Does anybody have any idea on the crews for this year, and who works in the Grapefruit league, and who works in the Cactus league for spring training. Thanks.

The crews are usually not made available until mid to late March when they are posted on mlb.com or the WUA website. As far as who works the grapefruit and cactus league, that is relatively consistent. The same umpires usually work in Az or Florida year after year.

Very interestering to say the least. Maybe something Joe West personally received?

http://www.majorleagueumpires.com/umpire_crews.htm

This list will likely be revised as a few veterans may retire and Davidson, Hallion, and Hickox were rehired. The list itself seems plausible though since certain umpires have worked together for years - Brinkman/Cousins, Montague/Layne, Hirshbeck/Bell, and Welke, Cederstrom for example.

In addition to those, a few things I noticed.... Phil Cuzzi and Tim Welke got M. Hirschbeck and Rippley's numbers, respectively, (20 & 3), the Welke brothers are working together, and there seems to be a lot of umpires moving around....Tony Randazzo went from 2nd to 4th on the crew, Hunter Wendelstedt moved from 3 to 4, Eric Cooper, Paul Emmel, and Mark Wegner moved from 4 to 3....it seems that Dale Scott has the best crew IMHO this year....of course, this is all assuming none of these umpires retire before Opening Day....

[Edited by mattmets on Feb 26th, 2005 at 07:58 PM]

it is tough to pick the strongest crew. Besides Scott's crew, I also like Demuth's, Welke's and Reed's. Barrett and Marquez are two of the best young umpires in the game.

Apparently Ted and Alfonso are pretty close off the field through religion, so they will probably try to work together for a while. I think the way Alfonso handled that mess in the 2003 ALCS made a lot of people realize what an umpire he is.



In a related note, does anyone know who the new AAA guys are that will be working major league games?

Not exactly true, Randazzo was 3rd behind McClelland and Culbreth last year. Jim Wolf was named to the staff effective middle of April last year.

I wonder if anybody will retire before the season starts like Mark Hirschbeck did last year.

Mark retired due to an injury.....as many as 15 of these guys could take the retirement package.

Looked at the list today. Nice list, although like it has already been said this list will get revised as a few umpires have retired. Spring training games are just a few days away!

You wouldn't happen to know who some of these retiring umpires are, would you?

I think I saw somewhere that the umpires offered retirement have until April 15 to accept it, but I may be wrong. I have a feeling we're going to be waiting until opening day to officially see the crews, and even then some of them will probably change.

BTW- has anyone seen a lot of spring training games and could tell us any umpires they haven't seen?


goyanksgonj - on worldumpires.com there is a list of umpires who are working spring training games- the only new umpire with a number is Peter Durfee, who has Darren Spagnardi's #79. There are a couple of new names on there, but without numbers, which leads me to believe they will not be working MLB games this year.

How long ago did Rippley retire?

No- Spring Training umpires are usually not published anywhere. You won't find their names in the box scores, they don't say it on TV, and there is no roster or schedule of when and where they work.

Steve retired before last season. Dan Iassogna was hired to replace him.

Do they usually stick with the same 4-person crew for the spring? for a while? or do they all switch? how does that work? im just curious about what the pros do.

Do they usually stick with the same 4-person crew for the spring? for a while? or do they all switch? how does that work? im just curious about what the pros do. [/B][/QUOTE]

No, during spring the umpires do not work with the same 4-person crew. They usually work with several different umpires during the spring. In addition, they often use a 3-man crew in the spring.
During spring some umpires stay in the say general area. Bruce Froemming, for example, umpires a lot of Dodger spring training games in Vero Beach because he lives in the area.

How much do these guys make per year? Anyone know?

I don't know exactly, but I believe it's six figures.

Plus all expenses paid trips to all the ballparks right?

<b>Once when the Yankee's Lou Pinella was batting he questioned a Palermo strike call. Pinella demanded, "Where was that pitch at?" Palermo told him that a man wearing Yankee pinstripes in front of 30,000 people should not end a sentence with a preposition. So Pinella, no dummy, said, "OK, where was that pitch at, a$$hole?"
</b>

So many different umpires, coaches and players are credited with this over the years with many going back far before Pinella's time. In reality, it probably is a myth.

Yup, hotels, airlines, etc. The works! :) But they've earned it!!

