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A Major League Baseball umpire’s work trip to Philadelphia was one to forget, and it wasn’t because of what happened on the field.
Brock Ballou, an MLB umpire since 2022, was allegedly robbed and assaulted in Center City by a suspect who police say is a teenager, the day before a Philadelphia Phillies series.
According to CBS News Philadelphia, Ballou had his phone stolen and then chased the suspect. The two men then “became involved in a physical altercation” nearby.
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MLB home plate umpire Brock Ballou officiates during the first inning between the Houston Astros and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado on July 3, 2025. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
Captain Jason Smith told the outlet that the two “ended up on the ground, and at that point the victim hit his head, causing him injuries. The man continued his assault, striking him violently.”
Ballou’s phone was returned to him by a passerby. The incident with Ballou occurred 30 minutes after another incident allegedly started by the same suspect.
MLB umpire Brock Ballou officiates during a spring training game between the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch-Glendale in Phoenix, Arizona on March 2, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
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Ballou was behind the plate for the Phillies’ game against the Arizona Diamondbacks two days after the attack. He was in Texas behind the plate the day before his attack.
The umpire went behind the plate for the first time on June 10, 2022 for a game between the Minnesota Twins and the Tampa Bay Rays. He called 23 games from the plate last season, including three in Philadelphia.
Ballou has had 94.1% correct balls and shots this season, according to Ump Scorecards. It has been challenged four times, and all have been overturned.
Home plate umpire Brock Ballou talks with Tampa Bay Rays catcher Alex Jackson during the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California on August 21, 2024. (Darren Yamashita/USA TODAY Sports)
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He has 58 games behind the plate under his belt.
