The Coastal Plain League announced today the umpiring crew for the 2009 CPL All-Star Game in Wilmington, N.C.

Roberto Ortiz, Mitch Quandt, Corey Mattea, Rob Porter, Ryan Bealo and Mike Cascioppo will serve as umpires in the All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 21st at Buck Hardee Field. Ortiz will have the plate, while Quandt will be on first, Mattea on second, Porter on third, Bealo in right field and Cascioppo in left field.

The six are the second group of umpires of the Professional Baseball Umpire Corp (PBUC) reserve list to work the Coastal Plain League All-Star Game. PBUC, a Minor League Baseball wholly owned subsidiary, has entered into a working agreement to provide its umpires to the Coastal Plain League. The agreement allows young umpires to continue to develop their skills in a competitive environment, while waiting for the call from PBUC to sign a professional contract and move on to work Minor League Baseball games.

Already, 11 CPL umpires have been called up to Minor League Baseball during the 2009 season. Furthermore, a total of 32 CPL umpires have moved onto the Minors in the two years of the CPL-PBUC agreement.

“The Coastal Plain League is tremendously excited about its partnership with the PBUC,” said CPL President and Commissioner Pete Bock. “We feel that our quality of play and overall atmosphere will go a long way in helping the PBUC develop future Minor and Major League Baseball umpires. We have and continue to look forward to working long-term with (PBUC Executive Director) Justin Klemm, his staff and the reserve umpires in what we feel will be a beneficial relationship for all parties.”

PBUC is responsible for the training, evaluation and recommendation for promotion, retention or release of all umpires in the Minor League Baseball system throughout the United States and Canada.

The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league, now in its 13th season. Featuring 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, the CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with wooden bats during the summer months. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.

Justin Sellers

(919) 852-1960