umpire training and league placement
INSTRUCTORs
CLINT FAGAN
Chief of Instruction
Current Level: NCAA Division I
MLB/MiLB Service Time: 13 Years
Hometown: Georgetown, TX
Clint joined MiLB Umpire Development in 2018 to observe, instruct and evaluate Minor League Baseball umpires. Prior to joining Minor League Baseball Umpire Development in 2018, he umpired the World Baseball Classic, Pacific Coast League, International League, Texas League, Eastern League, Florida State League, Hawaiian League, Midwest League, Pioneer League, Venezuelan Winter League, Colombian Winter League, Arizona Fall League, Florida and Arizona Instructional Leagues. He also umpired part time in the Major Leagues during his eight years at the Triple-A level, working 522 games. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from the University of Houston as well as a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Fagan resides in Georgetown, Texas with his wife, Paige, his daughter, Addison, and son, Hudson.
Jeff nelson
Current Level: Retired
MLB Service Time: 27 Years
Hometown: Saint Paul, MN
Jeff was promoted to the National League prior to the 1999 season, and umpired in Major League Baseball until the end of the 2023 season. While in the minor leagues, Nelson was the chief rules instructor at the former Brinkman-Froemming umpire school in Cocoa, Florida from 1997 until the school's closing in 1998. He continues to teach at umpire clinics in the off-season. During his career, Nelson has received several postseason assignments, including the 2005 World Series, 2009 World Series, 2014 World Series and the 2018 World Series. He also worked the League Championship Series in 2002, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2020; and the Division Series in 2000, 2001, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2017 and 2018. Nelson has also umpired in the 2006 and 2014 MLB All-Star Games.
TOBY BASNER
Current Level: NCAA Division I
MLB/MiLB Service Time: 14 Years
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Toby Basner is a seasoned baseball umpire with a diverse and accomplished career in professional, international, and collegiate baseball. Basner began his professional umpiring journey in the minor leagues, advancing through notable circuits such as the Appalachian League, South Atlantic League, International League and Arizona Fall League. In 2010, Basner was selected to work MLB All-Star Futures Game, a showcase for top minor league players and umpires. Beyond the minor leagues, Basner gained invaluable experience working four winter seasons in the competitive baseball leagues of the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico. Basner also served as an umpire in the Panama round of the World Baseball Classic qualifier. He made his Major League Baseball debut in 2012, working as a call-up umpire from 2012-2017 and totaled 349 games of MLB experience. Additionally, Basner serves as the Umpire Supervisor for the Pioneer Baseball League, a professional MLB Partner League.
JEFF HEAD
Current Level: NCAA Division I
MLB/MiLB Service Time: 10 Years
Hometown: Hoover, AL
Graduate of the Wendelstedt Umpire School. Jeff worked 10 seasons of Minor League Baseball reaching AAA, including the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional. He currently works on the SEC and ACC Conference Staff. Has also worked the College World Series 3 times (2011, 2014, 2017), and works in the MLB Partner League American Association. Joined the UPC Staff in 2020. His knowledge of the 3-umpire system and experience in MiLB will assist students during their time at UPC.
Seth buckminster
Current Level: NCAA Division I
MLB/MiLB Service Time: 10 Years
Hometown: Stillwater, OK
Began his professional umpiring career in 2006. Worked 8 seasons in MiLB before making his MLB debut on April 8, 2014. Worked the 2015 Premiere 12 in Japan and Taiwan. Named to the 2016 Triple-A All-Star Game crew in Charlotte that season, where he worked in the Pacific Coast League.​
EVIN JOHNSON
Current Level: MiLB (Triple-A)
MLB/MiLB Service Time: 8 Years
Hometown: Chesterfield, VA
Born and raised in Chesterfield, Virginia. In 2016, Johnson graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a B.S. in Recreation and Sport Management. Johnson then attended the Minor League Umpire Training Academy in 2017 and was hired by Umpire Development beginning his career in Professional Baseball. Throughout his career, Johnson has worked in the New York- Penn League, South Atlantic League, Carolina League, Texas League, Arizona Instructional League, Eastern League and in 2025 will enter his second year in AAA.
NELSON FRALEY
Current Level: MiLB (Double-A)
MLB/MiLB Service Time: 4 Years
Hometown: Trinity, FL
Nelson is 2018 and 2019 graduate of The Wendelstedt Umpire School. He began his umpiring career in the Northwoods League (2018). Fraley has since also worked the Coastal Plain League, Arizona League, Expedition League, Florida Complex League, Florida State League, Midwest League, Northwest League, and most recently the Eastern League. He will be entering his second season of AA in 2025.
David saball
Current Level: MiLB (High-A) South Atlantic League
MLB/MiLB Service Time: 3 Years
Hometown: Anthem, AZ
David is a 2022 Graduate of Wendelstedt Umpire School and finished in the South Atlantic League in his third year of Minor League Baseball. He previously worked in the Midwest League, California League, and Arizona Complex League. Prior to joining Minor League Baseball, he also worked in both the Northwoods League and American Association. He currently resides in Anthem, AZ.
Dylan Hulsey
Current Level: MiLB (High-A) South Atlantic League
MLB/MiLB Service Time: 1 Year
Hometown: Ocilla, GA
Dylan is a 2020 graduate of the Wendelstedt Umpire School. Began his umpiring career in the Northwoods League (2020) and the American Association (2021). Attended the 2022 MiLB Advanced Course where he was offered a position in Minor League Baseball, where he worked in the Florida Complex League (Rookie) in 2022. Also works NCAA Division ll and NAIA College Baseball. Also assists as an instructor with GHSA Baseball Umpire Camps. He currently resides in Ocilla, GA.
jamal allen
Current Level: MiLB (Rookie) Florida Complex League
MLB/MiLB Service Time: 1 Year
Hometown: Madison Heights, Virginia
Jamal is a 2022 graduate of the Wendelstedt Umpire School. He began his umpire career in the Northwoods League (2022). Jamal, then, attended the MLB Umpire Prospect Development Camp (2023) and was assigned to the Florida Complex League (Rookie) in his first professional season. Additionally, is on staff as an Instructor at the MLB Umpire Prospect Development Camp for 2024. He graduated from Longwood University in 2021 with his Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice. He currently resides in Madison Heights, Virginia.
roberto pattison
Current Level: (MLB Partner League) American Association
MLB/MiLB Service Time: 3 Years
Hometown: Salisbury, PA
After graduating from Wendelstadt Umpire School in 2015, he began his umpiring career in the NWL. He returned to Wendelstadt in 2016 and got hired into the CPL and then hired into MiLB where he worked 3 seasons(16-18). Roberto returned to work the NWL for two seasons (19-20). Since then Roberto has worked the Alaskan Baseball League (2021), Frontier League (2022) and the American Association (2023). His experience in various leagues can help all students reach their goals while attending UPC. In the offseason he enjoys going skiing and training new umpires in WV and MD. He currently lives in Ebensburg PA.
Brandon smith
Current Level: MiLB (Rookie) Arizona Complex League
MLB/MiLB Service Time: 1 Year
Hometown: Feeding Hills, MA
Brandon is a 2023 graduate of the Wendelstedt Umpire School. He began his umpire career in the Northwoods League (2023). Brandon attended the MLB Umpire Prospect Development Camp (2024) and was assigned to the Arizona Complex League (Rookie) in his first professional season. He graduated from Westfield State University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in finance, playing 4 years on their Division III golf team. He currently resides in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts.