2017 World Baseball Classic Rules Mods Released

New rules for the 2017 World Baseball Classic will take effect at the quadrennial tournament in March. In general, the WBC uses the same Official Baseball Rules employed by the Major Leagues, but the international tournament modified the following OBR regulations to meet the specific needs of the worldwide pre-season showcase:

Game Play
>> Extra Inning Run Generation: In an effort to manufacture runs late in tied ballgames that have exceeded regulation, the WBC will place baserunners at first and second base to begin the 11th and any subsequent extra inning. The runner at first base will be the player in the batting order immediately preceding the batter, and the runner on second will be the player preceding the runner at first base.
Example: With the score tied after 10 innings of play, A7 (the player listed seventh in Team A's batting order) leads off the top of the 11th inning with A6 (listed sixth in the order) at first base and A5 (listed fifth) at second base, with none out.

Clint Fagan at 2012's WBC qualifier.

>> Video Replay Review: Due, in part, to technical and logistical limitation of some venues not ordinarily used by MLB, instant replay in the First and Second Rounds of the tournament will be effected in the same "limited replay" variety used by Major League Baseball from 2008-2013: The umpire crew chief may only review plays involving home runs or potential home runs (fair HR/foul, in play/HR, fan interference/HR, etc.), and the crew chief will conduct the review in the stadium himself with the assistance of a crewmate. For the Championship Round, taking place at Dodger Stadium, an MLB park, "expanded replay" (2014-present) will be used with the exception of manager challenges.
Example, Rounds 1/2: Batter A1 hits a fly ball above the height of the left field foul pole, ruled a foul ball. The crew chief and third base umpire retreat to a field-adjacent video monitor or room and determine the call on the field was correct. Foul ball.
Example, Championship: Same play as above. The crew chief and third base umpire will don headsets and speak with a Replay Official, who will make the final ruling.
Example, Rounds 1/2: Batter A1 hits a fly ball to outfielder F9 who attempts a diving catch, after which umpire U1 rules the ball was trapped (A1 safe at first base). This play is not reviewable.
Example, Championship: Same play as above. The crew chief and first base umpire will don headsets and speak with a Replay Official, who will make the final ruling.

Rosters and Tiebreakers
>> Tie-Breakers: Because both the first and second place teams advance after the First and Second Rounds, no game is necessary if only two teams are tied for best record. Instead, the Pool Winner shall be the team that defeated the other team in that round. If there is a three-way tie, the same statistical procedure shall be used to rank the three, such that one of the teams will be deemed the Pool Winner. The teams ranked second and third will then play a tie-breaker game to determine the second-place winner. Additional tiebreakers, in order, are:
- 1) Fewest runs allowed divided by number of innings played on defense (Runs per Innings).
- 2) Fewest earned runs allowed divided by number of defensive innings (Team ERA).
- 3) Highest team batting average.
- 4) "Drawing of lots," or the WBC-controlled coin flip.
Example: Team Korea and Team Israel are the only teams tied for Pool Winner designation at the conclusion of the First Round; whichever team won the pair's head-to-head matchup will be the Pool Winner.

Kun Young Park at the 2016 qualifier.

