PICTURED ABOVE JUDY JOHNSON SAID TO HAVE BEEN “THE GREATEST 3RD BASEMAN TO HAVE EVER PLAYED THE GAME” JUDY JOHNSON SCOUTED ME WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND AMERICAN LEGION. HE WAS A SCOUT FOR THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES. GENTLEMAN’S AGREEMENT: The Negro Leagues of baseball in America flourished for years before the integration of the …
Knowledge and Calling These Four Rules Separate the Good Umpires From the Best Umpires! 1. CALLING BALKS WHEN YOU SEE THEM. 2. CALLING OBSTRUCTION, 3. CALLING INTERFERENCE. 3. KNOW THE AWARDING OF BASES. “What makes a good umpire one of the BEST UMPIRES? Steve Oakes of Claysburg, Blair County, PA is one of my best friends and …
In Umpire Quotes Two we explore more quotes from umpires. These quotes should help the baseball umpire understand the difficult task umpires contend with. “The Umpire must be quick witted. He may not, like the wise old owl of the bench, look over his gold-rimmed glasses, inform the assembled multitude that he will “take the matter under advisement,” …
Emmett Ashford was the first African-American umpire in the MLB. He was an umpire in the American League from 1966 to 1970. His nickname was “Ash”. Emmett Littleton Ashford was born on November 23, 1914 in Los Angeles, California. He was married to Willa Gene Fort and had two children. His father was a policeman …
LIZZIE “SPIKE” MURPHY Women in baseball were popular as early as the 1860’s. By then there were six or eight women’s teams throughout America. The first game of record with women was in 1868. Lizzie Murphy “Spike”, as she was nicknamed, played in the women’s leagues from 1918 to 1935. Everyone knew Lizzie. She was …
There are many myths of Baseball that contradict the Rules. As a baseball umpire you must know the most common myths of the game. As you proceed in your umpiring career you will be questioned on them. There are many coaches, players and fans that believe them to be true rules. However they are quite the contrary. …
In umpire quotes three we look at more umpire quotes and quotes from others. Many quotes over the years have been good and not so good about the umpire profession. Hope you enjoy umpire quotes three. “Wanting to be an umpire is tantamount to wanting to be President of the United States. I can admire their fierce …
Big, loud and beyond intimidation, Durwood Merrill was an umpire with a thick skin. He will always be remembered as one of the most colorful characters in Baseball. Reggie Jackson called him “The Reggie Jackson of UMPIRES”. He brought showmanship and fun to the game of Baseball. He has his own following of fans. In his book You’re …
NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME, COOPERSTOWN, NEW YORK Hall of fame umpires have been few and far in between. Throughout the History of Baseball there have only been nine Umpires inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. The first two were inducted on the same day in 1953. WILLIAM J. …
What are the qualities of Great Umpires? What does it take? This is a list of ten key elements that will help you the baseball umpire to be a great umpire. This is what it takes. 1. Always have a desire to improve. Approach everything you do as an umpire on the ball field seriously. 2. Be …