Major League Debut of Umpire Shane Livensparger (43)

Umpire Shane Livensparger makes his MLB debut during Saturday's Athletics-Rays game in Tampa Bay, joining Jeff Nelson's crew for two games of the OAK-TB doubleheader, serving as first base umpire alongside HP Umpire Laz Diaz, 2B Umpire Cory Blaser, and 3B Umpire Jeff Nelson for Game 1, and as third base umpire alongside HP Umpire Doug Eddings, 1B Umpire Blaser, and 2B Umpire Nelson for Game 2.

Umpire Shane Livensparger
Photo - OfficialsHelpingWarriors.org

Livensparger is on the International League roster for the 2017 season, which is his third season in the IL and third overall in Triple-A. He has also worked the Arizona, New York-Penn, Florida Instructional, South Atlantic, Florida State, Arizona Instructional, Southern, and Arizona Fall Leagues, in addition to MLB Spring Training.

Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring alum Livensparger wears the uniform number 43 at the Major League level, which was last worn by Paul Schrieber, and makes his MLB debut at the age of 33. He resides in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, is President of Officials Helping Warriors, and is the third new fill-in umpire to make his debut during the 2017 regular season (Ryan Additon, 5/21/17 and John Libka, 5/27/17).

Additon, Libka, and Livensparger all worked the 2016 AFL Fall Stars Game. The last remaining umpire to work that game yet to make his MLB debut is Nick Mahrley.

Livensparger most recently worked the plate for Thursday's IL matchup between the Charlotte Knights and Gwinnett Braves in Lawrenceville, Georgia.