>> Designated Pitcher Pool: Each team will identify a list of 10 pitchers eligible to participate in one or more consecutive rounds (e.g., a pitcher may not participate in the First and Championship, but not the Second Round). This list is independent of any roster submitted to WBC ahead of the tournament, but in order to use the pool list, the submitted roster must include a minimum of one and maximum of two pitchers from the pool list (if no pool pitchers are included on the roster, the pool list may not be used for the tournament). If a pitcher is removed from a roster at any time, the pitcher may not be used again in the tournament. Pitchers from the pool list, if used, may replace pitchers on the WBC roster after each individual round of the tournament.
Example (Legal): Team Canada names Pitchers 1-10 to its Designated Pitcher Pool list, and adds Pitchers 1 and 2 to its First Round roster. At the conclusion of this round, it replaces Pitcher 1 with Pitcher 3, such that Pitchers 2 and 3 compete for Canada in the Second Round. At the conclusion of the second round, Canada replaces Pitcher 3 with Pitcher 4, such that Pitchers 2 and 4 compete in the Championship Round. Legal.
Example (Illegal): Team USA names Pitchers 1-10 to its Designated Pitcher Pool list, and adds Pitchers 1 and 2 to its First Round roster, replacing them with Pitchers 3 and 4 for the Second Round. Team USA attempts to reintroduce Pitcher 1 in the Championship Round. Illegal, since Pitcher 1 may only compete in consecutive rounds.
Example (Illegal): Team Korea names Pitchers 1-10 to its Designated Pitcher Pool list, includes Pitchers 11 and 12 on its First Round roster, and attempts to replace Pitcher 11 with Pitcher 1 for the Second Round. Team is prohibited from using the Designated Pitcher Pool, since it did not include any pitchers from this pool on its submitted roster for the First Round.

MLB Considering Intentional Walk, Strike Zone Changes

MLB has proposed changing the strike zone and intentional walk procedures, according to a source. Major League Baseball's purported proposal to the players' union is an echo of concepts from years gone by, as baseball tried the same thing with its strike zone in February 2015, sending the matter to the Playing Rules Committee in an attempt to interject more offense into a game that has recently favored pitchers.

The strike zone currently is defined as:

The STRIKE ZONE is that area over home plate the upper limit of which is a horizontal line at the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants, and the lower level is a line at the hollow beneath the kneecap. The Strike Zone shall be determined from the batter’s stance as the batter is prepared to swing at a pitched ball.

And it previously looked like:
1887: Batsman's knee - shoulders;
1907: Batsman's knee - shoulders (Adopted by both National and American Leagues)
1950: Top of the knee when batter assumes a natural stance - armpits;
*NOTE: 1957 was the Adoption of Rule 2.00 [Strike] referencing Rule 2.00 [Strike Zone]*
1963: Top of knees when batter assumes a natural stance - top of shoulders;
1969: Top of knees when batter assumes a natural stance - armpits;
1988: Top of knees when prepared to swing - midpoint between top of shoulders and top of pants;
1996: Hollow of the knees when prepared to swing at pitch - midpoint b/w top of shoulders/pants.
*NOTE: 2014 renumbered Rule 2.00 [Strike Zone] to Definition of Terms [Strike Zone]*
Key: Green = Strike Zone Expansion; Red = Strike Zone Shrinkage; Yellow = Stayed the same.

The 2016 strike zone proposal would favor the offense by raising the lower bound of the strike zone to the top of the knees while keeping the upper limit at the midpoint.

Meanwhile, the no-pitch intentional walk previously made an appearance during the 2014 Arizona Fall League, when the League tested several pace of game proposals, including the since-adopted batter's box rule (except without the penalty of a dead ball strike) and inning/pitching change intermission clocks.

Needless to say, elimination of the four thrown balls requirement would eliminate: increased pitch counts; the potential for a wild pitch or passed ball, a pitcher or catcher's balk, a batter swinging at a poorly placed intentional ball, a stolen base; and the 30-seconds to one minute it takes to intentionally walk a batter.

The two proposals now stand for a players' union vote and, if they pass in a timely manner, could realistically be implemented in 2017. If they don't pass in time for Spring Training or the season, there likely would be no change made for the beginning of the 2017 season.

2017 Season MLB Umpire Crews - Pre-Season Edition

Here are the umpire crews for MLB's 2017 season, with 76 umpires on the staff spread over 19 umpiring crews. Visit the UEFL's Umpire Roster and Profiles page for a sortable list of all MLB and MiLB call-up umpires (which will be sortable by 2017 crew). This is an unofficial and preliminary pre-season look at the 2017 MLB umpire crew list and is subject to change prior to or during Spring Training or the regular season. Stay tuned for information regarding registration for the 2017 UEFL season.

