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Golden Baseball League Announces Umpire Slate for 2005

February 16, 2005 - Golden Baseball League (GBL) News Release


PLEASANTON, CALIF 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 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

About the Golden Baseball League

The Golden Baseball League, presented by Safeway Inc., is a professional baseball league operating under a single-entity ownership model. Golden Baseball League charter cities include Chico, CA; Fullerton, CA; Long Beach, CA; San Diego, CA; Mesa, AZ; Surprise, AZ; Yuma, AZ; and Tijuana, Mexico. The League owns all the individual teams with the exception of Los Toros de Tijuana who have entered into a joint operating agreement to play in the GBL. The season will consist of 90 games per team and will begin late May and end in early September. Each team will have a 22-player roster.

For general information and/or ticket information, please visit our web site at www.goldenbaseball.com or call (925) 226-2889.

About Safeway/VONS

Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 50 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. The company operates more than 1,800 stores in the United States and Canada and had annual sales of $35.6 billion in 2003.



Golden Baseball League Stories from February 16, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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