Umpire (Baseball and Softball)

For nearly 10 years I have been umpiring baseball (and two years Softball). I am starting this page to keep track of some notes that I make to myself and some links that I commonly use to keep current on rules, mechanics, equipment, and organizations.

    2011 Highlights:

    • Cancer treatment that shortened my 2010 season (chemo and surgury) was successful. Looking forward to 2011 season.
    • Attended Spring WIAA Softball Umpire Clinic in Waunakee.. These are a great way to learn rules (coming from baseball.) and the WIAA bumps you up a level for attendance.
    • over 110 games worked this year and fall-ball is just starting.
    • I'm done with Home Talent league. Working this league over the years has taught me much - working with experienced umpires and quality play. This year it seems like more of the players, coaches, (and sometimes the fans) want to be jerks and whine about everything. This forces the umpires to stoop to their level - something I'm not willing to do. I have plenty of work in the highschool and Little League level games where everyone involved is more mature.
    • Verona Mid-summer Classic invitational tournament.Three days and 10 games worked on the U10 field - most games working with Jordan. This is always a great experience for all involved.
    • Wisconsin District 4 LL tournaments at East Madison, Verona, and Wisconsin Dells.
    • Wisconsin State LL tournament for U10 at West Madison and JR/SR at East Madison.

    2010 Season: hard to believe I've been doing this for 10 years....

    2010 highlights:

    • This is the first year I've worked at Hitter Sports Complex, Middleton, WI as an umpire for both weekly league baseball and weekend tournaments.
    • Registered with WIAA for Softball
    • Attended Umpire Clinic at Steven's Point, WI.
    • Freshman, Junior Varcity and Varcity baseball umpire for WIAA
    • District 04 - Wisconsin, Junior and Senior Level Baseball.
    • Returned to umpire for Home Talent League - adult wood bat league.
    • First year of the new Greater Madison Senior Softball League. I am one of four umpires working these weekly games.
    • Little League baseball and softball whenever I can fit a game in. All levels from U10 Softball to Senior League baseball.
    • American Legion Baseball.
    • ASA Summer Softball.
    • Wisconsin District 4 tournament series.
    • Season ended abruptly (for me) due July diagnosis of bladder cancer.

Some web links of interest:

Some pictures - I don't have a lot .... (click on picture for larger view):
Jordan and Stuart
Father/son buisness (Jordan and Stuart - 2010)
Umpire School
Little League Regional Umpire School April 20-25, 2008. Indianapolis Indiana.
Miller Park
Miller Park - Milwaukee, WI - WIAA varsity game in April 2008.
Helfaer Field
July 2007 Miller Park - Helfaer Field
Helfaer Field
Little League Day @ Helfaer Park - July 2006

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