2017 MLB Umpire Crews (By Umpiring Crew Chief Seniority)

Crew #	Crew Chief	Umpire 2	Umpire 3	Umpire 4
Crew 1	12 Davis, Gerry	11 Randazzo, Tony	30 Drake, Rob	[New Hire MLBU]
Crew 2	32 DeMuth, Dana	39 Nauert, Paul	68 Guccione, Chris	[New Hire MLBU]
Crew 3	5 Scott, Dale	77 Reynolds, Jim	91 Knight, Brian	94 Barrett, Lance
Crew 4	22 West, Joe	21 Wendelstedt, Hunter	49 Fletcher, Andy	64 Porter, Alan
Crew 5	38 Cederstrom, Gary	56 Cooper, Eric	80 Johnson, Adrian	[New Hire MLBU]
Crew 6	24 Layne, Jerry	51 Hudson, Marvin	2 Bellino, Dan	83 Estabrook, Mike
Crew 7	9 Gorman, Brian	58 Iassogna, Dan	16 DiMuro, Mike	73 Gibson, Tripp
Crew 8	8 Kellogg, Jeff	95 Timmons, Tim	92 Hoye, James	93 Little, Will
Crew 9	20 Hallion, Tom	10 Cuzzi, Phil	19 Carapazza, Vic	90 Ripperger, Mark
Crew 10	33 Winters, Mike	14 Wegner, Mark	60 Foster, Marty	76 Muchlinski, Mike
Crew 11	25 Culbreth, Fieldin	6 Carlson, Mark	54 Bucknor, CB	79 Gonzalez, Manny
Crew 12	65 Barrett, Ted	55 Hernandez, Angel	23 Barksdale, Lance	74 Tumpane, John
Crew 13	45 Nelson, Jeff	63 Diaz, Laz	88 Eddings, Doug	89 Blaser, Cory
Crew 14	26 Miller, Bill	44 Danley, Kerwin	13 Tichenor, Todd	[New Hire MLBU]
Crew 15	41 Meals, Jerry	46 Kulpa, Ron	15 Hickox, Ed	98 Conroy, Chris
Crew 16	27 Vanover, Larry	72 Marquez, Alfonso	4 Fairchild, Chad	86 Rackley, David
Crew 17	57 Everitt, Mike	52 Welke, Bill	1 Dreckman, Bruce	71 Baker, Jordan
Crew 18	50 Emmel, Paul	7 O'Nora, Brian	87 Barry, Scott	81 Wolcott, Quinn
Crew 19	34 Holbrook, Sam	53 Gibson, Greg	28 Wolf, Jim	70 Reyburn, DJ
DL/Ret	N/A	Obtained by	Close Call Sports	UEFL

New MLB Umpires ([New Hire MLBU]): Adam Hamari, Gabe Morales, Pat Hoberg, Carlos Torres.

Notes and Observations
≫ Mike Winters and Jeff Nelson's crews are the only two that remain unchanged from 2016 to 2017.
≫ Longtime 1-2 combos Scott-Iassogna, West-Danley, and Layne-Wendelstedt have been split.
≫ Former crewmates and small-tall duo Jerry Meals and Jordan Baker are on separate crews.
≫ Retirement Recap: Bob Davidson, John Hirschbeck, Jim Joyce, Tim Welke.

Statistical Promotions or Leftward Lateral Movement:
≫ From Umpire 2 (or Interim) to Crew Chief: Paul Emmel, Mike Everitt, Sam Holbrook.
≫ From Umpire 3 to Umpire 2 (Backup Crew Chief): Paul Nauert*, Tim Timmons.
≫ From Umpire 4 to Umpire 3: Dan Bellino, Chad Fairchild, Adrian Johnson, Todd Tichenor.
*NOTE: Paul Nauert was an Umpire 2 in 2015, and an Umpire 3 in 2016.

