[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

The Cleveland Indians are at the Cincinnati Reds tonight. The 3B Umpire is one Chad Whitson. Chad's dad is a long time women's college Div. I basketball official from the Columbus area.

Chad was an OhioHSAA Basketball Official and Baseball Umpire while attending Bowling Green State University. He became an OhioHSAA Basketball Official by passing the Wood Co. Bkb. Off. Assn.'s OhioHSAA Certified Basketball Officiating Class when I taught the class way back in the late 1990s while he attended BGSU.

After he graduated from BGSU he then attended and graduated from the Wendelstedt Umpire School to start his long and winding road to the Majors. Technically, he is on the staff of the International League but has been an MLB Alternate for a number of years and on the short list for a permanent slot in the Majors in the next couple of years.

I have had a blessed officiating career when I can say that my son is a Div. I softball umpire and two of my basketball officiating students have made it to the big time: one is on the Big 10 men's basketball officiating staff and the other is on the cusp of a long career as an umpire in the Majors.

MTD, Sr.