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Austintown’s Bell working WBC games
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
Austintown’s Wally Bell has seen just about everything one can see as one of Major League Baseball’s 68 current full-time umpires.
Set to begin his 21st season April 1 when his crew travels to New York to work the New York Mets and their home opener with San Diego, Bell has been selected to work one World Series, two All-Star games, four League Championship Series and five Division Series since his arrival in 1993.
He’s never started a season, however, with so much on the line — not just for the United Sates but for every baseball playing nation.
Having been appointed this past winter as one of three MLB umpires to work the World Baseball Classic, he will join fellow arbiters Ted Barrett and Bill Miller and three International umpires when they work both semifinal games and the championship contest Sunday through Tuesday at San Francisco’s AT&T Park.
“I have never worked this event before so I cannot tell you how special it is until that final pitch has been thrown,” Bell said. “That being said, it really is an honor to have been selected to umpire this year’s WBC. They play these games every three years and this is the third one, so I truly am humbled to have been chosen.
“It will be very interesting to work this year’s classic because so many major league players will be playing pivotal roles for their respective countries, especially in the semifinals and championship game.”
Bell has been in Florida since Feb. 24, based in Sarasota while working spring training games in Bradenton (Pittsburgh Pirates), Sarasota (Baltimore Orioles) and Port Charlotte (Tampa Bay Rays).
With 17 games under his belt, including three behind the plate, he feels like the past three weeks have now prepared him for his upcoming assignment.
“While younger players are fighting for a roster spot and older players are out to maintain that competitive edge, umpires use spring training differently,” Bell said. “We are continuously working on our mechanics while making sure we have the rules right and also concentrating on any new rules changes that are to be implemented for the upcoming season. While working the plate, we are trying to get comfortable and re-acclimated once again with the strike zone, also working on getting our legs back into shape.”
The first World Baseball Classic game Bell, Barrett and Miller will work is Sunday night when Pool 2 runner-up will meet Japan at 9 p.m.
On Monday, also at 9 p.m., they will work the Netherlands vs. Pool 2 winner while Tuesday’s championship game will feature both semifinals winners when they square off for the title at 8 p.m.
“There is a bevy of talent at this year’s WBC and I cannot wait to see how everything unfolds,” Bell added.
Bell’s crew for the regular season includes Tim McClelland (crew chief), Marvin Hudson and Brian Runge, a combined 75 years of service in the major leagues.
After the Mets-Padres series, Bell and crew will fly to Cincinnati for the Reds’ series with the Washington Nationals, then will head to Cleveland for the Indians’ home opener and their series with the New York Yankees (April 8-11).