Statistical Rightward Lateral Movement:
≫ From Umpire 3 to Umpire 4: Alan Porter (switched crews).

Andrew Bell Injured, Spectator Wilson Fills in as Ump

ABL Umpire Andrew Bell was taken to hospital after a foul ball injury to his right forearm on Friday, and returned to work Sunday's game with only bruises to show for it.

With none out in the top of the 4th inning of Friday's Blue Sox-Bite game, Blue Sox batter Malik Collymore fouled a 0-2 fastball from Bite pitcher Sean Callegari above catcher Marcus Greene Jr.'s glove and into umpire Bell's right arm.

Bell was replaced for the remainder of the contest behind the plate by 1B Umpire Ian Reval, with 3B Umpire Payne Sowter remaining at third base while Mark Wilson—who was attending the game as a fan and is on the Adelaide umpiring panel—borrowed a uniform and filled in at first base.

After a scheduled day off on Saturday, Bell returned to officiate Sunday's game on the bases.
Relevant Post: Injury Study - The Slot and Mask vs Helmet Debate (May 30, 2016).

Video via "Read More"

ABL - Halligan Ejects Heat's Hughes for Punch

Australian Baseball League Umpire Blake Halligan ejected Heat 2B Luke Hughes for punching an opponent and player-manager Matt Kennelly for arguing Hughes' ejection.

With two out and one on (R2), Heat batter Kennelly hit a ground ball to Bite third baseman Jordan McArdle, who threw poorly to first baseman Jordan McArdle, to catcher Bas Nooij as baserunner R2 Derek Peterson attempted to score on McArdle's throwing error. Replays indicate that Nooij tagged Peterson prior to Peterson's touch of home plate, that Peterson's slide potentially violated the home plate collision rule (Rule 6.01(i)(1) Comment: "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"; Peterson's knee appeared to make contact with Nooij's upper thigh prior to Peterson's buttocks and legs touching the ground), that Nooij subsequently shoved Peterson, and that Hughes (who was not involved in the play) ran from the dugout area to deliver a strike upon Nooij's head, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Bite were leading, 2-0. The Bite ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

As a result of the misconduct, Hughes received a three-game suspension and undisclosed fine.

Wrap/Log: Perth Heat vs. Adelaide Bite (Australian Baseball), 1/15/17 | Video via "Read More"

Tmac's Teachable Moments - Let's Fix Replay

Tmac's Teachable Moments presents a review of ways to fix instant replay.

It's a new year and would you believe it's less than one month until pitchers and catchers report. If you're a baseball fan and if you're frequenting Close Call Sports, and there's a really good chance you are, then you've probably been frustrated about the way MLB has handled replays since their 2014 expansion. I propose some ways to fix MLB instant replay in this offseason addition of Tmac's Teachable Moments.

First of all, how many times have I said MLB is horrible at communication. To begin, let's fix part of that problem.

Umpires in Japan's NPB have access to a mic.

1) Give the Crew Chief a microphone
Football and hockey refs have mics, and basketball officials can communicate what's going on because the media table is court side. Not knowing a ruling is like missing twenty minutes of a movie. The result is the fans become informed by announcers who don't know what they're talking about. We get announcers making stuff up while attempting to fill in the blanks. A simple explanation after every replay would suffice. It also allows the CC to explain ejections, complicated situations, or perhaps a strange play. We have the technology, so lets do this. It makes it easier for people in the press box (well above the playing field) or sitting at home to understand the call on the field. Communication can always be better.
Gil's Note: The Nippon Professional Baseball Organization (Japan's MLB-equivalent) outfits its umpires with access to microphones on the playing field level. When a ruling requires explanations, the umpire-in-chief can simply walk over to the warning track, pick up a microphone, and explain the play over the stadium PA for all to hear. SEE IT IN ACTION: Dropped Third Strike = Home Run.

2) A manager gets two challenges, and a challenge must be IMMEDIATE

Quick decisions may eliminate delays.

