Umpire in Chief

[Umpire in Chief]

Hello all,

I created this section to help welcome new members and let members tell a little about themselves.

Here's a little about me:

I live in the small town of Moyock, NC. Am married and have 2 great kids.

My full time job is Assistant Human Resource Director for a large regional law firm.

While my avatar shows the UNC logo I went to both East Carolina University & Old Dominion University. I just love UNC basketball and baseball.

I generally do not call games in North Carolina. I work with an association in VA (same as HokieUmp, Ump81 & SunDevil#71).

I started umpiring 5 years ago through SunDevil#71. Earlier in my life I was a soccer referee and wanted to get back into it. I went to the association I belonged to for soccer. When they told me of the new physical abilities test which included running X many miles in Y many minuets, I decided I was going to try something else. Once I started umpiring I was immediately addicted.

This is pretty strange because I was a pretty good soccer player growing up, but was really bad at baseball. Now I have such a passion for umpiring that I never had for referring soccer.

I call anything and everything that my commissioner throws my way from coach pitch, all levels of Pony League, all levels of Little League (yes, in this area Little League pays), Adult League, Middle School, JV, Varsity, Summer League, Legion, AAU & USSSA.

My umpiring goal is to make it to an NCAA D-I umpire (Like my friend Ump81;)) and then get to Omaha.

I'm an Orioles fan (glutton for punishment) and my favorite players of all time are Cal Ripken & Tony Gwynn. My very first MLB Game. I got to the game late so it was the bottom of the first as I'm trying to find my seat I hear them announce Cal coming to bat. I dashed through the nearest opening just to watch him and on the first pitch he hits a 3 run HR. The ball never got more than 20 feet in the air and just barely cleared the left field wall. That made my day!

You may know me from other sites. I post at Umpire.com (Umpires Resource Center) as TarheelUmp and Officiating.com as EmperorUmp.

Welcome to Umpire-Empire!

[LMSANS]

Hi all,

I started umpiring 4 years ago. Actually I started at the age of 16, but then took 30 years off to pursue other things. If I knew then...

I umpire baseball and softball. Last year I took on football and this year I'm going for basketball. But my passion is baseball. I'm not a great spectator of the game, but will watch it occassionally. I especially like going to the local A-level pro games (Lakewood Blue Claws - Phillies).

I umpire all big field leagues. I just haven't gotten comfortable with the small field. I do HS baseball/softball, ASA softball, ABCCL (College wood bat summer league), Jersey Shore (Adult rec ball, mostly ex college players), Over 30, American Legion and Junior LL. I'll also do tournaments as I become aware of them.

All the HS games I call are in the Shore Conference in NJ. The Shore Conference is made up of 43 schools (public and private) in Ocean and Monmouth County NJ. The non-HS games are in the same geographic footprint. I try to umpire 100 baseball/softball games, referee 75 football games (includes youth), and I'm expecting basketball to be in that range.

My only goal is to become the best official I can be. If I get recognition for that, great. I get a kick out of being on the field.

I'v been married for 31 years and have a 17 year-old son. His last touch of a baseball was when he was 9 and I was pushing him to play LL. He pushed back and it was a good thing too. He was really awful. He doesn't play any sports but plays a mean bass.

I am a consultant. I have 32 years experience in every aspect of payroll, human resources and employee benefits. Currently I design and build general ledger interfaces for ADP payroll clients. I do this over the internet, from my home. Which gives me a lot of time flexibility to officiate.

In addition to umpire-empire, I also particpate at officials.com and umpire.com. I only use LMSANS cause I hate trying to remember different IDs and logins.

[mn_ump]

I am 40 years old, and have been calling balls and strikes for 26 years. When I started, I carried a pillow protector behind me on my bicycle to the parks in St. Paul. Learned to umpire from the legendary Billy Peterson, whose claim to fame - believe it or not - is not that he taught me to ump. He was the youth baseball coach for both Dave Winfield and Paul Molitor.

Tim Tschida told me years ago that he knew he would never make it as a ballplayer and was willing to do whatever it took to make it to the Majors in some capacity. He planted the seed in my head to do this, and I am glad he did.

I have two sons, one age 23 was my catcher when he was growing up. The other is 17 and just finished his Junior year in HS. I can't wait until he graduates so I can work a few games at the local school, just two blocks from my home. For now, I won't work any games in which he plays.

