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East Hampton Little League is in need of umpires once again this spring.
Calling all umpires! Calling all umpires!
The East Coast Umpires Association, which provides umpires for most, if not all, of Suffolk County, informed East Hampton Little League recently that, for the second year in a row, it would not be able to provide officials for their games due to the continued shortage. That has forced the league to once again reach out to those who are ready, willing and able to umpire both youth baseball and softball games.
“We don’t have a contract with ECUA again, so they’re not sending any umpires,” East Hampton Little League President John Grisch said last week. “When we reached out to the public last year, we had a pretty good response. So we’re hoping to do that once again, and for people who can help throughout the season, not just one game.”
Grisch said the league has raised the amount it pays per game from $75 to $90 to hopefully sweeten the deal for those possibly interested. He added that the league will provide any type of training someone may need, though having a basic knowledge of the game would certainly help.
Dave Rutkowski, now league vice president, actually put umpiring gear on last year as league president when he was needed, which was about eight games or so, he said. There were about a dozen or so people who stepped up to umpire what was most likely over 100 games last year, and Rutkowski said he would be “shocked” if he didn’t find himself back on the field a few times this season.
“I’m very, very thankful that I can step up for the league. Of course I have a business that gives me the flexibility to do so,” he said. “But it’s a much better game for the kids when there’s an actual umpire out there and we’re not dragging their dad or someone else they might know on the field to do it. It just makes for a much better game.”
Grisch said he doesn’t foresee not having a season because of the lack of umpires and he still plans on having Opening Day on April 22, weather permitting of course, which is key as the league is set to open up its brand new complex on Stephen Hands Path.
“The fields are going to be beautiful,” Grisch said. “They’ve already cut out the fields. They’re about to put down the gravel and install the lights this week, then they’ll lay down the turf. The project looks on point.”
With Opening Day right around the corner, the league is set to have its player evaluations next month. There will be two days for evaluations, March 4 and March 11, at the new Hub 44. All players in grades three through six must be evaluated. Softball players will be evaluated from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m., while baseball players will be evaluated directly following from 4:45 to 6 p.m. The league asks, to try to avoid large crowds at one time, that those with the last names that start with A-M to please try to attend the March 4 session, while those with the last names that start with N-Z to please try to attend the March 11 session.
For those interested in umpiring for the league, or for more information on player evaluations, contact the league via email at easthamptonlittleleague@gmail.com.
