Wally Bell
Encyclopedia
Wallace Robert Bell is an umpire
in Major League Baseball
who has worked in the National League
from 1992 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. He wears the number 35 on his uniform. Since reaching the major leagues, Bell has umpired in one World Series
(2006
), two All-Star Games
(1997, 2000), five Division Series
(1998
, 1999
, 2003
, 2004
, 2006
), and three League Championship Series
(2000
, 2001
, 2005
).
Bell graduated from Austintown Fitch High School in 1983. He started to umpire Little League
and summer league games when he was 17. He had a friend, Brian O'Nora
, who went to umpiring school the next year, and Bell decided to join him. O'Nora also became a major league umpire. Bell did a lot of things so he could become an umpire. Two things he did were studying the rule book and working out to get in the best shape for umpiring school. He spent eight years in the minor leagues before finally receiving the privilege of umpiring in the major leagues. He umpired in the International League
, Triple-A Alliance, Dominican Republic League, Southern League
, Carolina League
, South Atlantic League
, and New York-Penn League when he was in the minors. He has said that he always had a thought of quitting when he was in the minors because the pay was terrible and he was away from home for extended periods, but that he's glad he stuck it out. Bell was very excited and scared to umpire his first major league game, and couldn't believe he was actually umpiring a major league game. He was scared because he didn't have a contract yet, and knew he had to umpire a good game to earn one. He eventually received his contract in 1993. He currently is one of the few major league umpires who goes down on one knee to call a strike.
One of his proudest moments was when he returned to the baseball diamond after having open heart surgery in 1999. He has noted that he is fortunate enough that he doesn't have to have an off season job as he receives a salary of $260,000. His favorite position to work at his home plate, and his favorite stadium to umpire at is PNC Park
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
. Bell believes that Major League Baseball should have some type of background checks on umpires, because it ensures the safety of employees. He has said that the best thing about his job is that he gets the winter off and gets to spend a lot of time with his children in the off-season. He thinks the worst thing about being an umpire is that you travel so much and you are away from your family for a long period of time. He looks up to all the other umpires in the league because he believes that you can learn anything from your peers, especially the people who do your job no matter how long they have been doing it.
The most interesting game that Bell has ever umpired was when he officiated the first game in New York City after the September 11, 2001 attacks
. He mentioned that it was great to see the country come together through a sporting event. The most interesting play he has ever umpired happened in Cleveland in 2007 when they turned a triple play
, from the third baseman
to the second baseman
to the first baseman
. Bell thought it was interesting because he had never seen a triple play go around the horn like that. The 2006 World Series was one of his proudest moments. Bell wears number 35 as he begins his 15th season as a major league umpire in 2008. His 2008 crew includes Laz Diaz
, John Hirschbeck
, and Paul Schrieber
. He has worked with crew chief Hirschbeck for eight consecutive years. Bell is one of the few umpires who calls strikes on one knee.
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...
who has worked 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...
from 1992 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. He wears the number 35 on his uniform. Since reaching the major leagues, Bell has umpired in one 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...
(2006
2006 World Series
The 2006 World Series, the 102nd edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, began on October 21 and ended on October 27, and matched the American League champion Detroit Tigers against the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals won the Series in five games, taking...
), two All-Star Games
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...
(1997, 2000), five Division Series
Division Series
In baseball, the Division Series is the official name for the first round of the Major League Baseball playoffs. Currently, a total of four series are played in this opening round, two each for both the American League and the National League.-1981 season:...
(1998
1998 National League Division Series
-Houston Astros vs. San Diego Padres:-Game 1, September 30:Turner Field in Atlanta, GeorgiaThe Braves faced the Chicago Cubs, who made it into the playoffs by beating the San Francisco Giants in a tiebreaker for the Wild Card spot. The Braves had sixteen more regular season wins and it showed in...
, 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...
, 2003
2003 American League Division Series
-Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox:-Game 1, September 30:Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York-Game 2, October 2:Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York-Game 3, October 4:Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota-Game 4, October 5:...
, 2004
2004 National League Division Series
-Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros:-Game 1, October 5:Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MissouriOdalis Perez faced Woody Williams in Game 1. Albert Pujols got the Cardinals started with a solo homer to make it 1–0 in the first. Then in the third, Perez reached his limit after surrendering five two-out...
, 2006
2006 National League Division Series
-San Diego Padres vs. St. Louis Cardinals:-New York vs. Los Angeles:The series seemed over for the Mets before it even started, first by losing ace Pedro Martínez for the postseason and then losing probable Game 1 starter Orlando Hernández. Despite having a potent offense, many people didn't seem...
