Cubs' first game with 2 umpires, 1888 By JohnW53 on Apr 19, 2021, 6:43am CDT + When 5,000 spectators gathered at Chicago's West Side Park on Tuesday, July 17, 1888, they saw something they never had seen before: 2 umpires on the field at the same time. The 4-umpire "crew" that we take for granted today did not become standard for all regular-season games until 1953. Even a second umpire was not mandated until 1911, although one often was assigned for important game between contending teams. In the 1870s and 1880s, the lone umpire stood behind the pitcher's box, which was on flat ground rather than a mound. From there, the umpire called balls and strikes, as well as ruled on fair or foul balls, catches, outs at bases and all other aspects of the game.