Players you have umpired

[WhiteHat Ref]

There is a post on the basketball board about famous players that guys have officated for. I wanted to start this post for baseball. Who are some famous players you have umpired. For me I have umpired games for Dave Otto, now a commentator for the Cubs, who by the way was an awsome left handed pitcher who threw in the 90's in high school, Todd Huntley, whose dad always was behind the backstop during his games bothering the umpires, Dan Wilson now a catcher for Seattle, and Josh Paul who was a catcher for the White Sox.

[bobbybanaduck]

you really want this list?

[JRutledge]

Since I am the one that started the thread on the basketball board, I thought I would be one of the first to answer.

Honestly, I cannot think of any famous player that I have ever officiated. At least not something I have knowledge of at this point. Some players have made the minor leagues, but I do not know if they ever got to the majors or were successful at the Division 1 level.

The structure of baseball does not allow lend itself to that kind of knowledge as easily as other sports.

Peace

[Tim C]

Like bobby this would be a list of at least 100 MLB players. I don't know if all are famous but I can easily surpass the century mark on what could be called "famous" players in basketball and baseball that I have officiated.

Regards,

[Blue37]

Originally Posted by WhiteHat Ref

There is a post on the basketball board about famous players that guys have officated for. I wanted to start this post for baseball. Who are some famous players you have umpired. For me I have umpired games for Dave Otto, now a commentator for the Cubs, who by the way was an awsome left handed pitcher who threw in the 90's in high school, Todd Huntley, whose dad always was behind the backstop during his games bothering the umpires, Dan Wilson now a catcher for Seattle, and Josh Paul who was a catcher for the White Sox.

If you limited it to players officiated in high school, the lists would, in all probability, be much shorter.

[justanotherump]

Unless you're from the 757. Lots of big leaguers right now

[Cub42]

Ahhh, See Bobbybanaduck's reply

[SanDiegoSteve]

I was kind of hoping that this thread would be fun, but I see that the stuffy stodgies have harumphed on the thread already. I enjoy reading about who umpired who back in the day.

I think the pro guys (and Tee) should disqualify themselves here, or at least stick to MLB guys past and present who they umpired when the player was in high school, or adult league after the big leagues.

I have umpired over 30 current or former major leaguers when they were in high school. Names on request.

[JJ]

OK, change the thread a bit -

Who is the FIRST famous player you ever umpired for, and what is your memory of that?

Mine was Cliff Floyd back in the late 80's, at the Illinois High School state tournament. He was a USA Today all-american, so they had a reporter and photographer there, and he didn't let them down. He was (is) tall, so when they introduced the teams on the foul lines before the game he "stood out" (no pun intended). Then the games began, and he again "stood out". Pounded the ball every time they didn't intentionally walk him. I mentally flagged him at that time as a player to watch down the road, and he didn't disappoint.

JJ

Originally Posted by WhiteHat Ref

There is a post on the basketball board about famous players that guys have officated for. I wanted to start this post for baseball. Who are some famous players you have umpired. For me I have umpired games for Dave Otto, now a commentator for the Cubs, who by the way was an awsome left handed pitcher who threw in the 90's in high school, Todd Huntley, whose dad always was behind the backstop during his games bothering the umpires, Dan Wilson now a catcher for Seattle, and Josh Paul who was a catcher for the White Sox.

You must obviously live in the Chicago area as Dave Otto was a product of Elk Grove High School. Since you covered Elk Grove, you probably also did games at Forest View where my brother was a pitcher. Otto and he were 1 and 2 in strikeouts in the Mid Suburban League in I believe 1981.

[WhiteHat Ref]

Originally Posted by BigGuy

You must obviously live in the Chicago area as Dave Otto was a product of Elk Grove High School. Since you covered Elk Grove, you probably also did games at Forest View where my brother was a pitcher. Otto and he were 1 and 2 in strikeouts in the Mid Suburban League in I believe 1981.

Yes I did do some games at Forest View High School. Also did some games at Arlington H.S. before that closed. I forget who the coach was at Forest View, but I think after the school closed, he went on to coach at Rolling Meadows at the sophomore level.

[dash_riprock]

Colby Rasmus, Rabbit Maranville

[chuckfan1]

Been doing this just since 2004, so no players that I can think of off hand. Josh Viitters who was just drafted by the Cubs last draft. Did his games in LL and HS.

Have had Matt Williams, Matt Nokes, Chad Krueter, Paul Abbott, Rich Amaral, as coaches.....
Did a Golden Baseball League scimmage last summer...Garry Templeton and Darrel Evans were the coaches.
Charles White is a member of our HS assoc..and our local youth assoc....he goes out and does games.

Krueters wife was a piece of work....chased a couple guys into the parking lot one time when her hubby was coaching...

Last summer in a Connie Mack semi at UC Irvine....a player threw his glove at a batter ball. Didnt make contact....so, nothing. After the game walking to our car, some fans behine were leaving and one guy said..."hey on that guy who threw the glove, why was there no penalty. I thought that was a rule.." We told him the glove had to hit the ball... that guy was Bobby Grich.

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by chuckfan1

Last summer in a Connie Mack semi at UC Irvine....a player threw his glove at a batter ball. Didnt make contact....so, nothing. After the game walking to our car, some fans behine were leaving and one guy said..."hey on that guy who threw the glove, why was there no penalty. I thought that was a rule.." We told him the glove had to hit the ball... that guy was Bobby Grich.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by chuckfan1

... Krueters wife was a piece of work....chased a couple guys into the parking lot one time when her hubby was coaching...

Kreuter's wife is the daughter of longtime USC coach Mike Gillespie. So she qualifies as a female baseball expert on two fronts.