Umpire Dale Scott will quietly claim a bit of history

The start of spring training games this week also marks a historic step that has remained low-key – just the way its protagonist prefers.

Longtime umpire Dale Scott, who came out publicly in December, will become the first openly gay male referee or umpire in major American pro sports when he steps out on the field for exhibition games.

Scott, who is entering his 30th major league season, has maintained all along he wants to be known as a good umpire who happens to be gay, not as a gay umpire. For that reason, he declined an interview request because he didn't want to be the object of a story.

"Being the object of attention is so not what umpires do, and usually when you are it's not a positive thing,'' he told Paste BN Sports in December. "This is against everything I've strived to do.''

When he came out in a story in Outsports.com, Scott said he wanted to publicly recognize his longtime partner and current husband, Michael Rausch. Scott's decision was lauded for the courage it took. Then-Commissioner Bud Selig issued a statement calling him a "class act'' and saying baseball is proud of him.

Scott, whose homosexuality was known in MLB circles but was not an issue, also said he'd seen a changed landscape when it comes to acceptance of gay people.

"Not just in baseball but in society,'' he said. "I think a lot more people realize it's just not a huge deal. I think people figured out, 'You know what, these people are just trying to live their lives just like everybody else.'''

In July, MLB named former outfielder Billy Bean its first ambassador of inclusion. Bean, who came out after his playing career was done, visited New York Mets camp this week at the invitation of general manager Sandy Alderson.

GALLERY: Spring training images