Each year, the Big League Softball World Series brings together the finest players from around the world AND some of the best officials.  Umpiring at the World Series is not only an enjoyable experience for these volunteers but also gives recognition of the many hours they have spent on the ball fields each summer.  Of course, simply umpiring many games won’t get you an invitation to this series.  You must be an outstanding official to be recommended by your regional director.  Only the “best of the best” make appearances at Little League National Championships.

The umpires profiled below have distinguished careers.  They pay their own way to Kalamazoo, usually taking a week’s vacation.  This year’s group represents ten states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Their best efforts will be given to the game they love so much.  These 13 men deserve our appreciation and gratitude!  We salute the 2010 Big League Softball World Series Umpire staff!!

William Andrews brings 15 years of umpiring experience to Kalamazoo from his home in sunny Seminole, Florida. He has umpired in the Little League Southern Regional Tournaments in 2002 for Seniors, 2004 for Big League and 2007 for Majors. In addition, the electrician has also officiated high school softball for nine years and football for four years. Unfortunately his wife, Susan, will not be able to accompany Bill to the series. 

Terry Coburn, our umpire coordinator, has been an important fixture at Kalamazoo’s World Series since 1983.  This local favorite from Vicksburg, his wife Sally and daughter Kate have volunteered countless hours to make this tournament a success. Terry, an avid hunter and fisherman, recently retired from Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

Robert Gadling Jr. brings an impressive umpiring resume to Kalamazoo from Alexandria, LA.  He has been a “man in blue” at multiple state and Regional tournaments in Indiana and Louisiana and is currently the Louisiana District 3 umpire consultant. This self-employed umpire also officiates high school baseball/softball, wrestling and football. Robert also enjoys reading and coaching football.

Robert Gitchel and his girlfriend, Deb Ezell, will make the short drive to Kalamazoo from Gobles, MI to umpire in his first World Series. The golf course foreman has been calling balls and strikes for the past eight years.  He has worked the 9-10, Major and Big League State Tournaments and the Major and Big League Central Regional Tournaments. In addition, Bob also officiates for high school softball and baseball and A.S.A and N.S.A. travel ball.  In his spare time Bob enjoys boating, fishing, hunting and playing golf.

Jim Goodwin and wife, Krisna, will make the trek to Vanderberg Park from Bristol, Tennessee where Jim is the Assistant District Attorney General. He has been umpiring since 2002 and is an active member of TN District 5 Umpire Association. He has attended and taught numerous Regional and National umpire clinics and has umpired in nearly all levels of baseball and softball at the State level. Jim even had the honor of umpiring in the 2004 EMEA Major Baseball Regional Tournament in Kutno, Poland. Jim lists photography as his main hobby and owns his own photography studio.

Ryan Goss has been umpiring for 25 years and is the Umpire Consultant for softball in his hometown of Indianapolis, IN.  This will be the stay at home dad’s second World Series as he also called balls and strikes at the Little League World Series in Portland, OR in 2005.  Ryan also officiates high school basketball, baseball and softball.  Joining him in Kalamazoo for the week will be his wife, Luci.

Richard Graves, Jr. and wife, Janet, (who “becomes an umpire widow when the season starts”) will travel west from their home in Valley Lee, MD to attend this years World Series. Richard has umpired for the past 16 years at numerous state and regional tournaments in addition to serving as the chief umpire for District 7 in Maryland. He has also attended umpire clinics in Bristol, CT and Williamsport, PA. This propane delivery specialist is proud of his family and his goal is “keeping the FUN in baseball and softball for everyone.”

Dan Hrigora was raised playing Little League Baseball and played in the “longest known game” lasting 17 innings (and losing 2-0) in 1964.  This San Diego, CA area manager for AT&T Quality Group started umpiring full time in 1998 and has worked several regional tournaments, has been an instructor at the West Region week-end umpire clinic and a District ADA for 11 years. In his spare time, Dan enjoys adult baseball and golf.

Thomas Soccio's week in Kalamazoo will be a family reunion!!  Joining him from their home in Lewistown, PA will be his wife, Karen.  Also making appearances will be daughter, son-in-law and grandson, Gina, Jeff and Eli and son and grandson, Seth and Quintin.  This Accounts Payable Manger for Overhead Door Corp-PA Division has umpired for 23 years and his resume includes an impressive list of tournaments and clinics.  Tom is currently the PA District 5 assistant to the DA and lists church, family time, his dogs, and college football, softball and baseball among his interests.

Charles Thomas III and wife, Christina, will travel east from their home in Salem, OR to participate in his second World Series.  In 2005 he was selected to umpire an exhibition game at the Little League Softball World Series in Portland, OR. This Nursery Manager has umpired all levels of Little League since 1976 and has participated in State and Regional Tournaments every year since 2000. This car buff has also officiated high school softball, baseball and basketball. 

James Tremblay will make a relatively short trek to Vanderberg Park from Windsor Ontario, Canada.  Jim has 20 years of umpiring experience including the 1988 Junior World Series and many Canadian Regional Tournaments.  He is in sales and married to Candy. 

Chris Villarreal, wife Elizabeth, and three children: Colton, Chanie and Brittney, join us for the week from San Antonio, TX.  This SIS Security Manager has been umpiring for six years including two Regional Tournaments.  He is on District 19’s training staff and also officiates high school softball and football and youth football.  In his spare time Chris enjoys golf, pool and motorcycling.