Umpire Dale Scott retires due to concussion concerns

Major League Baseball umpire Dale Scott has decided to call it a career rather than chance another concussion.

"I'm done," the 58-year-old told The Associated Press.

Scott's been a major-league umpire since 1985. He was concussed for the fourth time of his career and the second time in nine months after taking a foul ball from Mark Trumbo of the Baltimore Orioles off his mask in April.

MLB pays long-term disability for umpires who are out of a job because of concussions (or other permanent injuries). Scott says he's concerned about the league's current handling of concussions, however - particularly when an umpire clears concussion protocol and has to decide whether to leave the game or risk further injury.

"That needs to be addressed," he said. "Maybe my situation can be a catalyst for that."

Scott worked 3,897 regular-season games during his career. In 2014, he came out as gay, becoming the first openly gay MLB umpire and, at the time, the only such active official in North American team sports.