Let's eliminate the Crew Chief-initiated challenges. A manager should use his challenges judiciously.  When games are delayed for 30 seconds here and 30 seconds there, it adds up. We had some great postseason games, but they routinely went over four hours. Even the most arduous of baseball fans can't spend that kind of time watching baseball in October. Gil and I tried to cover every post season game and I was worn out by the end. There are some people saying this was the best WS ever and many people missed the crucial moments because the games lasted forever.

Let's get rid of "turning the umpire" strategy.

So, what does "Immediate" mean? By definition, "occurring or done at once; instant." When a call was missed in the "old" days before replay, a manager would come out IMMEDIATELY to dispute or seek clarification. He didn't wait for 30 seconds or more to hear from his replay technician on whether it's worth a challenge. What does this do? It eliminates the sliding challenges were a guy is clearly safe and his butt or his legs comes off the bag for s split second. There's a difference between coming off a base by over sliding it and having your front foot come off a base because a base is hard. Replay is designed to fix the egregious errors.

If a manager is successful with each of his two challenges then he gets another and another until his challenge is not successful. Now there's no penalty for an incorrect challenge after the 6th inning.  Managers are bailed out by getting a Crew Chief Review every time they ask.

HBP or Foul? This play should be reviewable.

Umpires tend to not miss three calls against a team in a game (according to my records, it happened just twice this year), so if you use your challenges properly you will be fine.

I'm adaptable to "immediate," but considering Stadiums have clocks why not have a 5 second countdown clock after every play? You could even hire a 5th umpire to man the clock. This takes the replay technicians out of the game where they don't belong.

How does a manager challenge, you must be asking!

3) Give the manager a beanbag
You can make it a flag or whatever; just something that keeps him off the field.
Gil's Note: As of 2015, managers have been ordered to remain in the dugout to challenge most plays, but the manager is still notably permitted to hold play while consulting with the replay coordinator and bench coach about whether to challenge the call.

4) Let's replay more things
Fair/fouls in the infield, batted balls off batters, and full swings that turn into HBPs are some of the disasters that are not reviewable. I've been asked where to draw the line. We're currently reviewing interference, so why can't we also review obstruction? I'm not sure where the line is drawn, but let's get it right. This is a slippery slope, but we can make it an exciting one.

Let's put those stadium clocks to good use.

5) Ninety second limit once headsets are put on.
We can waive this in the postseason, but I can't tell you how many times in the late stages of a game we have had a 3+ minute replay delay in a game that was all but decided. While I agree the classy thing to do is to let the play be, managers are constantly fighting for players, trying to get them a base knock or lower a pitcher's ERA. So I don't begrudge them for challenging, but with the technology there is no reason MLB replay should take two to three times longer than NFL, NBA, or NHL.

These changes are simple.  There is no question replay is here to stay and there is also no question MLB is obsessed with shorter game times.  This might not take a large chunk of time but it would help with game flow which was just brutal last year.

Source - Jim Joyce Retires, Holbrook & Emmel Promoted

"Imperfect Game" umpire Jim Joyce has retired with crew chief promotions to Sam Holbrook and Paul Emmel, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. No official announcement has yet been made.

In 2014, Joyce granted an interview to the Portland Tribune in which he stated that he "could very easily have walked away from the game of baseball" after the infamous June 2, 2010 game in Detroit featuring Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga and the so-called 28-out perfect game after Joyce's safe call with two outs in the ninth inning extended the game by one batter. At the time, Joyce said in postgame comments that he "blew the call" and eventually co-authored the book Nobody's Perfect with Galarraga concerning sportsmanship and lessons learned from that night.

Joyce was in the right place at the right time two years later when a Diamondbacks stadium employee entered cardiac arrest; Joyce performed CPR on Levy employee Jayne Powers and received praise by many who said that Joyce had saved Powers' life.