So many different umpires, coaches and players are credited with this over the years with many going back far before Pinella's time. In reality, it probably is a myth.


But it seems to fit Lou Pinella just right! Probably is just a myth though.

Where can I purchase a 2005 MLB Umpire Media Information Guide?
I didn't even know that they made such a thing.

Except that their perks are slowly being taken away. For example, under the new contract, if MLB Umps wish to set aside tickets for friends/relatives, they now must pay for each ticket. The cost will be the face value of the ticket plus taxes.

I was talking to an MLB ump friend of mine recently about this, and he believes that the direct result of this will simply be no more tix set aside for people. After all, who wants to pay thousands of dollars per year for tickets for people? Not the umps, that's for sure. There go the tickets being set aside for the club house people, the restaurant manager, the guy at the hotel who does them a favor, etc. Plus, what about the guy who has his whole family visit him? He's going to have to shell out some major bucks to get them tickets. It just isn't worth it anymore for them.

UMP25
 

Ask your MLB friend if he would rather have complimentary tickets for friends or his salary based on the new agreement?

If I ask my company to do work at my home I have to pay for it . . . why wouldn't an umpire?

Just asking . . .

You're missing the point. Their salaries weren't adjusted to accommodate this loss of a perk. You also don't understand what it takes to umpire at that level, with all the tips and comps you give to certain individuals who help to make your life on the road that much easier. With more of these disappearing, it makes their road life that much more irritating. The umpire who doesn't see his wife and kids but a couple times a season during his 1-week break is not going to be happy having to pay for tickets for the family when until now they've been provided complimentarily.

No one here is going to have sympathy for MLB umps, who make good money and have good benefits, but we also cannot claim to fully understand just how their jobs are off the field until we've walked in their shoes.

1. This was a negotiated contract approved by the umpire's union. All provisions of a labor agreement are result of give and take, compromise, if you will. Obviously the union felt the benefits of the new agreement outweighed the loss an old traditional freebie.

2. You are making terrible, nay, fatal, assumptions about Tee's familiarity with MLB umpiring and umpires. Many of us know or are acquainted with one or two MLB umps. Tee is on a personal friendship basis and has worked with several, and I mean SEVERAL, MLB umpires. His contacts right up to and including the MLB office have proven impeccable in the past. If anyone on this board "understands" and communicates with professional umpires about what "it takes to umpire at that level", it is Tee.

[Edited by GarthB on Mar 28th, 2005 at 01:26 PM]

Ooops!
 

"You also don't understand what it takes to umpire at that level, with all the tips and comps you give to certain individuals who help to make your life on the road that much easier."

Back the truck up!

I don't understand?

Ahem, I think I understand just as well as you do.

I understand the amount of travel that umpires USED to have compared to what they have now.

I understand the amount of vacation time umpires USED to have compared to what they have now.

I understand the amount of money umpires USED to make compared to what they have now.

I understand that you tip the clubhouse guy to make sure your gear is cleaned and in place each day.

UMP25, I think many, many of us understand how hard it is to be an MLB umpire. I think many, many of us understand how well paid they are. I think all of us understand that it is great to be able to give a cabbie free tickets to games to be sure that he will be parked outside the stadium to take you the hotel after a real late night game, I think all of us understand that it is great to be able to give tickets to someone at the hotel to make sure your dry cleaning is returned in time for your departure, and I am sure we also recognize that it is great to give out free tickets to someone you meet in the hotel bar that is a big baseball fan.

I don't think you should try to lump any of us on this page with "someone who doesn't understand" -- we understand and we get it.

MLB umpires are highly paid because they are the best they do in a highly competitive field.

I just think you are pressing the point that they have to pay for tickets.

Then I and T.C. have much in common.

I'm not trying to make a federal case out of this. I'm just relaying some thoughts shared by some MLB Umps who aren't exactly happy about this.

Say what you want about the CBA's between MLB and its umpires, I personally have zero respect for the folks running the game, and this includes people like Sandy Alderson. It's not just related to umpiring, either.

Re: Ooops!
 

Point well taken. ;)

<b>"I'm not trying to make a federal case out of this. I'm just relaying some thoughts shared by some MLB Umps who aren't exactly happy about this."</b>

If a majority of MLB umpires felt the loss of this benefit outweighed the gains of the new contract, I'm sure they would not have ratified the agreement.

