Former Coastal Plain League umpire John Bacon became the fourth CPL umpire alum to make his Major League umpiring debut May 2. Bacon served as the second base umpire during the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets game along side home plate umpire Marty Foster, Gabe Morales at first base and Ron Kulpa at third base.

The Coastal Plain League has had an exclusive partnership with MiLB Umpire Development (MiLB UD) since 2008. MiLB UD is the official training ground for umpires looking to have a career in professional baseball. Each year umpires who have completed MiLB UD training are assigned to the CPL and work in the league until they show they are ready to be moved up to the minor league level. A total of 182 CPL umpires have moved onto the Minors in the 12 years of the CPL-PBUC agreement, with four now have made it to the Major League ranks.

Bacon was a part of the inaugural 2008 CPL umpire class and joins Nic Lentz, Roberto Ortiz and Shane Livensparger as former CPL umpires to work in the Major Leagues.

About the Coastal Plain League:

The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. Heading into its 23rd season in 2019, the CPL features 16 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.  To date, the CPL has had nearly 1,550 alumni drafted and 121 alums – including 2017 ALCS MVP, 2017 World Series champion, 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young award winner Justin Verlander, as well as 2017 NLCS MVP Chris Taylor – make their Major League debut.  For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat @CPLBaseball.