In the 2014 Tribune interview, Joyce also mentioned that he had "a couple of more [years]" left, "if my knees hold up." The 2015 and 2016 seasons make for a couple of years and, according to a source, Joyce is following through on that retirement projection. News of Joyce's retirement was also broadcast over the air via Portland, Oregon radio station AM 1080 The Fan.

Joyce, who entered the American League in 1987, officiated 3,268 regular season games during his three decades in the Majors, ejecting 73 people, and additionally called three All-Star Games, 10 Division Series, four League Championship Series, and three World Series.

His obstruction call to end Game 3 of the 2013 World Series constituted the first Fall Classic game-ending obstruction or interference play, and capped off a stretch run for Joyce during which he received two UEFL Honorable Umpire of the Year awards (2010 and 2012) and two UEFL Umpire of the Year awards (2009 and 2013).

Joyce is a member of the Central Catholic High School Sports Hall of Fame (2000) and Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame (2009).

Sam Holbrook, Paul Emmel Promoted to Crew Chief

Umpires Sam Holbrook and Paul Emmel have purportedly been tapped to replace retiring crew chiefs Joyce and John Hirschbeck, according to a source.

Holbrook is just shy of 2,000 games in his Major League career (AL debut: 1996, NL debut: 1997) while Emmel is over the 2,000-game mark (NL debut: 1999); both have officiated all levels of special events, with Holbrook most recently presiding over Game 7 of the 2016 World Series.

Mike Everitt, meanwhile, has served as fill-in crew chief since January 2016, in the stead of Tim Welke, who has since retired after spending one year on umpiring's Disabled List. Everitt has 2,388 games of regular season experience heading into 2017.

All three have served as acting or interim crew chief on several occasions throughout the past few seasons, including Holbrook's extended stint as crew chief in place of regular Joe West when West missed the first few months of 2013; Hawk Harrelson has the story.

Holbrook himself missed the 2014 season upon the death of his wife Laura "Susie" Glass, and worked the 2016 World Series with Hirschbeck, who himself spent time on bereavement after losing two sons.

Joyce's retirement comprises the fourth since September 2016 (Bob Davidson, Hirschbeck, T Welke), accounting for MLB's purported quadruple hire of umpires Adam Hamari, Pat Hoberg, Gabe Morales and Carlos Torres, while the Hirschbeck/Joyce/Welke retirements as crew chiefs account for the purported Holbrook/Emmel/Everitt promotions.

ABL - Bell Ejects River Stevens for Obscene Bird

HP Umpire Andrew Bell ejected Cavalry 2B River Stevens for flipping off the crowd in Adelaide during his 2 RBI double in the top of the 6th inning of the ABL's Cavalry-Bite game. With two out and two on, Stevens hit a fastball from Bite pitcher Matthew Williams down the right field line for a double, scoring two runs for Canberra. Replays indicate that as Stevens ran down the first base line, he raised his right arm and extended his middle finger while looking at either the Adelaide dugout and/or the "Shark Tank" fan section directly behind the dugout, resulting in an ejection for an unsporting obscene gesture, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Cavalry were leading, 4-1. The Cavalry ultimately won the contest, 4-1.

Related: MLB Ejection 189 (Joe West/Jonathan Papelbon; Lewd Gesture, 9/14/14)
Wrap: Canberra Cavalry vs. Adelaide Bite (Australian Baseball), 1/8/17 | Video via "Read More"

Minor League Umpires Receive New 5-Year CBA

Minor League Baseball Umpire Development reached agreement with the Association of Minor League Umpires on a five-year collective bargaining agreement that will ensure continuous labor peace through the 2021 MiLB season.

Notable elements of the 2016-21 MiLBUD-AMLU CBA include:

> Salary and Wages: Umpires across all levels of Minor League Baseball will receive nominal wage increases. Rookie and Short-A will start at $2,000-per-month (previously $1,900) and increase to $2,300 for a fourth-year umpire. Full/Advanced-A will start at $2,100 (from $2,000) with $2,600 at the seventh season. Double-A starts at $2,500 (from $2,300) to $3,100 at the ninth season, and Triple-A starts at $2,900 (from $2,600) to $3,900 at the 14th season.

