MLB Announced Umpire Crew Chiefs for Wild Card Series
Major League Baseball named the crew chiefs for the upcoming postseason rounds starting September 29.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Baseball
Major League Baseball has confirmed the umpire crew chiefs for the 2026 Wild Card Series. The officiating assignments also include five umpires who are working their first-ever postseason games.
Why it matters
Assigning veteran crew chiefs and integrating new officials ensures experienced oversight for the high-stakes best-of-three playoff round. These rotations are designed to maintain consistent officiating standards throughout the series.
Bill Miller leads the crew chiefs with eight wild-card rounds of experience, while Jordan Baker, Alan Porter, and Mark Wegner have each worked six. Five umpires are making their professional postseason debuts this year.
The players
Bill Miller
Bill Miller is a veteran umpire who is working his eighth wild-card round in the MLB postseason.
Jordan Baker
Jordan Baker is a seasoned official serving as a crew chief for his sixth wild-card round.
Alan Porter
Alan Porter is an experienced umpire who has been assigned as a crew chief for his sixth wild-card round.
Mark Wegner
Mark Wegner is a longtime umpire who is working as a crew chief for his sixth wild-card round.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the professional organization that governs the sport and coordinates postseason officiating assignments.
The details
Jordan Baker, Bill Miller, Alan Porter, and Mark Wegner have been named as the crew chiefs for the Wild Card Series. These leaders will be stationed at third base for the openers and will not work behind the plate during the best-of-three series.
Timeline
Major League Baseball announced the crew chiefs on September 28, 2026.
The Wild Card Series openers are scheduled to begin on September 29, 2026.
Season Trajectory
These assignments set the tone for the 2026 postseason, impacting how officiating consistency is maintained across the series. The inclusion of first-time postseason umpires suggests a transition period for league officiating as the season moves toward the World Series.
The rotation requires that umpires at second base during an opener shift behind the plate for a potential third game, impacting the officiating crew composition for deciding games. This specific mechanical requirement ensures that every crew member participates in plate duties throughout the series.
The takeaway
The league prioritizes a mix of veteran leadership in crew chief roles alongside opportunities for rising officials to gain postseason experience. These standardized rotations help keep officiating consistent as teams battle in the win-or-go-home format.
Further reading
For more on the league's postseason rules and updates, visit Baseball.
