Cory Blaser

Cory Steven Blaser (born December 8, 1981) is an American Major League Baseball umpire. He umpired his first major league game on April 24, 2010.

Umpiring career Blaser is a graduate of Pomona High School and attended Colorado State University. He had previously worked in the Arizona League Northwest League, Midwest League Carolina League Eastern League Florida Instructional League, and Arizona Instructional League. His uniform number is 89.

Blaser worked his first career MLB postseason game in right field on October 7, 2015, serving in the 2015 National League Wild Card Game between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Controversy Blaser is one of the officials selected for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. On March 15, 2026, Blaser was the home plate umpire for the semifinal match between the Dominican Republic and the USA. At the bottom of the 9th inning with two strikes, three balls, and two outs, Blaser incorrectly called the US pitcher's pitch a strike even though the ball did not go through the strike zone. The Dominican Republic lost the match in consequence.