> Per Diems: League-wide per diems will increase by two dollars annually. In 2017, these figures are: $44.50 for Single-A, $50 for Double-A, and $58 for Triple-A. At the CBA's conclusion in 2021, the Single-A per diem will be $52.50, $58 at Double-A, and $66 at Triple-A.

> Family Leave: Umpires will receive five paid days of family leave for the birth of a child, and may receive additional time off at the discretion of management.

> Mandatory Day Off: Umpires are capped at working no more than 30 consecutive days.

> Hotels: Requires that hotel facilities feature interior room entrances as opposed to exterior room entry, such as entrance directly into the motel room from the parking lot or exterior staircase/breezeway.

> Uniforms: In lieu of being provided uniforms, Single-A and higher Umpires will be given a uniform and equipment allowance, which marks a new benefit wherein umpires will be given cash credit from the League that may be used to purchase equipment items such as chest protectors, shin and throat guards, marks, shoes, etc., that previously were not covered through credits.

> Concussion Management: Stadiums throughout MiLB must supply a refrigerator or freezer to chill medical items, such as ice packs and specialized headgear, such that the item will be cold if and when an umpire requires use of the concussion pack.

> Evaluation Advancement: Forthcoming technological changes to MiLB's method of evaluating ALMU's umpires will now be subject to disclosure and discussion before the Association.

The most recent labor stoppage in Minor League Baseball occurred in 2006 when umpires went on strike after the two sides failed to reach a satisfactory agreement.

2017 Hires Include Hamari, Hoberg, Morales & Torres

MLB hired umpires Adam Hamari, Pat Hoberg, Gabe Morales & Carlos Torres to the full-time staff, according to a source.* Since their respective MLB debuts as Triple-A call-up umpires, the foursome has a combined 1,364 games of big league experience going into the 2017 regular season, with Hamari the most experienced and Torres the least.

As reported in 2016, retirements include Bob Davidson, John Hirschbeck, and Tim Welke.

Adam Hamari: With 461 of Major League experience over four seasons (2013-16), Marquette, Michigan native Adam Curtis Hamari joins the big league staff as the most experienced member of the 2016 Call-Up staff. After graduating from the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring (JEAPU) in 2006, Hamari worked the New York-Penn, Midwest, California, Florida State, Southern, Eastern, International, and Pacific Coast Leagues. He also officiated the 2011 Arizona Fall League. Hamari won the 2016 UEFL Fill-In Umpire of the Year award and is fellow MLBU Cory Blaser's brother-in-law.
> Age on Opening Day 2017: 33 (5/25/1983).
> MLB Debut: June 26, 2013 (CHC-MIL; -cc Kellogg).
> First MLB Ejection: March 8, 2014 (Bob Melvin).
> Notable: Called Tim Lincecum's no-hitter on June 25, 2014.
> Most Recent MLB Ejection: Sept 23, 2016 (Kemp/Snitker).

Gabe Morales: Santa Clara, California-born Gabriel Morales joins the big league staff with 389 games of MLB experience, which is third as of the 2016-17 offseason, behind fellow hire Hamari (461) and call-up Clint Fagan (453). Morales is a 2009 graduate of the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring (JEAPU), and since has officiated the Arizona, New York-Penn, South Atlantic, Arizona Instructional, Texas, International, and Pacific Coast Leagues, in addition to the 2013 Arizona Fall League and XM All-Star Futures Game. Morales finished third in the 2016 UEFL Fill-In Umpire of the Year award vote.
> Age on Opening Day 2017: 32 (6/21/1984).
> MLB Debut: April 2, 2014 (CLE-OAK; -cc Winters).
> First MLB Ejection: August 23, 2015 (Paul Molitor).
> Most Recent MLB Ejection: July 31, 2016 (John Farrell).

