[MLB]: Interview with former MLB Umpire Fieldin Culbreth

[BTFS Admin]

Continuing our special guest series, we will be interviewing Fieldin Culbreth next year. Fieldin is a retired MLB umpire with over 30 years of umpiring experience including being a crew chief in MLB. He currently serves as an MLB supervisor as well.

In preparation for the interview - please submit any questions in this thread and we will be sure to ask them during the interview!

[mike]

I would love to hear about how he came up with his strike three call. Culbreth has always been a favorite of mine since I saw him interacting with a young fan. It was Diamondbacks @ Mets at Citi Field. Young fan in first row was attending first baseball game. Culbreth was coming over frequently between innings to make it fun for the kid.

[russ]

I have a few questions.

1. What was it like getting the call for your first World Series in 2008? Do you remember where you were and what you were doing?

2. I was surprised to see you retire after last year? What went in to the decision to retire?

3. 3 of your former crewmates Jim Reynolds, Bill Welke and Mark Carlson became Crew Chiefs in the last couple of seasons? Does that make you proud that former crewmates have risen to the highest level? When they were on your crews did you expect that they would eventually be CC's?

4. What did a typical game day look like for you?

5. What is the most memorable game you ever worked?

[BTFS Admin]

Thanks all for the great questions! Please do keep them coming.

[BkSl14812]

I'll add a couple to the discussion

1) Fieldin was the CC for the pitching change fiasco between LAA/HOU in May 2013. Not to throw crewmates under the bus, but what happened, on & off the field?

2) The ejecting ump of CWS skipper Robin Ventura in SF after a very long rule 7.13 violation ("Buster Posey" rule) review in August 2014, why did it take so long & what his thoughts are on the rule?

3) The incredibly bizarre batboy interference play between PIT/NYM in June 2017. Crew discussion, Terry Collins argument, & have you ever seen anything like it?

4) Not one to frequently sport the baby blue polo as CC, but you had crewmate CB Bucknor who wears it religiously. In his opinion, of all the approved umpire uniforms, which looked best?

[BTFS Admin]

Appreciate everyone's great questions and interest. We had a great interview with 'Cubby' and are glad to share it here:



On a very important note, UmpsCare is an outstanding endeavor and charity that creates beautiful experiences for young kids. Whether you are an amateur official or not, please do check out www.umpscare.com to find out ways in which you can contribute to their great cause. We will continue to post reminders of their events and news!