Professional Umpire Advisory Group
The Wounded Warrior Umpire Academy is supported by our own Professional Umpire Advisory Group (PUAG). It consists of umpires who have worked at the highest level of Professional Baseball. The PUAG assists the WWUA in the following ways:
- Oversight of planning and board meeting minutes. The PUAG receives all Board minutes and Association communications. They are given full latitude to interject and provide guidance or input on any areas which we could improve on.
- Rules Training Videos. The PUAG reviews video situations with a board member and provides key input on important elements of the play presented. The instruction is recorded and posted exclusively for Association members to learn from.
- Personal Mentoring. The PUAG calls in and speaks directly with the Association on various topics from time to time. Venues include our monthly Alumni Zoom calls, our classroom sessions during the 10-day academy and other events where practical.
- General Liaison to Professional Organizations. The members of the PUAG have various memberships and connections in conjunction with their umpiring careers. They leverage their relationships with these organizations to promote the WWUA and find opportunities for the WWUA and its membership.
Current Members of the PUAG:
Greg Gibson
MAJOR LEAGUE SERVICE TIME: 25 years
CAREER: worked as a major league umpire for 23 seasons. He started umpiring in the 1991 Appalachian League, then moved up to the South Atlantic League (1992), Florida State League (1993), Eastern League (1994-1995) and International League (1996-1999). He umpired his first National League game in 1997 and following the mass resignation of MLB umpires as part of a failed negotiating ploy initiated by Richie Phillips late in the 1999 season, Gibson made it to the MLB staff permanently. He was the home plate umpire for Randy Johnson's 2004 perfect game. He worked the 2008 All-Star Game and the 2009 and 2013 World Baseball Classics.
PERSONAL: Gibson retired from baseball into an insurance business he became involved with several years ago; in 2019, Gibson graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a degree from the school's Risk Management and Insurance program.
Chris Guccione
MAJOR LEAGUE SERVICE TIME:17 Years
CAREER: Joined the Major League staff in 2009...was named one of the umpires for the 2011 All-Star Game in Arizona, working right field, and the 2021 Midsummer Classic in his native Colorado...has worked the Wild Card Game (2012, 17-19); Wild Card Series (2020, 2022); Division Series (2010-11, 13-16, 20, and 2023); the 2012 and 2019 National League Championship Series; the 2017, 2018 and 2022 American League Championship Series; and the 2016 and 2020 World Series, his first Fall Classic...worked in the Pioneer League, Midwest League, California League, Texas League and Pacific Coast League...has worked Major League Spring Training since 2000, when he also became a call-up umpire for regular season Major League games...his first Major League game was April 25, 2000, when he was at third base in Tom Glavine’s 1-0 shutout win over the Dodgers at Turner Field in Atlanta.
PERSONAL: Pronunciation of Chris’ last name is goo-CHEE-oh-nee...born in June 1974 in Colorado...married with one child...interests include hunting, fishing, camping and winemaking...also enjoys hiking and snowshoeing...Chris and his wife, Amy, have climbed several peaks of 14,000 feet or higher throughout Colorado, where they reside...served as the grand marshal of the Parade of Lights in Salida, Colo., in November 2011...in 2019, Chris saw the story of a teenage umpire in Colorado who witnessed a fight break out between adults at one of his games; in the days after, Chris invited the umpire to be his guest at a Colorado Rockies game and showed him what the life of a Major League Umpire is like.
Dan Iassogna
MAJOR LEAGUE SERVICE TIME: 22 Years
CAREER: Has been a full-time member of the Major League staff since 2004...was named one of the umpires for the 2011 All-Star Game in Arizona, working third base...has worked the Wild Card Game (2013-14) and 2015 (Replay); the Wild Card Series (2020 and serving as Crew Chief in 2023); the Division Series (2005, '07, '09, '11-12, '17, '22); the League Championship Series (2010, '13-15, '20-21, serving as Crew Chief of the 2023 NLCS); and the 2012, 2017 and 2022 World Series...the 2022 Fall Classic was his first as crew chief...was one of the umpires who represented Major League Baseball during the 2006 Japan All-Star Series...worked the Toronto round of the 2009 World Baseball Classic, as well as the 2017 WBC...worked his first Major League game on Aug. 20, 1999, and worked American and National League games that year...previously umpired in the New York Penn League (1992-93), South Atlantic League (1994), Carolina League (1995), Texas League (1996-97) and International League (1998-2003).
PERSONAL: Pronunciation of Dan’s last name is I-SOHN-yah...born in May 1969 in Connecticut...resides in Georgia...married to Denise Lynn…has two daughters: Madeleine and Victoria…graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in Trumbull, Conn…received a B.A. in English from the University of Connecticut in 1991…plays the bagpipes...has given time to helping such causes as the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Burn Camp for Kids; the Fire Department of New York’s “Lil Bravest” organization; and the Wounded Warrior Umpire Academy...Dan is active with the Cobb County (Ga.) Police Athletic League.