I work D-III, HS, VFW, Am Legion, Mantle, Babe, Adult amateur and where ever else I can pick up a game. I also coach the local VFW team. I quit playing 5 years ago when they told me I could move to the 35 and over league. Should I have taken that as a slap in the face?

Good to see that so many out there are willing to spend time on this and other sites to improve and help others do the same.

Larry - any relation to the St Paul sportswriter and New Jersey native Bob Sansevere? You can read him at www.twincities.com and hear him on a morning radio show at www.92kqrs.com. He also has some rants on that website.

Edited June 7, 2008 by mn_ump

[LMSANS]

.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Hi everyone,

I'm Steve. From San Diego. But you knew that!

I started umpiring/reffing softball and basketball in 1986 while enrolled in a sports officiating class at SDSU. I was working the rec leagues on campus. One day I followed a D-1 umpire to his car after an Aztec baseball game and asked how I could get into baseball umpiring. The rest is history. I was hooked on baseball umpiring, and stopped working other sports (many years later I started working football for a while).

I started in April of 1986 doing LL games and by the following season was promoted to doing JV games with some Varsity mixed in. By the end of my second year I was working top level Varsity games and "big boy" youth ball, such as Colt and Palomino league.

I continued umpiring baseball until 2006, when physical health prevented me from continuing. Over the years I worked many different levels of baseball, as I was a guy who just loved umpiring, and made myself available most of the time. Here is what I mostly worked:

HS Varsity, Palomino, Colt, Pony, AABC, USABF, Mexican-American Adult, NABA, ADABA, MSBL, MABL, American Legion, Junior/Senior/Big LL, Travel and Wood Bat leagues.

In 2000, I worked the Area Code showcase games at Qualcomm Stadium and Tony Gwynn Field at SDSU.

[Kyle_Stevens]

I just turned 28. I have 2 great boys and a wife that puts up with me, there is a lot to put up with too!

I have been umpiring a total of 3 years. I called for two years starting in 1999, joined the military, and have been umpiring for the last year.

I joined the U.S. Army, serving in the 101st Airborne Division for 5 years. I was an infantry mortarman. I spent a total of 24 months in Iraq before getting out.

I am currently going to school at Oklahoma State and majoring in Marketing. I am still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up.

I love umpiring. I don't know what it is but I cannot get enough of it. You can net ever stop learning about the game or about mechanics. I want to become a master of the rules and have a long way to go.

I umpire high school, B,A,2A right now and help out a buddy of mine with LL (USSSA, OK KIDS) tournaments when he needs it. I was fortunate enough to work districts, regionals, this year, and an all-star game for one of the conferences near my town.

My ultimate goal in umpiring is to be the umpire that when I walk onto the field, at any level, the coaches say "All I have to do is coach today, I don't need to worry about the umpiring". Ultimately, the best I can be.

[Bigdog]

Hey all,

SDS, WELCOME, I think you will like it here.

Bigdog:cool:

[kkeever]

Hello. My name is Kevin. I am new to this site and new to umpiring. I just started this year. I call little league baseball and softball. I am planning on getting certified in January so that I can do hs games. The local hs ump assoc. has a lot of trouble keeping ump so I think I'll do well in it. I'm not planning on going anywhere. I am a youth pastor at a church in my town and my pastor coaches little league. This year he was elected president of the league so I asked him about umping. I don't know of another thing that I could be doing for a little extra money, that I would love as much. Yes, in Upstate NY, the little league pays a little too! I noticed they do in parts of NC which is good. I think it is good for the ump to make a little. He is more likely to show up and do a good job. I'm sure there are hundreds of ump that do it free and do GREAT, but we have had a couple men up here who didn't even show up when they were going to get paid. Maybe it depends on the area. I'd do it for free, but I'll take the $25. At first they didn't tell me it paid, they just said I could get a hot dog and popcorn at the snack bar. I would have done it just for that.

