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 eight states and Aruba. Their best efforts will be given to the game they love so much. These 13 men deserve our appreciation and gratitude! We salute the 2007 Big League Softball World Series Umpire staff!!!

Anthony Baumann is making his second appearance at a World Series, having umpired last year in Portland. He brings 33 years of umpiring experience to Kalamazoo from Fredericksburg, Texas where he is a city employee. Anthony and his wife, Robin, are the proud parents of two, Dustin and Chelsea. His hobbies include hunting, going to any games his children participate in, bowling, and, most of all, spending time with his family.

Shawn Cartwright, our Hoosier representative from Elkhart, IN, will arrive in Kalamazoo with his wife and daughter, Casey, who are also both big time Little League volunteers. Shawn has been behind the plate for nine years and has umpired countless State, Regional and Sectional tournaments. He has also umpired high school softball as well as ASA and NSA for the past five years. In his spare time, this warehouse supervisor enjoys Notre Dame sports, woodworking and pin trading.

Kenneth Benjamin Oswald Carty joins us for the week from Diamantbergweg, Aruba. Kenneth works for the government and has more than 27 years of umpiring experience, including local and international softball and baseball and the Pan-American games in Venezuela in 2002. Wife, Silvia is also a Little League umpire and all three of their children played Little League. In fact, daughter, Nikita participated in the 2005 Major League Softball World Series in Portland, OR in 2005.

Terry Coburn, Umpire Coordinator - Vicksburg, MI - 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, works at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

Rusty Cogan and wife, Allyson, will make the trip to Vanderberg Park from their home in Pennsville, New Jersey. This lab technician has umpired for over 20 years, including several state and regional tournaments and has attended umpire clinics and schools in Williamsport, PA. The father of three is also active in Boy Scouts, golf and “all other sports.”

Mike Daugherty has been involved in Little League for over 25 years. He has umpired in the Junior, Senior and Big League World Series in 1998, 2001 and 2006. He has also umpired in Senior and Junior Regionals in 1997 and 2000. Mike has over 20 years of umpiring experience. The brand new grandpa resides in Kalamazoo with his wife, Laura.

Kevin Hunter, wife, Helen and children, Briaun and Mary Kate are avid Little League volunteers back “home” in Fort Myers, Florida. In fact, father and son have proudly umpired games together! The Florida District 9 Umpire Consultant has been behind the plate at several baseball and softball state and regional tournaments. This computer engineer moderates a Little League oriented discussion group on Yahoo – Check it out!!

PJ Laskaska will head west to Kalamazoo from his home in Belleville, MI to call balls and strikes at the 2007 World Series. PJ is a vocational education teacher at Belleville High School, an on-call fire fighter and the goalie coach for Belleville High School’s varsity hockey team. The Michigan District 16 umpire consultant has umped since 1999, including three state finals and two regional tournaments. Cheering him on during the week will be his father and uncle.

Bruce R. McCain brings a wealth of umpire experience to Kalamazoo from Portland, Oregon (home of the Major Softball World Series). The father of three grown daughters has umpired a total of 21 Divisional, State and Regional Softball tournaments and number 22 is his first World Series! Bruce is celebrating his 25th year as Attorney/Lieutenant of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. Wife, Kathy, is not able to attend the tournament, but will cheer on her avid ham radio operator and photographer from afar.

Ted Skartsiaris’ involvement with Little League goes back to when his father managed a team in the late 1950’s. He and wife Pat now watch their grandchildren play at Eastwood Little League in Kalamazoo where Ted played as a youngster. The dining service manager at Western Michigan University enjoys NASCAR racing and spending time with his family. Ted would like to thank his mentors….Bill Jones, Terry Reynolds and Terry Colburn.

Jerry Thompson has 15 years of umpiring experience, has been an umpire consultant for five years and has done several Southeast tournament level clinics. This salesman from Clearwater, Florida enjoys skeet and trap shooting in his spare time.

Charles W. Truby has been umpiring for 23 years, including several baseball and softball regional tournaments and NCAA Division II softball. Charles is currently the President of Glooversville, New York Little League (New York District 12) and is the Chairman of Gloversville’s Recreation Commission. The Intensive Case Manager will make the trip to Kalamazoo with his wife and two boys, Jake and Kyle.

Sheldon Wigdor and wife, Janella, will make the trek to Kalamazoo from sunny Canyon Country, CA. Sheldon has been involved in Little League for 23 years as a player, coach, umpire and board member. He is a second general Little League President and has umpired for 17 years. He has three sons and a daughter who all participated in Little League. In fact, two of his sons are now California District 40 tournament umpires! Sheldon is a Senior Program Manager and a school board member for the local K-6 district.