Dana DeMuth
Encyclopedia
Dana Andrew DeMuth is an umpire
in Major League Baseball
.
DeMuth advanced through the minor leagues to the Triple-A Pacific Coast League
before joining the NL staff in 1985. His major league career began in 1985; he umpired in the National League
until the umpiring staffs from the American
and National Leagues merged in 2000. He has been a crew chief since 1999. DeMuth has worn the uniform number 32 throughout his career.
He has worked in 12 post seasons, including the World Series
in 1993
, 1998
, 2001
and 2009
; the League Championship Series
in 1991
, 1995
, 2000
and 2002
; and the Division Series
in 1996
, 1997
, 1999
, 2001
, 2009
, and 2010
. He also umpired in the All-Star Game
in 1990, 2001, and 2009, working behind the plate for the second and third contest.
For the 2009 season, Dana DeMuth is Crew Chief for Crew J with Kerwin Danley
, Doug Eddings
, and Hunter Wendelstedt
.
DeMuth was the third base umpire for the game between the San Francisco Giants
and the San Diego Padres
on August 4, 2007. In the top of the second inning at San Diego, Barry Bonds
of the Giants hit his 755th career home run off Clay Hensley
, tying Hank Aaron for first all-time.
DeMuth was also the home plate umpire for the 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game
on July 14, 2009.
On August 17th 2011, in a New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals game, DeMuth was the crew chief for a controversial home run call. Royals DH Billy Butler hit what appeared to be a home run to left center and was accordingly ruled a home run on the field. The umpires elected to employ instant replay
review. Replays showed that the ball hit off of the top of the padding of the outfield wall closest to the warning track, rebounded up to and bounced off of a short fence set up behind the primary wall. Kauffman Stadium currently has no ground rules specific to the stadium; as such, Kauffman is subject to MLB's Universal Ground Rules and Official Baseball Rules. According to Rule 2.00 FAIR TERRITORY, fair territory encompasses "the bottom of the playing field fence [extended] perpendicularly upwards." Any ball which bounds over fair territory without first touching the ground is to be considered a home run. Because the Kauffman's short fence is set up behind the primary wall, the short fence is located entirely out of play. Therefore, the proper call for this play was that of a home run, which is what DeMuth and crew correctly ruled upon consulting instant replay.
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
DeMuth advanced through the minor leagues to the Triple-A Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
before joining the NL staff in 1985. His major league career began in 1985; he umpired in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
until the umpiring staffs from the American
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
and National Leagues merged in 2000. He has been a crew chief since 1999. DeMuth has worn the uniform number 32 throughout his career.
He has worked in 12 post seasons, including the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
in 1993
1993 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...
, 1998
1998 World Series
The 1998 World Series, the 94th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, matched the New York Yankees against the San Diego Padres . The Yankees swept the Series in four games to capture their second championship in three years, and their 24th overall...
, 2001
2001 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 27, 2001 at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, ArizonaArizona showed no fear and chased Yankees starter Mike Mussina after just three innings. The Yankees gave up five unearned runs and the Diamondbacks rode Curt Schilling's seven strong innings to a 9–1 rout...
and 2009
2009 World Series
The 2009 World Series was the 105th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff was contested between the Philadelphia Phillies, champions of the National League and defending World Series champions, and the New York Yankees, champions of the American League...
; the League Championship Series
League Championship Series
The League Championship Series is the official name for a round of postseason play in Major League Baseball which has been conducted since 1969...
in 1991
1991 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 9, 1991 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaThe Pirates proved they would be tough to eliminate early when they stifled the Braves offense behind 1990 Cy Young Award winner Doug Drabek and won the first game 5–1...
, 1995
1995 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 10, 1995 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, OhioThe opening game of the 1995 NLCS would be well-pitched and decided in extra innings. The only run allowed by Tom Glavine, who would go seven innings, came on a Ron Gant single following a Barry Larkin triple in the fourth...
, 2000
2000 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 11, 2000 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MissouriThe Mets jumped on Cardinals starter Darryl Kile right from the outset. Rookie Timo Pérez led off the game with a double into the right field corner, and following a walk to Edgardo Alfonzo, scored on a double by Mike Piazza...
and 2002
2002 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 8, 2002 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, MinnesotaJoe Mays outdueled Kevin Appier as the Twins won Game 1. A.J. Pierzynski hit a sac fly to put the Twins out in front first, but the Angels tied it the next inning on an error by Cristian Guzmán. The Twins...
