umpire training and league placement
ADMINISTRATION staff
John white
Director, Umpire Operations
Frontier League, Northwoods League, West Coast League Umpire Supervisor
Highest Level: MiLB, American Association (MLB Partner League), NCAA Division I
John leads the Umpire Placement Course and its staff, overseeing all aspects of operations. Named Frontier League Umpire Supervisor ahead of the 2024 season. Has been an Umpire Supervisor in the Northwoods League and West Coast League since the 2018 season, and continues in those roles. He has umpired NCAA Baseball since 2018, including postseason tournaments. Is a 2017 graduate of the Minor League Baseball Umpire Training Academy. Worked 12 seasons in Minor League Baseball in Baseball Operations, reaching Triple-A in 2011. His hunger for umpire development and education allows him to assist and facilitate umpires with their journey through the Umpire Placement Course.
RON TEAGUE
Senior Advisor
American Association Director of Umpires
Highest Level: Pacific Coast League (AAA)
MiLB Service Time: 13 Years
Ron Teague was named the Director of Umpires on October 1, 2018.
Prior to being named the Director of Umpires, Teague was a professional baseball umpire from 2006-2018. From 2006-2010 he was an umpire in the American Association, being selected to four post-season assignments, including three championships. After his four years in the American Association, in 2010 he attended Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring where he was an honor graduate, and eventually earned a contract in the Arizona Rookie League.
From 2010-2018, Teague worked in the Arizona League, Arizona Extended Spring, Appalachian League, Midwest League, Florida Instructional League, California League, Texas League, Arizona Instructional League, Dominican Winter League, Pacific Coast League, 2017 MLB Spring Training. Teague was invited back to MLB Spring Training in 2018 before he resigned from affiliated baseball and re-joined the American Association for a final season on the field. In 2018, he was an American Association crew chief for the regular season and the entire post-season.
Teague’s accolades while in affiliated baseball include the Appalachian League Championship Series, Midwest League All Star Game, California League Umpire of the Year along with an All Star Game and Post season assignment. He also was chosen to work the Texas League All Star Game, MLB Futures Game and MLB Home Run Derby in 2015 in Cincinnati, OH, Dominican Winter League post season and Championship, and the Pacific Coast League Championship. Teague was also the Chief Instructor at the Minor League Baseball Umpire Academy in Vero Beach, Florida in 2016 and 2017 and was an instructor from 2013-2015. In addition to his professional experience Teague is also an NCAA Division I umpire in several conferences, including the SEC.
KEVIN WINN
Senior Advisor
Atlantic League Umpire Supervisor
Highest Level: Northern League (Independent)
Named Atlantic League Umpire Supervisor during the 2022 offseason, after recently working with Frontier League, and after serving as Executive Director for the Can-Am League during their 2019 season. Winn oversaw baseball operations including player contracts, roster classifications, sales and salary caps and league expansion with the Frontier League. Prior to assuming his last position, Winn served as the Director of Umpire Development for the Can-Am League from 2005-2018 along with the American Association of Baseball from 2006-2018. He also has served in similar capacities in the Central Baseball League from 2002-2005 and the Texas-Louisiana League from 2000-2001. Preceding his serving in professional umpire management, Winn umpired in the Big South, Texas-Louisiana League and Northern Leagues. Under his tutelage, not only have 135 umpires have been hired by Minor League Baseball, two of his umpires — Adam Hamari (Can-Am League, 2006) and Will Little (Can-Am League 2007) are currently umpiring in Major League Baseball. Before going into professional baseball, Winn attended the Joe Brinkman Umpire School in 1985. A graduate of Central Connecticut State University, Winn resides in Dayton, Ohio with his wife, Colonel Lori Winn, USAF and their two daughters, Kendall and Reagan.
Rex Engstrand
Operations Assistant
Highest Level: NCAA Division I, American Association (MLB Partner League)
Rex provides administratitive support for the Umpire Placement Course Staff & Instructors. He has umpired at the NCAA DI, DII, DIII, NAIA and JUCO levels for the past four seasons. Joined the American Association Umpire Staff in 2021. He has also worked MiLB Spring Training. Rex is a 29 year, retired executive from the financial industry. He is a 2017 graduate of the Wendelstedt Umpire School and holds a BA in Computer Science and an MBA from Drake University.