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MLB umpire Pat Hoberg under fire for violating league gambling rules

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5 months ago

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MLB umpire Pat Hoberg under fire for violating league gambling rules

MAJOR League Baseball is disciplining umpire Pat Hoberg for violating the league’s gambling rules.

Hoberg will be held out from MLB games this season while he appeals the ruling.

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MLB umpire Pat Hoberg is under fire from MLB for violating gambling rulesCredit: Getty
Hoberg is appealing the violation

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Hoberg is appealing the violationCredit: Getty

Hoberg hasn’t officiated a game since the 2023 season due to the ongoing investigation.

MLB isn’t providing specifics on the case while the appeal is underway.

Hoberg was well known for being one of the most consistent umpires in baseball.

He became a full-time umpire in 2017 and called playoff games every year between 2018 and 2022.

During the 2022 playoffs, he called a game where he didn’t miss a single ball or strike call.

Major League Baseball released a statement regarding the alleged violation.

“During this year’s Spring Training, Major League Baseball commenced an investigation regarding a potential violation of MLB’s sports betting policies by Umpire Pat Hoberg,” the statement said.

“Mr. Hoberg was removed from the field during the pendency of that investigation.

“While MLB’s investigation did not find any 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 that determination. Therefore, we cannot comment further until the appeal process is concluded.”

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MLB commissioner Rob Manfred will hear the appeal from Hoberg.

It is unclear if Hoberg bet on MLB games or just violated the league’s gambling restrictions.

The last official to be found guilty of betting on their league’s 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 stain on the season this year, with multiple players already receiving suspensions for gambling.

Five key 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 bases empty.

2. When a pitching change is made, the innings timer will reset to 2:00 rather than 2:15 like it did last year.

3. Teams will only be allowed four mound visits per game in 2024, down from five last season.

4. Fielders 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.

Tucupita Marcano, a former Pittsburgh Pirate and San Diego Padre 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 were found to be in violation of gambling rules.

The biggest scandal came at the start of the season when superstar Shohei Ohtani’s translator was found guilty of stealing from him and gambling with the money.

Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s translator, pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud charges. Those counts carry a maximum sentence of 33 years.

His sentencing will take place on October 25.

Hoberg was known as one of the most consistent umpires in baseball

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Hoberg was known as one of the most consistent umpires in baseballCredit: AP
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