), and three 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...
(2000
2000 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 10, 2000 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkGame 1 at Yankee Stadium started as a pitchers' duel between Mariners' Freddy García and Yankees' Denny Neagle. Neither team would score until the top of the fifth when Mark McLemore hit a two-out ground rule double off Neagle...
, 2001
2001 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at Safeco Field in Seattle, WashingtonGame 1's starting date was the latest ever for a League Championship series. The Yankees took a 1–0 lead on a Chuck Knoblauch single that scored Jorge Posada in the second, then increased it to 3–0 on a Paul O'Neill home run...
, 2005
2005 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 12, 2005 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MissouriIn the series opener, the Cardinals won 5–3 behind a strong pitching performance by Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter and a two-run home run by Reggie Sanders in the first inning...
).
Bell graduated from Austintown Fitch High School in 1983. He started to umpire Little League
Little League
Little League Baseball and Softball is a non-profit organization in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States which organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the U.S...
and summer league games when he was 17. He had a friend, Brian O'Nora
Brian O'Nora
Brian Keith O'Nora is an umpire in Major League Baseball. He joined the major league staff in , after previously umpiring for the American League from to and wears uniform number 7....
, who went to umpiring school the next year, and Bell decided to join him. O'Nora also became a major league umpire. Bell did a lot of things so he could become an umpire. Two things he did were studying the rule book and working out to get in the best shape for umpiring school. He spent eight years in the minor leagues before finally receiving the privilege of umpiring in the major leagues. He umpired in the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
, Triple-A Alliance, Dominican Republic League, Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
, Carolina League
Carolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
, South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
, and New York-Penn League when he was in the minors. He has said that he always had a thought of quitting when he was in the minors because the pay was terrible and he was away from home for extended periods, but that he's glad he stuck it out. Bell was very excited and scared to umpire his first major league game, and couldn't believe he was actually umpiring a major league game. He was scared because he didn't have a contract yet, and knew he had to umpire a good game to earn one. He eventually received his contract in 1993. He currently is one of the few major league umpires who goes down on one knee to call a strike.
One of his proudest moments was when he returned to the baseball diamond after having open heart surgery in 1999. He has noted that he is fortunate enough that he doesn't have to have an off season job as he receives a salary of $260,000. His favorite position to work at his home plate, and his favorite stadium to umpire at is PNC Park
PNC Park
PNC Park is a baseball park located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the city's Major League Baseball franchise. It opened during the 2001 Major League Baseball season, after the controlled implosion of the Pirates' previous home, Three Rivers Stadium...
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
. Bell believes that Major League Baseball should have some type of background checks on umpires, because it ensures the safety of employees. He has said that the best thing about his job is that he gets the winter off and gets to spend a lot of time with his children in the off-season. He thinks the worst thing about being an umpire is that you travel so much and you are away from your family for a long period of time. He looks up to all the other umpires in the league because he believes that you can learn anything from your peers, especially the people who do your job no matter how long they have been doing it.
The most interesting game that Bell has ever umpired was when he officiated the first game in New York City after the September 11, 2001 attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
. He mentioned that it was great to see the country come together through a sporting event. The most interesting play he has ever umpired happened in Cleveland in 2007 when they turned a triple play
Triple Play
A triple play is a baseball play in which three outs are made as a result of continuous action without any intervening errors between outs.Triple play may also refer to:...
, from the third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
to the second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
to the first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
. Bell thought it was interesting because he had never seen a triple play go around the horn like that. The 2006 World Series was one of his proudest moments. Bell wears number 35 as he begins his 15th season as a major league umpire in 2008. His 2008 crew includes Laz Diaz
Laz Díaz
Lazaro Antonio Díaz is an umpire in Major League Baseball. He joined the American League's full-time staff in 1999, and has worked in both major leagues since 2000....
, John Hirschbeck
John Hirschbeck
John Francis Hirschbeck is an umpire in Major League Baseball who has worked in the American League from 1984 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000; he is currently a crew chief. On February 28, 2000, Hirschbeck was elected as the first president of the newly certified World Umpires...
, and Paul Schrieber
Paul Schrieber
Paul Warren Schrieber is an umpire in Major League Baseball. His major league career began in 1998; he had previously umpired in the Northwest League , California League , Florida State League , and the Southern League .He worked the 2000 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and the 1999-2001...
. He has worked with crew chief Hirschbeck for eight consecutive years. Bell is one of the few umpires who calls strikes on one knee.