MAJOR League Baseball is disciplining umpire Pat Hoberg for violating the league’s gambling rules.
Hoberg will be sidelined from MLB games this season while he appeals the decision.
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Hoberg has not officiated any games since the 2023 season due to the ongoing investigation.
MLB is not providing details about the case while the appeal is ongoing.
Hoberg was known for being one of the most consistent umpires in baseball.
He became a full-time referee in 2017 and has called playoff games every year between 2018 and 2022.
During the 2022 playoffs, he called a game in which he didn’t miss a single ball or attack.
Major League Baseball released a statement regarding the alleged breach.
“During spring training this year, Major League Baseball began an investigation into a possible violation of MLB sports betting policies by umpire Pat Hoberg,” the statement said.
“Mr. Hoberg has been removed from the field pending this investigation.
“Although MLB’s investigation found no evidence that games worked by Mr. Hoberg were compromised or manipulated in any way, MLB determined that discipline was warranted.
“Mr. Hoberg has chosen to appeal this determination. Therefore, we are unable to comment further until the appeal process is complete.”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred will hear Hoberg’s appeal.
It’s unclear whether Hoberg bet on MLB games or just violated the league’s gambling restrictions.
The last referee found guilty of betting on league games was NBA referee Tim Donaghy.
Donaghy was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges.
Sports betting has been a blemish on this year’s season, with several players already receiving suspensions for gambling.
Five Major MLB Rule Changes in 2024
1. The pitch clock is reduced from 20 to 18 seconds with runners on base. It will remain at 15 seconds with the bases empty.
2. When a pitching change is made, the inning clock will reset to 2:00 instead of 2:15 as it did last year.
3. Teams will only be able to visit four mounds per game in 2024, compared to five last season.
4. Defenders and defenders blocking bases will be called for obstruction.
5. The runners’ lane from home plate to first base has been widened to include the dirt between the grass and the white line.
Former Pittsburgh Pirate and San Diego Padre Tucupita Marcano was banned from baseball for life last week after it was revealed he bet on Pirates games.
Five other players were suspended for a year after they violated the game’s rules.
The biggest scandal occurred at the start of the season, when star Shohei Ohtani’s translator was found guilty of stealing from him and gambling with his money.
Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s translator, pleaded guilty to charges of bank and tax fraud. These charges carry a maximum sentence of 33 years.
His sentencing will take place on October 25.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
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