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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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NEWS ABOUT: umpire

umpire stories: 14 news summaries
MLB'S GLASS CEILING

 For Female Umps, 
 No Field of Dreams 

Female umpire speaks out against baseball's 'stained-grass ceiling'

Nov 2, 09 11:38 AM CST
(Newser) - Forget blown calls. The real problem with umpires in the MLB, says Perry Barber: A complete lack of females. Barber, who has been in the business since 1981, works high school, college, spring training, and Independent League games—and tells DoubleX , “ We’re just going to have to storm... More »

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sports • MLB • sexism • umpire • baseball • umpires • glass ceiling • Jay-ZTV • women's issues

world series

 Reversed HR Call for  
 A-Rod Lifts Yankees  

New York takes Game 3 over Philly, 8-5

Oct 31, 09 11:51 PM CDT
(AP) - The first instant replay call in World Series history did more than turn a double into a home run. It changed the whole game for Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees. Rodriguez's disputed shot started a big comeback and those powerful Yankees bats finally broke loose, backing Andy Pettitte... More »

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Philadelphia Phillies • New York Yankees • Alex Rodriguez • home run • umpire • 2009 World Series

mlb playoffs


 Umps Under Fire 
 After Rash of 
 Botched Calls 

Postseason miscues have MLB considering drastic changes

Oct 23, 09 5:10 PM CDT
(Newser) - This year’s postseason has featured the usual thrills—pitchers' duels, come-from-behind victories—and an outbreak of something unusual: botched calls by umpires. The threat of more gaffes in next week’s World Series has the tradition-bound sport considering expanding the use of instant replay beyond the verification of home... More »

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sports • MLB • umpire • baseball • umpires

 Time to Ditch Umps? 
 (Or at Least 
 Some of Them) 

Machines might be able to do this job better

Oct 13, 09 12:35 PM CDT
(Newser) - Joe Mauer smashed a ball to left field in the 11th inning Friday, and it landed fair, a foot inside the line. But it won’t show up on any box score, because umpire Phil Cuzzi, standing just 10 feet away, ruled it foul. It’s just one of several... More »

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MLB • New York Yankees • Minnesota Twins • umpire • instant replay • pitch f/x • baseball • umpires • Joe Mauer

 10 Most Ejected Skippers 

These managers are an ump's worst nightmare

Jun 25, 09 6:52 PM CDT
(Newser) - Among baseball managers, 10 have perfected the theatrics of fighting umps. Forbes looks at the skippers ejected most since 2004:
  1. Bobby Cox, Atlanta Braves: Also the all-time ejection king, Cox (34 ejections since '04) was once booted over stadium lights.
  2. Ron Gardenhire, Minnesota Twins: Fiery former
... More »

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sports • MLB • umpire • baseball • manager

Iowa Ump Tosses Crowd From Ballgame

Police called to HS game after fans turn unruly

Jun 13, 09 5:32 PM CDT
(Newser) - A rowdy bunch of Iowa baseball fans weren't just taken out to the ball game, they were ejected from it, the Burlington Hawk Eye says. After a controversial play at a high school game in West Burlington, coaches from both teams argued with umpire Don Briggs, who gave the crowd... More »

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sports • Iowa • umpire • baseball • high school baseball • sports fans

(Newser) - Umpiring is often a thankless job. In Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, they’re typically beheaded as soon as they make a controversial call, and modern fans routinely abuse them and question their eyesight. “But their integrity is unquestioned,” writes George Will... More »

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judicial • umpire • George Will • baseball • umpires

Livid Softball Dad
Jailed for Tirade

Ill. man also spat at deputy, earning battery charge

Jan 6, 09 7:20 PM CST
(Newser) - Parents, take note: An Illinois man who exploded at an umpire during his daughter's softball game was sentenced to five days in jail and anger-management classes for battery and assault, the Chicago Tribune reports. Michael Beck, 47, also spat sunflower seeds on the deputy who responded to a worried... More »

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sports • crime • battery • Illinois • anger • umpire • assault • emotion • softball

Brutal Hits May Force
NFL Ump Padding

Officials closest to the action suffer painful collisions with players

Nov 2, 08 6:50 PM CST
(Newser) - Imagine side-stepping Mack trucks once a week while reading their license plates and risking brutal, career-ending collisions. Now you know how an NFL umpire feels, the Los Angeles Times reports. On-field injuries may be uncommon, but they do occur, and the NFL is contemplating protective gear. “I know I... More »

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NFL • football • umpire • sports injuries

 Rays Score 
 First Replay Reversal 

Fan interference call dropped on homer;  Rays topple Twins 11-1

Sep 20, 08 6:24 AM CDT
(Newser) - A Twins fan's near-catch caused MLB's first-ever instant replay reversal yesterday, the St Petersburg Times reports. Carlos Pena's 3-run homer was initially ruled a double for fan interference after the first-base umpire thought he saw a fan touch the ball while it was in play. The replay showed that contact... More »

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Minnesota Twins • home run • umpire • instant replay • baseball • Tampa Bay Rays • Carlos Pena

Pitcher Gains Infamy After Hitting Ump

Did high school hurler miss on purpose in championship game?

Jun 9, 08 1:31 PM CDT
(Newser) - If not for one pitch, Georgia’s high school championship game would be a topic of conversation in only a few places. Instead, the one-sided May 31 contest is getting nationwide buzz. With the cameras rolling, Stephens County High pitcher Cody Martin made it a contest to remember: Martin zinged... More »

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high school • umpire • pitcher • high school baseball • Cody Martin

 Upon Further Review,
 MLB Weighs Instant Replay 

First step would be test of system in Fall League

May 23, 08 11:10 AM CDT
(Newser) - Baseball may begin experimenting with instant replay, starting in the Arizona Fall League and possibly second-guessing big-league umps as soon as next season, a source tells ESPN. But a league official told the AP, "We've made no final decision as to where exactly we're going to try it out,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
MLB • Alex Rodriguez • home run • umpire • instant replay • Carlos Delgado • baseball • Geovany Soto

The Ump's Not Blind (But He May Be Racist)

Baseball umpires
treat same-race pitchers more kindly

Aug 14, 07 11:58 AM CDT
(Newser) - Major League Baseball umpires call more strikes when they share a race with the pitcher, and they call more balls when they don’t. The disturbing trend mostly benefits white players, since 71% of pitchers and 87% of umps are Caucasian, Time reports. Documented race-based misjudgments only occur in 1%... More »

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MLB • NBA referees • racism • umpire • baseball

Umps Call Foul on Background Check Plan

MLB talks break off over
Donaghy-inspired 'integrity' probes

Aug 7, 07 4:34 AM CDT
(Newser) - Major League Baseball is planning a series of detailed background checks for all umpires, spurred by the NBA's referee gambling scandal. But the umps aren't pleased: Discussions with their new union drifted foul when the league balked at their compromise request to add a 7th ump to postseason games. More »

MORE ABOUT:
NBA • MLB • background check • referee • umpire • baseball

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