I am not in any way supporting Sandy Alderson or his henchmen. I understand he has little respect for umpires. He has demonstrated that many times. He screwed a friend of mine who was an MLB umpire. And smiled while doing it.

Nonetheless, MLB umpires, as do we all, make choices. Once made, they should live with them.

No one is a bigger believer in having someone live with their decisions, which is why I had no sympathy for those who resigned in 1999 per Richie Phillip's recommendation, only to have their bluff called by MLB then whining about being out of a job (hello, Eric Gregg). Just my $.02 :)

Surprisingly perhaps we differ here. The vote to resign was done in a meeting of all the umpires and a pldege was made to stick together. Then, outside of the presence of other umpires, without discussion, some decided to individually rescind their resignations while others stuck to the agreement they had made with their fellow umpires.

Nobody came out looking good, but the ones who honored their word and committment to their fellow umpires came out the worst. There are some MLB umpires who have yet to speak to one another after this.

I am not suggesting that Philllips advice was good. I am not suggesting that resigning was not a mistake. I am suggesting that some very good and principled people got screwed by their fellow umpires.

Those who rescinded their resignations did so because they were suggested to do so by those who never resigned in the first place. For the most part, there were three "groups" of umpires, for lack of better terminology. One group consisted of the ardent Phillips supporters, one group the opposite, while a small group of guys were kind of in the middle, wondering what they should do. Some of the old guard tried to convince them to stay united, while others tried to convince them not to go down that road. Understandably, several of these guys were young or new umps. Do they align with the longtime veterans, or do they align with those who felt some longtime veterans were a bit too arrogant and out of touch? I'm sure it wasn't easy.

The group of guys opposed to Richie's actions simply believed that the constant anti-management attitude wasn't helping their cause. They felt that trying to work with their superiors to improve umpiring altogether was a laudable path on which to embark. Those who were adamant Richie supporters felt otherwise. I'm not saying one group or another was correct--I'll leave that to history's judgment, or someone else's judgment.

My lack of sympathy is for those guys who, after resigning and refusing to see what was going on, years later complained about being out of a job. I suppose it was a big gamble either way, but in that case, the dice came up with numbers that didn't go their way.

For the record, I personally do not take a side as to whether the old guard or new guard was/is correct. I have friends involved on both sides, and this is one subject I generally don't bring up with them.

Having said all this, I still say Alderson's an idiot. :D

My lack of respect is for those who agreed to stick to together in an open meeting and then did not inform their fellow umpires they were rescinding their resignations.

And I say this while being opposed to the resignation strategy.

And I agree, Alderson is an idiot.

Except that they didn't resign in the first place, so there were no recissions in those cases. There were many umpires who did not resign at all. They opposed the strategy from the beginning.

I'm not talking about the ones who did not resign. I am talking about the ones who rescinded their resignations, and yes there were some.

We can take this off the board if you wish to pursue it further. Feel free to email me.

No need to take it off the board. I'm not trying to pick a fight. :)

I know that. I just thought we might be boring the rest of the board. It wasn't an invite to "step outside". I'm a lover, not a fighter. I discovered that when I was on the force.

Well, well, well!!!!
 

Now the "rest of the story" with the tickets is out.

ALL Major League Players, umpires and team staff now must pay for the tickets.

EVERYONE must pay.

WHY, the IRS has informed MLB that the "free" tickets are to called INCOME and taxes must be paid.

So yet again, we are hit with, at least, incomplete information written in a way that it makes "the employer" look like the bad guy.

It is NOT just the umpires -- it is everyone.

Oh yes, Sandy is a jerk . . . always has been.

[Edited by Tim C on Mar 29th, 2005 at 09:54 AM]

I don't understand how they are "income". Maybe it's just my being naive, but haven't free tickets long been considered a perk of the job? If the players or umpires were selling the tickets I could understand, but if they are FREE there is no cash being exchanged, right? Leave it up to MLB and the IRS to strip the players and umpires of this as well.

And I agree with everyone else- Sandy Alderson is, was, and always will be, an idiot.

Matt,
 

The tickets are income because they have value.

Let's say that a Red Sox ticket sells for $60.

Let's say that umpire Mr. Friendly gets four tickets . . .

The IRS values those tickets at face value. Someone would pay $60 for the individual tickets so they are "of value" . . .

