Nic Lentz and Gabe Morales to make World Series umpiring debuts, part of crew headed by James Hoye
Nic Lentz and Gabe Morales will make their World Series debuts as MLB assigns a seven-umpire crew with three veterans from prior Series.
- Major League Baseball announced on Thursday that veteran umpire James Hoye will serve as crew chief for the 2026 World Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers, starting Friday in Milwaukee.
- Joining Hoye on the seven-member crew are Dan Bellino, Vic Carapazza, Tripp Gibson, and Jim Wolf, along with first-time World Series umpires Nic Lentz and Gabe Morales.
- Hoye and Wolf are working their third Fall Classic, while Bellino, Carapazza, and Gibson return for their second. At 36, Lentz is the youngest umpire since Pat Hoberg in 2022.
- MLB said the seven-umpire setup allows for "distinct home plate assignments in a potential seven-game series," with Alfonso Marquez and D.J. Reyburn assigned to handle video reviews in New York.
- Morales will work the plate for Friday's opener, and Wolf will work the plate in Game 2. The crew will rotate assignments throughout the series.
23 Articles
23 Articles
James Hoye named umpiring crew chief for Rays-Brewers World Series
The Toronto Star
Nic Lentz and Gabe Morales to make World Series umpiring debuts, part of crew headed by James Hoye
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Nic Lentz and Gabe Morales will make their World Series umpiring debuts, part of a crew headed by James Hoye for the matchup between the Milwaukee Brewers
Nic Lentz and Gabe Morales to make World Series umpiring debuts, part
Home plate umpire Nic Lentz, left, calls time after the wind blew up dust during an at-bat of New York Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr., right, during the seventh inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Umpires for the 2026 World Series Presented by Capital One announced
Major League Baseball today announced the Major League Umpires who have been assigned to the 2026 World Series presented by Capital One. James Hoye, who has been a full-time Major League Umpire since 2010, will work his third career World Series, including his first as the crew chief of the
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 65% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