I used to play baseball for the Charlotte NABA in 2005, but that was the first time I had played organized ball in YEARs. I loved it, but for my first year, I couldn't compete. If I had stayed in it, I think I would have improved, but I moved to NY to serve at this church. I love my job; I love working with teenagers and their parents; I love people. I have three wonderful children of my own. My oldest daughter will be playing softball next year and my son will start tee ball. He has cp as the result of a stroke when he was born, but it only affects his right leg in a minor way. He is four. He throws ok and hits ok for a "disabled" four year old. I don't think he knows he has a disability. He loves to play baseball. I won't make him, but if he wants to, I'll teach him everything I know and teach him to be the very best he can be!

I am glad I found this site. I am looking forward to getting to know you all and learning from you as I am a novice behind the plate. I love baseball and have been around it all my life, but I have only begun to Umpire. Thank you for having this site available. I look forward to spending time hear learning.

Kevin

[Kyle_Stevens]

Hey Kevin,

Welcome to Umpire-Empire. There is alot to learn when it comes to umpiring. This is a great place to hear the experience of veteran umpires. I am sure you will enjoy it here!

[LMSANS]

Welcome Kevin.

There are 3 things you can do to become a better umpire:

1. Learn the Rules
   
2. Work as many games as possible
   
3. Learn the rules
   

Everything else is baseball (or softball).

[Bigdog]

There are 3 things you can do to become a better umpire:

1. Learn the Rules
   
2. Work as many games as possible
   
3. Learn the rules
   

Hey all,

You forgot DON'T SUCK!

Bigdog:cool:

[Kyle_Stevens]

You forgot DON'T SUCK!

This might be the most important one!:)

[okump96]

a little about me:

my name is thomas hilburn i'm 38, married with 1 beautiful daughter (5 yrs old). i'm from okmulgee, ok.

i started umpiring in 2000, i was working with a yl umpire and every day he would ask me some question about a sit he had the night before. got tired of doing it for free and started calling games myself, then got certified for hs my 3rd yr, then started working college ball in 2004, was with an assoc that worked all D2 and juco in OK, then went with a new assoc that took over the juco, been with them ever since. have had the pleasure of working some very big games in my short career and loved every second of them. my goal in umpiring other than to be the best i can is to work D1 and make it to Omaha.

[poppyfor3]

Just wanted to say hello. As my screen name implies, my wife and I are raising our three grandkids--13,11, 10. Two boys, who play LL Baseball, one girl who plays( and loves) softball. Got started umpiring when I signed the children up for LL when they became eligible. One of the league officials asked about volunteering and I "mistakenly" agreed to umpire. Had a GREAT UIC who was what anyone could wish for. Moved to NC last August. We needed a larger home for the kids to grow. I am in love with NC. Have only umped LL, but am considering adding "big boy" leagues. I have tried my best to improve my knowledge and skill at every turn. To those of you who have posted such great advice on these sites, my sincere thanks. Yes, I am no spring chicken, but I bust it EVERY time I am out there. I would appreciate any one out in NC who can find me associations, mentors, or evalulators to improve me.

[okump96]

wlecome poppy!

[Umpire in Chief]

Where in NC are you Poppy? I'm in NENC, I believe we also have some members in the Charlotte area and also in the Fayetteville area.

[Jeff C.]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Jeff Carpenter. I live in Stockbridge, MI, married with a son and daughter. I'm just starting out to be an umpire. I know enough about the rules unfortunately to be DANGEROUS! But, I really want to learn and improve. I have only worked about two dozen low level youth games (U10, U12). My goal is to become a HS umpire but I fear I may have started too late. I'm 46 yrs. old. I will apologize in advance if I ever ask a question that may be obvious to everyone else but I need to learn. I really wish that I had started when I was younger, but life happens. If anyone has any advice on what I should work on, it would be greatly appreciated. I also post occasionally on umpire.org as "Newblue".

[Umpire in Chief]

Welcome Jeff,

You came to the right place. You wil find here that the members are very encouraging to new umpires. As for being too old to reach the HS level, I wouldn't worry about that 46 is plenty young to advance pretty far up the amateur ladder.

[Bigdog]

I really wish that I had started when I was younger, but life happens.

Hey all,

I know what you mean, I would have loved to start umpiring when I was in my teens. Look at the bright side, hopefully, you are more level headed now than you were a long time ago and your age might get you a little more respect when talking with coaches than a new 20 something year old would get(IF you know your rules!). Not many coaches can come up to us 40 something umpires with the "look here, son" type of attitude.

