Plate umpire in Brewer's v . Cubs game
 

This is new territory for me. While I am an umpire, I am of the football variety :eek: and spend most of my time on that forum.

Last night in the Brewers v. Cubs game, the Home Plate umpire left the game in the second inning, on his own power, but later on the radio I heard he had been sent to the hospital. Anyone know of his condition?

This brought up a question my wife and I were debating. It was interesting to see the rotation of the 1st base ump to home plate, but we were surprised there wasn't a sub at the game, and what would happen if another ump happened to be injured and leave the game. What is the minimum number of umpires for MLB game to continue?

Thanks,
Tim

The plate umpire was Jerry Crawford. I don't know his condition.

When John McSherry died in 1996 a second umpire went in the ambulance with him. The two remaining umpires (ironically one was Crawford) were going to continue the game but the teams agreed to call it a day.

I would guess in an extreme emergency two umpires could do the game, but it would be VERY difficult.

I know we've talked about this in the past. But I find it interesting that the first base umpire is rotating in to the plate. In the past, it has been the second base umpire. Have they changed this?

Hope everything is ok with Jerry.

I was watching the game last night and, according to the Cubs media relations dept., Crawford just wasn't feeling well and was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

If it's early in the game the 1B umpire will take over the plate and just move the rotation up a day.

Hope it's nothing serious.

Since John McSherry collapsed on the field, MLB takes no chances with the Umpires. If they exhibit any of the signs of a possible heart problem they are "outathere" and packed in an ambulance. After having one myself a few years ago, I think it's a smart move on MLB's part.

Call me up when MLB hires substitute on-call umpires. I'll go watch Cubs games every day and be the sub if I'm on their salary.

Ahhhh, duh! Makes sense, thanks.

Heck, I'd do it for 10% of their salary.

Not the Cubs, though. :p