Why I Still Umpire
by Keith Anderson, IHSA Official
Keith Anderson resides in the Springfield area and was first licensed as an IHSA official in 1997. He has nearly 50 years of combined experience as an IHSA official in the sports of softball, basketball, and baseball.
I started umpiring when I was 13 years old, working a baseball game with six to eight year-old kids. The kids pitched underhand to the six-year-olds and overhand to the older ones. I quickly learned an umpire needs to be vocal – who knew – I never heard the pro umpires say anything! And I learned you will miss calls!
Today, at age 54, I sometimes wonder why I still umpire with aching knees and a painful back requiring me to gobble down ibuprofen before and after games. I look around and there is a severe shortage of officials for all sports at all levels. After 40-years of calling games, I still feel like a young one out there – and believe me, I do not look young with my grey hair! This fall I discovered my answer to why I still do it.
A local Junior High School hosted three other teams in a little tournament. Each team played a total of two games with the losers of the first game playing for third and the winners playing for first. There were no trophies or medals. It was designed to give the teams a chance to play.
Due to weather, the game was moved to a turf field and it was a sunny, warm day. There were three of us working the four games – it is not very often that we get a chance to work a three-person crew, which made it fun for us.
At the start of the first game, one coach told me their program was starting over. They were very inexperienced with no 8th graders, a few 5th graders on the team, and some girls who had never played softball prior to the season.
The head coach and staff were very impressive. She knew what she had in way of talent and skill level. Every pitch was a teachable moment that she did not let pass. She was very positive and very encouraging toward her players, even when mistakes were made. She worked with each player to get them in a position to succeed.
When they took the field in the bottom of the first inning, I was watching their infield warm-up. The first base player rolled the ball to second base. Second base rolled the ball to the shortstop. The shortstop rolled the ball to third base, who threw the ball back to first to start over again. Most of the time the throw did not make it all the way and would get past first base.
While that was going on, I heard a small, innocent voice behind me, “Excuse me sir!” I turned around to find a 5th grader standing on the right field foul line. I found out later her name was Susie.
“Excuse me sir, but is this leftfield?” she asked.
“No, this is rightfield,” I responded.
With a big smile and a gleam in her eyes, she excitedly replied, “Oh, good. I am playing in rightfield!” And she got into ready position still standing on the foul line. She was ready for action, even though the infield was still warming up.
I told Susie her coach would probably want her to play off the line and move more toward centerfield – and I pointed where centerfield was. Susie moved about 10-15 feet off the line was ready for action.
One batter hit a gapper into right-centerfield and the ball went all the way to the fence. Susie ran after the ball, grabbing it from the ground by the fence. She threw it to her relay, who threw to another relay, just to get the ball to the infield. It was a homerun. The coach yelled out, “Susie, great job going after that ball!” And the smile returned to the girls face as she got into ready position again.
In the second game, Susie was playing second base when a soft line drive came to her. I remember saying a silent prayer for her to catch the ball as she stuck out her glove high in the high and moved to the ball. The ball landed softly in her glove and she made the catch!
She probably could have had a double play as runners on first and second were both far off the base. But, Susie was too busy jumping up and down with her arms extended high in the high yelling, “I caught the ball! I caught the ball!”
Her excitement was contagious as well. Fans on both sides cheered for her. And I thought, “This is why I do this.”
Sure there are games that very competitive with excellent plays being made. Sure there are the postseason assignments. Sure there are the acknowledgement of a good job. Those all matter.
But, the reason why I still show up is the kids. Kids like Susie who play for the shear love. Who are eager to learn the lessons athletics can teach. For coaches who see opportunities for life lessons and building confidence in young players’ lives. That is why I do it.
I do not know how much longer I will be able to walk out on the field. The game is faster than it once was – and I am slower than I once was. But, Susie reminded me why the aches and pains are nothing compared to being able to ensure that games can continue to be played.
The next time you go to watch a game, consider becoming an official. I would hate for Susie not to be able to play in a game because no adults are there to make the calls.
-Keith Anderson