Bigdog:cool:

[StoneyK]

I'm from SE Arkansas and this is my 22nd year to umpire. I currently call baseball and fast pitch softball (HS/AmLegion down to LL, Babe Ruth and various mens leagues).

I've been married 22 years, have a 12yr son who plays LL and am an LPN/CDT (Certified Densitometer Technologist) which means i do bone density exams for osteoporosis at Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (hospital).

3 years ago I crossed over to the dark side and became a manager/coach for his team and have been an assistant the past 2 years.

I have called multiple LL district and state tourneys (Big League, Sr League, Jr League and LL majors, 11yr, 9&10, 8&9, and 7&8 baseball and softball), 6 regionals ('00 LL Southern region, '02-03-05-06-07 Southwest region BL baseball) and 07 BL World series and am trying to get to Williamsport someday. I've also called the '05 Ar. A state tourney, '07 AAAA tourney and final and '08 AA tourney.

I have served on the Southwest Region Umpires Advisory committee, am Arkansas District 3 staff, am an instructing clinician and do clinics for area leagues.

[dportz]

Hello, My name is Dean and I am new to baseball umpiring this year. I am kind of starting late in life (39) but have been around the game for a while. I live in Alberta, Canada and have been referring hockey for years. I was spotted hanging around the diamond and asked if I wanted to give it a try........ love it!!!!!!!!

So far mostly high school and some little league, bantam, midget Legion ball. I think some times a little over my head for starting out, but with a shortage of umpires I am learning fast. Making just enough to pay for my gear.

I am looking forward to watching this site and learning as much as I can.

Be patient with the rookie.

Dean

[poppyfor3]

Dean, welcome aboard. So, have you given up hockey?? Can't you be deported for a crime like that? Seriously, if you can find an experienced veteran, the road will be so much smoother. If not, these forums are a great aid. I look forward to any stories you care to post as you begin to understand the intracies of AMERICA'S PASTTIME. (Just kidding). Jack

[Kyle_Stevens]

Hey Dean,

Welcome. You said you are getting a late start but with your hockey officiating experience you are already ahead of most. Good judgment, mechanics, even-keeled demeanor are needed to officiate in general, which I am sure you have, now it is just an in depth understanding of rules of baseball and spending time on umpire-empire (and a couple other sites) are what you need now.

Again, welcome.

Kyle

[Umpire in Chief]

Be patient with the rookie.

You don't have to worry about that here. Welcome

[Stan W.]

I hope the UIC does not mind me stealing his format for intros.

Here's a little about me:

I live in a small town in W. PA. I am married and have 2 great kids.

I started umpiring many years ago (80's). In my time I also have called anything and everything that my assignors threw my way from all levels of Pony League, Adult League, JV, Varsity, Summer League, Legion, AAU & MSBL & some limited D3 experiences. I worked the PONY World Series and have held offices in all my chapters. I am currently finishing up my term as NFHS rules interpreter and Chapter Secretary.

The joke at one time was that I only called games if the ball was white with red stitches.......which pretty much ruled nothing out.

My umpiring goal is to transistion to more of an NCAA D-3 umpire schedule. My goal is to do more better baseball and less bad baseball.

I'm an Pirates fan (real glutton for punishment) and never pass up the chance to see a game.......I travel some for my real job so this past year alone, I have seen the Tons of college games, the Pirates, the Washington Wild Things (indy league), the Dodgers, the Yomuri Giants in the Osaka dome....the Salt Lake Bees all play at home....

My first date with my wife was a Pirates game vs the Houston Astros.....and today (aug 11) marks our 24th wedding anniversary.........so she should have known what she was getting her self in to.....

I took my son to WVU home games when he was a baby and stayed until the diapers ran out....I have sat my daughter on my lap at Jacobs Field in Cleveland........at 5 she asked me what inning we were in.....I said the 6th...and she promptly asked me.... Bottom or Top?...(thats a baseball girl for you)

My son just just wrapped up playing 4 years of NCAA D3 ball and will graduate this year........My daughter now almost 20, is a PFC in the US Army and will most likely be on her way to IRAQ soon.

You may know me from other sites. I post at Umpire.com (Umpires Resource Center) as Stan W., and Officiating.com and the HSBaseballweb as piaa_ump

I am a daily reader and infrequent poster of all.

If there is anything I can do to assist any of you please do not hesitate to contact me.