So let's assume that an MLB umpire works 125 games a year with time off for vacation. That means that the same four tickets (I know at some places it could be hard to give away tickets) could equal $30,000 in "services rendered" to Mr. Friendly.

Taking a longer look:

If an umpire can give away tickets to a game where there is a charge to attend it is almost the same as being given the money.

Also remember the issues faced by several NBA Officials (some even went to jail) and Al Clark.

Blame MLB if you want . . . this is driven by the IRS.

Re: Matt,
 

What's more, many umpires and players used the tickets in lieu of cash. Some used the tickets to "pay" for meals. Some used the tickets to "pay" for cab rides. One player used tickets to pay his gardner.

Many benefits provided by employers are taxable. I had to pay tax on the personal use of a corporate vacation lake condo.

This isn't a new decision by IRS, they're just late in getting to baseball.

Re: Well, well, well!!!!
 

I knew it was the IRS mandating it. I was told this on the phone yesterday. I just didn't want to start a political thread here bashing the IRS. It's just too easy to do. MLB management still sucks.

What I DO want to know is: doesn't the IRS have bigger and better things to do than go after the little people who are getting these comped tickets (yes, it's the recipient who also must pay)? Ridiculous.

Hey,
 

UMP25:

This is just the growing trend.

When does a little fish become a big fish?

The IRS is going after funds received on deals on eBay. While they had not done it before it is nothing more than an additional revenue string. It is all about money.

I really have tried not to be too judgmental on the issue of the tickets. I am simply trying to explain that there is a deeper story than, "the MAN taking down the employee at the MLB level."

Shoot, I hate Qestec, I hate the way MLB handles eliminating minor league umpires, I hate having a quota system in MLB umpires . . . and I hate the way the professional game is run as a business.

HOWEVER, I only try to worry about things that I can change.

BTW, Sandy did not get any smarter during the time it took me to write this little ditty.

Peace Brother,

Re: Hey,
 

With this I wholeheartedly agree (especially with respect to the last part). :D

Re: Re: Matt,
 

Kinda like the drug laws... :D :) ;) Sorry, I had to.

Re: Hey,
 

Call me stupid (or curious), but what is your problem with the way MLB eliminates minor league umpires? And what is the "quota" among MLB umpires? I'm just trying to learn more and based on what I'm hearing I'm liking this potential career less and less :-(

Theyre posted...

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/of...ires/crews.jsp

Of even more interest to some
 

2005 Minor League Call-Up Umpires
The following Minor League umpires worked at the 2005 Major League Spring Training and can be called up for Major League duty if needed:

No. Umpire
70 Armendariz, Ramon
86 Aschwege, Dave
67 Barksdale, Lance
61 Davidson, Bob
81 Dellinger, Dusty
93 Dowdy, Adam
82 Drake, Rob
79 Durfee, Peter
75 Fairchild, Chad
80 Fichter, Mike
85 Fullwood, Troy
68 Guccione, Chris
62 Hallion, Tom
64 Hickox, Ed
92 Hoye, James
87 Kelley, Kevin
91 Knight, Brian
73 Moser, Casey
76 Muchlinski, Mike
74 Reininger, Travis
89 Samuels, Jack

Just an interestering question for myself...

We were discussing when an AAA guy gets released, like Hollowell and Spagnardi this year, what do these guys do when they get released? Do they work college, find a "normal job" in their hometown, stay in umpiring somehow?

Yes to all of the above. They also might work indy ball.

mrm, it really depends on the individual. For example, one gentleman who left the game when he realized he wasn't going to get a contract now works college ball in the area. Another I know who was released was turned down by several college assigners and the supervisor for one of the major independent pro leagues. His rationale for saying no to the guy? This super explained that most--but not all--AAA guys who get released tend to have a chip on their shoulders for everything that is baseball. Their attitudes tend to be poorer and more gruff. Those guys who leave on their own tend not to be this way.

Again, this is what I was told by this super. It's also an opinion shared by several college assigners I know. I'm not stating this as some universal fact that is common nationwide. It's just observations based on experience.

And
 

Scott Higgins (released 2 or 3 years ago) is a college evaluator in my area and still teaches at several umpire clinics around the nation.

He no longer umpires.

(This is incorrect, see information below. Scott ended his stint as an evaluator in my area as of March 1).

[Edited by Tim C on Mar 31st, 2005 at 12:40 PM]

Not quite right
 

This will be the first time I have told Tim C he is wrong.