Adrian Johnson
MAJOR LEAGUE SERVICE TIME:16 Years
CAREER: Named to the full-time Major League staff prior to the start of the 2010 season...received his first All-Star Game assignment in 2016 (San Diego), and his first Postseason series in 2017 (ALDS)...worked the 2018 NLDS (ATL-LAD); the 2019 ALDS (MIN-NYY); a 2020 AL Wild Card Series (OAK-CWS); the 2020 ALDS (OAK-HOU); and a 2022 NL Wild Card Series (SD @ NYM); the 2022 ALCS; and a 2023 AL Wild Card Series...has worked in the Gulf Coast League, Pioneer League, South Atlantic League, Florida State League, Eastern League and International League...began to work Major League Spring Training games and to serve as a call-up umpire for Major League games in 2006...umpired in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006...was the home plate umpire for the no-hitter thrown by Arizona’s Edwin Jackson on June 25, 2010 at Tampa Bay and for Homer Bailey’s second career no-hitter on July 2, 2013.
PERSONAL: Born in May 1975...resides in Texas.
Will Little
MAJOR LEAGUE SERVICE TIME: 10.5 Years
CAREER: Was appointed to the Major League staff for the 2015 season...worked his first Postseason assignment in 2016 during the AL Wild Card Game before also working the 2017 NLDS; the 2018 AL Wild Card Game; the 2019 NLDS; a 2020 NL Wild Card Series; the 2020 NLCS; a 2021 NLDS; a 2022 ALDS; and a 2023 NLDS...worked the 2017 World Baseball Classic....served as one of the 2022 All-Star Game umpires at Dodger Stadium...has umpired professionally since 2007...has worked MLB Spring Training since 2012...had been a Major League call-up umpire since 2013 prior to his 2015 promotion...made his Major League debut on June 24, 2013, when Cleveland visited Baltimore...previously umpired in the Appalachian League (2007), Florida Instructional League (2007), Hawaii Winter League (2008), South Atlantic League/Carolina League (2008-09), Southern League (2009-11), Arizona Instructional League (2009-10), the MLB SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game (2011), Dominican Winter League (2011), WBC Qualifier Regensburg, Germany (2012), Arizona Fall League (2012) and the International League (2012-14).
PERSONAL: Born in March 1984...resides in Tennessee with his wife, Katy, and three sons...graduated from Milligan College, where he played baseball all four years...received a Bachelor of Science in 2006.
Shane Livensparger
MAJOR LEAGUE SERVICE TIME: 3 Years
CAREER: Was promoted to the Major League staff before the 2023 season…became a Minor League umpire in 2009, when he also began to work Major League Spring Training…Shane worked 382 Major League games as a call-up umpire prior to becoming a full-time Major League umpire.
PERSONAL: Born in January 1984….currently resides in Jacksonville, Fla., with his wife, Haley, and son, Bennett...he grew up in Angola, Ind. before attending and graduating from Flagler College in St Augustine, Fla., in 2006...Shane became a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force’s Georgia Air National Guard in December 2022…Shane’s last name is pronounced LIE-venn-spar-gurr.
Malachi Moore
MAJOR LEAGUE SERVICE TIME: 2.5 Years
CAREER: Was promoted to the Major League staff before the 2023 season…became a Minor League umpire in 2012, when he also began to work Major League Spring Training…Malachi worked 156 Major League games as a call-up umpire prior to becoming a full-time Major League umpire…will be a member of Bill Miller’s crew in 2024.
PERSONAL: Born in June 1990 in Compton, Calif…married with two sons...graduated from Dominguez High School and Compton College...in his youth, Malachi attended MLB’s Urban Youth Academy in Compton, where he played and worked in a variety of roles before becoming an umpire….Malachi currently instructs at the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School and hosts an annual umpire camp in Compton...wears No. 44 in honor of retired Major League umpire Kerwin Danley, who helped Malachi find his career path through the Major League Baseball Umpire Camps.
Gabe Morales
MAJOR LEAGUE SERVICE TIME: 9 Years
CAREER: Was promoted to the full-time Major League umpiring staff on Feb. 21, 2017…he was first assigned to Major League Spring Training in 2014, and he worked 420 Major League games as a call-up umpire prior to his promotion to the Major League staff…worked his first career Postseason event with the 2018 NL Wild Card Game at Wrigley and also has worked a 2020 NL Wild Card Series; a 2021 NLDS; and a 2023 NLDS...served as one of the 2022 All-Star Game umpires at Dodger Stadium...has been a professional umpire since 2009...has served as an instructor at MLB’s Umpire Camps (MLBUC.com)...previously worked in the Arizona Rookie League, New York-Penn League, Florida Instructional League, South Atlantic League, Florida State League, California League, Texas League, Arizona Instructional League, Venezuela League, International League, Pacific Coast League and Arizona Fall League.
PERSONAL: Born in June 1984...he and his wife, Michelle, reside in California.
