culbreth, Fieldin 25 Cuzzi, Phil 10 Danley, Kerwin 44 Darling, Gary 37 Davidson, Bob 61 Davis, Gerry 12 DeMuth, Dana 32 Diaz, Laz 63 DiMuro, Mike 16 Drake, Rob 30 Dreckman, Bruce 1 Eddings, Doug 88 Emmel, Paul 50 Estabrook, Mike 83 Everitt, Mike 57 Fairchild, Chad 4 Fletcher, Andy 49 Foster, Marty 60 Gibson, Greg 53 Gonzalez, Manny 79 Gorman, Brian 9 Guccione, Chris 68 Hallion, Tom 20 Hernandez, Angel 55	Hickox, Ed 15 Hirschbeck, John 17 Holbrook, Sam 34 Hoye, James 92 Hudson, Marvin 51 Iassogna, Dan 58 Johnson, Adrian 80 Joyce, Jim 66 Kellogg, Jeff 8 Knight, Brian 91 Kulpa, Ron 46 Layne, Jerry 24 Marquez, Alfonso 72 McClelland, Tim 36 Meals, Jerry 41 Miller, Bill 26 Muchlinski, Mike 76 Nauert, Paul 39 Nelson, Jeff 45 O'Nora, Brian 7 Porter, Alan 64 Rackley, David 86 Randazzo, Tony 11 Reyburn, D.J. 70 Reynolds Jim 77 Schrieber, Paul 43 Scott, Dale 5 Tichenor, Todd 13 Timmons, Tim 95 Vanover, Larry 27 Wegner, Mark 14 Welke, Bill 52 Welke, Tim 3 Wendelstedt, Hunter 21 West, Joe 22 Winters, Mike 33 [*]	Bailey, Allen -- Barber, Sean 29 Basner, Toby 99 Buckminster, Seth 67 Byrne, Jon 59 Campos, Angel 84 Fagan, Clint 82 Gibson, Hal "Tripp" 73 Gosney, Jeff 40 Hamari, Adam 78 Hoberg, Pat 31 Johnson, Anthony 48 Lampe, Shaun -- Little, Will 93 May, Ben 97 Morales, Gabe 47 Morrow, Jeff -- Myers, Brad -- Ortiz, Alex -- Pattillo, Marcus 18 Ripperger, Mark 90 Scheurwater, Stuart 85 Segal, Chris 96 Soucy, David -- Tumpane, John 74 Whitson, Chad 62 Wolcott, Quinn 81 Woodring, Tom 75 (28 MiLB Umpires) (74 MLB Umpires) (102 Total Umpires) Information obtained by UEFL on 2/22/2014. www.closecallsports.com

Some observations:

• Vic Carapazza and Stu Scheurwater presently are assigned to share sleeve number 85.
• Angel Campos remains on the MiLB call-up and MLB Spring Training lists.
• Todd Tichenor has vacated #97 (Ben May) and assumed #13, Derryl Cousins' old number.
• Chad Fairchild has vacated #75 (Tom Woodring) and assumed #4, Tim Tschida's old number.
• [*] Jim Wolf does not appear on the Spring Training Umpires list as captured 2/22/14.

Canadian Connection (Video): Scheurwater on Call-Up List

Umpire Stu Scheurwater was named to the MLB call-up list in advance of the 2014 season, setting the wheels in motion for a possible regular season debut following a full Spring Training slate.  A native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and then a resident of Regina, Scheurwater becomes the only active umpire on the fill-in slate from Canada; in 2012, for instance, he was one of just three Canadian umpires in Minor League Baseball.

MiLB & MLB Fill-In Umpire Stu Scheurwater

He began umpiring at 14 years of age and joined the Baseball Canada National Program at the end of his teenage years, ultimately landing at the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School in 2006, graduating to an Arizona League placement by PBUC, though he sat out the 2006 season due to a delay with Homeland Security processing his visa paperwork.

Scheurwater has also officiated in Northwest, South Atlantic and Carolina Single-A, Texas Double-A and presently serves as a Pacific Coast League (AAA) rover; he worked the 2012 Arizona Fall League, which was followed by a 2013 Spring Training invite for the Arizona region. He is also an electrician and was married this offseason, December 28, 2013.

Global's Morning News Regina produced a brief interview with Scheurwater, who discusses his baseball beginnings, journey and future. The video is accessible via the Global News: Regina website.