My name is Grant Thompson. I live in Sioux City, Iowa, which is about five minutes from the Nebraska state line and 10 minutes from the South Dakota state line, so that's why I list all three states in the title (as I umpire in all three locations). Anyhoo, I've been lurking around at this great forum for nearly two years. I figured I'd go ahead and finally post something.
I'm 39 years old, married, with a 16 year old daughter & 5 year old son. Away from baseball, I am a publication editor for a weekly commerical construction magazine.
I started umpiring T-Ball & Little League as a 14 year old. Right after graduating college & a few months after getting married (the first time), I went to the Brinkman-Froemming Professional Umpire School (1994). I didn't make the cut, but I did give it another try and went back to umpire school in 1997. I still didn't make the cut (haha, what a loser), but MLB Umpire Jeff Nelson recommended me for the Independent Northern League. I worked independent pro ball (some say, similar to Class A or AA level) from 1997-2000, before deciding that I needed to get away from all the travel & better start making some money (also was going through a divorce). Since then, I have stayed closer to home and happily worked everything from alittle Div II, alot of NAIA & High School & even some travel ball/Little League, to help out.
I saw that some have listed their "umpiring goals". At this point, it's simply hoping that my knees will hold out as long as possible! At 6'4", 270 lbs, the legs are getting alittle shaky (and the knees are really creaky), after 25 years of crouching down.
Once again, love the forum. I enjoy skimming thru it, reading everyone's thoughts and stories, especially during the off-season. Unfortunately in the upper midwest, our ball season is entirely too short (though my legs & my wife would disagree). Thanks again!