At 10:00 AM on Thursday, March 24, in Scottsdale, Arizona, Scott Higgins worked the bases on the game on field number 1 at Indian School Park.

Contrary to what I had heard about him, he was pleasant to talk to; in fact he introduced himself to me after the game. His partner, Mark, however, took the prize for the jerk of the decade.

Walter

I was going to mention that I saw Scott in Arizona in November and it was my understanding that he lived there and had a job.

GREAT NEWS!
 

Thank you for the update on Scott.

This is new (to me) information.

Does he still run "funny".

(That was what his evaluation said every year in professional baseball).

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. It’s 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 O’Leary; 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

Mike Jost is listen in that league....isn't he still a AAA umpire?

ON EDIT: I lied...I just checked the roster and Mike is not listed.

[Edited by mattmets on Apr 1st, 2005 at 06:32 AM]

I have a buddy who is an umpire, as far as their pay goes, unless they are tenured in MLB, they will work in the AAA league and come up to MLB occasionally and sometimes for quite a few games, and no, those umpires do not make 6 figure incomes, but it does depend on the # of MLB games they work. Now, the tenured MLB umpires DO make a 6 figure salary.

I can't believe that Gary Darling got his own crew...but look who is on it...Larry Poncino...This crew will give MLB a run for their money...I think it is great!

Gary had his own crew last year when Mark Hirschbeck retired. And seeing as how Mark Wegner is on that crew, I somewhat resent that remark lol

I like Mark Wegner....

Anyone know what happened to jeff kellogg,i though he was a great ump?

BY the way guys,i'm scott,new member....

Kellogg tore his ACL playing basketball in December.....somewhere on here is a thread I posted with an article about him.

That really sucks,sorry i didn't see that article,i can look for it. Yikes,i hope he returns next year,he's a damn good ump. Bob Davidson has done a good filling in.


Sorry but whats up with relifords crew. He and runge are out,and that chris guccione guy...doesn't take much to get him going.

New at this,sorry,saw the article of kellogg,and on reliford and runge so my question was answered.

I still don't think guccione is a good ump,but he makes the game interesting to say the least.

Barksdale is filling for Kerwin Danley at the Twins game. Wonder if Reliford or Runge is back since lance moved crews.

Or they may be on vacation this week.

Danley was out for about 2 weeks before hirshbeck and his crew was on vacation last week. I believe that Reliford's crew has a scheduled vacation this week? MLB has to be scratching there heads at what has happened to Reliford's crew this year. I think at some point everybody on that crew has been off for more than a 2 week in a row period. Very strange.

It is strange how Reliford went down, and no notice of injury or personal matters. After one series he was just gone. Then Runge was gone for a long time, then came back and was knocked down. I thought he was not that seriously hurt? What is going on with that crew is right.

Also, anybody got any suggestions on who will get some of the retirement openings if they happen.

I know Davidson, Hallion, and Hickox get 3 out of the first five. I think Barksdale, Guccione, Drake, and Fullwood are all good choices.

Does anyone know why Mike Fichter hasn't worked a lot of games this year? I always thought he would be enxt in line for an MLB job....

Fairchild,he's done alot of work this year. Maybe James Hoye...They have worked quite abit this year,maybe they will replace the umps that retire,if there are any..

I like James Hoye a lot too, I just don't think he's worked enough for MLB to make him full-time. I've seen a few of Fairchild's games this year, and I think he is pretty bood, but too inconsistent behind the plate to be considered right now. Maybe with some more ML experience he would be a good fit, but I think he needs a little more work to be better.

Yea he did a sox game filling for rick reed,and he was a bit inconsistant. I see him being the Tom Hillion of next year,working more majors then minors. If they did choose him to move up he'd be the 4th guy on the crew,kinda like jim Wolf was. If i'm not mistaking wasnt Jim only doing MLB games 1 season before moving up fulltime,or was he around years before i remember.All i remember is MLB wouldnt let him do his assigned game behind the plate because his brother was the pitcher that night.

[Edited by scottyman51 on Sep 20th, 2005 at 09:56 PM]

2006 MLB Umpires and Crews
 

Same inquiry, different year.

Same response, different year.

Re: 2006 MLB Umpires and Crews
 

Thought there was a possibility we might know even at least something tentative at this point.