OREGON LITTLE LEAGUE DISTRICT 5 UMPIRES

There is no sound reason for paying umpires, or any other person whose services should be provided on a volunteer basis. Many districts and leagues have found successful ways to operate volunteer umpiring programs, helping to defray the costs that might normally be passed on to the parents. Some leagues provide new equipment or uniforms to umpires to use in performing their service to the league, then the umpire can retain the items after a certain period of time.

Little League also offers many training materials, clinics and seminars on umpire education, as well as the Little League Umpire Registry. The registry allows volunteer umpires to receive regular mailings from Headquarters on rule interpretations, updates, etc.

Who is responsible for the conduct of umpires? First and foremost, it is the umpire himself/herself. Each of us in Little League must take responsibility for our own actions. However, umpires are appointed by the local league president and approved by the local league board of directors. Only the local league board of directors has the authority to dismiss or suspend any local league umpire from regular season games.

A select group of volunteer umpires whose knowledge, experience and demeanor have received recognition at top levels of Tournament Play are invited each year to officiate at one of the World Series tournaments. In keeping with the volunteer aspect of the local league, travel expenses for World Series umpires are borne by the umpires themselves.

The District Administrator is responsible for nominating umpires (those who volunteer their time to local Little Leagues within the district) for upper level tournaments. Most umpires who reach the pinnacle of youth sports officiating (one of the World Series of Little League Baseball or Softball) have been volunteering their time to local Little Leagues for a decade or more.

HISTORICAL UMPIRE INFORMATION

LOCAL UMPIRES GO REGIONAL AND NATIONAL

Four umpires with local connections will enjoy post-season regional and national assignments this summer.

Paul Eaton of Redmond will be a member of the 12-man crew staffing the Senior League Softball World Series at Lower Sussex in Delaware from July 31 through August 6, 2022. This will be Eaton's first national assignment after umpiring at the 2010 Major Softball Western Regional (Vancouver, WA), the 2015 Major Baseball Western Regional (San Bernadino, CA) and the 2016 Senior Softball Western Regional (Missoula, MT).

Dave Kramer of Bend is one of three Oregon umpires who will join eleven other men in blue to staff the Little League Baseball Mountain, Northwest, and West Region Tournaments in San Bernardino, CA from August 6 through 12, 2022. Kramer has served at national, regional, and high school post-season tournaments including the 2016 5A Oregon State High School Softball Championship and the 2016 Big League Softball World Series.

Scott Vernon of Bend will be heading to Tucson, Arizona, to serve on the umpire staff for the Western Regional Junior Softball tournament from July 23 through 28, 2022, his first regional or national assignment.

Derek Gillespie will be a member of the 13-person staff at the Junior League Baseball World Series in Taylor, Michigan. Gillespie, who got his start with Bend North Little League before relocating to Sparks, Nevada and then, Bradenton, Florida, has served the 50/70 World Series and Western Regionals for Majors, Juniors, and Seniors. "Bend North will always be my home league," offered Gillespie.


Little League Umpire Central