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One more piece of info....
2/16/2005
Pleasanton, CA, February 16, 2005-- The Golden Baseball League today announced the complete slate of 40 umpires for the upcoming season. The umpire crews are led by three former major league officials, ten more with AAA minor league experience, the top rated umpire from the Mexican leagues, with the remainder having either minor league experience up to the AA level or Collegiate Division 1. Most of the umpires are based on the West Coast and will operate as 3-man crews which is the industry standard in AA and AAA minor league baseball. The GBL will not use 2-man crews which has been the standard in less competitive minor leagues and most independent leagues.
We are very pleased with the caliber of umpire that the Golden Baseball League has been able to attract, said Kevin Outcalt, Commissioner of the Golden Baseball League. Having these top umpires raises the quality of the games for the players, coaching staffs, and fans while complementing the outstanding former major league players who are managing our teams.
The three umpires with major league experience on the staff include Scott Higgins with 12 years of professional experience including four in the major leagues, Travis Katzenmeier with 14 years of professional experience including three in the major leagues, and Mike Jost with 9 years of experience in A,AA,AAA and 20+ games in the Major Leagues. Other umpires with significant experience include Joe Burleson - a current Major League Supervisor of Umpires with AAA and College World Series experience, Mike Pilato a AAA experienced umpire currently the Supervisor of Umpires for the Mexican League, Humberto Saiz considered the most accomplished umpire in Mexico with 22 years in the Mexican Leagues including 9 Mexican Series and 18 Caribbean Series championship assignments, Dennis Smythe who has 13 years of Collegiate Division 1 experience and is the Major League Official Scorer at Petco Park in San Diego, and Ray Belfiore with 20 years of Collegiate Division 1 experience and 17 years of AAA experience.
This is the finest group of umpires working below the Major League level in any baseball league, bar none, said Dan Perugini, GBL Supervisor of Officials. The first class quality of this league including the financial structure, experienced and respected team managers, and state-of-the art stadiums has been the primary reason for our ability to obtain these officials. The 3-man crew and National League rules with no DH along with our location in Arizona and California helped as well. Its amazing to see this level of umpires committing to a brand new league and it will be exciting to watch them in action.
2005 Golden Baseball League Umpire Roster:
Umpire; Home Town; Highest Level
Scott Higgins; Tempe, AZ; Major Leagues
Travis Katzenmeier; Mesa, AZ; Major Leagues
Mike Jost; Vail, CO; Major Leagues
Humberto Saiz; Mexico; Mexican Major Leagues (AAA Level)
Joe Burleson; Las Vegas, NV; AAA Minors, College Division 1
Ray Belfiore; Aurora, CO; AAA Minors, College Division 1
Bill Speck; Modesto, CA; AAA Minors, College Division 1
Todd Freese; Tempe, AZ; AAA Minors, College Division 1
Heath Jones; Manhattan Beach, CA; AAA Minors, College Division 1
John Bullock; Burbank, CA; AAA Minors, College Division 1
Mike Pilato; Huson, MT; AAA Minors, College Division 1
John Deluca; Las Vegas, NV; AAA Minors, College Division 1
Dale Luker; Plano, TX; AAA Minors, College Division 1
Pat Riley; Gilbert, AZ; AAA Minors,
Joe Yonto; South Bend, IN; AA Minors, College Division 1
Tom Hiler; Brea, CA; AA Minors, College Division 1
Ryan Bleiberg; Sherman Oaks, CA; AA Minors, College Division 1
Jason Venzon; Soledad, CA; AA Minors, College Division 1
Scott Cusator; Long Beach, CA; A Minors, College Division 1
Kevin Daugherty; Chandler, AZ; A Minors, College Division 1
Michael Gilmore; Newport Beach, CA; A Minors, College Division 1
Tony Padilla; Buena Park, CA; A Minors, College Division II
Rich Padilla; Glendora, CA; Independent Minors, College Division 1
Wayne Neault; Marysville, CA; Independent Minors, College Division 1
Kelly Gonzalez; Henderson, NV; Independent Minors, College Division 1
Jason Hutchings; Oakland, CA; Independent Minors, College Division 1
Ruben Chavira; Ontario, CA; Independent Minors, College Division 1
John Kinard; Concord, CA; Independent Minors, College Division 1
Spencer Mallinger; Chico, CA; Independent Minors, College Division 1
John OLeary; Concord, CA; Independent Minors, College Division 1
Tony Norris; Anaheim, CA; Independent Minors, College Division 1
Will Wood; Poway, CA; Independent Minors, College Division 1
Dennis Smythe; Chula Vista, CA; College Division 1, MLB Official Scorer
Phil Schlosser; Las Vegas, NV; College Division 1
Adam Faber; Ft. Wainwright, AK; College
Tim Hunt; Buellton, CA; College
Javier Navarro; Brea, CA; College
Tony Padilla; Buena Park, CA; College
Brett Svacha; Grand Rapids, MI; College
Clinton Trauter; Woodinville, WA; College
Michael Hemenway; Scottsdale, AZ; College
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