Pat Hoberg: With a birthdate of September 11, 1986, Patrick Hoberg is the youngest hire (30 years old), and also has the most big league ejections to his name (11). Born in Des Moines, Iowa (think: Tim McClelland and Eric Cooper, and tangentially Mike Everitt and Mike Reilly), Hoberg is the third new hire to have graduated from the Evans Academy, and was in Morales' 2009 class at the school. Hoberg has worked the Arizona, Appalachian, Florida State, Texas, and Pacific Coast Leagues, additionally joining Morales on the 2013 AFL and XM Futures Game staffs. After Hoberg ejected disgruntled minor league manager Mark Haley in 2011, Haley ominously predicted, "it's going to be a long ways to go before [Hoberg] reaches his goal." Consider that goal reached. Hoberg finished second in the 2016 UEFL Fill-In Umpire of the Year award vote.
> Age on Opening Day 2017: 30 (9/11/1986).
> MLB Debut: March 31, 2014 (SF-ARI; -cc Hallion).
> First MLB Ejection: May 28, 2014 (Elvis Andrus).
> Notable: Called Jake Arrieta's no-hitter on Aug 30, 2015.
> Most Recent MLB Ejection: September 20, 2016 (Mike Scioscia).

Carlos Torres: The eldest (38 years old) and only foreign-born umpire in MLB's Class of 2017, Venezuela's Carlos Torres Nuldis (born in Barquisimeto, Lara) officiated the most big league games in 2016 of any single MLB or MiLB umpire, save for Ryan Blakney (Torres officiated 141 games; Blakney called 142), yet has worked cumulatively fewer games than the other three hires. Unlike the others, however, Torres has more consistent experience working his native Venezuelan League, one of baseball's Winter Leagues. Like Morales and Hoberg, Torres has been a Minor League umpire since graduating from Evans' Academy in 2009 and worked the Gulf Coast, New York-Penn, South Atlantic, Carolina, Southern, Arizona Fall, and International Leagues. He is the second Venezuelan to umpire a Major League game (Manny Gonzalez).
> Age on Opening Day 2017: 38 (9/14/1978).
> MLB Debut: July 17, 2015 (CLE-CIN; -cc Kellogg).
> First MLB Ejection: May 14, 2016 (Terry Collins).
> Most Recent MLB Ejection: Sept 10, 2016 (Hernan Perez).

Most Games Officiated as a Call-Up Umpire (Bold Text denotes umpires hired for 2017 season)
1) Adam Hamari - 461 Games (48 in 2013, 127 in 2014, 154 in 2015, 132 in 2016).
2) Clint Fagan - 453 Games (5 in 2011, 16 in 2012, 69 in 2013, 119 in 2014, 131 in 2015, 113 in 2016).
3) Gabe Morales - 389 Games (123 in 2014, 135 in 2015, 131 in 2016).
4) Pat Hoberg - 354 Games (123 in 2014, 92 in 2015, 139 in 2016).
5) Toby Basner - 323 Games (19 in 2012, 17 in 2013, 106 in 2014, 93 in 2015, 88 in 2016).
6) Chris Segal - 248 Games (111 in 2014, 116 in 2015, 21 in 2016).
7) Ryan Blakney - 230 Games (88 in 2015, 142 in 2016).
8) Sean Barber - 217 Games (92 in 2014, 58 in 2015, 67 in 2016).
9) Tom Woodring - 192 Games (102 in 2014, 54 in 2015, 36 in 2016).
10) Ben May - 187 Games (30 in 2014, 88 in 2015, 69 in 2016).
11) Carlos Torres - 160 Games (19 in 2015, 141 in 2016).
12) Nic Lentz - 105 Games (105 in 2016).
13) Stu Scheurwater - 100 Games (24 in 2014, 23 in 2015, 53 in 2016).

*Refer to the UEFL's Best Practices for more information on news reporting from a source.