; and the Division Series
National League Division Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Division Series determine which two teams from the National League will advance to the National League Championship Series...
in 1996
1996 National League Division Series
-Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers:-Game 1, October 1:Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MissouriThe Cardinals and Padres began their rivalry in this series. The Cardinals' first of three postseason victories against the Padres took place here. Their dominance is overwhelming to the tune of only one...
, 1997
1997 National League Division Series
-Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves:-San Francisco vs. Florida:The San Francisco Giants made it back to the postseason for the first time since the 1989 World Series. The Florida Marlins were in the postseason for the first time ever.-Game 1, September 30:...
, 1999
1999 National League Division Series
-Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Mets:-Game 1, October 5:Turner Field in Atlanta, GeorgiaA pitcher's duel between Shane Reynolds and Greg Maddux highlighted Game 1. The Astros struck first in the top of the second when Tony Eusebio singled in Carl Everett. Gerald Williams would tie the game in...
, 2001
2001 American League Division Series
-New York Yankees vs. Oakland Athletics:-Game 1, October 9:Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington-Game 2, October 11:Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington-Game 3, October 13:Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio-Game 4, October 14:Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio...
, 2009
2009 National League Division Series
The National League Division Series consisted of two concurrent best-of-five game series that determined the participating teams in the 2009 National League Championship Series. Three divisional winners and a "wild card" team played in the two series. The NLDS began on Wednesday, October 7 and...
, and 2010
2010 National League Division Series
The 2010 National League Division Series were two best-of-five game series to determine the participating teams in the 2010 National League Championship Series. The three divisional winners and a fourth team—a "Wild Card"—played in two series from October 6 to 11...
. He also umpired in the All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
in 1990, 2001, and 2009, working behind the plate for the second and third contest.
For the 2009 season, Dana DeMuth is Crew Chief for Crew J with Kerwin Danley
Kerwin Danley
Kerwin Joseph Danley is an umpire in Major League Baseball who has worked in the National League from 1992 to 1999 and throughout both leagues since 2000. Danley has worked the American League Division Series six times...
, Doug Eddings
Doug Eddings
Douglas Leon Eddings is an umpire in Major League Baseball. He came to public attention with a controversial call during Game Two of the 2005 American League Championship Series between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.Eddings started umpiring Little League games at 14,...
, and Hunter Wendelstedt
Hunter Wendelstedt
Harry Hunter Wendelstedt III is a baseball umpire who has worked in the National League in 1998-1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. His father Harry Hunter Wendelstedt, Jr. was an NL umpire from 1966 to 1998...
.
DeMuth was the third base umpire for the game between the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
and the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
on August 4, 2007. In the top of the second inning at San Diego, Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
of the Giants hit his 755th career home run off Clay Hensley
Clay Hensley
Clayton Allen Hensley is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins.-Early life:Hensley attended Lamar University in Beaumont, where he set a single season record with 127 strikeouts in 100 innings....
, tying Hank Aaron for first all-time.
DeMuth was also the home plate umpire for the 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
on July 14, 2009.
On August 17th 2011, in a New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals game, DeMuth was the crew chief for a controversial home run call. Royals DH Billy Butler hit what appeared to be a home run to left center and was accordingly ruled a home run on the field. The umpires elected to employ instant replay
Instant replay
Instant replay is the replaying of video footage of an event or incident very soon after it has occurred. In television broadcasting of sports events, instant replay is often used during live broadcast, to show a passage of play which was important or remarkable, or which was unclear on first...
review. Replays showed that the ball hit off of the top of the padding of the outfield wall closest to the warning track, rebounded up to and bounced off of a short fence set up behind the primary wall. Kauffman Stadium currently has no ground rules specific to the stadium; as such, Kauffman is subject to MLB's Universal Ground Rules and Official Baseball Rules. According to Rule 2.00 FAIR TERRITORY, fair territory encompasses "the bottom of the playing field fence [extended] perpendicularly upwards." Any ball which bounds over fair territory without first touching the ground is to be considered a home run. Because the Kauffman's short fence is set up behind the primary wall, the short fence is located entirely out of play. Therefore, the proper call for this play was that of a home run, which is what DeMuth and crew correctly ruled upon consulting instant replay.