Calling the shots

By Stan Hudy

CLIFTON PARK – For the nine teams that qualified for the 13-15-year-old Babe Ruth World Series in Clifton Park as well as the host team, that participates in the event, the thrill is in knowing that you are playing the best in the nation.

For the seven men in blue, the World Series umpires, it is a thrill to know that you are working with the best in the nation.

Umpire in Chief Warren Bumpus of Liverpool, Jim Dalton of Rensselaer, Fred Fitch of Troy, Mark Fitch of Ballston Lake, Danny Hymel of Gonzales, Louisiana, Kevin Moore of Shelbyville, Indiana and Allen Turner of Rogers, Arkansas make up the seven man crew that will work all 25 contests this week.

“It was great to be nominated the first time,” Ballston Lake resident Mark Fitch said. “It was just as rewarding the second time.”

Mark Fitch, in his 20th year behind the plate, worked the 2002 14-year-old Babe Ruth World Series, also held in Clifton Park. Since then, Fitch has continued to work on his game skills.

“I’ve been working college and twi-light league games for the past five years,” Fitch said. “I’ve been working New York College Baseball League and New England College Baseball League games too. It makes you ready for this.”

One of his local counterparts, Fred Fitch of Troy, in his 22nd year as an umpire, focused on the Babe Ruth level in preparation for an opportunity to work at the World Series.

“I tried to do as many Babe Ruth games as I can,” Fred Fitch said. “I’ve also been doing as many games as I can at other levels, AABC, NABF and the NABF state tournament.”

Each of the umpires selected were first nominated by their local Babe Ruth organization as candidates for World Series work. Babe Ruth League, Inc. in Trenton, New Jersey, then calls references assist in making the final decision.
To get the call to work a Babe Ruth World Series is an honor, but not a money making endeavor. The each crew member will work 18 out of the 25 contests played, covering home plate as well as all three bases. For their hard work, the rewards are not extravagant.

The umpires are flown to the World Series sight, put up in the headquarters hotel, given a food allowance and encouraged to enjoy the surrounding community.
“I’m using eight of my 10 vacation days to come here,” Kevin Moore said. “It’s an opportunity for me to get away, meet new people. I do it because I have a passion for the game.”

Moore has been an umpire for 20 years and received his first call for the 2002 13-15-year-old World Series in Connorsville, Indiana and the following year for the 14-year-old World Series in Quincy, Mass. 

“The first time, it was a complete shock,” Moore said. “It’s in recognition of all the hard work you put in and you get to go and work with other guys.”

One of the happiest faces on the diamond is Hymel, who received the chance to call balls and strikes at the World Series in just his fifth year as an umpire.
“People told me they were checking on me, but I didn’t think that I was going to get it this year,” Hymel said. “I also didn’t thing I was going to come up here. It’s a beautiful place and I’m so fortunate to be here.”

Hymel had a passion for the game, but put family ahead of his donning the blue shirt.

“My kids both played high school and Division-I baseball and I following them around,” Hymel said. “It was more important to follow them and cherish their memories. Now I’m at a point in my life that I’m able to do this.”