David Rackley
MAJOR LEAGUE SERVICE TIME: 11 Years
CAREER: Was appointed to the Major League staff for the 2014 season...worked the 2016 AL Wild Card Game; the 2017 NL Wild Card Game; the 2019 NL Wild Card Game; a 2020 AL Wild Card Series and the 2020 ALDS; the 2021 ALCS; a 2022 NLDS; a 2023 NLDS; and the 2023 World Series...was one of the Replay Officials for the 2018 Division Series...was selected to the 2021 All-Star Game in Colorado...began as an umpire in the Minor Leagues in the 2001 season...had his first Major League game on Aug. 13, 2010...has worked in the Arizona League, Florida Extended Spring Training, Northwest League, Florida Instructional League, South Atlantic League, California League, Arizona Instructional League, Texas League, Dominican Winter League, Venezuela Winter League and International League.
PERSONAL: Born in October 1981...resides in North Carolina with his wife and three children...in his time off, he enjoys serving the Lord and spending time with his family.
D.J. Reyburn
MAJOR LEAGUE SERVICE TIME: 12 Years
CAREER: Was appointed to the Major League staff for the 2014 season...received his first Postseason assignment in 2018 with an ALDS before also working the 2019 ALDS, a 2020 Wild Card Series, a 2021 ALDS, a 2022 NL Wild Card Series; the 2022 ALCS; a 2023 ALDS; and the 2023 World Series...worked the 2019 All-Star Game in Cleveland and the 2017 World Baseball Classic...became an umpire in the Minor Leagues in the 2000 season...in 2013, he worked in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League...worked 440 Major League games as a call-up umpire from his debut on June 10, 2008 until his 2014 promotion to the Major League staff...has worked in the Arizona League, Appalachian League, Midwest League, Florida State League, Eastern League, Pacific Coast League and International League.
PERSONAL: Born in October 1976 in Michigan...resides in Tennessee with wife Cherie and three children...graduated in 1999 with a B.A. in Sociology from Hope College, where he played two years of football and four years of baseball...began to love umpiring baseball during high school, when he umpired youth baseball in Lansing, Mich., for summer employment...spent his high school and college summers playing and umpiring baseball and was given the gift of umpire school tuition as a college graduation present from his parents...has one sibling, an older brother named Mike, who graduated from West Point in 1995 and is currently a Colonel in the United States Army.
Junior Valentine
MAJOR LEAGUE SERVICE TIME: 3 Years
CAREER: Was promoted to the Major League staff before the 2023 season…became a professional umpire in 2011 after graduating from the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School...worked in the Appalachian League (2011), South Atlantic League (2012), Carolina League (2013), Eastern League (2014-15), Pacific Coast League (2016-19), International League (2020-22) and Arizona Fall League (2018-19, 2021)...teaches at Wendelstedt Umpire School and is currently the Chief Instructor.
PERSONAL: Born in October 1987…resides in Tennessee...attended Cosby High School…graduated from Maryville College in Tennessee, where he played baseball and received a degree in History with Teacher Licensure.
Hunter Wendelstedt
MAJOR LEAGUE SERVICE TIME: 25 Years
CAREER: Became a member of the Major League staff in 1999...was named one of the umpires for the 2011 All-Star Game in Arizona, working second base....has worked the 2015 NL Wild Card Game and a 2022 AL Wild Card Series; Division Series (2003, '10, '13-14, '16); the 2006, 2015 and 2017 American League Championship Series; the 2018 National League Championship Series; the 2014 World Series; and the 1995 and 1996 Hall of Fame Games in Cooperstown, N.Y...was a part of the crew that worked the 2008 MLB China Series, the first MLB games ever played in China, and the 2008 Japan Opening Series...worked the San Diego round of the 2009 and 2017 World Baseball Classic...participated in MLB’s Umpire Camp for Marines as an instructor in March 2009 in San Diego...previously umpired in the Appalachian League, South Atlantic League, Florida State League, Eastern League, International League, Pacific Coast League, Arizona Fall League and Florida Instructional League...was behind the plate for a no-hitter for the first time in his Major League career in April 2018, when Oakland’s Sean Manaea blanked Boston.
PERSONAL: Born in June 1971 in Atlanta...resides in Louisiana...married to Katherine…has two children: Bridget Elizabeth and Hailey Grace...graduated from Father Lopez High School…played baseball while attending Loyola University…is a Vice President of the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School…involved with the YMCA Ormond Beach and YMCA Edgewater Charity Golf Tournaments; the Blood Drive at Wendelstedt Umpire School; and the New Orleans Jesuits…earliest memory of baseball was meeting Steve Garvey at Dodger Stadium in 1976…proudest moment as a Major League Umpire was working Major League games with his father, 33-year National League Umpire Harry, who passed away in March of 2012…Hunter and Harry worked several series together during August of 1998, when Hunter was a call-up umpire...wears his father’s uniform number, 21…enjoys traveling, skiing and following University of Florida football in the offseason…hobbies include fishing, cooking and skiing.