After the Rays-Phillies series opener was postponed due to rain on Friday, the make-up doubleheader was scheduled for Sunday, necessitating an additional umpire to provide base services for both games. Because fill-in umpire Vic Carapazza had already been working in Philadelphia with Jim Joyce's crew due to Jim Reynolds' regularly scheduled vacation, the doubleheader necessitated a second call-up to supplement the base absences left by Vic Carapazza (Plate for Game 1) and James Hoye (Plate for Game 2). Toby Basner got the call this weekend and made his MLB debut at second base during Game 1. Mike DiMuro worked first base, while Joyce was at third.Basner is a 2012 member of the International League staff, his third season in the IL and ninth as a professional umpire. The Snellville, Georgia resident previously umpired in the minor's Gulf Coast, Appalachian, Florida Instructional, South Atlantic, Carolina, Southern and Pacific Coast Leagues. Basner has also worked the Dominican, Venezuelan, Puerto Rican Winter and Arizona Fall Leagues. He has been a Major League Spring Training umpire since 2010.
Basner was recently named to the Triple-A All-Star Game, where he will serve as second base umpire. His crew mates for the July 11 contest at Buffalo's Coca-Cola Field will include Mark Lollo (HP; 4th season, IL), Shaun Francis (1B; 3rd season, PCL) and Clint Fagan (3B; 3rd season, PCL).
